Doubt or Belief - Doubting Thomas

The lectionary for this Sunday points to the Gospel of John and the incident where the doubting Thomas is confronted with the very real presence of Jesus Christ. Did you know that this Gospel passage, John 20: 24-27, is the first time in the Gospels that Jesus is referred to as God? Does Jesus rebuke Thomas for his assertion? No. In other words, Thomas identifies Jesus as God. The first such incident of this in the entire Bible.

We (those who read this Gospel account) refer to Thomas the twin as "doubting Thomas". But Jesus revealed his true nature at this time, through this account, as God. No, Jesus didn't rebuke him, rather, he lifted him up by virtue of his non-action (reaction).

Are we doubting Thomas's? Do we cubbyhole Jesus as the son of God, or God incarnate? I like Thomas. I'm with him, sharing his doubts, and sharing his proclamation. Jesus is God! Do I doubt? I did. Do I believe? I do. Call me "Brother Thomas", and I'll be gratified.

# 10 and #11 Account of Jesus Healing in Group Settings

Mark 6:56 (New International Version)

56And wherever he went—into villages, towns or countryside—they placed the sick in the marketplaces. They begged him to let them touch even the edge of his cloak, and all who touched him were healed.

Acts 10:36-38 (New International Version)

36You know the message God sent to the people of Israel, telling the good news of peace through Jesus Christ, who is Lord of all. 37You know what has happened throughout Judea, beginning in Galilee after the baptism that John preached— 38how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and power, and how he went around doing good and healing all who were under the power of the devil, because God was with him.

Reflection: God annointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and power. Think about this, please. God annointed Jesus with the Holy Spirit and power. Does this suggest that God annoints others than Jesus? Does this mean that Jesus was the one and only to share this annointing? Think about it...in terms of how Jesus told the disciples that he would give them a gift...the gift of the Holy Spirit. Think about it. Do we, today, have a right to this gift? Are we recipients if only we ask? I say, yes. Does that make me liberal or conservative...don't know. But it does make me a spirit-driven person who says YES to the indwelling of the Holy Spirit today? I think so. Anything less would be an insult to Christ saying he would share it with his disciples. If not so, the disciples were fools at Pentecost. The Holy Spirit is here, today, for us all, if only we put ourselves into a position of accepting. Do you accept God's Holy Spirit? Do you resist it? Do you deny it? Just curious, as I fully, gratefully, invite and accept it.

# 9 Account of Jesus Healing in Group Settings - a Two-Fer!

Matthew 4:23-25 (New International Version)

Jesus Heals the Sick

23Jesus went throughout Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, preaching the good news of the kingdom, and healing every disease and sickness among the people. 24News about him spread all over Syria, and people brought to him all who were ill with various diseases, those suffering severe pain, the demon-possessed, those having seizures, and the paralyzed, and he healed them. 25Large crowds from Galilee, the Decapolis, Jerusalem, Judea and the region across the Jordan followed him.

Matthew 9:35-36 (New International Version)

The Workers Are Few

35Jesus went through all the towns and villages, teaching in their synagogues, preaching the good news of the kingdom and healing every disease and sickness. 36When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd.


Reflection: Jesus had compassion on so very many. We share the individual accounts of His healings from the Gospels, but the anecdotal stories of Him are even of more magnitude. When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them. People flocked to Him for healing. And He healed, without exception...he healed, because of His compassion. Where's our compassion today? Can we have the compassion of Christ for everyone? Without it, we'll never see a miracle. With it, they'll be everywhere.

# 8 Account of Jesus Healing in Group Settings

Mark 6: 1-6

( Also found in Matthew 13:53-58 )

A Prophet Without Honor

1Jesus left there and went to his hometown, accompanied by his disciples. 2When the Sabbath came, he began to teach in the synagogue, and many who heard him were amazed.

"Where did this man get these things?" they asked. "What's this wisdom that has been given him, that he even does miracles! 3Isn't this the carpenter? Isn't this Mary's son and the brother of James, Joseph, Judas and Simon? Aren't his sisters here with us?" And they took offense at him.

4Jesus said to them, "Only in his hometown, among his relatives and in his own house is a prophet without honor." 5He could not do any miracles there, except lay his hands on a few sick people and heal them. 6And he was amazed at their lack of faith.

Reflection: This is perhaps an account of Jesus not affecting a miracle. How does one reflect upon this...the time when Jesus could not affect any miracles.? Perhaps the people there were too accustomed to Jesus the person...and not allowing themselves to see Jesus...Son of God! Miracles happen every day if we look for them...but never occur to those who don't seek them. Think about it.

