The Healing of the Man Born Blind

To be spiritually blind is to live in darkness, moral darkness actually. This darkness is a result of not believing in Christ. The spiritually blind person rejects the things of God and claims they are foolishness. It is however he who is the fool. His blindness is the handicap of his soul. In John chapter 9, An interesting exchange occurs between some Pharisees and a man recently healed of his blindness by Christ. In the verses, it is clear that the man who can now see grows in his awareness, and eventually sees that Christ is the Savior. The Pharisees on the other hand, continue to doubt and argue among themselves. Their hearts harden as they hear of the truth. The former blind man relates his tale over and over, first saying that he was healed by a man named Jesus, then later describing him as a prophet, later still he declares him a man of God. finally he knows that Christ is the Son of God and believes and worships Him. In our own lives, as we testify of Him, our own spiritual sight will grow, our own understanding will enhance and our belief strengthened. Notice the comparisons below.

John 9:39 And Jesus said, For judgment I am come into this world, that they which see not might see; and that they which see might be made blind.

Amazing grace, how sweet the sound. That saved a wretch like me. I once was lost, but now am found, Was blind, but now I see. (Newton 1772)

	Pharisees	Blind Man	Parents
Spiritual Blindness	John 9:16 Therefore said some of the Pharisees, This man is not of God, because he keepeth not the sabbath day. John 9:18 But the Jews did not believe concerning him, that he had been blind, and received his sight, until they called the parents of him that had received his sight. John 9:19 And they asked them, saying, Is this your son, who ye say was born blind? how then doth he now see? John 9:24 Then again called they the man that was blind, and said unto him, Give God the praise: we know that this man is a sinner. John 9:26 Then said they to him again, What did he to thee? how opened he thine eyes? John 9:28 Then they reviled him, and said, Thou art his disciple; but we are Moses’ disciples. John 9:29 We know that God spake unto Moses: as for this fellow, we know not from whence he is. John 9:34 They answered and said unto him, Thou wast altogether born in sins, and dost thou teach us? And they cast him out.		John 9:20 His parents answered them and said, We know that this is our son, and that he was born blind: John 9:21 But by what means he now seeth, we know not; or who hath opened his eyes, we know not: he is of age; ask him: he shall speak for himself. John 9:22 These words spake his parents, because they feared the Jews: for the Jews had agreed already, that if any man did confess that he was Christ, he should be put out of the synagogue. John 9:23 Therefore said his parents, He is of age; ask him.
Spiritual Sight		John 9:15 Then again the Pharisees also asked him how he had received his sight. He said unto them, He put clay upon mine eyes, and I washed, and do see. John 9:17 They say unto the blind man again, What sayest thou of him, that he hath opened thine eyes? He said, He is a prophet. John 9:25 He answered and said, Whether he be a sinner or no, I know not: one thing I know, that, whereas I was blind, now I see. John 9:27 He answered them, I have told you already, and ye did not hear: wherefore would ye hear it again? will ye also be his disciples? John 9:30 The man answered and said unto them, Why herein is a marvellous thing, that ye know not from whence he is, and yet he hath opened mine eyes. John 9:31 Now we know that God heareth not sinners: but if any man be a worshipper of God, and doeth his will, him he heareth. John 9:32 Since the world began was it not heard that any man opened the eyes of one that was born blind. John 9:33 If this man were not of God, he could do nothing. John 9:35 Jesus heard that they had cast him out; and when he had found him, he said unto him, Dost thou believe on the Son of God? John 9:36 He answered and said, Who is he, Lord, that I might believe on him? John 9:37 And Jesus said unto him, Thou hast both seen him, and it is he that talketh with thee. John 9:38 And he said, Lord, I believe. And he worshipped him.

