The Man Born Blind

GOLDEN TEXT: “Whether he be a sinner or no, I know not: one thing I know, that, whereas I was blind, now I see.” —John 9:25

JOHN 9:24-38

OUR Golden Text again brings into sharp focus the bitter opposition of the scribes and Pharisees against Jesus. They had told the blind man that Jesus, who had given him sight, was a sinner, implying that it was therefore impossible to suppose that he was able to perform such a miracle. Thus they not only were themselves rejecting this evidence of Jesus’ messiahship, but endeavoring to convince the man who had been so greatly blessed that there must be some mistake as to what he thought had occurred.

But the firm conviction of the man born blind could not thus be shaken. He was not prepared to say from personal acquaintance whether or not his benefactor was a sinner, but he did know that just as formerly he was blind, now he could see. Reasoning from this, he concluded, and so stated to the scribes and Pharisees, that Jesus could not be a sinner as they charged.

The basis for this conclusion on the part of the man born blind is stated in verse 31, which reads, “Now we know that God heareth not sinners: but if any man be a worshiper of God, and doeth his will, him he heareth.” Since, as the next verse states, no man had ever been able to open the eyes of one born blind, this must have been a miracle accomplished by divine power. This, he reasoned, could only mean that Jesus was a worshiper of God and devoted to doing his will, therefore one whose prayers God would hear, and did answer, as evidenced by the fact that this marvelous miracle had been performed.

This was good reasoning, and evidently the man was sincere, for when he was questioned by Jesus, after being cast out of the synagogue, he was glad to accept him as the Messiah and Son of God, and to worship him.

More important to us than the insight this narrative gives into the various reactions to Jesus’ ministry, and particularly how jealousy and selfishness blinds one to the truth, is the reminder it gives us of the many promises of God that the time is coming when all “the eyes of the blind shall be opened.” (Isa. 35:5) Surely this one born blind must have greatly rejoiced in the fact that such an outstanding blessing had been bestowed upon him, yet there were many blind at that time who were not given sight by the Master. These also will have their eyes opened in God’s due time.

It is well to take into consideration in this connection that Jesus did not miraculously heal any of his consecrated followers. Some who were thus healed became his disciples, but many did not; as, for example, of the ten lepers who were healed, only one returned to give thanks.—Luke 17:12-19

The way of the true Christian is one of sacrifice, even unto death. He is not particularly concerned over his physical well-being, but is properly more interested in setting his affections on things above. His physical health is important only as it relates to his ability to serve the Lord, the truth, and the brethren. From this standpoint, we can be assured that we will be given health and strength in proportion to our needs. On occasion, no doubt, when the Lord sees that it is necessary, he performs miracles in connection with the physical health of one or another of his people.

However, the age in God’s plan for the general restoration and healing of all mankind is still in the future. It is that day when, according to the Prophet Isaiah, the people will no longer say, “I am sick,” when all the blind eyes will be opened, and all the deaf ears unstopped; and when the lame man shall “leap as an hart, and the tongue of the dumb sing.”—Isa. 33:24; 35:5,6

The Apostle Peter informs us that all God’s prophets foretold this future “times of restitution,” and he reveals that these general blessings of healing will reach mankind after the return of Christ. (Acts 3:19-23) Yes, this is the great work set apart in the divine plan to be accomplished by Christ during his second presence.

The comparatively few miracles which Jesus performed at his first advent were intended merely as an aid in establishing the fact that he was the Messiah, and as illustrations of the literal manner in which God’s promises of “restitution” would in due time be fulfilled. On one occasion Jesus said to his disciples, “The works that I do shall ye do also; and greater works.” (John 14:12) Jesus did not mean that his disciples during the present age would accomplish greater works than they saw him perform, for he had even raised the dead. His promise to them will have its principal application during the millennial age, when, raised from the dead in the first resurrection they will be associated with him in the blessing of all the families of the earth.

QUESTIONS

What reason did the man born blind give to the scribes and Pharisees for his conviction that the Master was not a sinner?

Why did Jesus heal so few of the sick?

Were any of Jesus’ disciples miraculously restored to health?

When will all the sick be restored to health, and all the dead awakened from the sleep of death?

What did Jesus mean when he told his disciples that they would do greater works than the miracles they saw him perform?

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