# 7 Account of Jesus Healing in Group Settings

Before feeding 4,000

Matthew 15:29-31 (New International Version)

29Jesus left there and went along the Sea of Galilee. Then he went up on a mountainside and sat down. 30Great crowds came to him, bringing the lame, the blind, the crippled, the mute and many others, and laid them at his feet; and he healed them. 31The people were amazed when they saw the mute speaking, the crippled made well, the lame walking and the blind seeing. And they praised the God of Israel.


Reflection: After the healing of so many, the people praised the God of Israel. Jesus brought about these healings to bring glory to The Father, and the people responded by praising The Father. Healing continues today with praise to The Father. Thank you Jesus.

# 6 Account of Jesus Healing in Group Settings

At Genneserat

Mark 6:53-56 (New International Version)

(Also found in Matthew 14: 34-36)

53When they had crossed over, they landed at Gennesaret and anchored there. 54As soon as they got out of the boat, people recognized Jesus. 55They ran throughout that whole region and carried the sick on mats to wherever they heard he was. 56And wherever he went—into villages, towns or countryside—they placed the sick in the marketplaces. They begged him to let them touch even the edge of his cloak, and all who touched him were healed.

Reflection: "They begged him to let them touch even the edge of his cloak, and all who touched him were healed." What was this power of Christ, that even the touch of His cloak was healing? We see this same healing in Peter in Acts. Just the touch of His cloak was healing. How wonderful!

# 5 Account of Jesus Healing in Group Settings

Matthew 14:13-14 (New International Version)

(Also found in Luke 9: 11)

Prior to Jesus Feeds the Five Thousand

13When Jesus heard what had happened, he withdrew by boat privately to a solitary place. Hearing of this, the crowds followed him on foot from the towns. 14When Jesus landed and saw a large crowd, he had compassion on them and healed their sick.

Reflection: "Jesus had compassion on them and healed their sick." What compelled Jesus to heal them all? Isn't God glorious when we see Him manifested in Christ at that time, in that place? What of today? Do we dare call upon God in the name of Christ, through the power of the Holy Spirit, to heal? Do we have the gumption to do it?

# 4 Account of Jesus Healing in Group Settings

Luke 7:18-23 (New International Version)

(Also found in Matthew 11: 2-6)

Following John's Inquiry

18John's disciples told him about all these things. Calling two of them, 19he sent them to the Lord to ask, "Are you the one who was to come, or should we expect someone else?"

20When the men came to Jesus, they said, "John the Baptist sent us to you to ask, 'Are you the one who was to come, or should we expect someone else?' "

21At that very time Jesus cured many who had diseases, sicknesses and evil spirits, and gave sight to many who were blind. 22So he replied to the messengers, "Go back and report to John what you have seen and heard: The blind receive sight, the lame walk, those who have leprosy are cured, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the good news is preached to the poor. 23Blessed is the man who does not fall away on account of me."

Reflection: They asked: "Are you the one who was to come, or should we expect someone else". They didn't know that God was among them, at that time, in that place. I ask, do we know that the kingdom of God is at hand, in this day and age? Can we rightfully claim the powers that God made manifest in Christ, and through the Holy Spirit, in the disciples. Dare we? I think yes.

# 3 Account of Jesus Healing in Group Settings

Mark 3:7-12 (New International Version)

(Also found in Matthew 12: 15-16 and Luke: 6: 17-19)

Crowds Follow Jesus

7Jesus withdrew with his disciples to the lake, and a large crowd from Galilee followed. 8When they heard all he was doing, many people came to him from Judea, Jerusalem, Idumea, and the regions across the Jordan and around Tyre and Sidon. 9Because of the crowd he told his disciples to have a small boat ready for him, to keep the people from crowding him. 10For he had healed many, so that those with diseases were pushing forward to touch him. 11Whenever the evil spirits saw him, they fell down before him and cried out, "You are the Son of God." 12But he gave them strict orders not to tell who he was.

Reflection: Why did the evil spirits succumb to Christ's order to not tell who he was? Why did Christ compell them to not speak of Him? Think about it.

#2 Account of Jesus Healing In a Group Setting

After Healing the Leper

Luke 5:15-16 (New International Version)
(This account appears nowhere else)

15Yet the news about him spread all the more, so that crowds of people came to hear him and to be healed of their sicknesses. 16But Jesus often withdrew to lonely places and prayed.

Reflection: Jesus often withdrew to lonely places to pray.