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The Feeding of the Multitudes

The desert referred to in Matthew 14 can be compared to the world in which we live. The multitude are seeking Christ within the world which offers nothing of substance. Unbelievers will see the provisions for feeding them as slight and of no consequence. Christ's bread however, proves more than enough for everyone. His compassion was directed to their bodies as well as their souls. We should do likewise as we emulate him in our own conduct. It is not enough to proselytize for the salvation of people, but our concern needs to extend to the physical welfare of others as well. We should note that when the disciples suggested that the people depart in order to find their sustenance, Jesus told them that there was no need for that. Here is an instruction to look to Him for what we need. His disciples continue to have problems believing in the power He posseses and don't feel that the loves and fishes are enough. Jesus says bring them to me. We should always offer what we have to Him. It is His mission to look after us and He does. Notice the good that He accomplishes with what is given to Him and the giver is rewarded with surplus. The multitude is not just fed but filled. The people were not just given a morsel of His goodness but supplied with as much of His grace as they sought.

	Matthew 14:14-21	Matthew 15:32-38
How many people were present?	In verse 14, the number is described as a great mulitude. We learn in verse 21 that the number of thise who had eaten were about five thousand men, beside women and children.	In verse 32, the people are referred to as a multitude. We learn in verse we learn they that did eat were four thousand men, beside women and children.
What did they need?	The term written is victuals.	the people had nothing to eat and were fasting.
What were they able to offer in an effort to meet that need?	Five loaves and two fishes.	Seven loaves and a few little fishes.
What words or phrases describe the Savior’s feeling toward the multitudes in their time of need?	The Savior as always is the embodiment of campassion. He desires that all may be fed and filled. He does not wish for them to be sent away for he is healing, teaching, and providing for them what they desire. His actions are pure love and is concerned only for them.
What words or phrases describe what the Savior was able to provide for the multitudes?	He is the great provider. We have here an example of His taking care of the temporal as well as their spiritual needs. This is more than a meal. It is Christ giving the multitude what thay are really seeking from Him. the truth, the way, and the life.

We are all sinners and therefore incapable of our own salvation. It is only through the saving Grace of Christ's redemption that the possibility for our returning to God exists. It is only by putting our faith in Him will we be fed the gift of life eternal.

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John the Baptist

This week I take a look at John the Baptist and how he would relate to Jesus Christ in his last days. Take a look and see if you agree with me or not.

Matthew 11:2-3 Now when John had heard in the prison the works of Christ, he sent two of his disciples, And said unto him, Art thou he that should come, or do we look for another?

Luke 7:19 And John calling unto him two of his disciples sent them to Jesus, saying, Art thou he that should come? or look we for another?

It may not be clear why John sent his two disciples, whether for his own sake or for theirs. We know that John had a strong testimony, after all he had personally witnessed the Spirit of God descending on Jesus at his baptism, and heard the Lord’s voice proclaiming Him the Son of God. John had testified to others many times that Jesus was the Lamb of God. Maybe John’s faith had waivered as he lay in prison asking himself why he was not delivered. Maybe he knew that his time was short and his disciples needed to shift their attention and develop a proper testimony of Christ instead, or in other words the trip and questions were for their benefit. I tend to think it was the latter. Jesus’ response was designed as a means to remove any doubt about who He was. Therefore as they witnessed for themselves and returned to testify of it, they would be growing their own faith where it belonged. If I were to imagine myself as one of John’s disciples returning to tell him the reply, I can see the experience being one of transformation. As I would tell him about how the Savior healed the sick, raised the dead, and preached the Gospel, these things would become a part of me. Soon both Jesus and John would be gone and this strengthening of my testimony and first experience of proclaiming Him the true Savior would be like a beginning of a life as a missionary. I believe that was what John had in mind.

Matthew 11:11 Verily I say unto you, Among them that are born of women there hath not risen a greater than John the Baptist: notwithstanding he that is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he.

After sending John’s disciples back to them with His answer. Jesus turned to the people and explained the question for their benefit. Knowing that many had looked to find out if John was the one to follow, He clarified why John was indeed a greater prophet among those born of women. John had been filled with the Holy Ghost while still in the womb, had begun administering baptism, had preached true and righteous doctrine, and was the forerunner of Christ. Jesus then proclaimed himself even greater. John preached repentance but only Christ could redeem men’s souls. Salvation could only come through Him.

