Jesus the Creator of Healing
John Chapter 9:1-7

Jesus performed a miracle by recreating the eyes of a man who was born with congenital blindness, v.1. Four features highlight this healing:

(1)   The problem that precipitated the healing, v.1

(2)   The purpose for the man’s being born blind, verses 2-5

(3)   The power that healed him, verses 6-7

(4)   The perplexity of the people who saw the healing, verses 8-13.

John 9:1 "And as Jesus passed by, he saw a man which was blind from his birth."

The fact that this man was blind from birth brings us to believe that a creative miracle would be needed here. This man had not lost his sight from an accident, nor had he gradually lost his sight. Jesus does not overlook the needs of people, even though He is just passing by.

The controversy arose during the Feast of Dedication.

V-2, "And his disciples asked him, saying, Master, who did sin, this man, or his parents, that he was born blind?"

There was a Jewish belief that all suffering was punishment for sin. But how could a person have sinned before birth? The Jews considered human life to begin at conception (Psalm 51:5; 139:-13-16; Jer. 1:5; Gal. 1:15). Thus, they thought one could theoretically sin even before birth.

Really, this question shows the weakness of the disciples' understanding. It appears from this question they asked Jesus, that they believe all disease is caused by sin. This is just not true. Some disease is caused by sin, but not all.

While sin may be a cause of suffering, as clearly indicated in Scripture (See 5:14; Num. 12; 1 Cor. 11:30 and James 5:15), it is not always the case necessarily. The disciples assumed, like most Jews of their day that sin was the primary, if not exclusive, cause of all suffering. In this instance, Jesus made it clear that personal sin was not the reason for the blindness, see verse 3.

A very good example of sickness without sin is Job. It seems, though these disciples walked with Jesus most of the time, they still misunderstood much of His teaching. If this man's sin made him blind, how did he sin before his birth? You see, that statement could not be true, because you must live before you yourself sin.

V-3, "Jesus answered, Neither hath this man sinned, nor his parents: but that the works of God should be made manifest in him."

We see, here, an answer to many of the people today who preach that sickness means you have sinned. I say again, not all sickness is caused by sin. You see, God had a purpose in this man's blindness.

Jesus did not deny the general connection between sin and suffering, but refuted the idea that personal acts of sin were the direct cause. God’s sovereignty and purposes play a part in such matters, as is clear from Job 1 and 2.

Many dear saints have been made to feel guilty about disease in their bodies. God has many purposes unknown to us. One of the best examples, I believe, is Paul. God would not take his thorn in the flesh away, so that Paul would remain humble. We are not told specifically what disease Paul had, we just know that God refused to heal him for a purpose.

Most people are closer to God when there is a problem in their life. The purpose of this man's blindness is to show the creative power of the Lord Jesus. I say creative, because he had never seen before. The Lord must create sight for him.

V-4, "I must work the works of him that sent me, while it is day: the night cometh, when no man can work."

Just as Jesus says, here, that He must work while it is day, we must do the same.

“While it is day”: Jesus meant as long as He was still on earth with His disciples. The phrase doesn’t not mean that Jesus somehow stopped being the light of the world once He ascended but that the light shone most brightly among men when He was on the earth doing the Father’s will.

After we have died, it is too late to go out and do the things God called us to do while we were on earth. The called of God are called to complete a mission on this earth. The job God called you to do, is not for your life in heaven, but is a call to work here on this earth.

Jesus was on a mission. He knew His time on earth was limited. He must complete His mission as the opportunity arises now.

V-5, "As long as I am in the world, I am the light of the world."

These words are in red in the Bible which tell us that Jesus spoke these words Himself. He is the Light. Those who do not receive Jesus, even now, are living in darkness.

We have already studied in this teaching on the Book of John that Jesus said, "I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life." When it became dark for three hours at Jesus' crucifixion, Satan thought he had defeated Jesus. He was really disappointed when Jesus rose from the grave.

Not only was Jesus spiritually the light of the world, but He would also provide the means of physical light for this blind man.

The phrase “Light of the world” means “as long as I am in the world.” When He is no longer in the world, then believers become the light of the world (Mat. 5:14).

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