John 9
This chapter, in just a verse or two,
describes the healing of a man who was blind from birth
and the rest of the chapter explores the IMPLICATIONS of it.
Before Jesus restored the man's sight
he made a statement that is ultra-significant to me,
although I tend to forget it at times in my personal life.
Interesting
that the disciples had already narrowed it down to a choice,
either that:
The blindness was a result of the man's sin,
or
The blindness was a result of his parent's sin
but Jesus plainly says, Neither of those is true.
(Not that neither of them had ever sinned,
but that the blindness was not caused by it)
Recently I heard a preacher speaking about the victims of the tsunami,
as if "God was pouring out his wrath upon them for their inequities".
(if that is true, I hate to think what wrath is in store for us!)
But I don't believe that.
If I am interpreting these verses correctly,
then deformity and calamity and unfortunate accidents
are more a matter of OPPORTUNITY than RETRIBUTION.
Yes, there are stories in the Old Testament
about God pouring out his wrath in one way or another,
sometimes wiping out entire communities.
But it is my personal belief
that when Jesus said "It is finished"
he meant that the preparation was complete,
and that from that point on
the world would unwind however it unwinds,
and that all people,
even deformed or crippled or retarded or born into poverty
or victims of greed and hate;
ALL would have the same access,
and the same chance to "make it".
It isn't the EVENTS that happen,
or the physical CIRCUMSTANCES,
its how we RESPOND to them that matters in the long run.
So how did everyone react to this miracle?
hmmm...
In verse 5 Jesus claimed to be the light of the world,
but his presence is causing division.
(even in those who were thought to be closest to God!)
The Pharisees questioned the the man who was blind,
and he replied:
They cast him out?
After questioning him and his parents (and from the crowd)
it was obvious and undeniable that a miracle occured,
yet they cast him out?
What did HE do wrong?
From what I find in the commentaries,
being cast out was NOT a cool thing back then.
(you can't even approach your own wife!)
So is this the first time in the New Testament
where someone was persecuted for his belief?
I think so...
This second encounter surely had a more profound effect
on the man's future than the one which he is known for.
Praise God that this second encounter is available to all of us.
.
describes the healing of a man who was blind from birth
and the rest of the chapter explores the IMPLICATIONS of it.
Before Jesus restored the man's sight
he made a statement that is ultra-significant to me,
although I tend to forget it at times in my personal life.
Joh 9:2
And His disciples asked Him, saying, Master,
who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?
Joh 9:3
Jesus answered,
Neither has this man nor his parents sinned,
but that the works of God
might be revealed in him.
Interesting
that the disciples had already narrowed it down to a choice,
either that:
The blindness was a result of the man's sin,
or
The blindness was a result of his parent's sin
but Jesus plainly says, Neither of those is true.
(Not that neither of them had ever sinned,
but that the blindness was not caused by it)
Recently I heard a preacher speaking about the victims of the tsunami,
as if "God was pouring out his wrath upon them for their inequities".
(if that is true, I hate to think what wrath is in store for us!)
But I don't believe that.
If I am interpreting these verses correctly,
then deformity and calamity and unfortunate accidents
are more a matter of OPPORTUNITY than RETRIBUTION.
Yes, there are stories in the Old Testament
about God pouring out his wrath in one way or another,
sometimes wiping out entire communities.
But it is my personal belief
that when Jesus said "It is finished"
he meant that the preparation was complete,
and that from that point on
the world would unwind however it unwinds,
and that all people,
even deformed or crippled or retarded or born into poverty
or victims of greed and hate;
ALL would have the same access,
and the same chance to "make it".
It isn't the EVENTS that happen,
or the physical CIRCUMSTANCES,
its how we RESPOND to them that matters in the long run.
So how did everyone react to this miracle?
hmmm...
Joh 9:16
Therefore some of the Pharisees said,
This man is not from God,
because he does not keep the sabbath.
Others said,
How can a man, a sinner, do such miracles?
And there was a division among them.
In verse 5 Jesus claimed to be the light of the world,
but his presence is causing division.
(even in those who were thought to be closest to God!)
The Pharisees questioned the the man who was blind,
and he replied:
Joh 9:31
But we know that God does not hear sinners,
but if anyone is God-fearing and does His will,
He hears him.
Joh 9:32
From everlasting it was not heard
that anyone opened the eyes
of one who was born blind.
Joh 9:33
If this One were not of God, He could do nothing.
Joh 9:34
They answered and said to him,
You were altogether born in sins,
and do you teach us?
And they cast him out.
They cast him out?
After questioning him and his parents (and from the crowd)
it was obvious and undeniable that a miracle occured,
yet they cast him out?
What did HE do wrong?
From what I find in the commentaries,
being cast out was NOT a cool thing back then.
(you can't even approach your own wife!)
Among the Jews there were two grades of excommunication; the one for lighter offences, of which they mentioned 24 causes; the other for greater offences. The first excluded a man for 30 days from the privilege of entering a synagogue, and from coming nearer to his wife or friends than 4 cubits. The other was a solemn exclusion forever from the worship of the synagogue, attended with awful maledictions and curses, and an exclusion from all contact with the people. This was called the curse, and so thoroughly excluded the person from all communion whatever with his countrymen, that they were not allowed to sell to him anything, even the necessaries of life (Buxtorf). It is probable that this latter punishment was what they intended to inflict if anyone should confess that Jesus was the Messiah
So is this the first time in the New Testament
where someone was persecuted for his belief?
I think so...
Joh 9:35
Jesus heard that they had cast him out;
and finding him, He said to him,
Do you believe on the Son of God?
Joh 9:36
And he answered and said,
Who is He, Lord, that I might believe on Him?
Joh 9:37
And Jesus said to him,
You have both seen Him,
and it is He who is speaking with you.
Joh 9:38
And he said, Lord, I believe.
And he worshiped Him.
Joh 9:39
And Jesus said,
I have come into this world for judgment,
that they who do not see might see,
and that they who see might be made blind.
This second encounter surely had a more profound effect
on the man's future than the one which he is known for.
Praise God that this second encounter is available to all of us.
.