John 9:1-41
Grace mercy and peace from our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
In our abbreviated reading we have Jesus, the blind man, and the Pharisees all interacting. Some interactions are confrontational some compassionate. On the surface it appears the focus is whether Jesus broke the commandment that the Sabbath is a day rest by giving this man his sight. If we were to read the entire account two more groups are drawn into the picture, the man's parents and his neighbors. These two groups help us see that there is more to this account. They help confirm that the bigger context is about faith.
Let's add a little background information to help us understand what is happening.
A common belief in the Jewish culture was that calamity or suffering is the result of some great sin. In essence, if you are afflicted it's because God has decided that you have done a wrong and you must pay the price for disobedience. In a sense they were at least partially correct this man suffered because of sin. We all suffer because of sin. If were not for the sin that came into the world in the beginning there would be no suffering. And each one of us would not be a sinner.
The Sabbath as we know is the day of rest God commanded in the Old Testament. However, God didn't specifically define work which we should rest from. As a result in their 613 laws the Jewish authorities specified the definition of work. According to those laws Jesus was doing work on the Sabbath by mixing dirt and spit into mud and healing this man. As we read the Pharisees were angered by Jesus' actions. They were so blinded by their focus on protecting the Sabbath they failed to see the miraculous event that occurred.
Then we have the Pool of Siloam, where the blind man was instructed to wash. It was fed by two channels the earliest was a trench covered with rock slabs the latter an underground tunnel commissioned by King Hezekiah. Hezekiah's tunnel ran to a spring outside the city walls. Its original purpose was to bring water into the city in times of siege. Some believe the Pool of Siloam was a place for ceremonial cleansing in Jesus' time. Jesus' command to wash there would appear to support that theory.
In verses missing from this reading we find that the man's neighbors are uncertain this is the same man that was born blind. Either due to disbelief or fear of the Jewish authorities, we can't know for sure, but their uncertainty exposes a lack of faith on their part. In those verses we also read that his parents are reluctant to speak on his behalf. They fold under the threat of being cutoff from the temple if the authorities are not satisfied with their answer.
Of course we have the Pharisees angry and jealous of Jesus. He had done work on the Sabbath. The man when questioned declared that Jesus was a prophet. And there is even division among them concerning the origin of the healing work. The ultimate insult comes when they realize Jesus sees them as them spiritually blind.
To this point in Jesus' ministry we read about the healing of people afflicted by disease or perhaps an accident. This time Jesus heals a man afflicted from birth. Giving this man his sight was significant; he was born blind, what sin could he have done to cause the punishment of blindness. As we read Jesus declares that his parents did no sin that caused their son's blindness. In fact his blindness is part of God's plan, an affliction used to work to the Father's glory.
This interaction of Jesus and the blind man is very significant for him and us. The blind man spent his life without seeing the world around him but sensing it in other ways. He couldn't see Jesus although he may have heard of Him. In fact, Jesus saw him first. Then through his healing the man saw Jesus and became aware of the true identity of Jesus.
We find that the man not only gained physical sight he gained spiritual sight. Spiritual sight that grew stronger the longer he experienced it. This man was transformed. He became more confident in the true identity of Jesus.
At first the man hears a voice of a man; Jesus could have been anyone addressing him as he begged to support himself. Then when questioned the second time by the Pharisees about how he gained his sight he was bold in his reply. And when asked the identity of Jesus, he replied Jesus was a prophet. For this proclamation they cast him out. This was a bold proclamation not only did he risk being cast out, the Pharisees could have perceived his proclamation as blasphemy with the penalty of stoning.
The final part of his transformation comes when Jesus speaks to him after he was cast out, his spiritual sight is brought into focus, Jesus is the Son of Man.
(Relate the tale of two horses.)
How often are we like the blind man or the blind horse? Just a little slow at grasping the true nature of our Lord. He understands our weakness and patiently waits for us and accepts us as we are.
He truly is a merciful Father concerned with the welfare of His children! His love is shown by caring for the needs of His followers in every time of trail.
Our salvation is assured because He first saw us and opened our eyes.
In the Name of Jesus Christ, Amen.
Tale Of Two Horses
There is a field, with two horses in it.
From a distance, each horse looks like any other horse.
But if you stop your car, or are walking by, you will notice something quite amazing. Looking into the eyes of one horse will disclose that he is blind. His owner has chosen not to have him put down, but has made a good home for him .
This alone is amazing.
If you stand nearby and listen, you will hear the sound of a bell. Looking around for the source of the sound, you will see that it comes from the smaller horse in the field. Attached to the horse's halter is a small bell. It lets the blind friend know where the other horse is, so he can follow.
As you stand and watch these two horses, you'll see that the horse with the bell is always checking on the blind horse, and that the blind horse will listen for the bell and then slowly walk to where the other horse is, trusting that he will not be led astray.
When the horse with the bell returns to the shelter of the barn each evening, it stops occasionally and looks back, making sure that the blind friend isn't too far behind to hear the bell
Like the owners of these two horses, God does not throw us away just because we are not perfect or because we have problems or challenges.
He watches over us and even brings others into our lives to help us when we are in need.
Sometimes we are the blind horse being guided by the little ringing bell of those who God places in our lives.
Other times we are the guide horse, helping others to find their way....
Good friends are like that... you may not always see them, but you know they are always there.
Please listen for my bell and I'll listen for yours .
And remember...be kinder than necessary-everyone
you meet is fighting some kind of battle.
Live simply,
Love generously,
Care deeply,
Speak kindly....
Leave the rest to God.