#1 Account of Jesus Healing In a Group Setting

Luke 4:40-41 (New International Version)

(See also: Matthew 8: 16-18 and Mark 1: 32-34)

At Simon Peter's

40When the sun was setting, the people brought to Jesus all who had various kinds of sickness, and laying his hands on each one, he healed them. 41Moreover, demons came out of many people, shouting, "You are the Son of God!" But he rebuked them and would not allow them to speak, because they knew he was the Christ.

Reflection: Why would Jesus not allow the demons to proclaim his name?

The Other Healing Accounts of Jesus

The previous 26 accounts of Jesus healing addressed the healings performed in individual settings. What follows next are the accounts of Jesus healing in group settings. The first 26 accounts provide great detail of the individuals involved in the healings, including their words and responses to the healings. Also a deeper insight as to the level of faith involved in the individuals healed. What a blessing to have these personal accounts for us to learn from.

We will now look at the works of Jesus in groups. Each account will be covered with one of the Gospel passages highlighted, and the other references to that account listed for further study.

Thank you for following along and I hope that these accounts of Jesus healing brings a blessing to you.

#26 Account of Jesus Healing - Malchus' Ear

Healing Miracle #26

Luke 22:47-51 (New International Version)

(Note: It is only in Luke that Jesus healed the servant's ear.)

Jesus Arrested

47While he was still speaking a crowd came up, and the man who was called Judas, one of the Twelve, was leading them. He approached Jesus to kiss him, 48but Jesus asked him, "Judas, are you betraying the Son of Man with a kiss?"

49When Jesus' followers saw what was going to happen, they said, "Lord, should we strike with our swords?" 50And one of them struck the servant of the high priest, cutting off his right ear.

51But Jesus answered, "No more of this!" And he touched the man's ear and healed him.

1. Who was the person in need? The servant of the high priest.
   
2. What was the immediate, obvious need? Right ear cut off.
   
3. Who took the initiative in effecting the healing? Jesus.
   
4. How and by whom was faith involved in this healing? Not mentioned.
   
5. What were the reactions to the healing? Not mentioned.
   
6. What led Jesus to minister healing to the person in need? His own desire to heal the man's ear as make a point to his disciples that if they live by the sword they will die by the sword.
   

#25 Account of Jesus Healing - a Blind Beggar

Healing Miracle #25

Luke 18:35-43 (New International Version)

(See also: Matthew 20: 29-34 and Mark 10: 46-52)

A Blind Beggar Receives His Sight

35As Jesus approached Jericho, a blind man was sitting by the roadside begging. 36When he heard the crowd going by, he asked what was happening. 37They told him, "Jesus of Nazareth is passing by."

38He called out, "Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!"

39Those who led the way rebuked him and told him to be quiet, but he shouted all the more, "Son of David, have mercy on me!"

40Jesus stopped and ordered the man to be brought to him. When he came near, Jesus asked him, 41"What do you want me to do for you?"
"Lord, I want to see," he replied.

42Jesus said to him, "Receive your sight; your faith has healed you." 43Immediately he received his sight and followed Jesus, praising God. When all the people saw it, they also praised God.

1. Who was the person in need? The blind beggar.
   
2. What was the immediate, obvious need? The beggar's blindness.
   
3. Who took the initiative in effecting the healing? The beggar by virtue of his calling out the name of Jesus.
   
4. How and by whom was faith involved in this healing? The faith of the beggar moved Jesus to have compassion on him.
   
5. What were the reactions to the healing? When the beggar was healed he followed Jesus and praised God. Those who witnessed the healing also prised God.
   
6. What led Jesus to minister healing to the person in need? Jesus asked him "What do you want me to do for you?"
   

# 24 Healing Account of Jesus Healing

Healing Miracle #24

Ten Healed of Leprosy

11Now on his way to Jerusalem, Jesus traveled along the border between Samaria and Galilee. 12As he was going into a village, ten men who had leprosy^[a]met him. They stood at a distance 13and called out in a loud voice, "Jesus, Master, have pity on us!"

14When he saw them, he said, "Go, show yourselves to the priests." And as they went, they were cleansed.

15One of them, when he saw he was healed, came back, praising God in a loud voice. 16He threw himself at Jesus' feet and thanked him—and he was a Samaritan.

17Jesus asked, "Were not all ten cleansed? Where are the other nine? 18Was no one found to return and give praise to God except this foreigner?" 19Then he said to him, "Rise and go; your faith has made you well."

