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*John Chapter 9 *(NRSV)*-** The healing of the man born blind*
*Vv1-12 *
1. Jesus is presumably still in Jerusalem though not in the Temple.
The man he saw had been "blind from birth".
2. Sin was still thought to be the cause of suffering by many.
They would have explained his blindness in terms of his parents' sin or possibly some sin he had committed before his birth.
They wanted Jesus' answer.
3. "Neither" is Jesus' answer.
His blindness is within God's purpose.
The purpose of God was that "God's works might be revealed in him."
4. Upon the disciples of Jesus rests the obligation to do the work of God while opportunity lasts.
The work Jesus began is to be continued by his followers.
"Day" is the length of a person's life.
There is also the underlying idea of Jesus' life as the day of salvation.
His departure means the coming of night.
5. While Jesus lives his human life and while he carries out his mission of salvation He is the light of the world.
It is Jesus' effect upon the world ‑ his bringing of judgement and salvation ‑ that is meant.
6. Jesus vividly illustrates his words by giving light to the man born blind.
Jesus healed the man by his touch and also by making a paste for his eyes with spittle and dust.
There was a view at that time that spittle had curative properties.
It was this action that was seen by the Pharisees as work and therefore Sabbath breaking.
7. The man himself was involved in the cure ‑ cf Naaman (2 Kings 5:10).
He obediently washed and was healed.
8. Because the cure was so remarkable people could not believe it.
Is he the man or not?
9. Some believed others didn't.
Despite his own testimony.
10.
They kept asking "how?" Amazement.
11.
He testified to Jesus actions.
He was the "man" who brought him healing.
He did not yet grasp the real significance of Jesus.
Why is it so hard to stop people associating suffering with sin?
What significance does the fact that the man was born blind have?
What can we learn about our attitude to disability?
Topic: Blindness Subtopic: Spiritual Index: 500‑502 Date: Title:
The late HELEN KELLER.
Was .
deaf. . .
mute. . .
blind.
Helen Keller tells of the dramatic moment when Annie Sullivan first broke through her dark, silent world with the illumination of language.
We walked down the path to the well house, attracted by
the fragrance of the honeysuckle with which it was
covered.
Some one was drawing water and my teacher
placed my hand under the spout.
As the cool stream
gushed over one hand she spelled into the other the
word water, first slowly, then rapidly.
I stood still,
my whole attention fixed upon the motions of her
fingers.
Suddenly I felt a misty consciousness as of
something forgotten ‑‑ a thrill of returning thought;
and somehow the mystery of language was revealed to me.
I knew then that "w‑a‑t‑e‑r" meant the wonderful cool
something that was flowing over my hand.
That living
word awakened my soul, gave it light, hope, joy, set it
free!
There were barriers still, it is true, but
barriers that could in time be swept away.
Certainly, this was how the blind man must have felt when he saw water for the first time as he washed his eyes in the pool of Siloam.
Just as the Light of the world gave sight to the blind beggar, and just as that "living word" awakened the soul of Helen Keller, so Jesus can awaken your life with the tender touch of His hand.
He can give you light, hope, joy, and freedom like you've never known before.
Surely there will still be barriers in your life ‑‑ but barriers that can be swept away in time.
‑‑ Keller, The Story of My Life
*Vv13-34*
13: They brought in the experts ‑ the Pharisees ‑ to the man born blind.
14: Being the sabbath day was significant for the Pharisees.
The incident formed part of their controversy with Jesus over the right use of the Sabbath.
Making mud they saw as work.
15: The man's testimony is consistent.
16: Here the Pharisees dilemma is made clear.
Jesus must be a sinner if he breaks the Sabbath: Jesus cannot be a sinner for a sinner could not work such a cure.
They were divided.
17: In their indecision they turn against the man ‑ what have you got to say?
He says He is a prophet.
cf Peter's confession of Christ.
18: The Jews sought to deny the miracle.
He couldn't have been blind at all.
They call his parents as witnesses.
19 They are cross examined ‑ is this your son ‑ was he born blind ‑ how then can he see?
20: Yes he is their son and yes he was born blind;
21: But we do not know how ‑ ask him he is old enough to speak for himself.
22: This seems to be the situation at the time wrote the gospel rather than at the time of Jesus.
23: Don't ask us ‑ ask him.
24: Tell the truth.
We know this man is a sinner.
They have no doubts he has transgressed the law and is therfore a sinner.
25: The man states the other side of the dilemma ‑ I was blind ‑ now I see.
26: Round they go again ‑ how?
27: You been told already ‑ do you want to become his disciples?
28: They then begin an unfavouable comparison between Jesus and Moses (whom they claim to follow).
29: God spoke through Moses but who knows where this Jesus comes from?
The question of Jesus' authority ‑ Beelzebul.
30: But he opened my eyes!
Does that tell us where he comes from?
Upon his conversion Billy Bray the great Cornish Methodist wrote
"I remember this, that everything looked new to me... the fields, the cattle, the trees.
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