Good morning again. Another great day yesterday! It was a busy one for me but I was outside some and it was so nice!
The question asked by the disciple is not unusual (v 2). If there was something wrong with a baby when it was born, the assumption was that the parents sinned so badly, that God was punishing the child! Jesus responds with, "Sometimes things happen, but I can fix it." Like Jesus, we must work our opportunities when we can, because we don't know when we may lose the chance (v 4). In this story, Jesus takes all the initiative-- he goes to the man, he makes the mud poultice, but he expected the man to live by faith. Molding the clay reminds me of the Genesis story! I wonder what the response of the crowd was when they saw Jesus spit in the mud and then rub it in the man's eyes!
The man's hometown crowd was confused-- not knowing if he was the man that they had known (vv 8-10). How can anyone be healed from congenital blindness? The man struggles with convincing the crowd. Notice that the man doesn't even know Jesus' name (v 12). What does that say to us and about us?
The Pharisees are brought into this healing- Jesus did it on the Sabbath (v 13-14). That Jesus, stirring up trouble again! Jesus could have healed the man any day, but Jesus chose the Sabbath day. Why?
When questioned about who Jesus was, the man responded that Jesus was a prophet (v 17). His knowledge of Jesus changed somewhat. It was also a common thought that Jesus was a prophet.
The Pharisees could not believe the man was born blind and now was healed. Could we? They even challenged his parents about this (vv 18-19). The parents aren't to sure, and they hedge their bets and stay safe by saying essentially nothing. If anyone stated that Jesus was the Messiah they would be removed form the synagogue.
The healed man doesn't know too much about Jesus, but he knows that Jesus healed him (v 25)! It is hard to argue with that statement! The healed man even steps it up a notch and comments that the Pharisees seem so interested in Jesus tat they must want to become disciples! The healed man had some nerve to do that!! The man calls himself a disciple of Jesus. What a transformation- he went from not knowing him, to calling him prophet, to becoming a disciple! Sounds like some of us! Jesus had made such a powerful impact on his life! Yet, the Pharisees are still blind to Jesus divinity!
The healed man was removed from the synagogue. Jesus eventually catches up with him. Jesus calls on the man to fully believe in Jesus and the man does! Jesus healed the man, allowed him to face persecution from the Pharisees, and then called him to a system of belief.
Jesus closes this chapter with a brief discussion on spiritual blindness. Opening the eyes of the blind so tat they can see Jesus and those that think they are spiritual (Pharisees) their eyes will stay closed. Are our eyes open or closed?
Great story! Love this one!
Have a great day and enjoy time outside!
Shalom+
Pastor Paul
This isn't the first time Jesus "works" on the Sabbath. Maybe he is a bit of rebel. As a Jew, he certainly doesn't follow all the rules.
ReplyDeleteThe disciples asked Jesus if the parents or child had done something wrong because this man was born blind. It's such a human thing to try to explain why something bad happens. Jesus says that no one has done anything wrong. Even today we hear people ask "why?" Why did this bad things happen? People think that it's their fault when something happens, and sometimes it is! Lots of times we know that the result for something that we do is not going to be good but we do it anyway. But we all know that things happen to everyone that is NOT their fault. It's just the way things are. And why? Think of all the people who were lying by the pool in yesterdays story. Is it possible that we all have to endure challenges in order to grow as a person?
It seems like the likely thing to happen would be for the blind man to become a disciple. Because he was willing to be loyal to Jesus he was removed from the synagogue. (I thought the formerly blind man's parents were kind of cowardly to throw their son under the bus lol). They didn't want to get kicked out!
Are my eyes open or closed. I hope they are open but sometimes I think that if I was more faithful I would be so anxious.
SO, is Jesus saying we don't have to follow all the rules?! He is quite a rebel! But, with a cause!
DeleteI have said many times in my ministry- bad things happen. God didn't do anything; you didn't do anything; stuff happens sometimes. I do think facing challenges makes us grow. We may not see it at the time- but it does work!
Good comments!
Jesus is healing again on the sabbath and he pharisees don't like it I don't remember that jesus healed the blind with spit and mud before and then cleansing the mud in tha Siloam. New to Gospel of John?
