This Sunday, our house gathering focused on our study of John 9 from the Gospel of John, a disciple of Jesus Christ.
The story of the man born blind appeared only in the Gospel of John. Following the flow of narrative presented by John, Jesus came to Jerusalem about the middle of the Jewish Feast (John 7:14)— the Feast of Booths or Tabernacles (John 7:2). The following Spring Feast of the next Jewish year, Jesus Christ was crucified.
The Jews observed seven annual festivals: the Feast of the Passover and Unleavened Bread, the Feast of Firstfruits, and the Feast of Weeks or Pentecost—these first four occurred during spring. Spring in Palestine marked the start of the Jewish year. After a four-month span of summer, the final three fall festivals followed: the Feast of Trumpets, the Feast of Atonement, and the Feast of Booths. God regulated these seven annual festivals in Leviticus 23.
All seven Jewish feasts find completion through Christ Jesus, the Son of Man. Scripture describes Christ fulfilling the Feast of Passover and Unleavened Bread in 1 Corinthians 5:7-8. His resurrection fulfilled the Feast of Firstfruits, as noted in 1 Corinthians 15:23. Finally, His ascension allowed the Holy Spirit to arrive at Pentecost, recorded in Acts 1-2.
The final portion of the Seven Jewish Feasts centers on the Second Coming of Jesus Christ: judgment through Trumpets, redemption through Atonement, and finally Eden restored through Tabernacle.
The central theme in John 9—Jesus restoring sight to the blind man—reflects an offer of salvation through trust in the Son of Man, echoed in John 9:39: “Jesus said, ‘For judgment I came into this world, that those who do not see may see, and those who see may become blind.’” Yet the Jewish religious leaders remained spiritually blind, a point emphasized in John 9:40–41: “Some of the Pharisees near Jesus heard these things, and said to Him, ‘Are we also blind?’ Jesus said to them, ‘If you were blind, you would have no guilt; but now that you say, ‘We see,’ your guilt remains.’”
Peter, in the words of Acts 3:6, declared, “I possess neither silver nor gold, but in the name of Jesus Christ, I offer you what I have.” Share this article freely, for you freely receive. Take note, underlines and highlights are clickable links for definitions or Bible references. Stay updated by heading to our about page and subscribe directly to receive notifications in your inbox. Blessings!
