404. Walking in the Word, No Longer Blind! Pt. 3

In today's episode, Pt 3 of No Longer Blind!, we recognize that the true gift Jesus gave the blind beggar was NOT the gift of physical sight. It was far greater! And Jesus has that gift ready and available for you as well. Join Julie Jenkins for the conclusion to this 3-part teaching on John 9. (John 9:34-41)

***

Welcome to Walking in the Word, the biblical teaching arm of the Women World Leaders podcast. I'm your host, Julie Jenkins. If this is your first time joining us. welcome. I encourage you to check out our previous podcasts as well as visit our website, www.womenworldleaders.com.

Our goal at Women World Leaders is to empower you to walk in your God-given purpose. Some of the ways we do that are through teachings, devotions, prayer, books, the Voice of Truth magazine, and events! In fact, we have an in-person event in West Palm Beach THIS weekend!! We would LOVE you to join us if you are in the area!

 One of the best ways you can grow in your God-given purpose is to get involved. God has a place for you in this ministry. We often say that we are reaching over 70 countries, but did you know that we also have leaders in our ministry from several different countries? The devil certainly knows how to use technology, but so does God. COVID pushed us into a digital platform, and what the devil meant for evil, God used for good. One example is that we meet the fourth Monday of every month for a zoom prayer call. We gather and pray for specific needs for those on the call as well as for the needs of the ministry. If you would like to be involved, no matter where you are, send us an email at [email protected] or fill out the contact form on our website – www.Womenworldleaders.com

On this, the Wednesday edition of the podcast we have the opportunity to walk through the Word of God together. And currently we are walking through the Gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke and John. Before we begin, let's pray.

Dear Most Holy God, as we dive into your teaching today, I ask that you be with us and show us clearly what you want us to learn. God, your Word is living and active and we know that it will meet us where we are. It is you, Holy Spirit, who allows us to know your thoughts, direction, and love for us as we read Scripture. God cleanse us of all unrighteousness that we may hear your voice clearly. In Jesus’ name I pray, amen.

This week, we are studying Part 3 of John chapter 9, which teaches us about Jesus healing the man who was blind from birth. Allow me to set the scene briefly, and then we will dive into today’s conclusion to this chapter as we study John 9:35-41 from the New Living Translation.

Jesus had been teaching at the temple, and as He and His disciples were leaving, they came across a beggar who had been blind from birth. The disciples asked Jesus if it was the man’s sins or his parents sins that had caused his blindness.

Jesus replied,  “It was not because of his sins or his parents’ sins,” … “This happened so the power of God could be seen in him.

Then Jesus proceeded to spit in the dirt, making mud, which he rubbed on the man’s eyes. He then instructed the man to go to the pool and rinse the mud, and the man’s vision was healed.

It was the Sabbath, and as healing was not permitted on the Sabbath, the man was taken to the Pharisees, who asked him about the incident…

The man simply gave the facts as he knew them, saying - I was blind, but now I can see.

They asked the man about who had healed him…to which he said, “I think he must be a prophet.”

The questioning went on, and the formerly blind man held his ground, simply re-stating his story. And finally, calling the Pharisees out for dogging on his healer, saying…

“He healed my eyes, and yet you don’t know where he comes from? 31 We know that God doesn’t listen to sinners, but he is ready to hear those who worship him and do his will. 32 Ever since the world began, no one has been able to open the eyes of someone born blind. 33 If this man were not from God, he couldn’t have done it.”

At this statement, the Pharisees threw the man out of the synagogue.

And this is where we pick up the story today…

Let’s begin with John 9:35…

35 When Jesus heard what had happened, he found the man…

The Pharisees had THROWN the man out of the synagogue for speaking truth. That sounds like an oxymoron, doesn’t it? Aren’t our places of worship supposed to be places where God’s truth reigns?

We must take this as a warning. I don’t want to speak ill of the church – I love the church and she is the bride of Christ. BUT…all churches are made of people. And people are sinful. So we must be careful – even in church.

Throughout the Bible, we are taught to be aware of false prophets – to think on our feet, trusting God to help us discern wisely EVEN that which is taught by and in the church.

The apostle Paul writes in Romans 16:17-18…

Watch out for people who cause divisions and upset people’s faith by teaching things contrary to what you have been taught. Stay away from them. 18 Such people are not serving Christ our Lord; they are serving their own personal interests. By smooth talk and glowing words they deceive innocent people.

What I LOVE about today’s teaching is that no sooner than religion failed the man, JESUS found him.

The man was THROWN OUT of the synagogue by men who were more concerned with their own welfare than bringing people to faith. Despite this, that wasn’t the end of the story for the man thrown out – Jesus HIMSELF found him.

