Let there be light - John 9:1-41
This is a sermon by Chris Finney from the Riverside Church service on 9th November 2025.
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John 9:1-41 - Let there be light
A few weeks ago, I shared with my life group a little about how I had come to know Jesus; to believe in him and to worship him. We were talking about the comfort of being chosen by God; and how even the act of us believing is a work of God; an act of kindness that we do not deserve.
Here's a little more of that story; I started investigating the possibility of God when I was 11; and part of this was attending church on a Sunday, much to the surprise of my non-Christian parents. I remember asking Jesus to be my Lord and Saviour when I was 12 at home in my room; and then at various times publicly between then and age 18. It's hard to say exactly at what point I believed; only that as I learnt more about Jesus and the teaching of the bible - or rather as I got to know Jesus more; I wanted to respond more deeply at each stage.
As I was preparing this sermon; I was reminded of one time in particular. When I was at sixth form; I was part of a small group of deep thinkers; we used to ask philosophical questions about God and world religions and enjoy discussing different ideas. I remember really clearly a change in my thinking during my 2nd year - when on one unexpected day I suddenly saw the light. For many days leading up to that one; I had asked big questions; discussed ideas and world-views; in which any truth was possible – much to the irritation of the youth leaders! The next time we met - at a 6th form party, something had changed. I knew that Jesus was the only way, the only truth, the only life. And my friends… well they weren't best pleased. In fact they hated me for claiming there was one truth and for not having the questions that I had previously - those questions that seemed to have melted away and were replaced with an assurance of salvation. The nature of the group changed somewhat from open discussion to me explaining and defending the Christian faith; with the little knowledge I had. I’d love to tell you a story of how there was mass conversion, but it wouldn't be true. As far as I know of the 6 of us, I am the only one walking with Jesus today. At the time what I couldn't understand is how, when presented with the same evidence I had, these peers could not see the truth for themselves. It was like they were blind. Sometimes they seemed to make up arguments or false thinking that appeared to hide the truth. It wasn't until much later that I understood that the work of God had opened my eyes to see the truth; and that was why I could see it and they could not. Praise be to the Light who opens our eyes!
In today's passage of John 9; we see the personal story of a man born blind of how he had his eyes opened both physically and spiritually; and we also see the response of others as he shares what he has understood with them.
One of the first striking things I noticed in this passage, is that Jesus is only present at the beginning and the end. In both instances it is Jesus who takes the initiative with the man; in some other instances people are brought to Jesus or come to him on behalf of others to ask for healing. Here Jesus, approaches the man born blind and takes action that leads to his eyes being opened. In verse 35; we see that when Jesus hears that the man has been thrown out of the synagogue; he seeks him out.
The man born blind has likely felt like an outsider his entire life; his blindness has meant that he has not been able to participate in life in the same way as others. V8 shows us that his parents are no longer able to financially support him and he has been required to beg to survive. There is not only the direct impact and consequences of his blindness but the suspicion that specific sin is the cause of his blindness; and therefore he would be on the outside of religious life - the heart of the Jewish community. The disciples assume specific sin is the cause in v2 as do the Pharisees in v34. If this were the case then there would be no hope of redemption nor atonement for this sin. His continued blindness according to their thinking continues to condemn him.
Upon receiving his physical and spiritual sight the man, having chosen to follow Jesus; is thrown out of the synagogue - again becoming an outsider in the religious community - the threat of v22 is actioned in v34. Notice that the man's circumstances following the healing haven't changed his social status. There is a social cost in the decision to follow Jesus; one that many of us have also counted the cost of; and like the man we have concluded that knowing Jesus and being his follower beginning now and following into eternity far outweighs the temporary and momentary trials, as painful as they can be.
How encouraging it is to see that Jesus seeks this man out; works power in his life and continues to engage with him even though he is on the edge. The compassion and care of Jesus seeking real relationship with this man is shown here; Jesus is not fazed by presumed sin nor actual sin; social status nor affliction - he has come to save the lost and broken people of this world. This same Jesus, the risen and ascended Jesus is here today with us; and is inviting us to draw near to him.
For those of us who are feeling as outsiders in this world; or feeling the heavily the cost of following Jesus - be encouraged that this is to be expected, it is not necessarily a sign of sin leading to this suffering - but a sign of your belonging to the one who was first rejected by this world.
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 works of God might be displayed in him. 4 As long as it is day, we must do the works 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 After saying this, he spat 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.
Let's look a bit more closely at the start of these events in verses 1-7.
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 works of God might be displayed in him.
Notice that the account does not start with the disciples, but with Jesus' engagement with the man.
