King James Bible Study – [And when he had called the people unto him with his disciples also, he said unto them, Whosoever will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me. – Mark 8:34]
Date: Thursday, October 24, 2024
Chapters: John Chapters 9-10
Message: Spiritually Deaf and Blind
Hello My Friend,
One of my goals before I leave the earth is to learn American Sign Language, since I am part Italian and we like to talk with our hands, why not use them for good. While there are several ways in which I can communicate with people to teach them God’s Word, I cannot speak directly to someone who is deaf. Let me tell you, someone who is deaf can be more receptive of the Word of God and yet a person perfectly able to hear the words do not understand it. This is because they are spiritually deaf to Christ and will not make any effort to understand Him. This is why Jesus often said, [Matthew 11:15 He that hath ears to hear, let him hear.]
Jesus, is the only door to God and eternal life, period, which is why He said this, [John 10:11-14 I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep. 12 But he that is an hireling, and not the shepherd, whose own the sheep are not, seeth the wolf coming, and leaveth the sheep, and fleeth: and the wolf catcheth them, and scattereth the sheep. 13 The hireling fleeth, because he is an hireling, and careth not for the sheep. 14 I am the good shepherd, and know my sheep, and am known of mine.]
There are literally thousands of religions and do you know why? Because everyone wants to go to heaven, but the majority want to get there their way and not God’s. As long as they are unwilling to hear the truth, they will never be accepted by Him. Likewise, as long as people are unwilling to see that they need Christ for who He is, they will not be accepted by God. As we continue in the reading of the Gospels, John, gives his testimony of what happened when Jesus gave sight to a blind man.
[John 9:1-7 And as Jesus passed by, he saw a man which was blind from his birth. 2 And his disciples asked him, saying, Master, who did sin, this man, or his parents, that he was born blind? 3 Jesus answered, Neither hath this man sinned, nor his parents: but that the works of God should be made manifest in him. 4 I must work the works of him that sent me, while it is day: the night cometh, when no man can work. 5 As long as I am in the world, I am the light of the world. 6 When he had thus spoken, he spat on the ground, and made clay of the spittle, and he anointed the eyes of the blind man with the clay, 7 And said unto him, Go, wash in the pool of Siloam, (which is by interpretation, Sent.) He went his way therefore, and washed, and came seeing.]
[Master, who did sin, this man, or his parents, that he was born blind?] Why did the disciples ask Jesus that question? It was often said that if a child was born with some infirmity that sin was involved. Well, not all of our infirmities are from sin, the devil’s influence, or anyone else’s, some of them are given to us so that Jesus can use us for better things, [2 Corinthians 12:7-9 And lest I should be exalted above measure through the abundance of the revelations, there was given to me a thorn in the flesh, the messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I should be exalted above measure. 8 For this thing I besought the Lord thrice, that it might depart from me. 9 And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.]
Keep in mind that Jesus was not saying that the man nor his parents never sinned, He was saying that neither of them committed any sin that resulted in his being born blind. So, here is this man who was well known for being the blind beggar sitting on the side of the road, ecstatic that he was able to see for the very first time, but his joy was turned into sorrow when he was confronted by his neighbors.
[John 9:8-12 The neighbours therefore, and they which before had seen him that he was blind, said, Is not this he that sat and begged? 9 Some said, This is he: others said, He is like him: but he said, I am he. 10 Therefore said they unto him, How were thine eyes opened? 11 He answered and said, A man that is called Jesus made clay, and anointed mine eyes, and said unto me, Go to the pool of Siloam, and wash: and I went and washed, and I received sight. 12 Then said they unto him, Where is he? He said, I know not.]
[How were thine eyes opened?] So, here is this man, well known in the streets as the blind beggar, received sight for the first time in his life and while he should have been rejoicing over that fact now has to explain himself and say that a man called Jesus gave him his sight. That conversation should have had them all rejoicing, but it did not, in fact, it caused quite a controversy when they brought him to the Pharisees and it happened to be on the Sabbath.
[John 9:16-19 Therefore said some of the Pharisees, This man is not of God, because he keepeth not the sabbath day. Others said, How can a man that is a sinner do such miracles? And there was a division among them. 17 They say unto the blind man again, What sayest thou of him, that he hath opened thine eyes? He said, He is a prophet. 18 But the Jews did not believe concerning him, that he had been blind, and received his sight, until they called the parents of him that had received his sight. 19 And they asked them, saying, Is this your son, who ye say was born blind? how then doth he now see?]
