If you could choose, had you rather be blind or be deaf? Had you rather miss seeing the gorgeous changing colors of the autumn trees or had you rather miss the playful laughter of grandchildren running back and forth in the yard?
Of course, most of us would clearly prefer not to have to make that choice! The prophet Isaiah looked ahead to the coming of the Messiah and saw a time of sight being given to the blind, hearing being given to the deaf, voice being given to the speechless, and leaping being done by the lame. (Isaiah 35:5-6)
So, when Jesus moves in his ministry of healing, his followers—the disciples—want to make sure they understand what is going on, so they ask him, “Was sin the cause of this blindness?” (John 9:2) A. M. Hunter notes: ”The disciples assume a necessary connexion between sin and suffering, as did many Jews, despite the passionate protest of Job.”
Our Lord moves the discussion to another level and says this blindness is now an occasion for showing how God works with healing power (John 9:3). Then, almost as if in an effort to draw attention away from Himself, Jesus sends the man on a rather complicated multiple step process (v. 11). When the man gains his sight, he does not even know where Jesus is (v. 12).
Physical blindness is only one of many ways in which we can be blind. Emotional blindness (“I don’t care what she is feeling.”) Spiritual blindness. (“I don’t know anyone who can save me.”) Social blindness. (“I have to look out for number one.”) Psychological blindness. (“I don’t have any real feeling.”) Communal blindness. (“I don’t know anyone who cares about me.”) Regional blindness. (“I don’t care about those other people.”) Financial blindness. (“It does not matter how I spend my money.”) Relational blindness. (“I like you only if you can make me feel good.”)
The focal text says that Jesus was just walking along when He encountered the blind man (v. 1). Our Lord is able to see us as we travel on life’s ordinary journeys. What blindness do I bring with me? If I am willing to let Jesus heal me, it will bring glory to God (v. 3).
What Someone Else Has Said: Christine Harman (For the Common Good, Discipleship Resources) has written: “This may indicate that our understanding of healing should take a variety of forms and that, therefore, we would expect to see a variety of results.”
Prayer: As you prepare this lesson, let your prayer begin: “Help me see, O Lord, by the Light of your presence...”
