Why I Came to Jesus: Healing (John 9:1-41)

Big Idea: God heals physically and spiritually for his purpose, showing care through miracles.

We’ve been looking at some of the reasons people came to Jesus. One of the reasons people have come to Jesus is for healing.

It's easy to be skeptical about healing. Turn on the TV and we see faith-healers that turn us off. We remember times we prayed for healing and felt let down. It reminds me of the pastor who went to visit three people in the hospital one week. The first two died right after his visit. On the third visit he prayed, “Lord, don’t let this one die. I can’t afford three out of three.” Fifteen minutes after his visit, the man was released from the hospital.

I used to feel the same way. But then I heard stories of how God had healed my mother and her family. And then I experienced God’s healing power in my own life. (examples)

Why aren't all people healed? Does Jesus continue to heal people today? What about the abuses?

We need to take four actions:

Appreciate That Jesus Cares About Me

Challenge the belief that God is indifferent. Jesus never overlooks anyone who calls for help.

Jesus’ ministry was full of stories of meeting people’s needs: emotional, physical, spiritual.

The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, for he has appointed me to preach Good News to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim that captives will be released, that the blind will see, that the downtrodden will be freed from their oppressors, and that the time of the Lord’s favor has come. (Luke 4:18-19)

Your heavenly Father already knows all your needs, and he will give you all you need from day to day if you live for him and make the Kingdom of God your primary concern. (Matthew 6:32-33)

Don’t be discouraged by cynics who tell you that God doesn’t heal today, or even worse – that God doesn’t care.

Accept That God Has a Purpose in My Suffering

As Jesus was walking along, he saw a man who had been blind from birth.”Teacher, his disciples asked him, “why was this man born blind? Was it a result of his own sins or those of his parents’ “It was not because of his sins or his parents’ sins, Jesus answered. “He was born blind so the power of God could be seen in him. All of us must quickly carry out the tasks assigned us by the one who sent me, because there is little time left before the night falls and all work comes to an end. But while I am still here in the world, I am the light of the world. (John 9:1-5)

The Jewish belief in that day that calamity or suffering is the result of some great sin. But we live in a fallen world in which sin does not always directly result in suffering, and not all suffering is directly a result of sin. Why is there suffering? General answer: Because sickness entered the world with sin.

There are three reasons we suffer:

To demonstrate God’s power

It was not because of his sins or his parents’ sins, Jesus answered. “He was born blind so the power of God could be seen in him. (John 9:3)

Three different times I begged the Lord to take it away. Each time he said, “My gracious favor is all you need. My power works best in your weakness. So now I am glad to boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may work through me. (2 Corinthians 12:8-9)

To shape our characters

Even though I have received wonderful revelations from God. But to keep me from getting puffed up, I was given a thorn in my flesh, a messenger from Satan to torment me and keep me from getting proud. (2 Corinthians 12:7)

To discipline our wanderings

My child, don’t ignore it when the Lord disciplines you, and don’t be discouraged when he corrects you. For the Lord disciplines those he loves, and he punishes those he accepts as his children. (Hebrews 12:5-6)

God has a purpose for every pain you've endured. God doesn’t always heal – but he does always have a purpose. All healing is ultimately temporary – we will all one day die. Pray that God’s purpose would be accomplished through your suffering.

Avoid Being Distracted by Secondary Issues

We easily get distracted by secondary issues: working on the Sabbath (v.16), refusing to accept what happened (v.19). While the Pharisees were conducting investigations and debated about Jesus, people were being healed, and their lives were being changed.

Today's questions can distract us. We must never stop asking the questions and looking in God’s Word, but we must never be blind to the way that God is working.

The one who was blind gained spiritual sight; the ones who could see remained spiritually blind – Jesus called them blind (John 9:41)

The man who was healed didn’t have all the answers, but he did have faith.

“Why, that’s very strange!” the man replied. “He healed my eyes, and yet you don’t know anything about him! Well, God doesn’t listen to sinners, but he is ready to hear those who worship him and do his will. Never since the world began has anyone been able to open the eyes of someone born blind. If this man were not from God, he couldn’t do it. (John 9:30-33)

Accept the Greatest Healing Possible: Spiritual Healing

When Jesus heard what had happened, he found the man and said, “Do you believe in the Son of Man?” The man answered, “Who is he, sir, because I would like to.” “You have seen him,” Jesus said, “and he is speaking to you!” “Yes, Lord,” the man said, “I believe!” And he worshiped Jesus. (John 9:35-38)

Spiritual wellness is always more important than physical wellness.