Lessons from the Man Born Blind
But he himself insisted, “I am the man.” (John 9:9 revised)
Short Bunny Track:
I read the Bible. Contrary to what some may think because of my apparently hedonistic views on some things, I do in fact have a Bible. Three, actually. One of which is in my handbag at all times. When I am waiting for an appointment, I read the Bible. When I get to church early, I read the Bible. When I wake up in the morning before the kids, I read the Bible. I usually have a schedule of reading it from start to finish at least once a year, re-reading Psalms, Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, Song of Solomon and Revelations several times more because I just really like them. (Psychoanalyze at will.) Lately, though, I’ve found myself mired in the New Testament.
I tell you all of that totally unnecessary information to explain why, when my son woke up at 4:30 this morning and I couldn’t go back to sleep, I ended up reading the books of John and Acts. Have you ever had the experience of reading something so familiar, and at the same time it seeming like wholly new text? This is a rare occurrence for me, but this morning that was the case. Perhaps it was my sleep addled mind further addled by an onion bagel and Pepsi, perhaps it was the sound of the birds and train at five AM, perhaps it was the way the light looks in early morning when there’s bound to be a storm before noon. Whatever it was, I was feeling unusually contemplative.
My mind got stuck on the man born blind. I’ve read that passage many times, too many times to count. My brother preached from it once many years back. I could remember his haughty and over-acted tone as he read the words, “he himself insisted, ‘I AM THE MAN.‘” I could remember the laughter of the congregation. But something in me this time said, “that’s not funny.”
Let me re-tell you the story this morning. (John 9 for those curious.)
Just coming off of an argument with the Pharisees in which Jesus said that the Father would be glorified through Jesus, Jesus and the disciples encounter a man born blind. His disciples, ever curious, ask why the man was born blind. See, the Jews believed that earthly misfortune, such as illness, was brought on by sin. So they were curious- if a man was born blind, whose sin was that meant to punish? Sins the man would commit, or sins his parents had?
Jesus, ever cryptic, responded that it was to show God’s glory. So Jesus put mud on the mans eyes and told him to wash himself. The man went and washed himself, and found that he could see. Some might say that it was in that moment that God’s glory was seen. But wait, there’s more! When the man came back to town I’d wager that he carried himself differently. That he was different. So when the people saw him they questioned- is this the man born blind? And the man insisted that he was. So the Pharisees got involved. The Pharisees were sure that it must be the Devil’s work, as Jesus offered healing on the sabbath (something they had decided was sinful) and the man went and bathed publicly on the sabbath (something against the rabbinical laws of the time). Of course this causes a great deal of confusion. The man born blind insists that it was through God that he was healed.
So the Pharisees say “you were mired in sin from birth!” and kick him out of the temple.
I suppose that was something that poor man heard a lot. I’m sure he was constantly reminded that he was living out the punishment for sins past and present. I’m sure that it would have been impossible for him to better his station in life, as he couldn’t work and other people wouldn’t want to bring an “unclean” man into their homes. After his parents had died I’m sure that he lived a destitute life, saved only by the fact that the Jewish people were ordered to care for the poor.
“Mired in sin from birth.”
And what did Jesus do? He did much more than heal a man’s sight. He gave him a second chance, a new life, freedom from the curses that were constantly spoke over him. He washed that man of the taint of sin and perception. He raised him above the standard to which he had always been held. Jesus radically changed the way that people had to look at that man and his life. No longer was he under the curse of sin and death and the judgment of the law- here he was, a freed man. A seeing man. And proudly would he proclaim that he himself was that man! All of the shame he had carried, gone in an instant, washed away with the mud that covered his face. What a beautiful picture to hold in one’s mind, that mud dripping away, the man looking up. Realizing.
But that moment was not the full extent of God’s glory. God’s glory was in the townspeople and the Pharisees, gumming away at the problem, wondering. If the judgment was gone, what did it mean? Had the proper sacrifices been made? Had reparations been meted out? Had the sacrifice been accepted and blessed?
Jesus had asked not for sacrifice, but for obedience.
Can’t you just see the glory? Feel it tingle down to your fingertips? Taste it on the tip of your tongues? There are moments where I think, “why was I saved? What good am I?”
