Lessons from John 9: Jesus is Indeed God

Aug 9

If we look at all the things Jesus did, we see Jesus is indeed God. We see that He is full of love. He is patient and kind and He is merciful and wise.

What have you learned about Jesus as we have studied about him through the gospel of John? Do you, like the man born blind, tell others how Jesus has transformed your life?

The longer this man experienced his new life through Christ, the more confident he became in the one who had healed him, in spite of the persecution and suffering he experienced.

He gained not only physical sight but also spiritual sight as he moved from seeing Jesus as more than a mere man. He saw Him as a Prophet sent by God and finally he saw Him as Lord and master of his life.

Which leads us to the spiritual significance of the sign.

Spiritual Significance of the Sign~John 9:35-41

Verses 35-37 tell us that when Jesus heard what happened to the man, He went and found him. Jesus asked the man, “Do you believe in the Son of Man?”And the man who had received his sight said, “Who is he, sir? Tell me so that I may believe in him.” And Jesus lovingly imparted this truth, “You have now seen him; in fact, he is the one speaking with you.”

And immediately the man responded, calling Jesus “Lord” and confessing his faith in Him and bowing before Him in worship.

And then Jesus clearly stated His mission of judgment for which He came to earth. The heart and work of Jesus as He stated was so that the blind may see and those who think they see become blind.

What Jesus was saying is that it is impossible to stay neutral about Him.

There are only two options: you either believe and receive spiritual enlightenment or you don’t and remain blind.

It has been said, “The same sun that melts wax, hardens clay.” Jesus did not come into the world to condemn the world, but to save it.

However, saving or condemning are sides of the same “coin” of human response. Either you believe or you don’t. The choice is yours.

Encountering Jesus results in a stronger faith or a harder heart.

This man had suffered much, but as the scripture teaches, God worked it all out for the good of the man who had been called according to God’s own purpose and plan.

It is true that Christians will suffer for the cause of Christ. But the difference is when Christians suffer, we have the opportunity to glorify God in it. We know He has a purpose and a plan for it and that ultimately it will result in our good and the good of others.

Most likely, it will grow and shape and mold us like we have never known before. Most people would never choose to suffer the way God allows them to suffer. But they also would not give it up because of how they came to know God through it.

So when suffering comes our way, might we have the spiritual insight and wisdom not to push it away or complain or ask why but instead say, “Why not?”

Ask the Lord, how do you desire to display yourself in this? Help me be willing and obedient to do that which will please you. Help me, Lord God, to honor you and glorify you.

And then simply trust Him and put one foot in front of the other. You can rest assured that He will never leave you nor forsake you. He will walk with you and press you forward. And sometimes He will lift you up out of the adversity and still bring glory and honor unto Himself.

Jesus was a stumbling block to the Jews. Don’t follow in their steps for it will only lead to death and destruction. Instead, take His light of truth that you have been given and accept it by faith. Then walk in the light of that truth by trusting and obeying whatever He commands.

For there’s no other way to be happy in Jesus but to trust and obey!

Terri Hamman