The disciples, not necessarily the 12, wish to know the cause of the man's blindness. Jesus answers this cause question with a clear no: 'Neither this man nor his parents sinned'; and then rather than explaining the true cause he gives a bigger picture purpose: ‘but this happened so that the works of God might be displayed in him.'
We know that the presence of sin in the world causes suffering; however in general it is important to know that we do not suffer specific physical or mental difficulties because of specific sin, whether it be ours or that of our parents. There is no requirement in these circumstances to work out the specific sin that we might be healed. There are of course specific circumstances where the actions of parents may impact the health of their child. This is not the same as saying that specific sin during our life does not have specific consequences for our health and wellbeing. In the Prayer Evening on Wednesday we reflected on Psalm 38, where David reflects the physical, emotional and social impacts of his own specific sin. There is in fact much more that God explains about the consequences of sin in the Bible; and more detailed thinking on verses 2-3; but I feel this is beyond the scope of today's sermon. If you wish to explore this theme further there are some excellent resources by John Piper on the Desiring God website that I have found helpful.
So whilst there are different causes, some known, most unknown Jesus' second response applies to all. 'but this happened so that the works of God might be displayed'.
There is not a person conceived nor born into this world that has not been considered and planned for by the almighty sovereign creator and sustainer- God the Father. Nothing that happens falls outside of his plans. There is purpose in the suffering and trials we endure. Depending on your big picture view of God this might be hard to accept; and even if you do, it doesn't always reduce the weight of feeling that can come with some difficulties. Knowing and trusting that God is good, that his plans and purposes are for our eternal good and that that good may not be seen nor experienced by us in our lifetime is needed to see the comfort of this. If we do not have an eternal perspective and the goodness of God in mind then this being part of God's plan is of little hope - it would seem like sticking a tiny plaster on a gaping wound. If you are feeling the weight of trials today then know that Jesus sees your suffering; and draws near in it. He is good. He wants what is best for you, but you might not see that until the life to come. Draw close to him today; and allow him to carry your burdens.
v4-5 As long as it is day, we must do the works 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.’
Jesus is physically in the world at this point, the people of this time have the unique opportunity in history to see him. Whilst he is in the world his purpose is to shed light on the truth and consequently expose the darkness. The light is during the day. Darkness comes at night. At this time the light of men will be taken away - in other words - a time is coming says Jesus when the light will no longer be in the world. So because his time is limited, the works of God must be shown.
What are the works of God that are displayed in the man? What do you think would be the best part of this man's story? As we look at the events that follow, is there a bigger purpose in the 'opening of his eyes' to see the light?
I haven't found a commentary that supports my next point, so I ask you to judge for yourselves whether you agree with my reflection:
I was struck by the phrasing of who must do the work in v4. As long as it is day, we must do the works of him who sent me. Through-out John so far we have seen Jesus claim that he is doing the work of the father who sent him, the emphasis has been mostly on the works that have been displayed by Jesus. The detail that John gives us in V7 that Siloam means Sent; Jesus is sent to do the works of God, so he sends the man to the work of God. I know this is true from elsewhere in the scripture, for example we are sent by Christ to be his ambassadors in this world (2 Cor 5:20) to fulfil the great commission (Matt 28:16-20). But is this here a foreshadow of Jesus' commission to all believers? With the works of God being displayed in testimony of the man seeing the true light in the world and being a witness to the light in the darkest of hearts? Perhaps.
Either way, let's turn our attention to the development of the man's understanding of Jesus - as his spiritual eyes are opened in verses 8 to 38.
The man's understanding develops as he reflects on the events of the initial healing; we're not told if he gets any more information from other sources or what the time line is - but in the 4 conversations that follow we see a development of his eyes being opened to the truth.
The Man called Jesus (8-12)
8 His neighbours and those who had formerly seen him begging asked, ‘Isn’t this the same man who used to sit and beg?’ 9 Some claimed that he was.
Others said, ‘No, he only looks like him.’ But he himself insisted, ‘I am the man.’ 10 ‘How then were your eyes opened?’ they asked.
11 He replied, ‘The man they call Jesus made some mud and put it on my eyes. He told me to go to Siloam and wash. So I went and washed, and then I could see.’
12 ‘Where is this man?’ they asked him. ‘I don’t know,’ he said.
He is a prophet (13-17)
13 They brought to the Pharisees the man who had been blind. 14 Now the day on which Jesus had made the mud and opened the man’s eyes was a Sabbath. 15 Therefore the Pharisees also asked him how he had received his sight. ‘He put mud on my eyes,’ the man replied, ‘and I washed, and now I see.’
