The Formerly Blind Man Believes (John 9:19-41)

Why would the man’s parents refuse to confess that Jesus was Christ? What might this say about how much they valued their son? Are there times that we might be afraid to confess Jesus as the Christ? When? How might we become bolder in our confession?

Why did the Pharisees say that Jesus was a sinner? Was Jesus a sinner? Did he break the Sabbath? If the Pharisees could convince the people that Jesus was truly a sinner, what might happen to his following? How might this impact the Pharisees?

The man implies at verse 27 that he is a disciple of Jesus. What is involved in being Jesus’ disciple? It seems to me that this man didn’t fully understand the idea of discipleship, for he doesn’t know whether or not Jesus is a sinner.

If the Pharisees knew that God spoke to Moses, why could they not understand that God was also speaking through Jesus? If they understood Moses, why should they have also understood that God was speaking through Jesus?

The blind man says, “We know that God does not listen to sinners, but if anyone is a worshiper of God and does his will, God listens to him.” We must remember the context. This is an uninspired man; therefore, I feel very uncomfortable using what he says as a “prooftext.” The man has already said that he doesn’t know whether or not Jesus is a sinner (v 25); however, he does seem to go through a transformation when he’s speaking to the Pharisees (cf. v 33).

The case of Cornelius. God obviously heard Cornelius’ prayer (“Your prayers and your alms have ascended as a memorial before God,” Acts 10:4). Cornelius was “a devout man who feared God with all his household, gave alms generously to the people, and prayed continually to God” (Acts 10:2).

Obedience to the will of God is a condition to God’s hearing our prayers. Psalm 66:18; Proverbs 15:29; Isaiah 59:1-2; 1 Peter 3:12; 1 John 3:22. What conclusions should we draw?

The formerly blind man is eager to believe. How do we become eager to believe?