[until they called the parents of him that had received his sight.] Seriously, they needed to send for his parents to make sure that he and the people were telling the truth about him being born blind? That man may have been born without physical sight, but these were the ones who were truly blind. However, the parents out of fear, tried to avoid more questions simply stating that all they knew was that he was blind.
[John 9:20-22 His parents answered them and said, We know that this is our son, and that he was born blind: 21 But by what means he now seeth, we know not; or who hath opened his eyes, we know not: he is of age; ask him: he shall speak for himself. 22 These words spake his parents, because they feared the Jews: for the Jews had agreed already, that if any man did confess that he was Christ, he should be put out of the synagogue.]
[if any man did confess that he was Christ, he should be put out of the synagogue.] Do you see what was going on already? There was a decree throughout all the Jewish synagogues that stated if any of them believed in Christ then they would be banned. Whether they believed in Jesus or not, fearing that they would be banned had nothing to say about Jesus. So, when his parents would not say anything more, they called the man again asking him to explain what happened a third time. By this time, the man was about had it, he was tired of trying to explain to them that it was Jesus, whom he really did not know himself.
[John 9:24-27 Then again called they the man that was blind, and said unto him, Give God the praise: we know that this man is a sinner. 25 He answered and said, Whether he be a sinner or no, I know not: one thing I know, that, whereas I was blind, now I see. 26 Then said they to him again, What did he to thee? how opened he thine eyes? 27 He answered them, I have told you already, and ye did not hear: wherefore would ye hear it again? will ye also be his disciples?]
[one thing I know, that, whereas I was blind, now I see.] This is what happens with the majority of people who know of God, but are blind to Jesus, they see the miracle, but downplay it as being some coincidence or what modern day call it, a medical miracle. The man had no idea who Jesus was, but all he knew was that he was blind, but now he could see and Jesus had something to do with it. The thing that struck their nerve was what he said here, [will ye also be his disciples?]
Perhaps, if they did believe that Jesus is the Christ, then they would follow Him and all would be well, but that would mean that they would not only lose their leadership, they would lose their following as well. If the facts concerning this miracle were spread abroad, the fame of Christ would grow and be carried out in all directions, and the would lose all control. The man’s taunt as to their wishing to become disciples of Jesus caused quite a fury, in fact, things got heated even more when the man started calling them out.
[John 9:31-34 Now we know that God heareth not sinners: but if any man be a worshipper of God, and doeth his will, him he heareth. 32 Since the world began was it not heard that any man opened the eyes of one that was born blind. 33 If this man were not of God, he could do nothing. 34 They answered and said unto him, Thou wast altogether born in sins, and dost thou teach us? And they cast him out.]
[If this man were not of God, he could do nothing.] The man was right, it does not matter who we are, we can do nothing without God. Those who are truly blind to God have no clue who He is let alone Jesus. I always wonder what these religious nuts think they are proving when they have the nerve to proclaim God and Jesus for that matter, but have no clue who He is. This poor man was beside himself, for the first time his eyes were open to more than just his sight, he did not know what to think or do, so he just sat there. Now, when Jesus heard what happened to the man He found him and asked him what he believed.
[John 9:35-37 Jesus heard that they had cast him out; and when he had found him, he said unto him, Dost thou believe on the Son of God? 36 He answered and said, Who is he, Lord, that I might believe on him? 37 And Jesus said unto him, Thou hast both seen him, and it is he that talketh with thee. 38 And he said, Lord, I believe. And he worshipped him.]
[Who is he, Lord, that I might believe on him?] At this point, he was not a believer yet, he did not even know that it was Jesus that gave him his sight, but as soon as Jesus said this, [Thou hast both seen him, and it is he that talketh with thee.] he believed and was converted that instant. This is how it still works today, the second one is awaken to who Christ truly is, believes in, and accepts Him as their Saviour they immediately receive their sight, spiritual sight that is. Jesus, explains it this way.
