Blindness, Investigations and The Son of Man

Gospel of John Chapter 9

Chapter nine is almost exclusively the story of Jesus healing the man who was born blind.  He covered his eyes with mud and told him to wash in the pool of Siloam. Upon doing so the man could see.

The story starts out with the disciples asking Jesus who had sinned this man or his parents since he was born blind. Jesus tells them that it was neither but that it happened so the works of God might be displayed.  This strikes me because I think even today people view misfortune, troubles, and illness as being the result of sin. It's not but in reading the verses again I wonder does it even in today's world allow for God's work. In some ways it certainly does even though God doesn't make bad things happen.

 

The Pharisees investigate, question the man and his parents, and try to cast doubt on who Jesus is. The man says "If this man was not from God he could do nothing." But the Pharisees certainly do not want to hear this and they throw him out.

 

Jesus then finds him and asks: "Do you believe in the Son of Man?"  He worshiped him saying "Lord, I believe."

 

I think I find most interesting what Jesus says to the Pharisees: "If you were blind you would not be guilty of sin; but now that you claim you can see, your guilt remains."  In other words, had you not declared your own power to know the difference between good and evil, right and wrong you would be "innocent". Yet in declaring that "you see" or that you know the difference you are now accountable for your actions.

 

Sometimes I pray for God to open my eyes so that I might see and understand the path I am intended to walk. There are so many questions that pop up in today's world and things that might have once been a simple black or white now have so many shades that it's hard to tell where one starts and another leaves off.

 

Yet "seeing" can be difficult at times too especially when there is often so little that can be "done."

 

Hugs to all of you and a special hope that you ":see" with new eyes as God leads you on this special journey called life.