John 3:30 He must increase, but I must decrease.

John knew full well that what he had been about his entire life was coming to an end. He had cried repentance and pointed to the one in whom people should turn to. Everlasting life could only be had through faith in the Christ. John was completing his purpose and the mission of the Savior had begun. From this point forward the emphasis for mankind would be the building up of the Kingdom of God that all might be saved. If we are to take away any instructions from this for our own lives it would be to focus forward. What we were about before should decrease as our faith in Jesus and doing His work should increase. Christ’s disciples gave us an example as they set their former lives behind them and spread the Gospel to as many hearts that would listen.

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Miracles are Evidence of Faith and God's Power

This week I compare some of God's miracles and look for the differences and similarities. The first thing I notice is that there are many different kinds of people, from those with ailments to a lofty centurion. What they all have in common is faith. Note that Jesus said to the diseased woman "thy faith hath made thee whole." All of these examples are of Jesus responding to their faith. What can be taken from this is that He will respond to our faith as well. Miracles come in all shapes and sizes. It was probably important that He provide some impressive ones in order to make a point. He only had so much time to get His message across and this was all new to those people at the time. This week has been one of miracles for me. Not of the magnitude as found in these scriptures but meaningful nonetheless. I can testify that He is our Savior and does know what is in our hearts, just as He knew what was in the hearts of these people. If we have faith and do as we are commanded, miracles are available to us as well.

