Jesus, Light of the World - a sermon on John 9:1-41

Introduction

Here is the story of a man who was blind from birth receiving his sight through
Jesus. So on one level this was a beautiful glimpse into the compassionate, life-transforming nature of Jesus.

But there is more to this text than just a miracle. This text teaches us about the importance of spiritual sight, and that it is Jesus who brings light into where
there was previously only spiritual darkness.

Further, there is the encouragement to the first century followers of Jesus (for whom this Gospel was originally written). As these early ‘Christians’ tried to express their faith in Jesus, and participate in Christian groups in their homes alongside their worship in the synagogues, they were being excommunicated from the religion of the Jews, being persecuted for their faith in Jesus, and stringently told of their error in giving their first allegiance to Jesus. [Those who gave their highest allegiance to Jesus infuriated leaders of the Jewish religion.]

To be denied synagogue worship was to become a religious and cultural outcast … ostracised from mainstream society, where even family and friends would disassociate themselves, and people would not buy from or sell to them (nor employ them).

In this text we hear Jesus showing those opposing his followers to be in error and darkness; and those who were being oppressed were actually in the “light”. This gospel reassures these early Christians that they were making the right choice in following Jesus (even if it meant being ostracised or persecuted) because Jesus offered true light and his opponents were in the dark.

So as we consider this text we look at it through three levels of interpretation:
1. The story of a man who was blind from birth receiving his sight through a compassionate Jesus.
2. The importance of spiritual sight – it is Jesus who brings light into where there was previously only darkness.
3. The encouragement to the first century followers of Jesus, who as they tried to express their faith in Jesus were being persecuted. [This third level is also hugely relevant to us at any time we are criticised for our faith, or doubt that we have
aligned ourselves wisely.]

Text

You could imagine that Jesus was moved with compassion as soon as he saw this man who had been blind all his life. But when he heard the question that his disciples asked (in v.2), that compassion would have even gone up a further cog, through appreciating the stigma that this blind man was living under. The community around him believed the theory that for this man to be in such a state, either he or his parents must have sinned, bringing God’s wrath upon him in the form of blindness. This was the belief of the time – a very primitive, uninformed belief. Whereas it may be that the collective human sin that has so badly affected God’s creation is responsible overall for such medical problems as blindness, we would know that this situation can not necessarily be directly related to an individual’s sin. [A misunderstanding of Exodus 20:5-6, seems to be corrected in Ezekiel 18:19-20.] The cause of his blindness being his own sin was of course a ridiculous notion; as the man was born blind how could it have been his own sin – unless we believe in sin in the mother’s womb.

The people saw someone deserving of derision; the disciples saw an unsolved dilemma; Jesus saw a child of God in need.

Jesus, before giving this man his sight, took the opportunity to try to set some theology straight. God is not vindictive, rather wants to promote a relationship
with all people.

It would be dangerous to take from this text (v.3b) that this man had only been born blind so that one day when Jesus came across his path God’s power could be seen. Rather, better to understand that we are all born to come into a “believing” relationship with God, through which God will be glorified. And this man’s blindness, although regrettable from a human standpoint, was not going to limit God from working in this man’s spirit.

The question as to who was responsible for this blindness is actually the wrong question – this situation rather serves as an opportunity for the healing power of God to be demonstrated … through an exchange between this blind man and Jesus. These words of Jesus (v.3) were an attempt to allow people to grasp even more Jesus’ unique representation of God. As Jesus would bring light out of darkness for this
man in a physical sense, this was a demonstration of bringing light into darkness
in the spiritual realm as well.

Here is a man forced to beg at the temple gate (in Jerusalem) if he is to survive life, at the same time having to experience a degree of ridicule (because of certain viewpoints about the origin of his blindness). Both to express compassion to a man who was poor and oppressed, and to demonstrate light impacting darkness, Jesus gave eyesight to this man. What was missing in this man’s life from his point of birth … was now given to him by Jesus … as yet another demonstration that Jesus was the very “Word of God”. This was no trick, as Jesus used saliva, which was regarded as having healing qualities, to demonstrate that a remarkable change was to take place. The making of “mud” perhaps recalls a man being formed from the dust of the ground (in Genesis 2:7). Jesus very publicly supplied what had not been formed (for whatever unknown reason) in the womb, thus showing the ongoing creativity of God (available right through a person’s life).

The man himself would have to show trust in the power of Jesus to transform reality, by going off to “wash in the pool of Siloam” at the south end of the temple area. Although he hadn’t asked to be healed, this man seemed to understand that he had been remarkably touched by God. The man seemed to head off to “the pool” without hesitation. We don’t read about this, but this man would have needed help – still blind, with mud over his face; you could imagine him excitedly calling out for help … ‘get me to the pool of Siloam’!

