Commentary on John 9 (1)

Commentary on John 9 (1) Chapter 9 of John is the story of a man who was born blind.Look at verse 1. “As Jesus passed by, he saw a man which was blind from birth.”Here too, Jesus' disciples are still in darkness.It is not after three days because it is before the cross.At that time, it was not after the Son of Man was lifted up.That is why the disciples are still in darkness.Take a look at those in darkness.“And his disciples asked him, saying Master, who did sin, this man, or his parents, that he was born blind?" (John 9:2)When something goes wrong, people tend to think about who is at fault.This means that a carnal person always blames others for their sins.This is the characteristic of the flesh.The Corinthian church is such a gathering of flesh.He always blames others and always picks on others' sins.This is the proof that even though they are in Christ, they are still fleshly (1 Corinthians 3:3) But look how Jesus answers.“Jesus answered, Neither has this man sinned, nor his parents, but that the works of God should be made manifest in him.” (John 9:3)He wants to reveal what God wants to do, not the problem of anyone's sin.Therefore, what we must remember is that we can play a positive role or a negative role in God's work.All things indicate what God wants to do, and God's children play a positive role and are blessed, while those who do play a negative role receive retribution for it.You must discern it strictly.Whether at church or in any community, we must be able to see this carefully.Positive roles are necessary for God's work, and negative roles are also necessary for God's work, but we should not play negative roles and always play positive roles. Then, "I must work the works of him that sent me, while it is day: the night comes, when no man can work.” (John 9:4)"while it is day" This means that while Jesus was on this earth, it was day in the world.But the moment Jesus died, the sun became dark.The moment Jesus dies, night falls, and from then on, the light does not shine on the whole world, but only on the hearts of the chosen people who have been born again.Since the world is now night, Christ is not a light that shines to the whole world.Since the Lord is not the light that shines in the world, but the light that shines in us, He is saying that through Christ we will become the light of the world. It is clearly stated in verse 5.“As long as I am in the world, I am the light of the world.”But at night, there is no light, so we cannot work.At night, light comes into the christians heart.These are the words of Matthew 5."The poor in spirit" (Matthew 5:3)This means that the Lord comes into our hearts as light.When that light shines from the inside out, we ourselves become the light of the world (Matthew 5:14)So, Matthew 6:22 says, “If your eyes are healthy, your whole body will be full of light.” But if the light within you is darkness, how great is that darkness! (Matthew 6:23) And looking at John 12:35, “Jesus said to them, Yet a little while is  the light with you. Walk while you have the light, lest the darkness come upon you: for he that walks in darkness know not whither he goes.”Also, verse 36: “While you have light, believe in the light,  that you may be the children of light.” Look carefully next time.Without changing the verse, “These things spake Jesus, and departed, and did hide himself from them.”From then on, Jesus does not speak to everyone in the world, but only to his disciples.John 12:36 is the turning point.Even now, the Lord does not speak to everyone in the world, but only to his disciples who learn him by remaining in his Word. That is why it is a tremendous blessing for us to hear the word of God.In Jesus' time, the disciples listened to all of Jesus' sermons.But now he speaks only to the children of light.In 1 Thessalonians 5,  But of the times and the seasons, brothers, you have no need that I write to you. For yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so comes as a thief in the night. For when they shall say, Peace and safety; then sudden destruction come upon them, as travail upon a woman with child. ; and they shall not escape. But you, brothers, are not in darkness,  that that day should overtake you as a thief. You are all children of light, and children of the day: we are not of the night, nor of darkness. Therefore let us not sleep, as do other; but let us watch and be sober.” (1 Thessalonians 5:1-6) This doesn't mean you shouldn't sleep at night.This means don’t put your thoughts to sleep.“For they that sleep sleep in the night; and they that be drunken are drunken in the night. But let us, who are of the day,  be sober,  putting on the breastplate of faith and love;  and for an helmet, the hope of salvation.” (1 Thessalonians 5:7-8)Although people firmly believe in and hope for the second coming of Jesus, but many people are unable to accept Christ.Chapter 4 of 1 Thessalonians speaks of the Lord actually returning on the clouds, and chapter 5 speaks of the day when He makes us children of light and children of the day.That's why he says, That day will be as a thief.We can all see Jesus coming on the clouds, but on this day, the last day of all days, the day of the Holy Spirit, when he comes as a thief, the Lord Jesus Christ, who is light and life, comes into us and makes us children of light.Therefore, you do not know this day, today where one day is like a thousand years and a thousand years are like one day, only you believe that when the Lord returns, you will participate in the first resurrection and wedding feast...Each person is free to hear and believe as they wish with their own body, but those who have life through Christ will stand before the white throne judgment with life, or those without life because Christ does not exist with death. Written by Ptr. Yohan Kim.Translated by  Nancy Chung COME AND SEE WORLD MISSION To God be the glory.