Sunday, March 15, 2026

Scripture: John 9:1-16, 35-41

Sermon title: “The Grace that heals”

1. Context

In John 8, during the Feast of Tabernacles, Jesus was teaching in the temple when religious leaders repeatedly questioned His identity. They tried to trap Him by bringing a woman caught in adultery, hoping He would say something incriminating. Instead, Jesus responded with wisdom and grace, exposing their hypocrisy and showing mercy to the woman.

Later, in His discussion with the religious leaders, Jesus reveals His divinity by saying, “Before Abraham was, I AM.” In response, the people pick up stones to kill Jesus for claiming to be God. Accused of blasphemy, Jesus hides Himself and leaves the temple grounds.

2. Jesus saw a man blind from birth

Today’s scripture begins after Jesus and His disciples left the temple following accusations from the religious leaders. As they traveled, Jesus saw a man who had been blind from birth. The disciples asked, “Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?” It was common for beggars to sit near the temple gates to ask for help from worshipers, and these events took place on the Sabbath. Their question reflects the common belief that suffering is caused by sin, a question people still ask when life goes wrong.

Physical blindness is a terrible thing. When I was a student at Drew University, I worked in the Office of Accessibility and Resources, where I proctored exams for students with different disabilities. I knew several blind students, some who lost their sight through disease or accident, and others who were born blind. I saw how challenging it could be for them, even to write exams or enter buildings. However, many people still pass by blind people or beggars without truly seeing them, sometimes because it is painful to witness their condition, but often because we do not want to be disturbed, despite laws meant to prevent discrimination against people with disabilities.

In the physical sense, blindness is a disability, a condition in which a person cannot see. As one quote says, “Disability is the one condition that anyone can experience at some point in life.” Some people are born with disabilities, like the blind man in the story, while others develop them through illness, accidents, or aging. The truth is that if we live long enough, most of us will face physical limitations that may even require changes to our homes and daily lives.

Today we may be professing members of the church, but in time some of us may become homebound members. This reminds us that disability is not something that happens only to others, it is part of the human condition. While physical blindness is difficult, people can often develop other senses that help them continue to live and move about.

3. Suffering as a path to peeper faith

Jesus makes it clear that the man’s blindness was not caused by his sin or his parents’ sin. Instead, it became an opportunity for God’s work to be revealed through healing. Our pain is also real, but Scripture reminds us that we are not the first to face disappointment, persecution, or sickness. In times of suffering, God is our source of strength and healing. Though we do not enjoy suffering, it can deepen our faith and help us grow for God’s glory. God does not waste our sorrows.

We should not assume the cause of someone’s suffering, because Jesus rejected that kind of judgment. Instead, He said, “We must work the works of Him who sent Me while it is day; night is coming when no one can work.” Jesus knew that opportunities to serve do not last forever and that healing the man on the Sabbath would increase opposition from the religious leaders. By using the word “we,” Jesus included His disciples and us in doing God’s work. But we often judge others without fully understanding their struggles, which can lead to misunderstanding and division.

Christians are called to reflect Christ’s love in all interactions by practicing non-judgment and recognizing that everyone is on their own journey. Following Jesus means bringing hope and support, the “bread of life”, to those who are suffering. As Jesus said, “I am the light of the world,” and Matthew 5:14 reminds us, “We are the light of the world.” Just as light reveals paths and guides safely in darkness, our presence should transform the lives around us. We are responsible for bringing this light to those in darkness, trusting that God’s Word will heal and transform them.

4. Healing and confusion

Jesus demonstrated His teaching through action by healing a man born blind: He made mud with His saliva, applied it to the man’s eyes, and told him to wash in the Pool of Siloam. The man obeyed and was healed. Jesus heals in different ways, sometimes through action, sometimes by His word, but faith and obedience are always key. This miracle symbolizes Jesus, “the Light of the world,” restoring sight, reminding us that God has always provided healing for His people.

Throughout the Gospels, Jesus shows His power to heal physical ailments. Through His sacrifice on the cross, we receive not only spiritual salvation but also healing for our bodies, minds, and souls. Often, God’s healing works quietly, unnoticed, this is prevenient grace at work. The blind man who did not seek Jesus, God’s grace reaches us first. Christ alone has the power to heal our spiritual and physical blindness.

5. The blind man’s testimony

After the man obeyed Jesus and received his sight, he returned home, surprising his neighbors. Some doubted it was truly him, but he confirmed, “I am the one,” and explained that Jesus had anointed his eyes and told him what to do. When asked about Jesus’ location, he could not answer, having been blind when healed. The neighbors took him to the Pharisees, who, already hostile toward Jesus, were concerned that the miracle had occurred on the Sabbath and debated whether Jesus could be from God.

The Pharisees questioned the healed man and his parents. The man repeated his story briefly, sharing only the essentials, and when asked his opinion, he concluded that anyone capable of such a miracle must be a prophet.

Beloved, our testimony matters, even when others reject it. Sharing our faith and experiences can inspire others, glorify God, and help others grow in their faith.

6. The spiritual blindness

Scripture also speaks of spiritual blindness. Jesus said, “For judgment I have come into this world, so that the blind will see and those who see will become blind.” Spiritual blindness is more dangerous than physical blindness because it affects the heart and soul, keeping people from recognizing God’s presence, believing in Jesus, and seeing His glory at work in their lives.

Even believers can fall into spiritual blindness if they are not vigilant. There is hope for those who recognize their sin, but none for the proud, who remain trapped in it. Do not be like the Pharisees; instead, be like the man born blind, who received both physical and spiritual sight.

7. Conclusion

No problem is too big for God. Like the man born blind, we all face physical or spiritual blindness, but God’s grace heals us. God is greater than our sickness, pain, or pressures. As Matthew 6:25-33 reminds us, we are called to seek God’s kingdom and trust His provision. May the Lord help us to follow the example of the blind man who trusted God in everything he was asked. Amen.