Gospel of John - Spiritual Blindness Remains

                           

Spiritual Blindness Remains

John 9:35-41

Many people believe that Jesus lived, some believe that he was a righteous man, others believe that he was a prophet, still others believe he was just a man that has become a myth. But Jesus proclaimed to be the Son of Man, sent from heaven from the Father, and the Christ, the promised One, and all evidenced by the works of God through him. Even the demons believe. (James 2:19) The question we need to ask is the same one He asked his disciples and others on several occasions, Who do you think I am? (Luke 9:18-20) Let’s begin to look at the text. “Jesus heard that they had thrown him out, and when he found him, he said, “Do you believe in the Son of Man?” “Who is he, sir?” the man asked. “Tell me so that I may believe in him.” Jesus said, “You have now seen him; in fact, he is the one speaking with you.” Then the man said, “Lord, I believe,” and he worshiped him. 

Jesus heard about the interrogation of the man and the Pharisees throwing him out into the street. But Jesus didn’t leave it at hearing the plight of the man’s life, he took action and went to find him. When Jesus found the man, he asked a pointed question, “Do you believe in the Son of Man?” 

To this the man replied mystified, “Who is he, sir?” “Tell me so that I may believe in him.” The man had been through  alot of intense experiences both highs and lows. Jesus hadn’t revealed his name to the man, only the title that was given to Jesus, for the man had heard the name Jesus mentioned before he was healed, not the title, Son of Man. So Jesus spoke plainly to the man, “You have now seen him; in fact, he is the one speaking with you.” 

There was no hesitation or doubt, only the eager desire to find the One who healed his eyes, the One they called Jesus, the Son of Man. With the energy and enthusiasm of a new born believer he proclaims, “Lord, I believe.” After proclaiming his faith, he worships Jesus.

Application - Today many say they believe in Jesus because they have heard of His name or something he did two thousand years ago, but if confronted with the question, “Who do you think he is today?” They might come up with a variety of responses, most wouldn’t require any faith just knowing titles. Jesus is more than titles and names. Jesus did something the man wouldn’t forget, he sought after him. He went in search of the man. I wonder how many of us truly understand the heart of the Son of Man, He came to seek and save the lost. (Lk. 19:10) 

When Jesus found the man, the man answered Jesus' question honestly, “Who is he, sir?” “Tell me so that I may believe in him.” The man's response came from a heart that truly wanted to know. He had heard many things while blind, but with God-given eyes he wanted to know and believe in the Son of Man, Jesus. 

Even today Jesus is still seeking all who will believe, not with a head knowledge, but with the heart and soul. I know from my own personal testimony, when truly confronted with the question of “Who is the Son of Man?” I had learned about the exploits of Jesus with my head, but one day I told my wife I was finished with church and Jesus. It was this day that Jesus came and sought me, and by the miraculous works of God I received a new heart and life. I now know Him in my heart, Jesus is Lord and Savior. He is the One who supernaturally changed me, and I proclaim and worship him not just with words but with my life. For this is what truly believing means, a changed life, trusting in Jesus for everything. So who is Jesus to you?

Now, with this shout of proclamation from the man, Jesus now speaks to all those who are around him. Let’s read the rest of the text, Jesus said, “For judgment I have come into this world, so that the blind will see and those who see will become blind.” Some Pharisees who were with him heard him say this and asked, “What? Are we blind too?” Jesus said, “If you were blind, you would not be guilty of sin; but now that you claim you can see, your guilt remains.”

Jesus had said earlier, “I came to do the works of God, my Father.” He now proclaims judgment as he stated earlier. “And he has given him authority to judge because he is the Son of Man. “Do not be amazed at this, for a time is coming when all who are in their graves will hear his voice  and come out—those who have done what is good will rise to live, and those who have done what is evil will rise to be condemned. By myself I can do nothing; I judge only as I hear, and my judgment is just, for I seek not to please myself but him who sent me…But if I do judge, my decisions are true, because I am not alone. I stand with the Father, who sent me…I have much to say in judgment of you. But he who sent me is trustworthy, and what I have heard from him I tell the world.” Jn. 5:27-30, 8:16,26

Jesus understood the blindness of all those around him. For the man born blind, the blindness was not the fault of sin, though he was born in sin because of the fall of man, he was not guilty of the sins like those who could see. But to those who have had vision and have seen the works of God in creation and by the Son of Man and heard the truth of God’s Word, yet do not believe in the Son of Man, their sins are held against them. They are blind, spiritual blind. So when the Pharisees heard this they became offended, “What? Are we blind too?” Jesus didn’t hesitate, “If you were blind, you would not be guilty of sin; but now that you claim you can see, your guilt remains.”