[John 9:39-41 And Jesus said, For judgment I am come into this world, that they which see not might see; and that they which see might be made blind. 40 And some of the Pharisees which were with him heard these words, and said unto him, Are we blind also? 41 Jesus said unto them, If ye were blind, ye should have no sin: but now ye say, We see; therefore your sin remaineth.]
[now ye say, We see; therefore your sin remaineth.] Those who are spiritually blind cannot see that by just not believing in Jesus it is a sin alone because He is written in the Scriptures. Now, had they believed in Him, their sins would have been pardoned and in fact removed, but since they thought they knew the Law, but did not believe it, they, and all that follow their foolish example, will never be pardoned of their sin and when judgment comes, they will be reminded of their denial of Christ, [Matthew 12:36-37 But I say unto you, That every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give account thereof in the day of judgment. 37 For by thy words thou shalt be justified, and by thy words thou shalt be condemned.]
When we open our spiritual eyes to the fact that we are sinners, and cannot work our way to heaven, that is when we see Jesus. Jesus, explains it this way through a parable, [John 10:1-5 Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that entereth not by the door into the sheepfold, but climbeth up some other way, the same is a thief and a robber. 2 But he that entereth in by the door is the shepherd of the sheep. 3 To him the porter openeth; and the sheep hear his voice: and he calleth his own sheep by name, and leadeth them out. 4 And when he putteth forth his own sheep, he goeth before them, and the sheep follow him: for they know his voice. 5 And a stranger will they not follow, but will flee from him: for they know not the voice of strangers.]
[a stranger will they not follow, but will flee from him:] Those who deny Christ will never follow Him nor will they draw near to Him, in fact, they will flee from Him. And just in case they did not hear Him the first time, Jesus, repeats Himself, with an added bonus, [John 10:7-10 Then said Jesus unto them again, Verily, verily, I say unto you, I am the door of the sheep. 8 All that ever came before me are thieves and robbers: but the sheep did not hear them. 9 I am the door: by me if any man enter in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out, and find pasture. 10 The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.]
[The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy:] Jesus, was referring to religion, and the religious are great about proclaiming their faith in God, but sadly takes millions of lost souls to hell with them because they are spiritually blind to the fact that Jesus is the only way. Jesus, goes on to explain this and even takes things a step further by pointing out that He did not just come here for the Jews.
[John 10:15-18 As the Father knoweth me, even so know I the Father: and I lay down my life for the sheep. 16 And other sheep I have, which are not of this fold: them also I must bring, and they shall hear my voice; and there shall be one fold, and one shepherd. 17 Therefore doth my Father love me, because I lay down my life, that I might take it again. 18 No man taketh it from me, but I lay it down of myself. I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it again. This commandment have I received of my Father.]
[I lay down my life, that I might take it again.] When Jesus gave His life for all mankind, He ransomed those who receive Him as their Saviour not only from sin and Satan, but the Law, and the curse from death and hell to their soul. Just giving His life would have been enough, but Jesus took it a step further when He arose from the dead three days. By doing this He not only broke the curse of death, He satisfied God’s requirement for atonement for the sins of His people. Therefore, He became the victorious conqueror over death to all who receive Him, [1 Corinthians 15:55-57 O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory? 56 The sting of death is sin; and the strength of sin is the law. 57 But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.]
Now, as you can imagine, the people were divided on what they believed Jesus to be, many still claiming that He came from the devil. They literally came out and demanded that He tell them who He is, [John 10:20-24 And many of them said, He hath a devil, and is mad; why hear ye him? 21 Others said, These are not the words of him that hath a devil. Can a devil open the eyes of the blind? 22 And it was at Jerusalem the feast of the dedication, and it was winter. 23 And Jesus walked in the temple in Solomon’s porch. 24 Then came the Jews round about him, and said unto him, How long dost thou make us to doubt? If thou be the Christ, tell us plainly.]
[How long dost thou make us to doubt? If thou be the Christ,] Seriously! If they are doubting that He is the Christ, it was certainly not Jesus putting that doubt in their mind. And they cannot even blame the devil on this one since they are insulting him. This was all on them, they knew the Scriptures, they saw the many miracles, and yet they still doubted. This is exactly why Jesus responded the way He did.
