This is a simplified version of the Bible story found in John 9, written for children to understand. For the original version, please refer to the Bible passage.
Once, Jesus and his disciples saw a man who was blind from the time he was born. His disciples asked Jesus, “Why is this man blind? Did he do something wrong, or did his parents do something wrong?”
Jesus replied, “No, neither the man nor his parents did anything wrong. But it was so that God’s amazing work could be shown through him. We have to do the things that God sent me here to do while we still have daylight. Soon it will be nighttime, and we won’t be able to work anymore. As long as I am here in the world, I am like a light that shines for everyone to see.”
Then Jesus made mud using his spit and some dirt on the ground. He put the mud on the man’s eyes and said, “Go wash the mud off in the pool of Siloam.” The man went and washed his eyes and he could see for the first time in his life!
The neighbors and people who knew the blind man saw him walking around and were amazed that he could see. Some said, “Isn’t this the man who used to sit and beg?” Others said, “No, he just looks like him.” The man said, “It’s me! I can see now!”
The Pharisees, who were religious leaders, heard about what had happened and brought the man in for questioning. They were upset because Jesus had healed the man on the Sabbath day, which was a day of rest according to their laws.
They asked the man, “How were your eyes opened?” The man replied, “The man named Jesus put mud on my eyes and told me to wash it off in the pool of Siloam. Then I could see.” Some of the Pharisees said, “This man Jesus is not from God, because he is breaking the Sabbath.” But others said, “How can a sinner do such miraculous signs?”
The Pharisees asked the man’s parents, “Is this your son who was born blind?” The parents said, “Yes, he is our son and he was born blind.” But they were afraid to say anything more because the Pharisees had already said that anyone who believed in Jesus would be put out of the synagogue.
So the Pharisees called the man in again and told him, “Give glory to God. We know that this man Jesus is a sinner.” The man replied, “I don’t know if he is a sinner or not. But I do know that I was blind and now I can see.”
The Pharisees asked the man, “What did Jesus do to you? How did he open your eyes?” The man replied, “I already told you, and you didn’t believe me. Why do you want to hear it again? Do you want to become his followers too?” The Pharisees insulted the man and said, “You are his follower, but we are followers of Moses. We know that God spoke to Moses, but we don’t even know where this Jesus comes from.”
The man replied, “This is amazing! You don’t know where he comes from, but he healed my eyes. God doesn’t listen to sinners, but if anyone worships Him and does His will, God listens to them. No one has ever heard of someone healing a man born blind before. If Jesus were not from God, he could do nothing.” The Pharisees were angry and insulted the man, and they kicked him out.
Afterwards, Jesus found the man and asked him, “Do you believe in the Son of Man?” The man asked, “Who is he, sir, that I may believe in him?” Jesus replied, “You have seen him. In fact, he is the one speaking with you now.” The man said, “Lord, I believe!” and he worshiped Jesus.
Jesus said, “I came to this world to make judgments. I came so that people who cannot see may be able to see, and those who can see may become blind.”
Some Pharisees who were listening asked Jesus, “Are you saying that we are also blind?”
Jesus answered, “If you were really blind, you wouldn’t be guilty of sin. But because you claim to see everything clearly, your guilt remains.”
Biblical Lessons
- We should not judge others based on their disabilities or difficulties in life, but instead show them kindness and compassion.
- Just as the man who was blind before, we should be grateful for the blessings we have in our lives and always give glory to God for them.
- We should be brave and stand up for our beliefs, even when others around us may not agree with us. The man who was healed by Jesus was not afraid to speak the truth about his healing, even when he was insulted and ridiculed for it.
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