THE GOOD NEWS COMES CLOSER

1 Samuel 16:1-13; Ephesians 5:8-14; John 9:1-41

Introduction

In psychology, there is a moment known as the “aha moment” described as the sudden, conscious change in a person's representation of a stimulus, situation, event, or problem. It is as though one has no idea or is in the dark about something very important to him/her and suddenly, the person is opened or is brought to light.

This is exactly what happened to a blind man. After receiving his sight, he said, "Now I can see". He has been brought into the light of sight and understanding.

It is very important to note that our discussion today will be on two personas we see around all the time. One with sight and the other in blindness. Solomon says, "Do you see a man who is wise in his own eyes? There is more hope for a fool than for him." Proverbs 26:12 (HCSB). It is more dangerous to be blind and yet claim to see.

Sin and Suffering

It is very common today to connect people's sufferings, challenges, and disadvantages to sins they may have committed. I get this question from people, they will sometimes weep and in sorrow may ask, "Papa Ahenkan what did I do wrong against God for me to suffer like this?" It is an old-age question.

The disciples of Jesus had this mindset too when they asked, “Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?” John 9:2 (ESV) 

While there are Scriptural connections between sin and suffering, Jesus' answer is our focus today, “It was not that this man sinned, or his parents, but that the works of God might be displayed in him." John 9:3 (ESV). 

Jesus points to us in another direction we hardly look in times of difficulties, trials, or hardships, "that the works of God might display". God's works, beauty, and glory manifest in our darkest moments. Precious one, hold on to Him, He will surely show up at the right time.

Jesus declared Himself again as being the light of the world. Jesus brings His disciples on board to work with Him when He says, "We must work the works of Him who sent me". All hands on deck and it is now. There is the urgency to work now because time is on the move … tik-tok, tik-tok… 

Beloved, how well are you able to work with a team? Are all others comfortable with you at work as a team? May your eyes be opened to the urgent need for teamwork today, Amen!

A man who may be 30, 40, or perhaps above 50 years, was born blind and was healed. I recently heard on the radio, an eye specialist was advertising his facility and drugs. After speaking fondly of the potency of his drugs, he added, "If only you were born seeing and later developed a problem in your eyes, we will bring it back, except that you were born blind". The Bible says, "Never since the world began has it been heard that anyone opened the eyes of a man born blind." John 9:32 (ESV)

Beloved, Jesus heals the "born blind". Where men cannot see, He sees. Jesus "spit on the ground and made mud with the saliva. Then he anointed the man's eyes with the mud and said to him, “Go, wash in the pool of Siloam”" John 9:6-7 (ESV). John uses a simple statement to describe the miraclous sign, "So he went and washed and came back seeing." John 9:7 (ESV).

Meanwhile, there was a huge debate and meetings because of this healing. The neigbours were surprised and even doubted if he is the same beggar. Child of God listen, when the glory of God locates you and miraculous touch takes you out of your pain and misery, your identity is confused. May you receive God's glorious presence now, in Jesus' name, Amen!

The Pharisees came in with the 7th day Sabbath law to make nonsense of the miracle, “This man [Jesus] is not from God, for he does not keep the Sabbath.” John 9:16 (ESV). Meanwhile, some of them also quizzed, “How can a man who is a sinner do such signs?” John 9:16 (ESV) 

Paul says, "try to discern what is pleasing to the Lord. Take no part in the unfruitful works of darkness, but instead expose them." Ephesians 5:10-11 (ESV) Do not be confused with the path to take as a Christian but discern what God wants from you.

Indeed, keeping the Sabbath is not what makes one Godly. When men are glued to worldly wisdom to comprehend things of the Spirit and insight to life, they fail to see God's path.

Blindness and Sight

Jesus said, “For judgment I came into this world, that those who do not see may see, and those who see may become blind.” John 9:39 (ESV)

What does this statement mean? There are two personas here, the man born blind and the Pharisees. The man didn't know who Jesus was but after receiving his sight, he come to know Him and ended up believing in Him. The formerly blind man has come to his "aha moment" - oh! now I see who Jesus is, He's not just a prophet, He is the Son of Man, the Christ, the Messiah.

Samuel could have made a terrible mistake to anoint Eliab or any of his brothers because he "thought, “Surely the LORD'S anointed is before him.”" But the LORD said to Samuel, “Do not look on his appearance or on the height of his stature, because I have rejected him. For the LORD sees not as man sees: man looks on the outward appearance, but the LORD looks on the heart.”" 1 Samuel 16:6-7 (ESV). We are sometimes blinded by academic insight, experiences, and our sense of maturity. God goes beyond these physical things.

Just like the Pharisees and the Jews, they claimed to have insight, they were disciples of Moses and Jesus was a sinner. Meanwhile, they were the ones who were truly blind. 

I love this axiom;

He who does know and knows not he knows not is a fool, avoid him. He who does not know and knows he does not know is a student, teach him. He who knows and knows not he knows is humble, make him understand. He who knows and knows he knows is wise walk with him.

"Some of the Pharisees near him heard these things, and said to him, “Are we also blind?”" John 9:40 (ESV). They are now asking. If they had acknowledged their ignorance and were open to learning like the man born blind, they would not have been guilty of sin. “If you were blind, you would have no guilt; but now that you say, ‘We see,’ your guilt remains." John 9:41 (ESV) Their pride and arrogance kept them from seeing the truth because it blinded them.

"Do you see a man who is wise in his own eyes? There is more hope for a fool than for him." Proverbs 26:12 (ESV). Knowing not and does not know you do not know will always keep you in the dark. We get insight when we acknowledge our weaknesses and shortfalls.

Jesus speaks plainly to those who acknowledge their blindness, guilt, and sin before God, the Light of the world shines on them and they say, "Oh yes! now I can see"

In Conclusion

Let us humble ourselves, not be wise in our own eyes so that we will have the hope of God's glory in our lives. It is amazing that the blind man ends up seeing, and saved whiles the men with sight ended up being blind, and guilty.

"“Do you believe in the Son of Man?” He answered, “And who is he, sir, that I may believe in him?” Jesus said to him, “You have seen him, and it is he who is speaking to you.” He said, “Lord, I believe,” and he worshiped him." John 9:35-38 (ESV)

Paul admonishes us saying, "For at one time you were darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light." Ephesians 5:8 (ESV)

Walking as children of the light, we worship only Jesus Christ who is able to take us from our darkness into light. Christ in you, the hope of glory - Jesus Christ is enough and complete to attain God's glory here and hereafter. Worship Him only.

Be bold in your faith and stand for Jesus. The man healed told the Jews, “Whether he is a sinner I do not know. One thing I do know, that though I was blind, now I see.” John 9:25 (ESV)

He stood on his ground amidst the pressure to lie and even the subsequent cast out. The more we focus on what God has done for us by setting us free, we stand for Him. Amen!

Shalom aleichem...