Exploring the Scripture

Today’s Gospel lesson is among the longer readings in the lectionary, presenting the preacher with both opportunity and challenge. On one hand, John’s account of the healing of the blind man is storytelling at its best: a complete cast of characters, detailed dialogue, conflict, and resolution. On the other hand, a long story like this can easily tempt a preacher to address every facet of the account and its implications for modern life. It would be more suitable for the preacher to choose one feature of the story. The day’s theme provides a place to focus: on the contrast between the man who is blind, but is healed and gradually comes to understand who Jesus is; and the religious leaders who are portrayed as remaining blind.

We need to first recognize two points. (1) Today we understand the physical causes of visual problems, but in the ancient world many assumed that such conditions were the result of personal or generational sin. Jesus rejects this explanation (v. 3). (2) When John refers to “the Jews,” he is referring to the religious leaders of his time, not an entire people. Note that every character in this story is Jewish (including Jesus!).

As the story progresses it becomes obvious the man’s physical blindness offers Jesus an opportunity to glorify God by healing him. However, the larger purpose of the story was to show how the man gradually came to see who Jesus was and to expose the spiritual blindness of the other people in the story. The blind man first refers to Jesus as a prophet in verse 17, but by verse 22 we are told that he may have confessed that Jesus is the Messiah. Later in verse 28 he is seen as a disciple. In the final passage Jesus asks him if he believes in the Son of Man. The man is still not sure and asks who that is. When Jesus states that he is talking to him, he responds with the words, “Lord, I believe” and becomes a follower.

The first hearers of the story may have been members of a congregation in a cosmopolitan city, several generations after the resurrection, for whom John wrote his Gospel account. Historians believe the Jewish-Christian members of the congregation faced persecution by local Jewish religious leaders because of their confession of Jesus as the Messiah. They likely related to different characters in this story. Those who were afraid to confess publicly Jesus as the Messiah could probably understand the blind man’s parents (v. 22). Those who had been expelled from the synagogue likely identified with the blind man (v. 34). The story not only affirms Jesus’ power to heal, but also shows how fear of persecution was preventing some of them from seeing they, like the first disciples, were betraying him.

It is then not surprising that this story has been chosen for the Lenten season, a time when we examine our lives and confess our failings. Like the audience that first heard this story, we sometimes find it frightening to share our faith in Christ with others. Sometimes we are challenged, like the healed man, to testify to oth- ers of the good God has done in our lives. Like them, we can have our physical and spiritual eyes opened as we expect the coming of the light of Christ into our lives at Easter.

Faith Unfiltered Podcast

Hosts Karin Peter and Blake Smith consider how this week's scripture connects to our lives today.

LISTEN

Central Ideas

1. We are often unable to see how fear inhibits our faith and witness.
2. Others may challenge us to share the good news of Christ with them.
3. The light of Christ can open our eyes to see God’s works revealed in us.

Questions to Consider

1. With whom do you identify in the story? When have you been afraid to confess Jesus Christ? When have you taken a risk to share your faith? When have you ostracized others for their beliefs?
2. During this season of Lent, what is difficult to look at in ourselves, in our families, and in our congregations?
3. In what ways does the light of Christ help us see our failings and accept the help of God’s grace?