Dr. Liam Goligher – The Eye-Opener
Isa 49.6 is where the light of the world originates.
From this light, some will be able to see, but for others, it increases their blindness
The miracle is set against the background of a human tragedy
We know the man was a familiar figure, the neighbors know him
This whole thing starts because Jesus is looking at this man
Sometimes we would rather ignore these people because they make us uncomfortable
Our natural reaction is to see and avoid
We have been seen and touched.
This question has already been addressed in the Bible. The Book of Job.
Despite that book, one of the oldest books, still this idea of a direct causal relationship between a particular sin and particular sickness still remains in Jesus’ day.
We want to have a solution, or an explanation, for things.
Exodis 20.5 They thought that was a verse that gave them some biblical support
Some rabbis believed babies could sin in the mother’s womb
This probably wasn’t the most sensitive thing for them to do in front of this man
This man’s condition is within the orbit of the sovereignty of God
(And also YOUR condition is within the orbit of God’s sovereignty)
The physical horrors of suffering are meant to demonstrate to us the moral horrors of sin
They are a reminder to humanity that there is something worse than being sick
There is something worse than physical death
These are the sacraments of spiritual death – they are the outward sign of a spiritual reality.
Exodus 4.1 – God causes blindnes
You formed my inward parts, you knitted me together
That the works of God will be displayed in him.
He’s saying this, you want to know if there is a reason. You want to know the cause. I am not going to discuss that with you because it’s beyond your ability. I want you to ponder the purposes of God. There is no suffering outside the purposes of God. Jesus doesn’t emphasize the cause, but he emphasizes what is about to happen. In this case, there will be healing. But there is nothing in the bible that says it has to be by healing. Hhealing is not the only way that God is glorified.
Remember Paul had a physical ailment. He prayed for it to be taken away. Three times the Lord refuses. My grace is sufficient for you. My power is made perfect by your weakness. My power will be demonstrated by sustaining you. By enabling you in spite of the suffering.
He is the sent one from God. Register that word.
There is an urgency in doing the work of God. Night represents spiritual darkness. This is the day of opportunity.
We must work the works of God while it is day.
There will now be a physical demonstration of what it means to be the light of the world.
This is a creative act, not a restorative act. This man never had vision, so he isn’t restoring his vision, he’s creating vision.
He is double blinding the man by putting mud in his eyes. He is prophetically demonstrated what happens when you reject the truth. What does God do, he blinds them. He prevents them from seeing what they don’t want to see. He is symbolizing the judement that is coming among Israel. He demonstrates the only place a human being blinded.
Siloam:Southwest in the city of David. In Hebrew, Shiloah.
The mud is blinding the man. This symbolizes the judgement coming upon Israel.
The name of the pool in Hebrew is called Shiloah. It’s origin Gen 49.10 which talks about the coming of the Messiah. The sceptre will not depart from Judah until Shiloah come. Both Jews and Christians believe that to be a refernce to the Messiah.
Go an wash, in the pool of Shiloah.
Isa 8.6 the rebelious people of Judah are accused of rejecting Shiloa. They have refused the waters of Shiloah. Just as the people of Jesus’ day were rejecting the Sent one.
By sending this man to Shiloah, it is the water of the pool of the Messiah.
Having gone and washed, he came back seeing.
He had been a blind beggar. The truly poor. He gives his testimony. A man named Jesus…so Iwent and washed and received my sight. He just said what he knew. He bore witness that Jesus gives sight to the blind.
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When youre losing the argument, you go to invective. John, are we not right that you are as samaritan and have a demon. This is criticism from left field. Here in John 8 it is just a dismissal. We know longer regard you as an orthodox Jew.