jesus heals a man born blind john 9:1-41 a bible study chinese baptist church, west la

Jesus Heals a Man Born Blind

John 9:1-41A Bible Study

Chinese Baptist Church, West LA

Jerusalem

17. Pool of Siloam

Discovery of the Pool of Siloam in 2004

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/6750670/

Pool of Siloam: Artists’ Impressions

Jesus’ role in the story

1. Jesus initiates the encounter

Romans 5:8"But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us."

1 John 4:19“We love because He first loved us.”


2. The meaning of Jesus asking the man to wash in the Pool of Siloam V. 7a. Siloam means “Sent”b. Sending a blind man on a journey


2. Symbolism of Water through out Jesus’ ministry

a. First miracle - turning water into wine (Jn. 2)b. Jesus as the living water (Jn. 4:13-14)c. Cleansing water of Bethseda (Jn. 5)d. Jesus walking on water (Jn. 6)


John 7:37-38On the last and greatest day of the Feast, Jesus stood and said in a loud voice, “If anyone is thirsty, let him come to me and drink. Whoever believes in me, as the Scripture has said, streams of living water will flow from within him.”

Pharisees’ role in the story

Pharisees’ Dilemma:a. God cannot possibly side with a law-breaker, therefore the miracle must have been faked.

b. Jesus’s sabbath-breaking suggests he is not of God, yet Jesus’ power to heal suggests he is of God.


Pharisees’ Sin:1. robbed other’s of God’s joy (v. 22)

“His parents said this because they were afraid of the Jews, for already the Jews had decided that anyone who acknowledges that Jesus was the Christ would be put out of the synagogue.”


Pharisees’ Sin:2. pride - claiming to “know” when in fact they don’t. (v.24)

[the Pharisees said], “We know this man is a sinner.”


Pharisees’ Sin:2. pride - claiming to “know” when in fact they don’t. (v.24)

Contrast their attitude with that of the blind man (v. 25)He replied, ‘Whether he is a sinner or not, I don’t know. One thing I do know. I was blind but now I see!”


Pharisees’ Sin:3. unrepentence - refusing to admit their own spiritual blindness (v.41).

“Jesus said, ‘If you were blind, you would not be guilty of sin; but now that you claim you can see, your guilt remains.”


1 John 1:8-9If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.


Pharisees’ Sin:1. robbed other’s of God’s joy (v. 22)2. pride - claiming to “know” when in fact they don’t. (v.24)3. unrepentence (v.41)

Sin and Illness

Jewish theological context:

Assumption: Disease and Illness on a personal and national level are due to sin.

Question: In the case of the man born blind, whose sin caused this condition?

Sin & Illness

“There is no death without sin; no suffering without iniquity.” b.shabbat 55a

Exodus 20:5Jewish Rabbis debated whether:a. Sin can be passed on from one generation

to the next. (Exodus 20:5, Ezekiel 18:19-20)b. Fetuses could sin. Some argued they could

(Genesis Rabbah 63:6); others argued they could not (Genesis Rabbah 34:10)

Sin & Illness

v.2 Jesus’ disciples treated the blind man’s condition as a theological problem.

The disciples wanted Jesus to comment on this debate.

Five Purposes for Suffering

1. Suffering as a proving or testing of our faith.

Examples:A. Abraham’s Test of Faith - Genesis 22B. Israel’s wondering in the desert - Deut. 8:2C. Job


2. Suffering meant for improvement, for our own edification.Hebrews 12:5-8And you have forgotten that word of encouragement that addresses you as sons: "My son, do not make light of the Lord's discipline, and do not lose heart when he rebukes you, because the Lord disciplines those he loves, and he punishes everyone he accepts as a son."Endure hardship as discipline; God is treating you as sons. For what son is not disciplined by his father? If you are not disciplined (and everyone undergoes discipline), then you are illegitimate children and not true sons.


2. Suffering meant for improvement, for our own edification.

James 1:2-4Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.


3. Suffering as a punishment for sina. Deuteronomy 32:15-25b. Jeremiah 30:15Why do you cry out over your wound, your pain that has no cure?

Because of your great guilt and many sins I have done these things to you.


4. Suffering that shows forth God’s glory

a. John 9:3b. John 11:4 - Resurrection of LazarusWhen he heard this, Jesus said, "This sickness will not end in death. No, it is for God's glory so that God's Son may be glorified through it."


5. Suffering that comes from bearing witness for Jesus Christ.

Matthew 5:11-12Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.


5. Suffering that comes from bearing witness for Jesus Christ.

Hebrews 10:33-35Sometimes you were publicly exposed to insult and persecution; at other times you stood side by side with those who were so treated. You sympathized with those in prison and joyfully accepted the confiscation of your property, because you knew that you yourselves had better and lasting possessions. So do not throw away your confidence; it will be richly rewarded.

The Purpose of suffering

Jesus shifts the focus, instead of addressing the cause of the man’s blindness, he speaks of its purpose:

“so that the work of God might be displayed in his life.” (v. 3)

Learning to be a Good Driver

Learning to be a Good Driver

Which is the correct question to ask in this situation?

A. Why is there a stop sign here?B. How should I respond to the stop sign?

When we face suffering

Rather than asking “why” or assigning blame, we ought to ask “how” we can honor and glorify God in our response to a painful situation.

Hope in Suffering

Romans 8:17-18Now if we are children, then we are heirs—heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory.

I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us.

Hope in Suffering

John 16:33

"I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world."

jesus heals a man born blind john 9:1-41 a bible study chinese baptist church, west la

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pharisees role

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