The John 9 Narrative

I realised something about the whole of John 9 as we brought the discussing and digging into John 9 to a close today. When the man born blind was healed, he had initially no inkling who Jesus was. When Jesus healed him, there he began on his faith journey. Mud made with saliva was put on his eyes. He was told to wash in the Pool of Siloam. He went, I imagine very slowly and obviously blindly trudging along, being careful of the mud on his eyes. He washed and he saw! For a mature man who has not seen anything before in his life who suddenly sees, it must really be an extraordinary experience. He went home in excitement and joy to show his good fortune.

Let's see how his journey went.

First, the neighbours were contemplating if it was him. He said, "Yes, I am the man." Then he recounted to them what happened when "the man they call Jesus" came to him.

Then, he was brought to the Pharisees. He began by recounting again his experience with Jesus but when asked what he has to say about him, and he made one step forward. He replied, "He is a prophet."

Next, the Pharisees called his parents, who were afraid of them. His parents would not bear witness for the son. They were afraid. I see that this is significant because the man's testimony is his own. No one else can bear witness for Jesus except himself, not even his parents. In the same way, our testimonies are our own. We are the ones who must make it and firmly proclaim it to the world. Don't expect others to do it for you.

Then, it was back to the Pharisees. Now his statement became more elaborated, firm and concrete when he said in retort to the Pharisees, "Whether he is a sinner or not, I don't know. One thing I do know. I was blind but now I see!" and "Now that is remarkable! You don't know where he comes from, yet he opened my eyes. We know that God does not listen to sinners. He listens to the godly man who does his will. Nobody has ever heard of opening the eyes of a man born blind. If this man were not from God, he could do nothing."

Finally, Jesus came to him and asked him, "Do you believe in the Son of Man?" "Who is he, sir?" the man asked. "Tell me so that I may believe in him." Jesus said, "You have now seen him; in fact, he is the one speaking with you." Then the man said, "Lord, I believe," and he worshiped him.

Imagine, if he had not gone through the neighbours-Pharisees-parents-Pharisees ordeal and if Jesus had ask him immediately after healing him, what would he have said?

In the same way, if we had not been through our very own ordeals and trials, what would we have said of Christ? What testimony would we bear for him?

pearlie