John 9. Days 20-21

—John Chapter 9—

Memory Verse:

He answered and said, “Whether He is a sinner or not
I do not know. One thing I know: that though
I was blind, now I see.”

(John 9:25)

The last chapter spoke about light, this one speaks about sight. John Newton, a slave trader turned preacher and hymn writer, penned the words of “Amazing Grace.” His songs were written out of a life of despicable sin, yet it was the very sins in which he was once mired that made his advocacy against slavery so very powerful. His words of “I once was blind but now I see,” were not about him physically but each one of us can relate to the spiritual blindness we once had and now how we can see the truths of God.

In our study of Chapter 9, we will be confronted with perhaps Christianity’s greatest and oldest question, “Why evil?”

We’ll also see our relationship with Christ and how he relates uniquely and differently with each of us. We’ll see that there should be a change in us, a conversion, which makes us see things differently, but others will also see us differently. And we’ll see ourselves differently, in a humbling way before an Almighty God.

In fact, we’ll see, it’s all a matter of, well, perspective.

Day 20: Morning

Why Is There Evil In The World?

 (John 9:1–12)

Imagine or recall the joy of your first child. You now have a new life in the world, perhaps to make it a better place. It is a chance for a clean slate, a fresh start with a child untainted by the worries and problems we have experienced.

Perhaps you have personally experienced the shattering of those dreams as did the parents of the man who was born blind. As modern science has shown, the “sins of the parents” are sometimes passed down to the children. For example, an expecting mother who drinks alcohol can damage the child growing within her.

While deformities sometimes occur as a result of the misdeeds of parents or a genetic code, in this case Jesus said that the blindness was not a result of sin. Rather, the tragedy of the man’s blindness was allowed so that the works of God could be revealed in him.

God uses evil to show His goodness by contrast. Jesus’s light is shown to expose how dark and sinful the world is. Our sins, our rejection of God, the effects of an imperfect world and Satan himself are all the sources of evil. But God uses all of these things to work together for good for those who love God and are called according to His purpose (Romans 8:28).

Without her blindness and deafness, do you think we would have ever known about Helen Keller? What lessons can you learn from her?

Fannie Crosby wrote 9,000 hymns and songs of praise to God, yet was blinded by improper medical treatment. God didn’t cause that evil, but He used it.

Only God could turn the worst tragedy in all of human history -- the death of Jesus Christ -- into the greatest triumph in human history. What can God do with the evil you have experienced?

Pray this prayer to God: “Dear Heavenly Father, there are many things that I do not understand. You are grieved far more than I could ever be with this world’s evil. When evil comes to me, help me to trust You to reveal ‘the work of God’ through it all. Thank You for being Lord in the good times and also Lord in the times of evil. Amen.”

Day 20: Evening

The Difference Between “Religion” And “Relationship”

(Read John 9:13–25)

The difference in religion and Christianity is that religion is humanity reaching to God. Christianity, on the other hand, is God reaching to humanity. Many have said “Christianity is not a religion, it is a relationship.”

There is a viral video by Jefferson Bethke, who, while in his early 20s, used a spoken word poem to explain that thought. He later wrote a book entitled Jesus > Religion: Why He Is So Much Better Than Trying Harder, Doing More, and Being Good Enough.

Jesus doctored this man’s eyes with saliva, dirt and water. However, in other times, He only spit on the eyes (Mark 8:23), simply touched them (Matt. 9:29), or even just spoke a word (Luke 18:42) and healing occurred.

God ministers to us in different, personal, and unique ways. God is personal in His relationship to us. His complex nature is distinct to each individual. Yet He is still the same God. Don’t fall into the trap of trying to make everyone understand God just like you do.

Compare the man’s statement with the attitude of the Pharisees. “One thing I know: that though I was blind, now I see.” Instead of giving glory to God that a man who was born blind was now seeing, the Pharisees were upset with Jesus for healing on the Sabbath day.

In Christianity today, many people get upset with fellow Christians because they don’t “give glory to God” in the same way that they do. Even though God blesses both sides with followers, salvations, and growth, churches can split and deep feelings can be hurt for years simply because Christians try to limit God’s revelation of Himself.