It had been known for people who had been blinded through life to get their eyesight back, but never had anyone born blind gained their sight. No wonder the neighbours and acquaintances alike couldn’t believe what had happened! If this was true, then the one responsible had performed the impossible.

Some neighbours (probably those who had guided the blind man to “the pool”) then took the now sighted man to the Pharisees (v.13ff). They were their leaders and should be able to explain this astonishing outcome. The Pharisees (those conservative self-seeking religious officials) however had a problem. The remarkable – impossible had happened, and it was being said that this Jesus was responsible; they wouldn’t want this Jesus who was already upsetting the ‘applecart’ to gain any positive notoriety out of this. So, they would seek to discredit Jesus because he had administered this healing on the Sabbath – for making “mud” was considered the sort of work forbidden on the Sabbath, and only life-threatening conditions should have been attended to on this day.

Given the opportunity, Jesus may have taught (like he did in Mark 2:27) that “the Sabbath was made for humankind, and not humankind for the Sabbath” – meaning that the whole point of the Sabbath was to allow people to rest and reflect and worship God, not to be unnecessarily constrained. Jesus would have argued that there was no good reason why this man should suffer for even one more day.

There was division among the Pharisees, as some realised that any real Sabbath-breaking sinner could not have performed such a sign of God’s presence. When the newly sighted man was asked what he thought, he courageously identified Jesus as “a prophet” – showing that he was on the path to real faith. [Perhaps this man knew the story of God’s prophet Elisha cleansing Naaman from leprosy through washing in the Jordan River (2 Kings 5).] This man’s brave statement showed that he had already surpassed the Pharisees in understanding God’s ways!

Then we see those Jewish leaders who were persisting in their unbelief [they were determined sceptics even in the face of clear evidence], intimidating the man’s parents … trying to find a fault in the formerly blind man’s story (v.18ff). They continued to harass the now sighted man, wanting him to retract his evidence. This man didn’t have all the theological answers, but knew one thing for sure – since birth he was blind – since meeting Jesus he could see! [A.M. Hunter wrote that: “Intellectual problems about Christ’s person do not need to be solved before people can receive his benefits”.] The light had been turned on for this man, and he understood this as the work of God. At the same time the Pharisees were seen to be left in the dark.

The Pharisees “drove [this man] out” (v.34b) – seeking to exclude him and silence him, so that no-one would again hear his testimony. However the first recipients of this gospel heard his testimony, and how he was able to easily point out the contradictions of those arguments set against Jesus. We too hear this man’s
testimony, which encourages us and confirms our faith against those who would degrade the name of Jesus.

And when Jesus heard that this newly sighted man had been ‘driven out’ of mainstream life, he went looking for him (v.35) to encourage him and take him forward in his faith. This would actually be the first time this man would see Jesus – the last time he was with Jesus, he had to leave for “the pool of Siloam” with mud all over his eyes. Jesus would want to embrace this one who was moving from darkness to light … in two ways (physically and spiritually) and give him even more insight and light to go on with.

In the same way, Jesus would ‘come’ to those in the early church being persecuted, and also to all those (of all generations) who were sincerely seeking to follow him
and finding it tough. Jesus will always ‘be there’ when needed!

This new encounter with Jesus, allowed this man to express his new found faith and whole-of-life commitment as he said “Lord, I believe”. This man can now wholeheartedly worship Jesus and grow in the light.

It is light that enables a seedling to grow from a tiny green spike, pushing its way up through the damp mould of the forest floor, to become a majestic tree that combs the clouds with its up-stretched limbs. This light of Jesus will draw us out of ourselves into the rich potential embedded in our creation.

And, as verses 39-41 point out, Jesus is the point of decision between living in light and living in darkness. Those open to the grace and ways of God through Jesus are brought into the light and enter “eternal life”. On the other hand, those who are content with their own way of seeing and doing, condemn themselves to remaining
in darkness.

Even those who are involved in what we might call “religious activity” (like the Pharisees were) can be so wrapped up in their way of doing things, that they actually miss the “light”. In excluding so many from their presence, some such Pharisees actually excluded themselves from the presence and blessing of God. If only they were prepared to admit their blindness, then Jesus would be free to open their eyes.

“Open our eyes Lord – we want to see Jesus;
to reach out and touch him, and say that we love him.

Open my eyes Lord – I want to see Jesus;
to reach out and touch him, and say that I love him.”

Verse 38 > “[The newly sighted man] said, ‘Lord, I believe.’ And he worshipped him”.

Jesus – “you’re altogether lovely, altogether worthy, altogether wonderful to me”.

Amen!