[John 10:25-32 Jesus answered them, I told you, and ye believed not: the works that I do in my Father’s name, they bear witness of me. 26 But ye believe not, because ye are not of my sheep, as I said unto you. 27 My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me: 28 And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand. 29 My Father, which gave them me, is greater than all; and no man is able to pluck them out of my Father’s hand. 30 I and my Father are one. 31 Then the Jews took up stones again to stone him. 32 Jesus answered them, Many good works have I shewed you from my Father; for which of those works do ye stone me?]
[neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand.] This is by far my favorite statement that Jesus has made because it tells me three things, one; the second I received Him as my Saviour He received me. Two; He holds on to me no matter how many times I mess up and never lets go of me. And three, since I have sincerely accepted Him as my Saviour, nothing can ever change my faith because Jesus will never change His faith in me. No one who sincerely receives Christ as their Saviour can lose nor renounce their salvation because Jesus never lets go of them, [Titus 3:5-7 Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost; 6 Which he shed on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Saviour; 7 That being justified by his grace, we should be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life.]
[for which of those works do ye stone me?] These fools had the Messiah right there in front of their faces, and yet they refused to accept it. And now the truth came out as to why they wanted to kill Him.
[John 10:33-38 The Jews answered him, saying, For a good work we stone thee not; but for blasphemy; and because that thou, being a man, makest thyself God. 34 Jesus answered them, Is it not written in your law, I said, Ye are gods? 35 If he called them gods, unto whom the word of God came, and the scripture cannot be broken; 36 Say ye of him, whom the Father hath sanctified, and sent into the world, Thou blasphemest; because I said, I am the Son of God? 37 If I do not the works of my Father, believe me not. 38 But if I do, though ye believe not me, believe the works: that ye may know, and believe, that the Father is in me, and I in him.]
[Is it not written in your law, I said, Ye are gods?] Jesus, is referring to this Psalm, [Psalms 82:1-8 A Psalm of Asaph. God standeth in the congregation of the mighty; he judgeth among the gods. 2 How long will ye judge unjustly, and accept the persons of the wicked? Selah. 3 Defend the poor and fatherless: do justice to the afflicted and needy. 4 Deliver the poor and needy: rid them out of the hand of the wicked. 5 They know not, neither will they understand; they walk on in darkness: all the foundations of the earth are out of course. 6 I have said, Ye are gods; and all of you are children of the most High. 7 But ye shall die like men, and fall like one of the princes. 8 Arise, O God, judge the earth: for thou shalt inherit all nations.]
In other words, Jesus is saying that they were called gods in regards to their being rulers of authority to whom the Word of God came. They were intended to be the mouthpiece and representatives of God, but instead, they thought only of their own interests and sought personal gain. Say what you will about Jesus, the man, but no one can deny that the works that Jesus performed were from God. Well, at that point, they wanted to kill Him all the more and that was when Jesus left and went to the place where He met John.
[John 10:39-42 Therefore they sought again to take him: but he escaped out of their hand, 40 And went away again beyond Jordan into the place where John at first baptized; and there he abode. 41 And many resorted unto him, and said, John did no miracle: but all things that John spake of this man were true. 42 And many believed on him there.]
[all things that John spake of this man were true.] People cry all the time about wanting proof that Jesus is true. Well, it is right there all around them, and yet they are too spiritually deaf and blind to Him. No religion, no prophet, no priest, no other sacrifice will remove sin and save your soul from eternal death, but one, and that is the Good Shepherd, the Messiah, the Lord, Jesus Christ Himself, [1 Timothy 2:3-6 For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour; 4 Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth. 5 For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus; 6 Who gave himself a ransom for all, to be testified in due time.]
Jesus Christ Revealed/Magnified: [John 9:39 And Jesus said, For judgment I am come into this world, that they which see not might see; and that they which see might be made blind. John 10:9 I am the door: by me if any man enter in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out, and find pasture.]
Today’s Prayer: God, There was a time when I was spiritually deaf and blind to the truth of Your Word, I relied on book and people to show me the way to You rather then trust Your Word. Thank You for opening my eyes and ears to the truth, and thank You for loving me and not giving up on me. Lord, lead me and guide me, and give me Your Holy Spirit power be a better witness of leading lost sheep to Your Son. Give me Your mercy and grace to suffice my own infirmities. I ask these things in Your name, Jesus, Amen.
God Bless You, I am praying for you,
Christina
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