That was such an encouraging post from Michele yesterday about what a real relationship with Jesus is! Today we're in for a treat as we read the dramatic story John the Apostle tells in chapter nine. It reads like a play with six scenes. You've got to take it in! Check your spiritual vision. There's a lot more going on here beneath the surface.
The spotlight in this passage is on the man who became a follower of Jesus. He stands as a model of what it means to come to faith. What John is portraying is a common experience of disciples. He was certainly telling this story for the benefit of the church of his own day. As they listened to this story they couldn’t help but see themselves. They too had been healed by Jesus, blessed by him, and after that found themselves arguing with old friends, facing challenges and hostility to their new faith, being pushed out of the circles they once belonged, distanced by their families.
Now, in this story of a blind man who suffered the same things, they see Jesus seeking them out to affirm them, acting on his promise that “Anyone who comes to me I will never drive out” (6.37). They found encouragement to stand strong in their belief and worship him (v. 38). That same encouragement echoes down through centuries to us as we live in a strange new world where Christian faith that used to be the norm is once again moving towards the fringes.
But here's the pearl for me today:
His disciples asked him, "Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?" Neither this man nor his parents sinned," said Jesus, "but this happened so that the work of God might be displayed in his life." (v. 3)
All his life he had been blind. He had never seen the light of day. His blindness had gone on and on, affecting every aspect of his life. I have to believe that there were many moments during those decades in the dark that he asked himself the same accusing questions that the disciples did. Yet it all led up to this moment when he would meet Jesus and receive his sight and so much more. If he hadn’t been born blind, he might have been one of the crowd who picked up stones to throw at Jesus in the temple (8:59). He might have chimed right in with his skeptical neighbors (v. 8-9). He might have had eyes that could see but not his spiritual eyes, not the eyes of his heart.
What are you struggling with? Is there something that seems to be the curse of your life? I think about things that I've been through that have left a limp in my step. What have you laid awake thinking about and wondering why God let this storm front dump its fury on your life? Has it seemed to go on forever, leaving you feeling like life has passed you by?
Could it be this happened so that the work of God might be displayed in my life? in yours? Whether it’s through healing or resolving that situation in a powerful way to bring him praise. Or whether it’s through that situation that he opens my spiritual eyes wider or gives my heart the capacity to receive his love more intimately and share it. Maybe it’s through that "curse" that God leads you or me into the ministry of your life, to help others in similar places but who don’t have the God resources.
After Jesus says that this blindness happened so that the work of God might be displayed in the man's life, he goes on to add:
As long as it is day, we must do the work of him who sent me. Night is coming, when no one can work. (v. 4)
The work of God is done in us so that it can then be done through us. The healing work of God is displayed in blind man’s life, bringing him to faith, not just so he can become a worshipper, but so that he can then step in behind Jesus as a disciple and join him in doing the healing work of God. Through what seemed like a curse on his life, first God’s grace and power is on display and then his love and his way of giving himself for others. In whatever shape or form it takes, that’s his plan for all of us! So, how open are your eyes?
Like this blind man, your story of Jesus' touch on your life is powerful too. Share it! Your comments are always appreciated.
Chris, when I read this chapter I see just how blind the pharisees were. They tried hard to get this man to doubt who Jesus was. There was no doubt in this man's mind that Jesus must be from God and he was eager to proclaim this after gaining his sight. We can live so much of our lives "blind" but when God gets a hold of our hearts he shows us just how real he is! Praise him for that!
ReplyDeleteVerses 40-41 speak volumes to me:
...."Are you saying we're blind?"
"If you were blind, you wouldn't be guilty," Jesus replied. "But you remain guilty because you claim you can see."
The pharisees thought they had it all straight when in fact they were the blind ones.
Lord, help me not to be blind like the pharisees were. Open the eyes of my heart and help me to see you and proclaim you to this world in need. Amen
Great post, Chris! Thank you for your wonderful writing.
Excellent point! What blinded the Pharisees so badly was that their religion became their idol. It became bigger to them than God himself. Their blindness was fueled by their arrogance and their obsession with using their religion to control others and their world. A true relationship with God leads us to surrender all control to him and be open to his movements.
ReplyDeleteWonderful conversation over an inspiring lesson from the Bible! In this chapter I see the simple person benefiting from Jesus and His way while the formal religious leaders who prided themselves in "knowing the Law" totally missed out! We need to see that Jesus used the normal, simple people to demonstrate His power and His teachings. Nobody has to know Greek or be a "theologian" to be a faithful believer in Jesus and benefit from His love and teachings. Thanks for a stimulating conversation!
ReplyDeleteK.B.