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      "Optical Illusions"
      John 9:35-41
      Theme: The clear view of self-righteousness is nothing but a mirage.

        1. The Development Required for Good Vision – 9:35-38

          1. The Savior’s Faithfulness to the Mission of Redemption – v. 35

            1. The blind man who fell into the maelstrom of the Pharisees hostility of Jesus is finally officially ostracized by the "religious establishment" for what they perceive as his conversion to faith that Jesus was truly from God – cp. v. 34
            2. This persecution was brought to Jesus attention and Jesus immediately demonstrates His passion – to seek out and deliver sinners from the guilt and power of their sin – "Jesus heard that they had put him out, and finding him, …"
            3. When Jesus found this man, "He said, ‘Do you believe in the Son of Man’?"
            4. This is the only issue that truly matters in all the considerations of a sinner’s conversion –
              1. In the OT, it was the faith in the promised Messiah – the One who would come from God to deliver them – they looked forward to receiving the promise – Genesis 3:15; Hebrews 11:39-40.
              2. In our era, the question is whether or not we believe in the One whom God has sent – the Lord Jesus – Hebrews 12:1-2.
            5. Thus, Jesus comes right to the issue and asks all of us even as He asks this man – "Is your reliance for eternal redemption in the provision of God in the Messiah?"

          2. The Sinner’s Faith in the Man of Redemption – vv. 36-38

            1. Bear in mind that this man had never actually seen Jesus – he had left Him to wash in the pool of Siloam, and there is no record that he ever connected with Jesus prior to this moment – cp. v. 9:12.
            2. When Jesus asked him whether or not he believed in Him, he responded "Who is He, Lord, that I may believe in Him?"
              1. Essentially, the blind man here announces his total embrace of the One who had healed him as the Promised One – the Messiah.
              2. However, he did not yet put Jesus (the One talking with him) together with the One who had healed him.
            3. Hence, "Jesus said to him, ‘You have both seen Him, and He is the one who is talking with you’." – He introduces Himself to the man who didn’t realize who Jesus was
              1. This is one of only four instances in the Gospels where the Lord Jesus expressly declared His Divine Sonship (they are all in this Gospel of John).
                1. John 5:25
                2. John 9:37
                3. John 10:36
                4. John 11:4
              2. Nowhere in the other Gospels does He explicitly affirm that He was the Son of God.
            4. His immediate response to this disclosure serves as the culmination in the progress of his faith – "And he said, ‘Lord, I believe.’ And he worshiped Him."
            5. This man reflects the history of every soul that is reconciled to God through the grace that is in Jesus Christ:
              1. Introduced to us in wretchedness and helplessness
              2. Sought out by the Lord
              3. Directed to wash in what represents the Word – the waters of Siloam
              4. Given spiritual sight
              5. Severely tested by the enemies of God
              6. Cast out by those committed to self-righteousness
              7. Comforted by the Savior
              8. Able to worship at the feet of the Savior
            6. It is this process that allows a person to develop good vision – and without it, they remain blinded.

        2. The Determination Regulating Good Vision – 9:39

          1. The Impact of Christ’s Coming

            1. Jesus responds to this man’s faith by saying that it is for this very outcome that he came into the world – to make a difference – "And Jesus said, ‘For judgment I came into this world’."
              1. The word "judgment" refers to the outcome or result of discrimination - John 3:17
              2. I believe that Jesus is referring to the outcome that occurs with reference to every person depending on how they respond to the Lord.
            2. Thus, Jesus is stating that it is this outcome – of being able to discriminate between those who accept Him and those who reject Him, that He "came into this world"
            3. Hence, while the object of His coming was salvation, the moral effect of His coming was judgment – judging no one, but judging every man.

          2. The Inevitability of Discrimination

            1. The phrase "… so that …" essentially indicates that it is the product in the hearts of men that God is focusing on.
            2. There are only two possible results – results that God involves Himself in accomplishing – the enlightenment or the blinding of men.
            3. Those who are enlightened are those who recognize their own limitation and need – those who know they are blind and will look to God – "so that those who do not see may see."
            4. Then there are those who willfully reject the light that God offers – professing themselves to be sufficient in themselves – "… and that those who see may become blind."

        3. The Delusions Regarding Good Vision – 9:40-41

          1. The Defensiveness of Sinners – v. 40

            1. This exchange occurred in the presence of some of the Pharisees who listened intently.
            2. They were insulted by the clear implications – "Those of the Pharisees who were with Him heard these things and said to Him, ‘We are not blind too, are we’?"
            3. This is the tragedy of their blindness, they don’t even know that they cannot see.
            4. Spiritually, we know that our blindness is dissipating when we recognize the tremendous need we possess for the work of God to be done in our lives.
            5. The less we feel the compelling draw of God’s Spirit away from ourselves and to the Lord Jesus Christ to change us from what we are to what He is – the more blind we become.
            6. The more we feel this compelling and urgent need to become more like Christ the more we see.
            7. In addition – the more we respond to the light received, the more light is provided; while the less we respond to the light God gives, the darker our understanding becomes – cp. Romans 1:21-22.

          2. The Diagnosis of the Savior – v. 41

            1. In his response, Jesus indicates what kind of person is forgiven – the one who is conscious of their deplorable condition and anxiously years for God’s deliverance – "If you were blind, you would have no sin;"
            2. However, since you are content with yourself and filled with self-sufficiency – your guilt remains intact – "but since you say, ‘We see,’ your sin remains."
            3. There is none so blind as those who will not see.

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