Jesus and his followers encountered a man who had been born blind. Jesus spits and mixes saliva and mud, then puts it on the man’s eyes. Then Jesus tells the man to go wash in a nearby pool. The man does this and is able to see.
In the ancient middle east (and many other times and places through history), his inability to see meant the man had virtually no other options to try to feed and shelter himself except begging for food or coins from others. Jesus gives the man who was born blind a new beginning, an opportunity for a full and abundant life. Seeing the beauty of the world and the people in his life were just a part of the wonderful transformation. For the first time in his life, the man was able to be fully engaged in his community, no longer dependent on what little he could beg from the neighbors. He truly receives new life as he emerges from washing in the pool.
The healing itself is very brief and John’s gospel tells it concisely, using just two verses. Yet, this week’s reading is a full 41 verses long – Why so much other material? There are a variety of discussions and disputes all around this man’s healing: about the man and his condition, his healing and healer, the source of healing power, judgement and sin, and many other things. The leaders seem unsettled by this unexpected change, and they raise lots of questions. At times, the conversations are ironic and humorous. There are also sad moments when we see that the religious leaders miss the opportunity to rejoice at this remarkable healing and the man’s release from blindness. Instead, their focus is on blame, suspicion, and questioning when joy and celebration are more appropriate.
In their defense, the man’s blindness from birth and his healing present a moral puzzle. The common understanding at that time was that disability or illness was an affliction from God for misdeeds; for sin. If that’s their view, what does this sudden healing mean? The people are overwhelmed by something that does not fit their worldview. If his blindness was a consequence for sin, is it a good thing that he’s been healed? Is it safe to overturn the system? What is Jesus up to if he is undoing blindness that God made?
Toward the end of the various debates, the man artfully (and cheekily) insists that since Jesus is able to heal in such a remarkable way, he clearly is from God, no matter what rules he broke. The religious leaders aren’t able to “see” this, so they throw the man out. Jesus finds him and invites the man to “see” in contrast to the religious leaders who do not see.
There is so much discussion and debate around this healing. The man has been made whole for the first time in his life. He now has so many options and opportunities as one who can see. If only the religious leaders could join in his joy. They don’t see the gift, the miracle, the new life right there before them. Somehow, they’ve gotten lost in the disgrace of healing on the wrong day and the scandal of someone released from a bad situation. Jesus has come to spread good news, to bring healing and forgiveness, to bring new life – even when it means disregarding the rules and defying assumptions about what God ought to do. May we each find ways to see the gifts and miracles and new life that crop up in our world. May we see God’s loving healing all around.
Peace,
weekly prayer | Jesus heals a man who is blind and the conflict that follows from John 9