The Gospel of John: John 9.1-12

Read and meditate on John 9.10-12.
Time for a little Q and A. Good questions, but the answers left people wanting to know more. Which is not a bad thing.

¹⁰They asked, “But how were your eyes opened?” ¹¹He
replied, “A Man called Jesus made for me
some clay, and put it on my eyes. And then
He sent me to Siloam to wash. I went
and washed, and I received my sight.” ¹²They said,
“Where is He then?” “I do not know,” he said.

- John 9.10-12

Reflect
1. The curiosity this man’s healing created is palpable. Having ascertained that he was indeed the beggar, formerly blind, they wanted to “How?” Why was that a logical first question? Complete the following brief prayer: Lord, if someone asks me “How” I came to be a new person, I…

2.  The healed man had no clue as to the physiology of his healing. But what he knew, he told (v. 11). Using this man’s answer as an outline, write your own testimony of what Jesus has done for you, being as concise as this blind man. I thank You, Lord, that though I was once a blind beggar, You…

3.  The man healed from blindness pointed to Jesus, to whom, as we saw, he had “come back” (v. 7). So the natural follow-up question was, “So where is He?” Not Who is He, but where. What does this question indicate on the part of those asking it? Does your life make others want to seek Jesus? Explain. Lord, let my life point others to You! Even today, Lord, help me…

4.  Evidently Jesus left the scene before the blind man returned. So he answered their question the only way he could (v. 12). Is there a place for saying “I don’t know” when people ask us about Jesus? Explain. Lord, I don’t know all the answers to people’s questions, so let me not pretend to. Instead…

5.  One of the best things we can do in piquing people’s curiosity about Jesus is to encourage them to ask questions. What kinds of questions might we expect? Why is it a good thing when people are asking questions about our faith? Bring together your prayers from questions 1-4 into one prayer.

Summary
“See how he became a herald of grace. See how he preaches the gospel. See how, once he is endowed with sight, he becomes a witness. That blind man testified, and the ungodly were troubled in their hearts because they did not have in their own hearts what they saw in him.” Augustine (354-430 AD)

We don’t have to know all the answers, or be able to explain everything perfectly in order to be faithful and effective witnesses for Christ. Explain.

Closing Prayer
The LORD reigns;
Let the earth rejoice;
Let the multitude of isles be glad!
Clouds and darkness surround Him;
Righteousness and justice are the foundation of His throne.
A fire goes before Him,
And burns up His enemies round about.
His lightnings light the world;
The earth sees and trembles.
The mountains melt like wax at the presence of the LORD,
At the presence of the Lord of the whole earth.
The heavens declare His righteousness,
And all the peoples see His glory.
Let all be put to shame who serve carved images,
Who boast of idols.
Worship Him, all you gods.
Zion hears and is glad,
And the daughters of Judah rejoice
Because of Your judgments, O LORD.
For You, LORD, are most high above all the earth;
You are exalted far above all gods.
You who love the LORD, hate evil!
He preserves the souls of His saints;
He delivers them out of the hand of the wicked.

Psalm 97.1-10

Psalm 97.1, 6, 9-12 (Darwall: Rejoice, the Lord is King!)
Rejoice, the Lord is King! O earth, lift up your voice;
Be glad, you islands, shout and sing: Rejoice! Rejoice!
    Beyond, above all gods and nations be exalted, God of love!

The heav’ns above declare His glorious righteousness;
And tribes and peoples everywhere His Name confess.
    Beyond, above all gods and nations be exalted, God of love!

All you who love the Lord, despise sin’s wicked ways!
Praise Him Who guides us by His Word through all our days.
    Beyond, above all gods and nations be exalted, God of love!
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.