03/25/2023 – Gospel of John Fellowship – Chapter Nine // Would the blind man tell us today that his lifelong blindness was a priceless blessing?
If so, then that presents an interesting paradox to his blindness: “For unto whomsoever much is given, of him shall be much required.” Luke 12:48. What does that do to the prosperity gospel? (“What gain to a man to gain the whole world and lose his soul in the process?)
It seems strange that his disciples presumed that this man’s blindness was due to sin, just a question whether it was him personally or his parents. But, there was a long established belief amongst Jews that earthly suffering directly correlated to sin. Jesus refutes this elsewhere when he asks about a tragic event where many people died randomly when the tower of Siloam fell down. (*) But with modern modern christian “prosperity” gospel, you have essentially the same belief by default, for if you suffering and not prospering in this world, it is due to your sin.
(*) – John Gill commentary below:
https://www.biblestudytools.com/commentaries/gills-exposition-of-the-bible/john-9-3.html
So, neither this man nor his parents are named for us. But it is an amazing conversion testimony: In his eyes, Jesus went from a man to a prophet to the Son of God is a very short time frame, when there were skeptics to his belief and even his healing all around, not just anybody, but including the Pharisee power elite. So, he personally would echo in humbleness what Jesus told Peter when Peter proclaimed Him the Messiah Son of God: “Our Father in heaven conveyed this to you, not man.”
His response to the Pharisees was hilarious: “I have told you already and you do not listen. Why do you want to hear it again? Do you want to become his disciples too?” This is a courageous man that presumably has been shown little to no human dignity in his lifetime, but he is unphased , for He has all he needs from Jesus, even prior to telling Jesus: “Lord, I believe…” (verse 18)
Question for the Group: Would the blind man, post conversion, say that his lifelong blindness was a blessing, in that it shined a light on Jesus’ agape love that made it so more obviously desirable, as in the “deer panting for water”. (Nothing else matters… All in!)
Thoughts? / Reflections?
List of suggested discussion questions:
- What does the text reveal about God’s character?
- How has this reading generated prayer for you and/or us?
- What themes stand out to you in this bible study?
- How does our reading fit into the bigger picture (creation, the fall, restoration, etc.)?
- What verse(s) jumped out at you like never before? Is it explainable at this point?
- Do you have any questions you would like to put before the group as to how to interpret any particular verse(s) in our reading. Let scripture testify to scripture: Share with us where you sense contradiction between passages elsewhere.
- What did you find convicting and inspiring at the same time? Share with us how the Spirit of God is working within you as a messenger, both within
and outside of our fellowship group.
- Share with the group how our study is calling or confirming to you a new mission to glorify God in our times.
Soli Deo Gloria!