Title: The blind / John 9:1
Contents
Subject: The blind / John 9:1-
Scholars differ in their opinions on whether the text is an event that is directly connected to the event in Chapter 8, or whether there is a space of two or three months in the middle.
What is important in the text is that, despite the thorough hostility of the Jews, Jesus continued to focus on his work.
1. a person who is blind from birth
1) A person who has been blind from birth
① This person came into the world with a disability from birth. In verse 21, it says [he has grown up], we can see that he lived with a disability for a long time.
② It was also the invisibility of the eyes that limited people's activities more than other disabilities.
2) Whose sin is it due to?
John 9:2 The disciples asked him,
Rabbi, whose sin is it that this man was born blind?
Is it you or your parents?
① People were not interested in his discomfort, or the depth and duration of his suffering.
②People's attention was the cause of his disability.
If you think about it more deeply, they are looking for their excuses and excuses in other ways for their indifference in caring for the disabled person.
③ In other words, isn't that person's disability because of sin?
Therefore, we must put on our own yoke and go down the path of suffering, not that of someone else.
By claiming that they do not need help or sympathy, they are making excuses for their indifference to their neighbors.
3) Whose sin is it due to?
① Reincarnation?
One of the popular things in our country today is the [reincarnation theory]. It is far from Babylon,
It was popular in Persia and Greece, and it is one of the main ideas of Buddhism in India.
The main content is that the soul of a person is repeatedly born in a new body, and the new
Life is determined by the good and evil done in the previous life.
Philosophers have been very useful in explaining the lives of the rich and the poor and the dead and the sick in human life.
It was used, and it was an idea that even permeated the Jews of Jesus' day.
Matthew 16
13 When Jesus came to the region of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples
He said, Who do people say the Son of Man is?
Matthew 16:14 And he said, Some say John the Baptist, others Elijah, and some say Jeremiah or one of the prophets
② Is it because of the sins of the parents?
Jewish rabbis usually followed the Old Testament to understand that the sins of parents bring punishment to their children.
Exodus 20:5 ... I, the LORD, your God, am a jealous God, punishing those who hate me from fathers to sons to the third and fourth generations.
** That is, because of sin, he was born with a disability.
The Jews have the idea that [without sin there is no death, and without crime there is no suffering].
Even today, disability is regarded as an object to be avoided in Korea.
Disabled facilities are considered as hate facilities.
However, we can see that the Lord has already opened up a new perspective on the disabled two thousand years ago. By acknowledging the disabled as an important material of his ministry, he is recognizing the disabled as a participant in his ministry.
2. Jesus' grace
1) As Jesus was going on the way... he saw
In the text, the blind could neither see Jesus Christ nor recognize who He was.
*Jesus [sees] him first
*Jesus looked at the condition and condition of this blind man begging by the roadside.
*Jesus looked at what he needed the most and the biggest problem in his life.
2) Reveal the true cause of the disorder
①Jesus revealed the cause of his disability to help his disciples who condemned others.
By rebuking and defending the blind, He comforts his heart.
The first thing people with disabilities need is true understanding and an open mind to accept them as neighbors.
It is a consideration for living together.
②Actually, there were exceptions like Job.
Job had to undergo a severe test because of Satan's envy for no reason.
③ The reason for the suffering of the blind was for the glory of God.
*In the case of Lazarus' death
John 11:4 When Jesus heard this, he said, "This is not a mortal disease, but for the glory of God, that the Son of God might be glorified through it."
*In the case of Peter's death
John 21:19 These words were meant to indicate what kind of death Peter was to glorify God. After saying these things, he said to Peter, "Follow me."
*In the case of the Apostle Paul's suffering
2 Corinthians 12:7 To keep me from being too self-conscious because the revelations I have received are exceedingly great, a thorn, a messenger of Satan, has been given to me in the flesh, so that I will not be overzealous.
3) As long as I am in the world, I am the light of the world.
Jesus' public ministry was three years.
*The Lord wants you to carry out all of His ministry during that public life.
*While you were in the world, you wanted to be a light to illuminate a dark world,
you took the job
3. Healing method
1) He spit on the ground, made mud, and put it on his eyes.
① Saliva or mud does not do the characteristic work of healing.
② The means of the Lord's miracles are the Word, the laying on of hands, and all other means,
means not
2) He said to them, "Go and wash in the pool of Siloam."
(Siloam literally means sent.)
*Jesus healed the blind immediately by making mud with saliva.
did not give
*Jesus told him to go to the pool of Siloam and wash.
Considering the limitations, it may have been a very difficult command.
3) He went and washed and came back with bright eyes.
*The Bible shows obedience by saying [go to this].
*[He came with bright eyes] is an attempt to share with the Lord the amazing event that changed his life and brought a new start.
**** conclusion ****
1. Thinking of a disability
1) Let's remember that today's disability has many acquired things, such as traffic accidents and diseases.
2) Congenital disorders can come for a reason, not anyone's fault.
Therefore, having a disabled person in the family should not be a cause of shame, but should be recognized as something to be understood and protected.
2. Embracing disability
1) Disabled facilities are not hate facilities.
2) Cover the disabled. EX) Nomad
3. Practicing the love of the Lord
1) The love of the Lord comforts the heart of the disabled,
2) The love of the Lord was to reach out to the disabled person.
4. Obedience and thanksgiving of the Word.
1) He obeyed the Lord's word and was healed, and he came back and gave thanks.
2) Let us also achieve our wishes through obedience and thanksgiving.