Jesus revealed to the religious leaders that spiritual blindness comes from unbelieve, hard heartedness and rebellion, and it is enhanced by the god of the age, Satan. “The god of this age has blinded the minds of unbelievers so that they cannot see the light of the gospel that displays the glory of Christ, who is the image of God.” 2 Cor.4:4

Jesus had said in the synagogue in Nazareth, “The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to set the oppressed free,” in quoting Isa. 61:1. Jesus came to heal the blind, but also to show up the blindness that Satan has on the eyes, minds, and hearts of those who do not believe. 

In this act of mercy and compassion to the man born blind, the Pharisees wouldn’t believe in the works of God performed by Jesus as the Son of Man even when the prophets had spoken of the Son of Man. They refused to believe in Jesus with the exception of a couple of Pharisees. This judgment of guilt of sin was now proclaimed and remained until their spiritual blindness  was healed, and they confessed Jesus as the Christ, the Son of Man.

Application - Many people are blinded spiritually in the world today. They refuse Jesus because of this blindness. The god of this age has callused their hearts and seared their conscience. “For the hearts of these people are hardened, and their ears cannot hear, and they have closed their eyes— so their eyes cannot see, and their ears cannot hear, and their hearts cannot understand, and they cannot turn to me and let me heal them.” (Matt. 13:15) They live in denial of God’s Son and the works of God done everyday. They walk in spiritual darkness not understanding the guilt of their sins or their need of Jesus as Lord and Savior.

 One day, all mankind will stand in the presence of the Lord Jesus Christ and will bow down. “Therefore, God elevated him to the place of highest honor and gave him the name above all other names, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue declare that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.” (Phil. 2:9-11) and they will stand at the judgment of the world and receive their judgment according to what they have done with what they have seen, done, and heard. “For we must all stand before Christ to be judged. We will each receive whatever we deserve for the good or evil we have done in this earthly body.” (2 Cor. 5:10) and “Behold, I am coming soon, bringing my recompense with me, to repay each one for what he has done.” (Rev.22:12)

God desires that all mankind would accept and receive forgiveness for their sins. It only comes by believing in the Lord Jesus Christ for salvation. “Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to mankind by which we must be saved.” (Acts 4:12)

“If you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes and is justified, and with the mouth one confesses and is saved.” (Rom. 10:9-10)

Let us obey Jesus’ command, let us go and preach the gospel, and do the works of God so that those who see will believe in the Son of Man, Jesus Christ.

I’m again including the ABC’s of salvation (JD Farag). Please, Jesus, God the Son, came to this world to save all who would believe and trust in him. He desires to reveal himself to you, He is the Light that overcomes the darkness of this lawless world. He hears your prayers, and all authority in heaven and earth have been given to him. He will answer you if you will truly believe. If you haven’t asked him to be your Lord and Savior, today could be that day.

 First, A - Admit that you are a sinner. This is where that godly sorrow leads to genuine repentance for sinning against a righteous God and there is a change of heart, we change our mind and God changes our hearts and regenerates us from the inside out. Romans 3:10 - As it is written: "There is none righteous, no, not one." Romans 3:23 - For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God. (We are all born sinners which is why we must be born spiritually in order to enter the Kingdom of Heaven). Romans 6:23 - For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. The bad news is that the wages of sin is death, in other words our sin means that we have been given a death sentence, we have the death penalty hanging over our heads, that's the bad news. But here's the good news: The good news is that the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. Ephesians 2:8-9 - For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith —and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— not by works, so that no one can boast. Second,

 B - Believe in your heart that Jesus Christ died for your sins, was buried, and that God raised Jesus from the dead. This is trusting with all of your heart that Jesus Christ is who he said he was. Romans 10:9-10 - That if you confess with your mouth, "Jesus is Lord," and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you confess and are saved. Third, 

C - Call upon the name of the Lord. Every single person who ever lived since Adam will bend their knee and confess with their mouth that Jesus Christ is Lord, the Lord of lords and the King of kings. Romans 14:11 - For it is written: "As I live, says the Lord, Every knee shall bow to Me, And every tongue shall confess to God." Don't wait until later — do this now. Romans 10:13 - For "whoever calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved." "O God, I am a sinner. I'm sorry for my sin. I want to turn from my sin. I believe Jesus Christ is Your Son; I believe that He died on the cross for my sin and that He was buried and You raised Him to life. I have decided to place my faith in Jesus Christ as my Savior, trusting only in His shed blood as sufficient to save my soul and to take me to heaven. Thank You, Lord Jesus, for saving me. Amen."

Please share this with someone this week, the Lord knows that we and they need it.

If you would like other lessons, please go to http://pmdinhisservice.blogspot.com 

Until next week, In His Service Mike Davis

I am developing a new webpage on Spiritual warfare. Please give it a look. I’m adding answers each week to questions that pertain to our time today.  Thank you

http://uss-warfare3.webnode.com