John 9:1-5

1 Now as Jesus passed by, He saw a man who was blind from birth.

2 And His disciples asked Him, saying, “Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?”

3 Jesus answered, “Neither this man nor his parents sinned, but that the works of God should be revealed in him.

4 I must work the works of Him who sent Me while it is day; the night is coming when no one can work.

5 As long as I am in the world, I am the light of the world.”

How did the disciples know the man was born blind? (v. 2). Probably because he’d been sitting there every day for years. They thought his blindness was a punishment. But children are not punished for their parents’ sins (Ezekiel 18:2-4).

works of God (v. 3) in this case — sight and belief (John 6:29). God permits sin and death to show His glory here and in John 11:4. For He says to Moses, “I will have mercy on whomever I will have mercy, and I will have compassion on whomever I will have compassion” (Romans 9:15).

The man’s blindness was not inflicted by God, but God allowed nature (corrupted by sin) to run its course.

neither this man nor his parents sinned (v.3) — Of course they sinned, but what Jesus was saying is that their sin was not the reason for his blindness. It was caused by the sin-corrupted world, not specific sins.

day (v. 4) — while Christ was on earth

night (v. 4) — until He returns. The night is far spent, the day is at hand. Therefore let us cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armor of light (Romans 13:12).

The Light (v. 5) not only reveals guilt in every person, but it also gives knowledge of the grace of God.

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