In John 9, as Jesus and the disciples encounter a man blind from birth, the disciples assume that someone has sinned to cause the condition. Jesus, however, dismisses that, and sees the man’s blindness as an opportunity for God’s work to be revealed.
Once again, more important to John than the miracle itself is its significance. Like the healing of the paralytic at the pool, this sign also occurs on the Sabbath. As the inquisition unfolds, the blind man will believe into Jesus over the course of the narrative. Fourteen questions are asked in the story, the most important of which is asked by Jesus in verse 35: “do you believe in the Son of Man?” “Lord,” answers the man in verse 36, “I believe.”
John’s narrative reveals that, more significant than experiencing the physical light that comes with eyesight is the spiritual insight of seeing the divinity of Jesus. Ultimately, the light shines powerfully through the man’s testimony about the light of the world.
