Jesus went looking for the blind man who had been healed, because his mission wasn’t complete yet.

In John 9:35-41, we read about an account of how Jesus didn’t simply settle for physical healing for the blind man, he pursued him for his spiritual healing too. Jesus has a perfect record of finding the people he goes looking for.

Pastor Brian asked us to be honest with our own role in this story. When it comes to being blind, we either think we’re fine, know we’re blind but aren’t sure what were missing, or know we used to be blind, but now we see.

What stage are you at in recovering your sight?

Let’s read together.

Grow Together

Read this from the Bible together:

John 9:35-41  
35 Jesus heard that they had thrown the man out, and when he found him, he asked, “Do you believe in the Son of Man?”

36 “Who is he, Sir, that I may believe in him?” he asked.

37 Jesus answered, “You have seen him; in fact, he is the one speaking with you.”

38 “I believe, Lord!” he said, and he worshiped him.

39 Jesus said, “I came into this world for judgment, in order that those who do not see will see and those who do see will become blind.”

40 Some of the Pharisees who were with him heard these things and asked him, “We aren’t blind too, are we?”

41 “If you were blind,” Jesus told them, “you wouldn’t have sin. But now that you say, ‘We see,’ your sin remains.”

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Some key statements and questions put forward that are important for us to talk about…

Jesus heard that they had thrown the man out… The blind man had been cut off from his social construct and pushed aside. This scripture reveals that it is the heart of God to seek out those on the margins. Do you often seek out those who are marginalized and cut off? What do you think that looks like in your life?

“I believe, Lord!” he said, and he worshiped him. Belief is always followed by worship. Have you settled for glimpses of belief in Jesus that produce half-hearted worship? If so, in what ways?

Some of the Pharisees who were with him heard these things and asked him, “We aren’t blind too, are we?” The Pharisees were blind to their own blindness. Out of the few areas Pastor Brian mentioned: which one is most likely the cause of your blindness, legalism, narcissism, or apathy?

Next Steps

“Skepticism is a good place to vacation, but it’s no place to buy a house.” Do you consider yourself a skeptic? If yes, what do you struggle most to believe about the story of Jesus? If you aren’t, do you judge skeptics for their lack of belief?

“This is your permission, if not your prescription, to pray for healing for whoever needs it.”Were you raised in a faith tradition that believed sickness or struggle was punishment from God? If so, the blind man being healed reveals that belief as bad theology. Who can you be praying for to be healed, whether they believe in Jesus or not?

“Invite the Spirit to reveal to you what blind spots you have.” Take a deep breath and ask trusted friends to help you see where you may be blind by asking, “Where do you see that I am most selfish?” Then ask the Spirit to help change your heart in those areas you haven’t fully trusted him with yet.