1. Who was the person in need? You answer.
   
2. What was the immediate, obvious need? You answer.
3. Who took the initiative in effecting the healing? You answer.
4. How and by whom was faith involved in this healing? You answer.
5. What were the reactions to the healing? You answer.
6. What led Jesus to minister healing to the person in need? You answer.

#23 Account of Jesus Healing

Healing Miracle #23

John 11:1-46 (New International Version)

(Found only in John)

The Death of Lazarus

1Now a man named Lazarus was sick. He was from Bethany, the village of Mary and her sister Martha. 2This Mary, whose brother Lazarus now lay sick, was the same one who poured perfume on the Lord and wiped his feet with her hair. 3So the sisters sent word to Jesus, "Lord, the one you love is sick."

4When he heard this, Jesus said, "This sickness will not end in death. No, it is for God's glory so that God's Son may be glorified through it." 5Jesus loved Martha and her sister and Lazarus. 6Yet when he heard that Lazarus was sick, he stayed where he was two more days.

7Then he said to his disciples, "Let us go back to Judea."

8"But Rabbi," they said, "a short while ago the Jews tried to stone you, and yet you are going back there?"

9Jesus answered, "Are there not twelve hours of daylight? A man who walks by day will not stumble, for he sees by this world's light. 10It is when he walks by night that he stumbles, for he has no light."

11After he had said this, he went on to tell them, "Our friend Lazarus has fallen asleep; but I am going there to wake him up."

12His disciples replied, "Lord, if he sleeps, he will get better." 13Jesus had been speaking of his death, but his disciples thought he meant natural sleep.

14So then he told them plainly, "Lazarus is dead, 15and for your sake I am glad I was not there, so that you may believe. But let us go to him."

16Then Thomas (called Didymus) said to the rest of the disciples, "Let us also go, that we may die with him."

Jesus Comforts the Sisters

17On his arrival, Jesus found that Lazarus had already been in the tomb for four days. 18Bethany was less than two miles from Jerusalem, 19and many Jews had come to Martha and Mary to comfort them in the loss of their brother. 20When Martha heard that Jesus was coming, she went out to meet him, but Mary stayed at home.

21"Lord," Martha said to Jesus, "if you had been here, my brother would not have died. 22But I know that even now God will give you whatever you ask."

23Jesus said to her, "Your brother will rise again."

24Martha answered, "I know he will rise again in the resurrection at the last day."

25Jesus said to her, "I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me will live, even though he dies; 26and whoever lives and believes in me will never die. Do you believe this?"

27"Yes, Lord," she told him, "I believe that you are the Christ, the Son of God, who was to come into the world."

28And after she had said this, she went back and called her sister Mary aside. "The Teacher is here," she said, "and is asking for you." 29When Mary heard this, she got up quickly and went to him. 30Now Jesus had not yet entered the village, but was still at the place where Martha had met him. 31When the Jews who had been with Mary in the house, comforting her, noticed how quickly she got up and went out, they followed her, supposing she was going to the tomb to mourn there.

32When Mary reached the place where Jesus was and saw him, she fell at his feet and said, "Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died."

33When Jesus saw her weeping, and the Jews who had come along with her also weeping, he was deeply moved in spirit and troubled. 34"Where have you laid him?" he asked.
"Come and see, Lord," they replied.

35Jesus wept.

36Then the Jews said, "See how he loved him!"

37But some of them said, "Could not he who opened the eyes of the blind man have kept this man from dying?"

Jesus Raises Lazarus From the Dead

38Jesus, once more deeply moved, came to the tomb. It was a cave with a stone laid across the entrance. 39"Take away the stone," he said.
"But, Lord," said Martha, the sister of the dead man, "by this time there is a bad odor, for he has been there four days."

40Then Jesus said, "Did I not tell you that if you believed, you would see the glory of God?"

41So they took away the stone. Then Jesus looked up and said, "Father, I thank you that you have heard me. 42I knew that you always hear me, but I said this for the benefit of the people standing here, that they may believe that you sent me."

43When he had said this, Jesus called in a loud voice, "Lazarus, come out!" 44The dead man came out, his hands and feet wrapped with strips of linen, and a cloth around his face.
Jesus said to them, "Take off the grave clothes and let him go."

The Plot to Kill Jesus

45Therefore many of the Jews who had come to visit Mary, and had seen what Jesus did, put their faith in him. 46But some of them went to the Pharisees and told them what Jesus had done.

