The Glory of Christ has already been revealed in the first 6 chapters, but God's time-line for Christ will continually inch Him closer to Calvary and the Glories to follow.
Ch. 7-9
Chapter 7 begins with a bit of background information. It tells the reader that Christ was walking in Northern Israel (Galilee) because of hostility emerging from Judea (southern Israel). Furthermore, a major feast of the Jews was at hand (Feast of Booths or Tabernacles). And after a brief discourse with His brothers, Jesus then left for Judea (A pretty bold move, seeing how the Jews were trying to kill Him V.1).
And after arriving and having an incredibly important discourse including the two statements 7:38-39, and 8:12 which says, "I AM the Light of the world..." This statement also carries the emphatic "I AM" referring to Christs' Deity.
As the story continues, the reader of the gospel sees an awkward verse that says, "Therefore they picked up stones to throw at Him, but Jesus hid Himself and went out of the temple. (V. 8:59) What!!! The Son of God escapes a murder attempt? Why did they want to kill Him? Simple... in 8:58 Jesus claimed to be God by saying (once again) "I AM." This statement was enough for the Jews to pick up stones to throw at Him. They would have considered this well worthy of death (see also 5:18 for a similar account).
With this context in mind, we now will turn our attention to ch. 9.
John 9
After claiming to be the Light of the world, Jesus now will perform a miracle to back it up. Versus 1-7 records the healing of the man born blind. Think about this miracle just a second...Without modern technology or medical capacities, Jesus heals a man who was BORN blind. Wow! This is also a fulfillment of Isaiah 35:5 which says, "The eyes of the blind will be opened." This was spoken by Isaiah 700 years before this event took place.
You would think that such a miracle would win the hearts of even the most stubborn people...but not the Pharisees. In 13-34 the discourse between the man born blind and the Pharisees takes place. Many events follow:
A.) The man is brought before them.
B.) Jesus is accused of breaking the Sabbath (but this is a false charge)
C.) The Pharisees have an inward dispute over their opinion on Christ.
D.) The Pharisees bring in the man's parents to bear witness...they confirm.
E.) The Pharisees still believe that Christ is a sinner.
F.) The Pharisees should have known that Jesus was from God, because of His sign.
G.) The man is thrown out of the synagogue (this is a big, big deal)
Jesus then comes to the man's rescue by saving him, and pronouncing SPIRITUAL blindness on the Pharisees. (vs. 35-41)
To be Continued...
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