Ironically, when the man born blind wasn’t blind anymore (since Jesus healed him), his community could not recognize him (John 9:1-41 for the whole story). His being blind is what defined him in their eyes. Their unwillingness to believe made it impossible for them to truly “see” the man who had been healed, even though he was standing right there in front of them and repeatedly telling them what had happened to him.
As he faced escalating levels of resistance, the man’s testimony about Jesus and his work grew clearer. His story demonstrates how one’s loyalty can be sharpened through the experience of facing opposition. The more he was questioned, the more he identified with his healer and defended him. The man stood in front of Jesus with a spirit of openness to Jesus’ work and the work of God. He modeled the stance of faithful discipleship.
This message is excerpted from the Bible study “Gospel of John: Meetings with Jesus” by Julie A. Kanaar in the March 2019 Gather magazine. Today is the Fourth Sunday in Lent. Today we commemorate Joseph, guardian of Jesus.
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