1. Who was the person in need? Lazarus
   
2. What was the immediate, obvious need? Lazarus was dead.
   
3. Who took the initiative in effecting the healing? Mary and Martha.
   
4. How and by whom was faith involved in this healing? Faith was involved to the degree that Jesus wanted his disciples to be able to see and believe. Also that those at the tomb would see and believe.
   
5. What were the reactions to the healing? Many witnesses believed and followed Jesus as a result. In following versus a plot to kill Jesus develops.
   
6. What led Jesus to minister healing to the person in need? His own compassion, but more importantly...." but I said this for the benefit of the people standing here, that they may believe that you sent me."

#22 Account of Jesus Healing

Healing Miracle #22

Luke 14:1-6 (New International Version)

(Found only in Luke.)

Jesus at a Pharisee's House

1One Sabbath, when Jesus went to eat in the house of a prominent Pharisee, he was being carefully watched. 2There in front of him was a man suffering from dropsy. 3Jesus asked the Pharisees and experts in the law, "Is it lawful to heal on the Sabbath or not?" 4But they remained silent. So taking hold of the man, he healed him and sent him away.

5Then he asked them, "If one of you has a son^[a] or an ox that falls into a well on the Sabbath day, will you not immediately pull him out?" 6And they had nothing to say.

1. Who was the person in need? The man suffering with dropsy.
   
2. What was the immediate, obvious need? The dropsy.
   
3. Who took the initiative in effecting the healing? Jesus.
   
4. How and by whom was faith involved in this healing? Jesus demonstrated faith that he could heal the man with dropsy.
   
5. What were the reactions to the healing? Silence, "And they had nothing to say."
   
6. What led Jesus to minister healing to the person in need? To make a point to those watching him closely. To point out the foolishness embraced by living by the letter of the law versus the spirit of love.
   

#21 Account of Jesus Healing

Healing Miracle #21

Luke 13:10-17 (New International Version)

(Alluded to in John 7: 21)

A Crippled Woman Healed on the Sabbath

10On a Sabbath Jesus was teaching in one of the synagogues, 11and a woman was there who had been crippled by a spirit for eighteen years. She was bent over and could not straighten up at all. 12When Jesus saw her, he called her forward and said to her, "Woman, you are set free from your infirmity." 13Then he put his hands on her, and immediately she straightened up and praised God.

14Indignant because Jesus had healed on the Sabbath, the synagogue ruler said to the people, "There are six days for work. So come and be healed on those days, not on the Sabbath."

15The Lord answered him, "You hypocrites! Doesn't each of you on the Sabbath untie his ox or donkey from the stall and lead it out to give it water? 16Then should not this woman, a daughter of Abraham, whom Satan has kept bound for eighteen long years, be set free on the Sabbath day from what bound her?"

17When he said this, all his opponents were humiliated, but the people were delighted with all the wonderful things he was doing.

1. Who was the person in need? The crippled woman.
   
2. What was the immediate, obvious need? The crippled state of the woman.
   
3. Who took the initiative in effecting the healing? Jesus.
   
4. How and by whom was faith involved in this healing? Faith is not mentioned in this passage.
   
5. What were the reactions to the healing? The synagogue ruler became indignant regarding Jesus healing on the Sabbath.
   
6. What led Jesus to minister healing to the person in need? His compassion at seeing her.
   

#20 Account of Jesus Healing

Healing Miracle #20

Matthew 12:22-29 (New International Version)

(See also: Mark 3: 20-27 and Luke 11: 14-26)

Jesus and Beelzebub

22Then they brought him a demon-possessed man who was blind and mute, and Jesus healed him, so that he could both talk and see. 23All the people were astonished and said, "Could this be the Son of David?"

24But when the Pharisees heard this, they said, "It is only by Beelzebub, the prince of demons, that this fellow drives out demons."

25Jesus knew their thoughts and said to them, "Every kingdom divided against itself will be ruined, and every city or household divided against itself will not stand. 26If Satan drives out Satan, he is divided against himself. How then can his kingdom stand? 27And if I drive out demons by Beelzebub, by whom do your people drive them out? So then, they will be your judges. 28But if I drive out demons by the Spirit of God, then the kingdom of God has come upon you.

29"Or again, how can anyone enter a strong man's house and carry off his possessions unless he first ties up the strong man? Then he can rob his house.

1. Who was the person in need? The blind, dumb and possessed man.
   
2. What was the immediate, obvious need? The condition of the healed man.
   
3. Who took the initiative in effecting the healing? The people who brought the man to Jesus.
   
4. How and by whom was faith involved in this healing? The people who brought the man to Jesus.
   
5. What were the reactions to the healing? The Pharisees accused Jesus of being of Beelzebub.
   
6. What led Jesus to minister healing to the person in need? Both the insistance of the crowd and for his own glory - to be able to teach through a parable.
   

