The Gospel of John: John 9.13-27

Read and meditate on John 9.17.
It turns out the blind man, now healed, had more understanding about Jesus than the seeing men, who refused to be made well.

                                                              ¹⁷To the blind
man once again they said, “What do you say
about Him, since He healed your eyes the way
you say He did?” “I think that He must be
a prophet,” he replied.

- John 9.17

Reflect
1.  I can’t help wondering: Why did they care about what this man thought? He was a beggar! Were they trying to get him to say something to would give them grounds for denouncing, condemning, and being done with him? Did they really think that, if they could just discredit this beggar, the whole “Jesus thing” would just go away? What do you think? Complete this prayer: Lord, I know some people don’t want to talk or even think about You. But You have sent me to them as Your ambassador and witness. As I think about the day ahead…

2.  I sense a mocking tone in the Pharisees’ phrase, “because He opened your eyes.” The sense in the original Greek is something more like “since (as you say) He ‘opened your eyes.’” Should we expect people to be skeptical about our testimony, about the things we say Jesus has done for us? Why? Others may doubt or even mock my testimony, Lord, but…

3.  The blind man, now healed, answered immediately, concisely, and boldly: “He is prophet.” What was it about Jesus that would have made him think that? Was he right? Explain. You are a Prophet, Lord, even the Great Prophet about Whom Moses wrote. Thus, Your words are…

4.  Jesus’ impact on this man was both subjective and objective. It left him with something he could not deny, and which others could plainly see. Is this what we should expect for ourselves? In what ways? Holy Spirit, transform me into the image of Jesus Christ, especially as…

5. We are lingering long over this story of the blind beggar whom Jesus healed, because John does – a whole chapter in a book of 21 chapters covering three years of Jesus’ life! John seemed to believe this episode was very important for understanding the story of Jesus and His impact on our lives. What to you, thus far, are the most important aspects of this blind man’s story? Bring together into one prayer the prayers you wrote for questions 1-4.

Summary
“There was a division among them as the day divided between the light and the darkness.… They were looking for a way to denigrate the man and cast him out of their synagogue (although he would be found by Christ). However, he declares openly what he thinks. For he said, ‘He is a prophet.’ Not yet anointed in heart, he could not confess the Son of God. Nevertheless, he is not wrong in what he says either, for our Lord even says of himself, ‘A prophet is not without honor except in his own country.’” Augustine (354-430 AD)

We can sometimes read the Bible too quickly, not lingering over a passage or a story, to gain from it all the writer intends. We’re are taking a slow walk through the Gospel of John, in part to discipline ourselves for more careful reading of all Scripture. Have you found this experience of slow reading – we’re now in our 30^th week, and not even half-way through! – to be beneficial? Explain.

Closing Prayer
I will bless the LORD at all times;
His praise shall continually be in my mouth.
My soul shall make its boast in the LORD;
The humble shall hear of it and be glad.
Oh, magnify the LORD with me,
And let us exalt His name together.
I sought the LORD, and He heard me,
And delivered me from all my fears.
They looked to Him and were radiant,
And their faces were not ashamed.
This poor man cried out, and the LORD heard him,
And saved him out of all his troubles.
The angel of the LORD encamps all around those who fear Him,
And delivers them.
Oh, taste and see that the LORD is good;
Blessed is the man who trusts in Him!

Psalm 34.1-8

Psalm 34.1-9, 3 (Alleluia [Lowe]: Mighty God, While Angels Bless You)
I will bless the Lord at all times; I shall praise Him evermore!
My soul makes its boast in Jesus – Him we gladly all adore!
    Magnify the Name of Jesus!
    Let us lift His Name in praise!

When I sought the Lord, He answered, and from fear delivered me.
Those who look to Him are radiant; shamed their face shall never be.
    Magnify the Name of Jesus!
    Let us lift His Name in praise!

When I cried to God, He heard me, and from trouble rescued me.
‘Round their camp His angel lingers that they may delivered be.
    Magnify the Name of Jesus!
    Let us lift His Name in praise!

Taste and see how good is Jesus; blessed are all who in Him hide.
None shall lack for any blessing who in Christ will e’er confide.
    Magnify the Name of Jesus!
    Let us lift His Name in praise!

T. M. Moore

Jesus is the Centerpiece of all Scripture, as He Himself explained (Jn. 5.39). But how can we learn to see Him there? How do the primary themes of Scripture revolve around Jesus? Our online course, Introduction to Biblical Theology, shows you how best to get at, get into, and get with the Word of God, so that you can grow more consistently in the Lord. It’s free, and you can study at your own pace. For more information or to register, click here.

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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.