Sun
May 25
1. MISTAKEN UNDERSTANDING
a. What question did the disciples ask Jesus when they saw the man who had been born blind? John 9:1, 2.
b. What erroneous idea concerning affliction was held by both the Jews and the disciples, and how was Satan profiting by it? John 9:34 (first part).
“It was generally believed by the Jews that sin is punished in this life. Every affliction was regarded as the penalty of some wrongdoing, either of the sufferer himself or of his parents. It is true that all suffering results from the transgression of God’s law, but this truth had become perverted. Satan, the author of sin and all its results, had led men to look upon disease and death as proceeding from God—as punishment arbitrarily inflicted on account of sin. Hence one upon whom some great affliction or calamity had fallen had the additional burden of being regarded as a great sinner.
“Thus the way was prepared for the Jews to reject Jesus. He who ‘hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows’ was looked upon by the Jews as ‘stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted;’ and they hid their faces from Him.”—The Desire of Ages, p. 471.
Mon
May 26
2. FOR THE GLORY OF GOD
a. What answer of Jesus shed light about suffering and sin? John 9:3–5.
“The belief of the Jews in regard to the relation of sin and suffering was held by Christ’s disciples. While Jesus corrected their error, He did not explain the cause of the man’s affliction, but told them what would be the result. Because of it the works of God would be made manifest. ‘As long as I am in the world,’ He said, ‘I am the light of the world.’ ”—The Desire of Ages, p. 471.
b. What did Jesus do shortly thereafter, and how did the blind man cooperate with Him? John 9:6, 7.
“Then having anointed the eyes of the blind man, He sent him to wash in the pool of Siloam, and the man’s sight was restored. Thus Jesus answered the question of the disciples in a practical way, as He usually answered questions put to Him from curiosity. The disciples were not called upon to discuss the question as to who had sinned or had not sinned, but to understand the power and mercy of God in giving sight to the blind. It was evident that there was no healing virtue in the clay, or in the pool wherein the blind man was sent to wash, but that the virtue was in Christ.”—Ibid.
c. Describe the varied reactions of the restored man’s neighbors—and relate the conversation that ensued between him and his neighbors. John 9:8–12.
“The neighbors of the young man, and those who knew him before in his blindness, said, ‘Is not this he that sat and begged?’ They looked upon him with doubt; for when his eyes were opened, his countenance was changed and brightened, and he appeared like another man. From one to another the question passed. Some said, ‘This is he;’ others, ‘He is like him.’ But he who had received the great blessing settled the question by saying, ‘I am he.’ ”—Ibid., pp. 471, 472.
Tue
May 27
3. A QUESTION ESCALATES
a. To whom did the Jewish leaders take the man that had been born blind—and why? Upon what day was he cured? John 9:13, 14.
b. Describe the reaction of the Pharisees. John 9:15, 16.
“The Pharisees hoped to make Jesus out to be a sinner, and therefore not the Messiah. They knew not that it was He who had made the Sabbath and knew all its obligation, who had healed the blind man. They appeared wonderfully zealous for the observance of the Sabbath, yet were planning murder on that very day.”—The Desire of Ages, p. 472.
c. Whom did the Pharisees call to testify about the man who had been cured? John 9:18, 19.
“[The Pharisees] called for his parents, and asked them, saying, ‘Is this your son, who ye say was born blind?’
“There was the man himself, declaring that he had been blind, and had had his sight restored; but the Pharisees would rather deny the evidence of their own senses than admit that they were in error. So powerful is prejudice, so distorting is Pharisaical righteousness.”—Ibid.
d. How are we warned against the far-reaching evil of having a preconceived opinion? Proverbs 18:13.
“There are many who put their own construction upon what they hear, making the thought appear altogether different from that which the speaker endeavored to express. Some, hearing through the medium of their own prejudices or pre-possessions, understand the matter as they desire it to be—as will best suit their purpose.”—Testimonies for the Church, vol. 5, p. 695.
Wed
May 28
4. FACED WITH INTIMIDATION
a. How did the Pharisees try to intimidate the parents of the man who had been born blind—and how did they respond? John 9:20, 21. Why did they give an evasive answer? John 9:22, 23.
“The Pharisees had one hope left, and that was to intimidate the man’s parents. With apparent sincerity they asked, ‘How then doth he now see?’ The parents feared to compromise themselves; for it had been declared that whoever should acknowledge Jesus as the Christ should be ‘put out of the synagogue;’ that is, should be excluded from the synagogue for thirty days. During this time no child could be circumcised nor dead be lamented in the offender’s home. The sentence was regarded as a great calamity; and if it failed to produce repentance, a far heavier penalty followed. The great work wrought for their son had brought conviction to the parents, yet they answered, ‘We know that this is our son, and that he was born blind: but by what means he now seeth, we know not; or who hath opened his eyes, we know not: he is of age; ask him: he shall speak for himself.’ Thus they shifted all responsibility from themselves to their son; for they dared not confess Christ.”—The Desire of Ages, pp. 472, 473.
b. When pressured by intimidation, what must we keep in mind? Psalm 118:6.
“Stand firm, and never do a wrong action rather than be called a coward. Allow no taunts, no threats, no sneering remarks, to induce you to violate your conscience in the least particular.”—Fundamentals of Christian Education, p. 93.
“True Christian character should be marked by firmness of purpose, an indomitable determination, which cannot be molded or subdued by earth or hell. He who is not blind to the attraction of worldly honors, indifferent to threats, and unmoved by allurements will be, all unexpectedly to himself, overthrown by Satan’s devices.”—Testimonies for the Church, vol. 4, pp. 543, 544.
“We shall receive the most fierce opposition from the Adventists who oppose the law of God. But, like the builders of the walls of Jerusalem, we should not be diverted and hindered from our work by reports, by messengers desiring discussion or controversy, or by intimidating threats, the publication of falsehoods, or any of the devices that Satan may instigate.”—Ibid., vol. 3, p. 574.
Thu
May 29
5. HISTORY REPEATED
a. Describe the scene to be faced by God’s commandment-keeping people—and how we are to respond to it. Revelation 12:17; Acts 4:18–20.
“As the controversy extends into new fields and the minds of the people are called to God’s downtrodden law, Satan is astir. The power attending the message will only madden those who oppose it. The clergy will put forth almost superhuman efforts to shut away the light lest it should shine upon their flocks. By every means at their command they will endeavor to suppress the discussion of these vital questions. The church appeals to the strong arm of civil power, and, in this work, papists and Protestants unite. As the movement for Sunday enforcement becomes more bold and decided, the law will be invoked against commandment keepers. They will be threatened with fines and imprisonment, and some will be offered positions of influence, and other rewards and advantages, as inducements to renounce their faith. But their steadfast answer is: ‘Show us from the word of God our error’—the same plea that was made by Luther under similar circumstances. Those who are arraigned before the courts make a strong vindication of the truth, and some who hear them are led to take their stand to keep all the commandments of God. Thus light will be brought before thousands who otherwise would know nothing of these truths.”—The Great Controversy, p. 607.
b. In facing opposition, what must we always keep in mind? John 9:39; Acts 4:33; Matthew 10:28.
“[The apostles] could not be restrained or intimidated by threatenings.”—The Acts of the Apostles, p. 48.
Fri
May 30
PERSONAL REVIEW QUESTIONS
1. How did the Jewish leaders judge the sick and the suffering?
2. Who and what really cured the blind man?
3. Why did the neighbors of the blind man become confused?
4. What situation did the young man have to face after his cure?
5. How am I to avoid falling for the snare that befell his parents?