February 16th, 2025

Eyes Opened to Truth 

John 9:13-34 

Key Point: True sight is not just about seeing, but about knowing and standing for the truth of who Jesus is.
 

13 They brought the man who used to be blind to the Pharisees. 14 The day that Jesus made the mud and opened his eyes was a Sabbath. 15 Then the Pharisees asked him again how he received his sight. “He put mud on my eyes,” he told them. “I washed and I can see.” 

16 Some of the Pharisees said, “This man is not from God, because he doesn’t keep the Sabbath.” But others were saying, “How can a sinful man perform such signs?” And there was a division among them. 

17 Again they asked the blind man, “What do you say about him, since he opened your eyes?” “He’s a prophet,” he said. 

I. The Confrontation with Religion – Resistance to Truth (9:13-17)
A.  Legalism blinds people to grace & truth. (9:13-16a)

B.  Legalism breaks fellowship apart. (9:13-16b) 

C.  Truth boasts in Christ alone! (9:17) 

18 The Jews did not believe this about him—that he was blind and received sight—until they summoned the parents of the one who had received his sight. 

19 They asked them, “Is this your son, the one you say was born blind? How then does he now see?” 

20 “We know this is our son and that he was born blind,” his parents answered. 21 “But we don’t know how he now sees, and we don’t know who opened his eyes. Ask him; he’s of age. He will speak for himself.” 22 His parents said these things because they were afraid of the Jews, since the Jews had already agreed that if anyone confessed him as the Messiah, he would be banned from the synagogue. 23 This is why his parents said, “He’s of age; ask him.” 

 II. The Challenge of Testimony – Reckoning with Truth (9:18-23)
A.  Faithfulness can bring opposition. (9:18-19)
B.  Fear keeps many from truth. (9:20-23) 

24 So a second time they summoned the man who had been blind and told him, “Give glory to God. We know that this man is a sinner.” 25 He answered, “Whether or not he’s a sinner, I don’t know. One thing I do know: I was blind, and now I can see!” 

26 Then they asked him, “What did he do to you? How did he open your eyes?” 27 “I already told you, “He said, “and you didn’t listen. Why do you want to hear it again? You don’t want to become his disciples too, do you?” 

28 They ridiculed him: “You’re that man’s disciple, but we’re Moses’s disciples. 29 We know that God has spoken to Moses. But this man—we don’t know where he’s from.” 

30 “This is an amazing thing!” the man told them. “You don’t know where he is from, and yet he opened my eyes. 31 We know that God doesn’t listen to sinners, but if anyone is God-fearing and does his will, he listens to him. 32 Throughout history[a] no one has ever heard of someone opening the eyes of a person born blind. 33 If this man were not from God, he wouldn’t be able to do anything.” 

34 “You were born entirely in sin,” they replied, “and are you trying to teach us?” Then they threw him out. 

 III. The Cost of Discipleship – Rejoicing in Truth (9:24-34)
A.  Bold faith exposes spiritual blindness. (9:24-29) 

B. Bold faith evangelizes passionately and unapologetically!  (9:30-33) 

C. Genuine faith in Christ may expel you from religious acceptance but testifies to true fellowship with Christ. (9:34) 

Application & Action Steps

1. SEARCH Your Heart – Are You Resisting the Truth? (John 9:13-17)

• Ask: Am I letting religious traditions or personal preferences keep me from fully embracing God’s work?
• Pray: Ask God to reveal any areas of spiritual blindness in your life.
• Apply: Be open to how God may be working in unexpected ways.

2. STAND Firm in Faith – Even When It’s Uncomfortable (John 9:18-23)

• Ask: Am I more afraid of people’s opinions than obeying God?
• Pray: For boldness to share your testimony, even when facing opposition.
• Apply: Commit to speaking truth in love, even when it’s unpopular.

3. STEP in Truth – Even If It Costs You (John 9:24-34)

• Ask: What am I willing to sacrifice for the sake of Christ?
• Pray: For strength to endure rejection, knowing Jesus is worth it.
• Apply: Take a step of bold faith—whether sharing your testimony, standing up for truth, or surrendering an area of life to Christ.