Monday 17th June
Read John 9:1-5
“As he went along, he saw a man blind from birth. 2 His disciples asked him, ‘Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?’
3 ‘Neither this man nor his parents sinned,’ said Jesus, ‘but this happened so that the works of God might be displayed in him. 4 As long as it is day, we must do the works of him who sent me. Night is coming, when no one can work. 5 While I am in the world, I am the light of the world.’” (NIVUK)
As we begin six weeks with John by considering the healing of the man born blind it is worth remembering the context. Jesus stood up at the Feast of Tabernacles and declared “‘I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.’” (John 8:12) (NIVUK). The Pharisees immediately challenged Him, asking on what authority He makes such a bold claim. Jesus has maintained throughout His ministry that He operates with the Father’s authority as His works clearly demonstrate.
In that context He came across a man born blind, living his entire life literally in darkness. We will consider the disciples’ question concerning sin tomorrow, for much of this story revolves around sin and judgment. Today we simply marvel and ask what it could possibly mean to this blind man that Jesus is the light of the world? There are simply no categories for such a man to comprehend the claim. That is at least part of the point John is making in recording this story for us. For when Jesus comes, when the light of the world arrives, the blind will see for the first time.
John and Jesus make that point again at the end of the story, which serves as a mirror to the beginning. “Jesus said, ‘For judgment I have come into this world, so that the blind will see and those who see will become blind.’ 40 Some Pharisees who were with him heard him say this and asked, ‘What? Are we blind too?’ 41 Jesus said, ‘If you were blind, you would not be guilty of sin; but now that you claim you can see, your guilt remains.” (John 9:39-41) (NIVUK). Those who claimed to have sight were blinded by the light and condemned.
Are we amongst those who once were blind or amongst those who claim to see?