Reference	Miracles of the Lord	Who Demonstrated Faith
Matthew 8:1-4	1 When he was come down from the mountain, great multitudes followed him. 2 And, behold, there came a leper and worshipped him, saying, Lord, if thou wilt, thou canst make me clean. 3 And Jesus put forth his hand, and touched him, saying, I will; be thou clean. And immediately his leprosy was cleansed. 4 And Jesus saith unto him, See thou tell no man; but go thy way, shew thyself to the priest, and offer the gift that Moses commanded, for a testimony unto them.	A leper
Matthew 8:5-13	5 And when Jesus was entered into Capernaum, there came unto him a centurion, beseeching him, 6 And saying, Lord, my servant lieth at home sick of the palsy, grievously tormented. 7 And Jesus saith unto him, I will come and heal him. 8 The centurion answered and said, Lord, I am not worthy that thou shouldest come under my roof: but speak the word only, and my servant shall be healed. 9 For I am a man under authority, having soldiers under me: and I say to this man, Go, and he goeth; and to another, Come, and he cometh; and to my servant, Do this, and he doeth it. 10 When Jesus heard it, he marvelled, and said to them that followed, Verily I say unto you, I have not found so great faith, no, not in Israel. 11 And I say unto you, That many shall come from the east and west, and shall sit down with Abraham, and Isaac, and Jacob, in the kingdom of heaven. 12 But the children of the kingdom shall be cast out into outer darkness: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth. 13 And Jesus said unto the centurion, Go thy way; and as thou hast believed, so be it done unto thee. And his servant was healed in the selfsame hour.	A centurion
Matthew 8:14-15	14 And when Jesus was come into Peter’s house, he saw his wife’s mother laid, and sick of a fever. 15 And he touched her hand, and the fever left her: and she arose, and ministered unto them.	Peter's wife's mother
Matthew 8:16	16 When the even was come, they brought unto him many that were possessed with devils: and he cast out the spirits with his word, and healed all that were sick:	Many that were possessed with devils
Matthew 8:23-27	23 And when he was entered into a ship, his disciples followed him. 24 And, behold, there arose a great tempest in the sea, insomuch that the ship was covered with the waves: but he was asleep. 25 And his disciples came to him, and awoke him, saying, Lord, save us: we perish. 26 And he saith unto them, Why are ye fearful, O ye of little faith? Then he arose, and rebuked the winds and the sea; and there was a great calm. 27 But the men marvelled, saying, What manner of man is this, that even the winds and the sea obey him!	His disciples
Matthew 8:28-34	28 And when he was come to the other side into the country of the Gergesenes, there met him two possessed with devils, coming out of the tombs, exceeding fierce, so that no man might pass by that way. 29 And, behold, they cried out, saying, What have we to do with thee, Jesus, thou Son of God? art thou come hither to torment us before the time? 30 And there was a good way off from them an herd of many swine feeding. 31 So the devils besought him, saying, If thou cast us out, suffer us to go away into the herd of swine. 32 And he said unto them, Go. And when they were come out, they went into the herd of swine: and, behold, the whole herd of swine ran violently down a steep place into the sea, and perished in the waters. 33 And they that kept them fled, and went their ways into the city, and told every thing, and what was befallen to the possessed of the devils. 34 And, behold, the whole city came out to meet Jesus: and when they saw him, they besought him that he would depart out of their coasts.	Two possessed with devils
Matthew 9:20-22; Mark 5:25-34	20 And, behold, a woman, which was diseased with an issue of blood twelve years, came behind him, and touched the hem of his garment: 21 For she said within herself, If I may but touch his garment, I shall be whole. 22 But Jesus turned him about, and when he saw her, he said, Daughter, be of good comfort; thy faith hath made thee whole. And the woman was made whole from that hour. 25 And a certain woman, which had an issue of blood twelve years, 26 And had suffered many things of many physicians, and had spent all that she had, and was nothing bettered, but rather grew worse, 27 When she had heard of Jesus, came in the press behind, and touched his garment. 28 For she said, If I may touch but his clothes, I shall be whole. 29 And straightway the fountain of her blood was dried up; and she felt in her body that she was healed of that plague. 30 And Jesus, immediately knowing in himself that virtue had gone out of him, turned him about in the press, and said, Who touched my clothes? 31 And his disciples said unto him, Thou seest the multitude thronging thee, and sayest thou, Who touched me? 32 And he looked round about to see her that had done this thing. 33 But the woman fearing and trembling, knowing what was done in her, came and fell down before him, and told him all the truth. 34 And he said unto her, Daughter, thy faith hath made thee whole; go in peace, and be whole of thy plague.	A diseased woman
Matthew 9:27-31	27 And when Jesus departed thence, two blind men followed him, crying, and saying, Thou Son of David, have mercy on us. 28 And when he was come into the house, the blind men came to him: and Jesus saith unto them, Believe ye that I am able to do this? They said unto him, Yea, Lord. 29 Then touched he their eyes, saying, According to your faith be it unto you. 30 And their eyes were opened; and Jesus straitly charged them, saying, See that no man know it. 31 But they, when they were departed, spread abroad his fame in all that country.	Two blind men
Mark 2:1-12	1 And again he entered into Capernaum after some days; and it was noised that he was in the house. 2 And straightway many were gathered together, insomuch that there was no room to receive them, no, not so much as about the door: and he preached the word unto them. 3 And they come unto him, bringing one sick of the palsy, which was borne of four. 4 And when they could not come nigh unto him for the press, they uncovered the roof where he was: and when they had broken it up, they let down the bed wherein the sick of the palsy lay. 5 When Jesus saw their faith, he said unto the sick of the palsy, Son, thy sins be forgiven thee. 6 But there were certain of the scribes sitting there, and reasoning in their hearts, 7 Why doth this man thus speak blasphemies? who can forgive sins but God only? 8 And immediately when Jesus perceived in his spirit that they so reasoned within themselves, he said unto them, Why reason ye these things in your hearts? 9 Whether is it easier to say to the sick of the palsy, Thy sins be forgiven thee; or to say, Arise, and take up thy bed, and walk? 10 But that ye may know that the Son of man hath power on earth to forgive sins, (he saith to the sick of the palsy,) 11 I say unto thee, Arise, and take up thy bed, and go thy way into thine house. 12 And immediately he arose, took up the bed, and went forth before them all; insomuch that they were all amazed, and glorified God, saying, We never saw it on this fashion.	One sick of the palsy

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