We should guard against heretical doctrines which contradict the Word of God. Cults and false teachings have been around since the dawn of Christianity (Matt. 7:15), and every Christian must carefully study the Bible. But today’s study reminds us to give room for God to be God. He is too infinite to be limited to our “box” we wish to put Him in.

Pray this prayer to God: “Lord God, reveal to me how infinite You are. Give me vision to see beyond my limited sight and reveal Yourself personally to each of Your children. Lead me in Your Truth. Amen.”

Day 21: Morning

A Changed Life

(Read John 9:26–34)

You cannot help but see the humor, irony and even sarcasm in this story. Here a man is healed from blindness since birth and the enemies of Christ want to turn it around as a cause for accusation against Christ.

Consider your own conversion. Were there people who were less than supportive to you as your life has changed? In a spiritual sense, we were all blind and when we come to salvation, it is like a light given to us that those who are spiritually blind cannot see.

“Why do you want to hear it again? Do you want to become His disciples too?” Imagine never having been able to see anything but darkness and suddenly having sight given to you. In modern times, several people have been cured of blindness and it is always an overwhelmingly emotional event. And yet, here is this man and his family put immediately on trial.

“Now this is remarkable…” (9:30, NIV). Could there be anything more remarkable than a blind man suddenly receiving his sight? The healed man said that the refusal by the Pharisees to acknowledge both the miracle and the anointing of God on Jesus was even more remarkable than his healing.

To be cast out means to be “excommunicated” from the Jewish faith, to no longer be allowed to worship in the synagogue. Have you ever felt shunned by your family, friends, co-workers, even your church because of your commitment to your faith?

I can only imagine that when the Pharisees “cast him out” of the faith, the blind man literally looked around and kept on smiling as he left. When we look at what the world has to offer and especially when we see how spiritually blind others are, we can only look at the eternity God has for us, as well as His Spirit who lives within us, and walk away from the world’s darkness and joyfully glorify God for His miracle in us.

Pray this prayer to God: “Dear God. I pray for those who do not know You as Savior and Lord. I ask You to let my light shine before them that they may see my changed life so that they too may know You as I do. Even if they do not understand me, thank You for giving me sight to my spiritual blindness. In Jesus’s Name. Amen.”

Day 21: Evening

To See, You Must First Admit Your Blindness

(Read John 9:34–41)

These verses reveal that Jesus healed the blind man not just to deliver him from darkness, but to show how dark sin truly is and how spiritually blind some people, even religious people, can be.

First of all, notice how the Pharisees continued to harass the man whom Jesus had healed. The Pharisees had become so blinded and so opposed to Christ and even to God, that they did not know how ridiculous they sounded, even to the healed man (see his joking in verses 27 and 30).

Jesus cared for the man who was “cast out” and came personally to Him to comfort him. If you have been cast out because of your faith, know that Jesus has and will continually seek you out and encourage you.

The Pharisees did not “see” themselves as sinners. (John 9:24, 34). If true vision means being able to “see” yourself in need of forgiveness, and if spiritual blindness means “seeing” yourself as being able to work for your own righteousness before God, then paraphrase verse 41 in the lines below in terms of how unbelievers “see” and how they are “blind.”

As you grow as a Christian, you will find that your spiritual insight is growing. You will not suddenly have all knowledge and all answers. In fact, learning more about Christ is part of the joy of being a Christian. I have seen new believers so hungry for God, it is as though they cannot ask the questions fast enough or read the Bible long enough to satisfy their spiritual hunger.

There is a verse in Proverbs that relates to the growth of a believer. “The path of the righteous is like the first gleam of dawn, shining ever brighter until the full light of day.” (Prov. 4:18, NIV). Don’t lose your enthusiasm for growing. Keep reading this devotional book but more importantly, keep reading the Word of God.

Pray this prayer to God: “Dear Jesus. Thank You for the forgiveness of my sins. I am absolutely helpless without You. Keep my heart from pride and arrogance when I look at the sins of others. I believe in You and worship You as the Savior of my soul and the giver of sight to my true spiritual condition. Amen.”