As I have said before, John is writing to offer convincing proofs that Jesus is the Messiah, and today’s reading contains two great examples.
My Study Bible has references under each chapter and topic heading telling me where the same account is written by another author. In chapters 9 and 10 I have no references….so these account aren’t in any of the other Gospels.
1. The man born blind. We just read the account, so I don’t need to reiterate it, but did you notice that the man wasn’t healed when Jesus laid hands on him? We aren’t ever told why he had to go and wash in the pool of Siloam. It couldn’t have had anything to do with the water, because his sight was returned by divine intervention, not medicine. And to be touched by the hands of Jesus and have to do anything else almost seems anticlimactic. After all, the woman who was bleeded simply reached out and touched him and she was healed. I wonder if it was just to see if the man would be obedient? I envision him groping his way down the city streets with mud covering his eyes, grasping his way toward the pool. The first thing he ever saw must have been his own reflection in the water. I wonder if he ran all the way back to where Jesus was? I would have.
Come to think of it, maybe Jesus used mud and saliva so that the Pharisees would stumble over it and accuse Him of working.
Much could be said about the rest of this account. the Pharisees stubborn refusal to believe, even though the obvious answer was right in front of them seems unbelievable in itself. I think it’s because they made up their mind about who Jesus was and then looked at the evidence. If they had approached the situation with an open mind (like the blind man) they might have come to a very different conclusion. The Pharisees, however, weren’t just honest hard working teachers who made a simple mistake…they were greedy, power and control loving bureaucrats that enjoyed the pomp and prestige of their office. If they had admitted who Jesus was, they would have lost some of that glory, and they weren’t willing to do that.
The parents of the blind man try and skirt the issue by throwing their hands up and saying “go ask him”. They certainly had a position on the matter, and if someone healed my son who was blind from birth I would count them as my best friend. No doubt their fear of reprisal from the religious leaders influenced their testimony. While I understand, I am also reminded that Jesus tells us not to follow that example. If we are afraid to acknowledge Him before others, then He will not acknowledge us before God in heaven. When you look at it that way, it’s worth speaking up, right?
The blind man received his sight, but wasn’t forgiven of his sins until later when he believed in Jesus. In fact, he didn’t know anything about Jesus at the time of his healing. Does this still happen today? I hope that those who receive a blessing from God, whatever it happens to be aren’t content to just take the blessing and go home without being rescued from sin as well. What a tragedy it would be to have been touched and healed by Jesus, and still end up going to hell.
2. Chapter 10 isn’t really an account, but more of an illustration. It’s so vague when Jesus shares it that no one understands what He is talking about. But once He explains, it becomes very clear. To recap what I feel are important points: There is only one “true gate” and that’s Jesus. There’s no other way into heaven except through Him. Period. That effectively puts an end to all other world religions right there. I don’t say that maliciously, I say it with a hint of urgency in my voice. Sure, there are other faith’s that have some attraction, but the key ingredient is missing….they don’t believe that Jesus is the one and only Son of God, and the only acceptable sacrifice for sin.
Just like Jesus has a purpose for us (rich and satisfying life) the devil also has a purpose (steal, kill and destroy).
I think when Jesus was talking about sheep in another sheepfold, he was talking about you and I. The Gentiles (non-Jews) are another sheep pen in which Jesus has sheep. No, I don’t believe He was talking about other worlds….I mean, I love Star Trek, but come on now….
One more thing that I want to celebrate: Jesus says that He has the authority to lay His life down, AND pick it back up. It’s that very same authority that will bring our bodies back to life at His command. We will not remain in the grave, we will rise to live eternally with Him, because He has the power and authority to make it happen. Praise the Lord!
Faithfully,
PR