"JESUS--THE LIGHT OF THE WORLD" John 9

I. THE REASON FOR BLINDNESS John 9: 1-3 1 As he went along, he saw a man blind from birth. 2 His disciples asked him, “Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?” 3 “Neither this man nor his parents sinned,” said Jesus, “but this happened so that the work of God might be displayed in his life.”

II. THE REQUIREMENT FOR BLESSING John 9:4-7 4 As long as it is day, we must do the work of him who sent me. Night is coming, when no one can work. 5 While I am in the world, I am the light of the world.” 6 Having said this, he spit on the ground, made some mud with the saliva, and put it on the man’s eyes. 7 “Go,” he told him, “wash in the Pool of Siloam” (this word means Sent). So the man went and washed, and came home seeing.

The pool of siloam

III. THE REPROACH OF BELIEF

The Pharisees’ Policy on Jesus 1) He violated the Sabbath (13-15)   2) He was a sinner (24)   3) All who confess him would be excommunicated (22)

The Growth of the Blind Man's Faith 1) Jesus was a man who healed (11)   2) Jesus was a prophet (17)   3) Jesus was from God (30-33)   4) Jesus was trustworthy (35-36)   5) Jesus was the Divine Messiah (38)

Tacitus (c. A.D. 60-c. A.D. 120), Annales, XV.44 "Accordingly, arrest was first made of those who confessed; then, on their evidence, an immense multitude was convicted, not so much on the charge of arson as because of the hatred of the human race.  Besides being put to death they were made to serve as objects of amusement; they were clad in the hides of beasts and torn to death by dogs; others were crucified, others set on fire to serve to illuminate the night when daylight failed."