Healing of Man Born Blind (Anatomy of a Conversion) John 9:1-41

New Life Bible Fellowship

Dr. Kermit Ecklebarger

February 24, 2013

www.newlifetucson.com/connection/

Introduction

• A. Growing Hostility toward Jesus

• B. Two key “I Am” statements by Jesus

• C. Tracing the anatomy of a conversion

A. Initial encounter with Christ: Creation of sight 9:1-7

• 1. Cause of man’s blindness 9:1-4• a. Disciples’ response: doctrinal speculation

• “who sinned, this man or his parents…?”• b. Jesus’ response: • ~~Clarification: “Neither…sinned”

but this happened to display works of God• ~~Compassion: • “I am the light of the world”

2. Cure of man’s blindness 9:5-7

• a. Anointing of eyes with clay: Stimulus to faith

• b. Washing in Pool of Siloam:

• “…washed and came home seeing.”

• Lesson: Jesus master of human destiny

SPIRITUAL LESSONS

• Hardships are sometimes opportunities for God to show His power

• Needs call for compassion, not laying blame

Pool of Siloam

Entrance to Hezekiah’s Tunnel

Hezekiah’s Tunnel

Hezekiah’s Tunnel

Middle of Hezekiah’s Tunnel

Pool End of Hezekiah’s Tunnel

Pool of Siloam Today

B. Report of a fact to Neighbors: Mistaken Identity 9:8-12

~~Identity of healed: “Isn’t this the same man?”

“I am the man.” • ~~Identity of healer: “How were your eyes opened?”• “The man they call Jesus….”• “I went and washed, and then I could see” • ~~Location of healer: “Where is this man?”• “I don’t know.”

C. Interpretation of fact: “He is a Prophet” 9:13-17

• 1. Pharisees questioned man:• a. First question: How were you healed??• ~~Pharisees dilemma:• (1). God’s servant would not break Sabbath• (2). Only God’s servant could do such a

miracle• b. Second question: What is your evaluation of

one who healed you? “He is a Prophet”

2. Jews question parents: Is this your son? How was he healed? 9:18-23

• a. Parents’ dilemma:

• ~~If positive: excommunication

• ~~If negative: ungrateful

• b. Parents’ evasive response:

• ~~this is our son

• ~~he was born blind

• ~~ask him

C. Man’s Defense of his Interpretation: He must be from God to do this 9:24-34

• 1. Man cross-examined 9:24

• Two types of assurance:

• a. Pharisees’ Dogmatic bias:

“We know he is a sinner.”

• b. Man’s Experiential conviction: 9:25

~~ “One thing I do know,

I was blind but now I see.”

c. Man’s rejection of Pharisees’ conclusion 9:27-33

• 1) Pharisees: “How did he open your eyes?”• 2) Man: “I told you already…”• “Do you want to become his disciples too?• 3) Pharisees: “You are this fellow’s disciple!

We are disciples of Moses! … • We know that God spoke to Moses,

but as for this fellow we don’t even know where he comes from.”

4) Man: “Now that is remarkable! You don’t know where he comes from, yet he opened my eyes. We know God does not listen to sinners.

…Nobody has ever heard of opening the eyes of a man born blind. If this man were not from God, he could do nothing.”

• 2. Man excommunicated from Synagogue 9:34• Pharisees: “You were steeped in sin at birth;

how dare you lecture us!”

And they threw him out.

D. Commitment of faith: Lord, I believe. 9:35-41

• 1. Jesus’ question: “Do you believe in the Son of Man?”

• 2. Man’s answer: “Who is he sir?”

• “Tell me so that I may believe in him.”

• 3. Jesus’ disclosure: “One speaking to you.”

• 4. Man’s response: “Lord, I believe.”• 5. Jesus’ explanation of significance: 9:39-41

• ~~Two responses to Jesus:• a. Man: “I believe.”• b. Pharisees: Unbelief resulting in:

“Your sin remains” because “you claim you see.”

SPIRITUAL INSIGHTS

• Beginning of Story End of Story

MAN’SPHYSICALBLINDNESSREMEDIED

PHARISEES’SPIRITUALBLINDNESSPERSISTS

MAN’SSPIRITUALBLINDNESSHEALED

Blind mans’ progress in thinking about Jesus

• First stage: A man 9:11

• Second stage: Prophet 9:17

• Third stage: From God 9:33

• Fourth stage: Son of man and Lord to be worshiped 9:35-38

Pharisees’ decline in unbelief

• First stage: Sabbath Breaker 9:14

• Second stage: Sinner 9:24

• Third stage: Don’t know where He comes from 9:29

• Fourth stage: Your guilt remains 9:41