16 Some of the Pharisees said, ‘This man is not from God, for he does not keep the Sabbath.’ But others asked, ‘How can a sinner perform such signs?’ So they were divided.
17 Then they turned again to the blind man, ‘What have you to say about him? It was your eyes he opened.’ The man replied, ‘He is a prophet.’
If this man were not from God, he could do nothing (24-33)
Do you want to become his disciples too? (27)
18 They still did not believe that he had been blind and had received his sight until they sent for the man’s parents. 19 ‘Is this your son?’ they asked. ‘Is this the one you say was born blind? How is it that now he can see?’ 20 ‘We know he is our son,’ the parents answered, ‘and we know he was born blind. 21 But how he can see now, or who opened his eyes, we don’t know. Ask him. He is of age; he will speak for himself.’ 22 His parents said this because they were afraid of the Jewish leaders, who already had decided that anyone who acknowledged that Jesus was the Messiah would be put out of the synagogue. 23 That was why his parents said, ‘He is of age; ask him.’
24 A second time they summoned the man who had been blind. ‘Give glory to God by telling the truth,’ they said. ‘We know this man is a sinner.’ 25 He replied, ‘Whether he is a sinner or not, I don’t know. One thing I do know. I was blind but now I see!’ 26 Then they asked him, ‘What did he do to you? How did he open your eyes?’ 27 He answered, ‘I have told you already and you did not listen. Why do you want to hear it again? Do you want to become his disciples too?’ 28 Then they hurled insults at him and said, ‘You are this fellow’s disciple! We are disciples of Moses! 29 We know that God spoke to Moses, but as for this fellow, we don’t even know where he comes from.’ 30 The man answered, ‘Now that is remarkable! You don’t know where he comes from, yet he opened my eyes. 31 We know that God does not listen to sinners. He listens to the godly person who does his will. 32 Nobody has ever heard of opening the eyes of a man born blind. 33 If this man were not from God, he could do nothing.’
34 To this they replied, ‘You were steeped in sin at birth; how dare you lecture us!’ And they threw him out.
Lord I believe and he [the man who was blind] worshipped him [Jesus] (35-38)
35 Jesus heard that they had thrown him out, and when he found him, he said, ‘Do you believe in the Son of Man?’ 36 ‘Who is he, sir?’ the man asked. ‘Tell me so that I may believe in him.’
37 Jesus said, ‘You have now seen him; in fact, he is the one speaking with you.’ 38 Then the man said, ‘Lord, I believe,’ and he worshipped him.
The works of God in this man's life have taken him from being in spiritual darkness, to seeing Jesus, the light of the world clearly. The purpose of the man's blindness has given opportunity for him to turn towards Jesus; and come to worship him as God. The eternal life he now has; far out-weighs the pain of the years of blindness.
If we are to respond as the man did in this passage then let us look to encounter Jesus - to see the light; perhaps to seek more information as the man says ‘Tell me so that I may believe in him.’ (35-38); if we do believe then let us worship him whole-heartedly, as he deserves.
There are however, a number of other Responses in the passage - ones that show that people cannot see the light themselves and that expose their spiritual darkness and blindness to the light:
Deny the events (8-9, 18a);
8 His neighbours and those who had formerly seen him begging asked, ‘Isn’t this the same man who used to sit and beg?’ 9 Some claimed that he was. Others said, ‘No, he only looks like him.’ But he himself insisted, ‘I am the man.’ 10 ‘How then were your eyes opened?’ they asked. 18 They still did not believe that he had been blind and had received his sight until they sent for the man’s parents.
Deny the character of Jesus (16; 24);
16 Some of the Pharisees said, ‘This man is not from God, for he does not keep the Sabbath.’ But others asked, ‘How can a sinner perform such signs?’ So they were divided.
There are many other passages that have the Sabbath in focus in John, so we won't dwell on this here too much - except to remind us that the purpose of the sabbath was and is rest from our work, to be restored and to enjoy God's presence. Is not the act of healing by Jesus and making his presence known on the Sabbath in keeping with this divine purpose?
Double-down and Disengage the opposition (22);
22 His parents said this because they were afraid of the Jewish leaders, who already had decided that anyone who acknowledged that Jesus was the Messiah would be put out of the synagogue. 23 That was why his parents said, ‘He is of age; ask him.’
Define truth with a lie (24);
24 A second time they summoned the man who had been blind. ‘Give glory to God by telling the truth,’ they said. ‘We know this man is a sinner.’
These responses demonstrate the spiritual blindness of those around the man as he comes to understand who Jesus really is.
