The Gospel of John: John 9.1-12

Read and meditate on John 9.1, 2.
The disciples knew that many things in the world were not the way they were supposed to be. As they observed the sad plight of this beggar, their minds immediately tried to understand why such a thing should be. Good for them.

¹As Jesus went His way, He saw a man
who had been blind from birth. ²And then began
His followers to ask Him, “Rabbi, who
sinned, this man or his parents, such that to
him blindness should occur?”

- John 9.1, 2

Reflect
1.  The Pool of Siloam is in Jerusalem. Even though the Jews were seeking to destroy Jesus – they’d already sent one posse to arrest Him, and had just tried to stone Him – Jesus took His time departing the city. Wasn’t this a bit risky? Was Jesus being reckless here? Complete this prayer: Lord, You took risks out of love for those who were lost and suffering. From Your example, I see that I…

2.  Why would the disciples naturally have thought that this sad situation might be a result of someone’s sin? Is that ever the case? Explain. When I sin, Lord, I expect You to…

3.  Meditate on Genesis 3. How much of God’s creation was affected by the entrance of sin? In what ways? Do we see such consequences in the world yet today? Should we fault the disciples for making the connection between this man’s blindness and someone’s sin? Explain. Teach me to hate sin, Lord (Ps. 97.10), so that I might…

4.  We may consider sin from three perspectives. Certainly, sin can take the form of an action. It can also be a disposition of the soul – thoughts, affections, or values. Sin is also a condition inherent in the world (cf. Rom. 8.20-22), a cosmic consequence of the fall of Adam and Eve, as we see in Genesis 3. Of which of these were the disciples thinking? On the other hand, given Jesus’ comment in verse 3, which aspect of sin are we seeing in this man’s condition? Explain. Do we see examples of this today? How should such situations lead us to respond? In judgment? Lord, keep me passing judgment on others. Give me a sympathetic heart, so that…

5.  Kudos to the disciples for being alert and sensitive in this situation. Sure, they got it wrong, but you can see in them a growing sensitivity both to others and the effects of sin. This is a sign that they are growing into Jesus. How can we become more sensitive to and compassionate about the ravages of sin in our world? Bring together into one the prayers you composed for questions 1-4.

Summary
“There was a certain philosophy among the ancients that troubles came from sin because they were confident that God was not responsible for any evil. The notion that people suffer as an exercise so that they might perceive the power of God at last—this was not well known at all because they would rather have God give good rewards to the just then and there and not prolong suffering any longer for the sake of eternal life. Since he was a blind man from birth, it occurred to the disciples to ask. Since no one can sin before his birth, they ventured a guess that the parents were to blame. For they knew that children may suffer in order to bring grief to the parents. But the Lord said that the blindness did not occur because of any sin but for the sake of the glory of God that was about to take place as the power of God would be revealed through his unexpected recovery of sight.” Apollinaris of Laodicea (310-392 AD)

Sin is never without effects. But we can’t or shouldn’t always try to assign blame to people in whom sin’s effects are evident. It may not be their fault. It may be no one’s fault. But any time we see the evidence of sin, we have an opportunity to shine the light of grace. Apply this to your Personal Mission Field.

Closing Prayer
The fool has said in his heart,
“There is no God.”
They are corrupt, and have done abominable iniquity;
There is none who does good.
God looks down from heaven upon the children of men,
To see if there are any who understand, who seek God.
Every one of them has turned aside;
They have together become corrupt;
There is none who does good,
No, not one.
Have the workers of iniquity no knowledge,
Who eat up my people as they eat bread,
And do not call upon God?
There they are in great fear
Where no fear was,
For God has scattered the bones of him who encamps against you;
You have put them to shame,
Because God has despised them.
Oh, that the salvation of Israel would come out of Zion!
When God brings back the captivity of His people,
Let Jacob rejoice and Israel be glad.

Psalm 53

Psalm 53 (Leoni: The God of Abraham Praise)
The fool says in his heart, “There is no God at all!”
Corrupt are they in whole and part, unjust and small.
Not one of them does good; God sees their wicked ways.
None understands the Word of God, or gives Him praise.

Have all these wicked men no knowledge of God’s grace?
The Church they hate with passion and seek not God’s face.
Lord, strike their hearts with fear, where fear was not before.
And scatter all who camp so near Your holy door.

The wicked flee in shame; their ways our God rejects.
Renew Your people in Your Name with great effects.
Let great rejoicing sound once we renewed have been,
And let salvation’s Word resound from us again!

T. M. Moore

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Except as indicated, Scripture taken from the New King James Version. © Copyright 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved. All psalms for singing adapted from The Ailbe Psalter. All quotations from Church Fathers from Ancient Christian Commentary Series IV a and b: John, edited by Joel C. Elowsky, General Editor Thomas C. Oden (Downers Grove: InterVarsity Press, 2006. Verse translation of John by T. M. Moore.