John 9: 1-41 (NKJV)
[A
proclamation suggestion: This message could be delivered in a segmented format
with the congregation singing a verse of Send the Light (Charles H. Gabriel,
1856-1932) between the divisions. In a nighttime worship setting, consider doing
the introduction with lights out.]
Returning
from a night crusade in a northern Nigerian village, my missionary host stopped
the car on the side of the road to meet another preacher returning from his
assignment. Without security lights or the sound of a generator, we seemed to
be in the middle of nowhere. It was the darkest night I’ve ever experienced.
The next day we passed that same place and I was surprised to find many people
lived in the area. Light made all the difference.
Jesus’
encounter with the man born blind demonstrates the impact of the Light of the
World (John 8:12; 9:5). This Lenten season offers special opportunities to influence
others for Christ. How can we be used to send the light?
There
are souls to rescue; there are souls to save (vv. 1-7)
Whom
do we see as we pass by? Both Jesus and the disciples saw “a man who was
blind from birth.” Jesus saw an opportunity to do “the works of God.”
For the disciples “the blind man was an unsolved riddle rather than a sufferer
to be relieved” (Merrill C. Tenney. The Expositor’s Bible Commentary,
Vol. 9, 1981, p.105).
With
the cross looming, Jesus emphasized the critical need to “work the works
of Him who sent Me while it is day; the night is coming when no one can work”
(v. 4). That same issue of time faces every disciple. Our personal time is limited;
opportunities to influence friends, family, and neighbors soon disappear. There
are souls to rescue and now is the time to be about the work.
Pray
that everywhere grace may abound (vv. 8- 34)
The
work of Christ always brings a varied response; the healing of the blind man
created quite a stir in his community. The neighbors, the Pharisees, and his
parents demonstrate the difficulty people have in accepting the grace of Christ.
In the presence of amazing power some people are content to remain where they
are or defiantly resist Christ’s grace.