#19 Account of Jesus Healing

Healing Miracle #19

John 9: 1-38 (New International Version)

(Found only in John)

Jesus Heals a Man Born Blind

1As he went along, he saw a man blind from birth. 2His disciples asked him, "Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?"

3"Neither this man nor his parents sinned," said Jesus, "but this happened so that the work of God might be displayed in his life. 4As long as it is day, we must do the work of him who sent me. Night is coming, when no one can work. 5While I am in the world, I am the light of the world."

6Having said this, he spit on the ground, made some mud with the saliva, and put it on the man's eyes. 7"Go," he told him, "wash in the Pool of Siloam" (this word means Sent). So the man went and washed, and came home seeing.

8His neighbors and those who had formerly seen him begging asked, "Isn't this the same man who used to sit and beg?" 9Some claimed that he was.
Others said, "No, he only looks like him."
But he himself insisted, "I am the man."

10"How then were your eyes opened?" they demanded.

11He replied, "The man they call Jesus made some mud and put it on my eyes. He told me to go to Siloam and wash. So I went and washed, and then I could see."

12"Where is this man?" they asked him.
"I don't know," he said.

The Pharisees Investigate the Healing

13They brought to the Pharisees the man who had been blind. 14Now the day on which Jesus had made the mud and opened the man's eyes was a Sabbath. 15Therefore the Pharisees also asked him how he had received his sight. "He put mud on my eyes," the man replied, "and I washed, and now I see."

16Some of the Pharisees said, "This man is not from God, for he does not keep the Sabbath."
But others asked, "How can a sinner do such miraculous signs?" So they were divided.

17Finally they turned again to the blind man, "What have you to say about him? It was your eyes he opened."
The man replied, "He is a prophet."

18The Jews still did not believe that he had been blind and had received his sight until they sent for the man's parents. 19"Is this your son?" they asked. "Is this the one you say was born blind? How is it that now he can see?"

20"We know he is our son," the parents answered, "and we know he was born blind. 21But how he can see now, or who opened his eyes, we don't know. Ask him. He is of age; he will speak for himself." 22His parents said this because they were afraid of the Jews, for already the Jews had decided that anyone who acknowledged that Jesus was the Christ would be put out of the synagogue. 23That was why his parents said, "He is of age; ask him."

24A second time they summoned the man who had been blind. "Give glory to God," they said. "We know this man is a sinner."

25He replied, "Whether he is a sinner or not, I don't know. One thing I do know. I was blind but now I see!"

26Then they asked him, "What did he do to you? How did he open your eyes?"

27He answered, "I have told you already and you did not listen. Why do you want to hear it again? Do you want to become his disciples, too?"

28Then they hurled insults at him and said, "You are this fellow's disciple! We are disciples of Moses! 29We know that God spoke to Moses, but as for this fellow, we don't even know where he comes from."

30The man answered, "Now that is remarkable! You don't know where he comes from, yet he opened my eyes. 31We know that God does not listen to sinners. He listens to the godly man who does his will. 32Nobody has ever heard of opening the eyes of a man born blind. 33If this man were not from God, he could do nothing."

34To this they replied, "You were steeped in sin at birth; how dare you lecture us!" And they threw him out.

Spiritual Blindness

35Jesus heard that they had thrown him out, and when he found him, he said, "Do you believe in the Son of Man?"

36"Who is he, sir?" the man asked. "Tell me so that I may believe in him."

37Jesus said, "You have now seen him; in fact, he is the one speaking with you."

38Then the man said, "Lord, I believe," and he worshiped him.

1. Who was the person in need? The man born blind.
   
2. What was the immediate, obvious need? Blindness... and the need for the disciples to grow in their understanding of the divinity of Jesus.
   
3. Who took the initiative in effecting the healing? Jesus.
   
4. How and by whom was faith involved in this healing? It wasn't involved in the healing, but the healing was used to increase faith in Jesus' ministry.
   
5. What were the reactions to the healing? The Pharisees conducted an investigation and as a result they became divided as to whether Jesus was of God of the devil.
   
6. What led Jesus to minister healing to the person in need? "but this happened so that the work of God might be displayed in his life. 4As long as it is day, we must do the work of him who sent me. Night is coming, when no one can work. 5While I am in the world, I am the light of the world."