And when He found him, Jesus asked him…

 “Do you believe in the Son of Man?[c]”

Remember, this newly-sighted guy had never SEEN Jesus, the one he had just professed to be a prophet – he had only heard his voice. But having relied on his hearing for his whole life, there is no doubt in my mind that he recognized the voice of his healer. And he IMMEDIATELY responds to this rabbi who has already given him so much…

“Who is he, sir? I want to believe in him.”

The now-sighted man was ready to jump on board with whatever this prophet said – he trusted him as his leader.

You have probably heard the leadership adage – People don’t care how much you know until they know how much you care.

Jesus had shown the beggar HOW MUCH he cared! This man had been ostracized from everyone – the disciples had seen him as a sinner, people who walked by saw him as a beggar, and the Pharisees saw him as a means to an end. He was a castaway of society. But JESUS SAW him! Jesus physically touched Him. Jesus cared for him and even healed him – gifting him with vision – something he had NEVER experienced.

This man cared what Jesus knew because he knew how much Jesus cared. So he asked Jesus – Who IS the Son of Man? I want to believe in HIM!

37 “You have seen him,” Jesus said, “and he is speaking to you!”

38 “Yes, Lord, I believe!” the man said. And he worshiped Jesus.

That man had had quite a day. He had gone from his normal agenda of begging on the side of the road to being spoken to by a group led by a rabbi who then put mud on his eyes and healed his sight. Then he was addressed, maybe for the first time, by people who had seen HIM every day but hadn’t bothered to give him the time of day. His parents were brought onsite – but they were too afraid about getting in trouble to celebrate that their SON had been given sight. Then he was questioned about his healer, and he boldly proclaimed him to be a prophet.

With every step, the man grew. God was fast-tracking this man to Christianity. Jesus not only made it possible for him to see physically, but this man received a far greater gift. He could now spiritually see and recognize His Messiah.

And his response? He WORSHIPPED Jesus!!

Do WE worship JESUS when we see Him? He is everywhere – in our every day! If we doubt, we too can ask, “Who are you, Jesus – I want to believe!”

If we are blind, we can ask Him to heal OUR vision.

If you have ANY questions about faith, please don’t ever hesitate to ask our God in prayer. He WILL show you! And if you need someone to talk to or pray with you about faith, please don’t hesistate to reach out to us at [email protected]

Verse 39…

39 Then Jesus told him,[d] “I entered this world to render judgment—to give sight to the blind and to show those who think they see[e] that they are blind.”

Jesus came to reveal the truth to us about God’s worth and our unworthiness. Any leader will tell you that speaking truth can cause division. But Jesus spoke truth in love as He offered an open invitation to everyone to join Him in God’s kingdom for eternity. Make no mistake that any division that comes from the truth of Jesus Christ stems from the sheer disobedience to not accept His teaching.

Verse 40…

40 Some Pharisees who were standing nearby heard him and asked, “Are you saying we’re blind?”

41 “If you were blind, you wouldn’t be guilty,” Jesus replied. “But you remain guilty because you claim you can see.

The Pharisees had a chip on their shoulders. They wanted to be in control and they wanted to be right. They did not want to learn or grow.

One of my favorite prayers is to ask God to make me teachable.

I am currently taking a class at my church and we have a couple of ground rules. One of them is, there is only one expert. The one expert is Jesus Christ.

Only Jesus has the whole story. Only Jesus understands complete truth. Only Jesus can heal and protect and guide us with all wisdom. And do you know what? Jesus is available to us every moment of every day, ready to respond to every question and need that may cross our minds.

The man was not blind from birth due to HIS sins OR his parents’ sins. He was blind SO THAT the glory of God could be revealed in Him. Jesus’ healing of this man’s physical sight was an illustration of the healing God offers EACH of us for our spiritual sight. He WANTS us to see Him, to come to Him, to rely on Him.

He is our Creator, Sustainer, and our ALL-IN-ALL.

Listen for His voice. Follow His call. And allow Him to show you things beyond your wildest imagination!

Let’s pray…

Dear Most Holy God…today I thank you for the blind man. It seems crazy that you could use a blind beggar who lived over 2000 years ago to teach us today. I think of the days he wondered why his life was so difficult – I know he didn’t have ME in mind! But God, you did – and I thank you! God, when my life gets difficult, I ask you to remind ME that you are working in and through me. When I have a difficult time believing, I ask that you show yourself to me. When I feel prideful, I pray that you make my heart teachable. And when I question, Father, remind me to bring my questions to YOU. We worship you today – rightfully giving you all the praise and glory. In Jesus’ name, I pray. Amen.