ReplyDeleteWhen asked the people didn't know who Jesus was nor did the blind man he said he was a prophet. There was much shepticism and dis belief and then fear as the parents were afraid of being kicked out of the synagoue.. They said to ask the blind man as to healed him as he was old enought to answer The blind man was asked to leave, when he said jesus was a prpphet.. Jesus then found the blind man after and he believed theer again is faith Shall we say BLIND FAITH since the blind man could now see.
There are some stories unique to John!
DeleteWhen something "new" comes out, we are all slightly fearful and anxious- maybe the same with Jesus being new to the scene?
I like the "blind faith"!
Good points
This is an interesting story about a blind man to whom Jesus gives sight. It was thought at the time that if a person was born blind, either he or his parents were steeped in sin. The plot thickens from there as several questions and comments are made from disbelieving Jews. For example: “This man is not from God, for he does not keep the Sabbath”. It so happened that Jesus gave the man sight on the Sabbath and the Jewish leaders did not like that. The man apparently knew that Jesus had healed him, but he never saw Jesus, so he didn’t know who He was. The Jews then asked his parents, but, since they were afraid of the leaders, they put them off, telling them that their son speaks for himself since he is of age. The leaders then said, among other insults, “… but as for this fellow [Jesus], we don’t even know where he comes from.” The man replies: “If this man were not from God, he could do nothing.” At this, he was thrown out of the temple.
ReplyDeleteThere are two things about this saga: first was that they called Jesus a prophet. This is the second time in John that I have seen this. The second thing was that there is no indication as to where this story fits into Jesus’s ministry. Jesus heals a blind man in the synaptic gospels, but I do not remember exactly when it was – if it was during Holy Week or before. The story in the synaptic gospels does not have the detail that this story has.
One final thought: I felt fear when I read: “Jesus said, ‘For judgement I have come into this world, so that the blind will see and those who see will become blind’.” (Emphasis is mine.) This is the first time in all the reading of the New Testament that I have felt any kind of emotion.
Jesus was well known as a prophet, so it was not unusual that they called him tat at that moment. Many Jews (and other world religions) today still believe that Jesus was a great prophet.
DeleteThe placement of the story here is prior to Passion week (which starts in chapter 13 of John).
There are stories in the synoptic gospels of Jesus healing the sight of blind people- but not through spit and mud. Is this a new story or a different interpretation of an "old" one?
Scripture speaks to us at different times and with different emotions. It is interesting how I can read the same passage over and over but when I am preaching or teaching- a different emotion comes out that I am used to having! Oh God!
Thanks Jack
I think it's cool that John, first of all, tells some different stories then what are found in the other gospels AND that the stories he does tell are told in such detail! I have enjoyed reading all of the "words" and "thoughts' of Jesus. And the "words" of the Pharisees. These stories that John tells must have had a great impact on John and on John's own faith story. How sad that the blind man is asked to leave the synagogue just because he questions the Pharisees. How sad if we, today, in some way - through our words or our actions - "ask" people to leave our church. I'm not sure if Jesus meant to heal the blind man on the Sabbath because it was the Sabbath, or, if, when the opportunity presented itself, Jesus healed him - not caring what day it was. It says in my translation "And as Jesus passed by, he saw a man which was blind from his birth." And Jesus did make the comment that if a person can be circumcised on the Sabbath, why can't he be healed? I am surprised that Jesus talks a lot about coming to judge when John 3:17 says He does not come to judge - or as my translation says to condemn - isn't it the same???
ReplyDeleteIn Wednesday's reading, which I forgot to comment on = I wonder just what Jesus was writing in the sand.
Someone once told me that the Gospel according to St. John was their favorite. I now know why. I think in reading and studying the New Testament and hearing everyone's comments as I have, I am reading John with different understanding.
Hmmm, good point. Do we "ask" people to leave because of their thoughts/ feelings/ comments?
ReplyDeleteI think Jesus saw an opportunity and took the opportunity to heal. The fact that it was the Sabbath was a "bonus" for Him!
The judgement thing is a good question- I have heard Jesus say that the will be judge on "that day" several times in John...
I do like John!
Thansk Donna