Jesus summarises the impact of his own actions as the light in v39:
39 Jesus said,[a] ‘For judgment I have come into this world, so that the blind will see and those who see will become blind.’
Jesus being the light and revealing the truth, means that those who are spiritually blind are able to see the light; and those who think that they see clearly in the dark, will strain to see the light and become spiritually blind.
Jesus elsewhere states that he has not come into the world (at this time) to judge the world, but to save it. This remains true, but the impact of Jesus being the Light of the World (v5) causes division between those who acknowledge the light and those who reject the light because they love the darkness instead.
It’s like the surgeon who will amputate the limb to save the life of the patient being asked: "Have you come to cut off my limb?" And the surgeon replies; "No, I have come to save your life" - we would know he meant by this.
Or it's like the World War One soldier armed with rifles and grenades upon entering Belgium being asked: "Are you here to kill the Germans?" and the soldier replies: "No, I have come to defend Belgium".
Jesus has come to save by revealing his light to the world, but in doing so it exposes the darkness even more. The judgement is separation of light and darkness, the blind and the seeing, the sheep and the goats, the saints and those who remain in sin.
40-41: Where does the responsibility of response lie?
40 Some Pharisees who were with him heard him say this and asked, ‘What? Are we blind too?’ 41 Jesus said, ‘If you were blind, you would not be guilty of sin; but now that you claim you can see, your guilt remains.
Our response to Jesus will be held to account based on our guilt. The choice and consequences are clear - trust in Jesus - the light for your hope and salvation, cleansing you from your guilt; or reject him in favour of remaining in the darkness. The fact the Pharisees are saying that see the truth about Jesus being a sinner, demonstrates that they love the darkness more than the light - their rejection of Jesus means their guilt of sin remains. Just to be clear, our default position is that we have all fallen short of God's glory, all have sinned, no one is able to stand before the Lord on judgement day without guilt based on their own merit. God the Son's work atones for our sin, and in him alone we will be able to stand before the Lord pure and blameless on account of the blood of the lamb.
John 3:16-20 summarises what is happening here.
16 For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. 17 For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him. 18 Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because they have not believed in the name of God’s one and only Son. 19 This is the verdict: light has come into the world, but people loved darkness instead of light because their deeds were evil. 20 Everyone who does evil hates the light, and will not come into the light for fear that their deeds will be exposed.
As we close I would like to leave us with the words of Jesus found later in John's gospel that summarise many of the main points I have shared today:
John 15:18-23
18 ‘If the world hates you, keep in mind that it hated me first. 19 If you belonged to the world, it would love you as its own. As it is, you do not belong to the world, but I have chosen you out of the world. That is why the world hates you. 20 Remember what I told you: “A servant is not greater than his master.”[b] If they persecuted me, they will persecute you also. If they obeyed my teaching, they will obey yours also. 21 They will treat you this way because of my name, for they do not know the one who sent me. 22 If I had not come and spoken to them, they would not be guilty of sin; but now they have no excuse for their sin. 23 Whoever hates me hates my Father as well. 24 If I had not done among them the works no one else did, they would not be guilty of sin. As it is, they have seen, and yet they have hated both me and my Father.
Intro: Chris sees clearly
Jesus is drawing near to those in darkness
‘As he went along, he saw…’ (v1)
‘Jesus heard that they had thrown him out, and when he found him…’ (v35)
Sin and Suffering (v1-7):
“We know that the presence of sin in the world causes suffering; however in general it is important to know that we do not suffer specific physical or mental difficulties because of specific sin…”
The possible causes (v2)
The purpose (v3)
‘While I am in the world, I am the light of the world’ (v5)
The man born blind sees the light (v8-38)
‘The man called Jesus’ (v8-12)
‘He is a prophet’ (v13-17)
‘If this man were not from God, he could do nothing’ (v24-33)
‘Do you want to become his disciples too?’ (v27)
‘Lord I believe and he [the man who was blind] worshipped him [Jesus]’ (v35-38)
The responses of those blind in darkness (v8-38)
Deny the events (v8-9, 18a)
Deny the character of Jesus (v16; 24)
Double-down and disengage the opposition (v22)
Define truth with a lie (v24)
The Light that exposes darkness and the responsibility to respond (v39-41)
Jesus said, ‘For judgment I have come into this world, so that the blind will see and those who see will become blind.’ (v39)
‘If you were blind, you would not be guilty of sin; but now that you claim you can see, your guilt remains.’ (v41)
Why does the guilt remain? (John 3:16-20)
In Summary: John 15:18-23
| Memory verse: John 9:39
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| My own questions for later:
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| Life Group Questions:
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