Born Blind Man
John 9:1–41 (NIV)
As he went along, he saw a man blind from birth. His disciples asked him, “Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?” “Neither this man nor his parents sinned,” said Jesus, “but this happened so that the works of God might be displayed in him. As long as it is day, we must do the works of him who sent me. Night is coming, when no one can work. While I am in the world, I am the light of the world.”
After saying this, he spit on the ground, made some mud with the saliva, and put it on the man’s eyes. “Go,” he told him, “wash in the Pool of Siloam” (this word means “Sent”). So the man went and washed, and came home seeing.
His neighbors and those who had formerly seen him begging asked, “Isn’t this the same man who used to sit and beg?” Some claimed that he was. Others said, “No, he only looks like him.” But he himself insisted, “I am the man.” “How then were your eyes opened?” they asked. He replied, “The man they call Jesus made some mud and put it on my eyes. He told me to go to Siloam and wash. So I went and washed, and then I could see.” “Where is this man?” they asked him. “I don’t know,” he said.
The Pharisees Investigate the Healing
They brought to the Pharisees the man who had been blind. Now the day on which Jesus had made the mud and opened the man’s eyes was a Sabbath. Therefore the Pharisees also asked him how he had received his sight. “He put mud on my eyes,” the man replied, “and I washed, and now I see.” Some of the Pharisees said, “This man is not from God, for he does not keep the Sabbath.” But others asked, “How can a sinner perform such signs?” So they were divided. Then they turned again to the blind man, “What have you to say about him? It was your eyes he opened.” The man replied, “He is a prophet.”
They still did not believe that he had been blind and had received his sight until they sent for the man’s parents. “Is this your son?” they asked. “Is this the one you say was born blind? How is it that now he can see?” “We know he is our son,” the parents answered, “and we know he was born blind. But how he can see now, or who opened his eyes, we don’t know. Ask him. He is of age; he will speak for himself.” His parents said this because they were afraid of the Jewish leaders, who already had decided that anyone who acknowledged that Jesus was the Messiah would be put out of the synagogue. That was why his parents said, “He is of age; ask him.”
A second time they summoned the man who had been blind. “Give glory to God by telling the truth,” they said. “We know this man is a sinner.” He replied, “Whether he is a sinner or not, I don’t know. One thing I do know. I was blind but now I see!” Then they asked him, “What did he do to you? How did he open your eyes?” He answered, “I have told you already and you did not listen. Why do you want to hear it again? Do you want to become his disciples too?” Then they hurled insults at him and said, “You are this fellow’s disciple! We are disciples of Moses! We know that God spoke to Moses, but as for this fellow, we don’t even know where he comes from.” The man answered, “Now that is remarkable! You don’t know where he comes from, yet he opened my eyes. We know that God does not listen to sinners. He listens to the godly person who does his will. Nobody has ever heard of opening the eyes of a man born blind. If this man were not from God, he could do nothing.” To this they replied, “You were steeped in sin at birth; how dare you lecture us!” And they threw him out.
Spiritual Blindness
Jesus heard that they had thrown him out, and when he found him, he said, “Do you believe in the Son of Man?” “Who is he, sir?” the man asked. “Tell me so that I may believe in him.” Jesus said, “You have now seen him; in fact, he is the one speaking with you.” Then the man said, “Lord, I believe,” and he worshiped him. Jesus said, “For judgment I have come into this world, so that the blind will see and those who see will become blind.” Some Pharisees who were with him heard him say this and asked, “What? Are we blind too?” Jesus said, “If you were blind, you would not be guilty of sin; but now that you claim you can see, your guilt remains.
INTRODUCTION: When Suffering Raises Questions
Some pain comes with a clear explanation. Other pain or suffering comes with questions that never seem to get answered. Why this? Why me? Why now?
John 9 opens with a man who has been blind since birth — not because of an accident, not because of a choice, but because this has always been his reality. And instead of immediately healing him, Jesus allows the moment to surface the deepest question we all ask when we encounter suffering: “Who’s at fault?”
But Jesus is about to reframe the entire conversation.
This miracle is not just about RESTORED SIGHT. This miracle is about LEARNING TO SEE GOD DIFFERENTLY.
THE QUESTION: Looking for Someone to Blame
The disciples see the blind man and ask Jesus: “Who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?”
This reflects a common belief: suffering must always be tied to personal failure.
But Jesus refuses that framework. “Neither this man nor his parents sinned… but this happened so that the works of God might be displayed in him.”
Jesus doesn’t explain suffering away — He redirects attention to God’s redemptive purpose.
THE HEALING: Obedience Before Understanding
Jesus spits on the ground, makes mud, and places it on the man’s eyes. This is unusual. Messy. Uncomfortable. Then He tells the man to go wash.
And the man goes — blind, vulnerable, trusting. He doesn’t ask questions.
He doesn’t demand clarity. He obeys.
And when he washes — he sees.
Sometimes THE MIRACLE IS ON THE OTHER SIDE OF OBEDIENCE we don’t fully understand.
THE AFTERMATH: When Your Miracle Disrupts Others
The neighbors are confused; The Pharisees are threatened. Instead of celebrating the miracle, they interrogate it.
This man’s healing challenges their systems, assumptions, and authority.
Miracles will often disturb people who are comfortable with things staying the same.
THE TESTIMONY: Simple Faith, Growing Courage
When questioned, the man doesn’t give theological arguments. He gives testimony: “I was blind, but now I see.” That’s it.
He doesn’t know everything about Jesus yet — but he knows what Jesus did for him. And as the pressure increases, his faith grows stronger.
A lot of times, CLARITY COMES AFTER OBEDIENCE.
THE FINAL REVEAL: True Sight
Later, Jesus finds the man and asks if he believes in the Son of Man.
The man responds honestly: “Who is He, sir? Tell me so that I may believe in Him.”
Jesus reveals Himself; And the man worships.
Maybe the most tragic thing is the Pharisees — who can physically see — remain spiritually blind.
Jesus closes with a sobering truth: Some who think they see… don’t.
And some who know they’re blind… are ready to see.
WHY THIS MIRACLE MATTERS FOR US
This miracle reminds us:
The process of healing DOES NOT MEAN YOU’LL HAVE ALL THE ANSWERS YOU DESIRE FIRST
OBEDIENCE often PRECEDES CLARITY
ENCOUNTERING JESUS changes how we, literally and spiritually, see everything
PRACTICAL TAKEAWAYS
HOW THIS MIRACLE STRENGTHENS OUR DAILY FAITH
1. Stop Assigning Blame — START LOOKING FOR GOD’S WORK
Jesus refused to blame the man or his parents.
Faith grows when we stop asking “Who’s at fault?” and start asking “What’s the opportunity for God to work here?”
2. OBEY Even When the Process Feels Uncomfortable
The healing came through mud and washing — not explanation.
God will use an imperfect processes to produce perfect outcomes.
Ask yourself: What obedience have I been postponing because I want answers first?
3. SHARE WHAT YOU KNOW — Not What You Don’t Know
The man’s testimony was simple — and powerful.
You don’t need all the answers to point others to Jesus. Your story is enough!
CONCLUSION: Seeing Clearly
Jesus didn’t just give this man sight — JESUS GAVE HIM VISION.
And the same Jesus still invites us to see…
ourselves differently
the things we’re suffering differently
Him more clearly
If you find yourself “blind” today and don’t have all the answers as to “why”… JESUS IS READY TO OPEN YOUR EYES