I tell myself, “you are mired in sin.”
But hear for a moment the pride in that man’s voice as he said, “I AM THE MAN!” We are saved! God is glorified through Jesus.
It’s almost too much to hold in one’s mind.
M54 replied:
Lindsey, I want only to address your second paragraph. And please feel free to remove my comment after you have read it. For I think I know where it is going but am not completely certain. I’m just going to try to “listen” and post.
You, Lindsey, are not the typical 20 something year old Christian wife and mother (news flash there). From the limited amount of time that I’ve followed your blog I believe that I have discerned enough information about you to have developed a pretty good picture of where you are today and the journey you took to get here.
In the past I have posted about the difficulty in using the internet as a means of communication. It is very “steril” in that one can not hear voice inflection, see body language and facial expressions, etc.
You wrote about how much you read your Bible(s) now. Why? Not why did you write about it, but why do you read them now? You are well versed in Holy Scripture. The Word does indeed appear to be “hidden in your heart”. Why would you read something over and over and over again?
Lindsey do you find it the least bit “unusual” that you (almost) regularly write about some form of legalism? Yet you read, read, read your Bible.
Is it any wonder that the Holy Spirit has difficulty “reaching” you (with new revelation) as you read the Word(s)? You have become so familiure, I dare to say you most likely know what the next word will be in any given passage.
I do not believe there are any coincidences… at all. None. I believe that ALL THINGS are ordered. I believe that ALL THINGS begin in the spirit realm and work their way down to us.
You know the story in Daniel 10 where the angel Michael was delayed 21 days by the prince of Persia after first hearing Daniels prayer. That is exactly what I mean by it all begins in the spirit realm.
So now look at your son getting you up at 4:30 this morning and (duh) you couldn’t go back to sleep. Next step… look at Jesus’ quite time. When was it that He (Himself) most often received revelation knowledge from the Father. You know what it says in Holy Scripture…”early in the morning He went out” (paraphrase).
When we read our Bibles we need to expect (even ask) the Holy Spirit to bring revelation knowledge to us.
I send this in love and I hope it is received in the same manner.
I am,
Running the Race
M54
June 20, 2008 at 4:44 pm. Permalink.
Lindsey replied:
M54: I’ve no desire to delete your comment! It didn’t come across as the least bit confrontational. You make a very good point. The disciples were all very well schooled in the books of law. Jesus himself often quoted the prophets (Isaiah especially) but I doubt they had the “daily scriptures” the way Christians today do, as scripture would not have been so readily available. There’s this tightrope between staying rooted in what we can verify about God (through the scripture) and discovering God’s voice in the way of times past, through prayer and meditation and observation of the world around us.
I suppose at times I get lazy and use the Bible as a crutch, and forget other aspects of my spiritual life. Your comment is a timely reminder, and thank you for that!
June 20, 2008 at 5:11 pm. Permalink.
Amber replied:
M54 I sigh at your comment. Do please read this post as we wrote it with you in mind!:
http://sanityfound.wordpress.com/2008/06/20/blogging-hijackers-you-know-who-you-are/
Lindsey such an interesting post. One I have long thought. The miracle of Jesus is that he made the BLIND See! It doesn’t have to be any more esoteric than that! That is enough. To open our hearts and minds to God is a sight that is more precious than that of visual sight. The fact he was the healer of millions upon millions… NOW THAT is a MIRACLE.
Great great post.
June 20, 2008 at 5:21 pm. Permalink.
SanityFound replied:
Concur with what Amber said a million percent! A simple message with a far greater meaning. Almost ironic in a sense as to what else is being said. Fab post as always so eloquently put and with an amazing message. Thanks you!
June 20, 2008 at 5:25 pm. Permalink.
Amber replied:
And while we are on the subject – isn’t it way more impressive to give someone the use of their soul and personal relationship to God, and to “Walk” in the light rather than to give them back their legs??? Many people have the use of their legs… and have no relationship to themselves or God. Modern science gives back legs… are doctors now GOD? Jesus gave us all the tools to go beyond ourselves… to see the truth. He cured the sick…..made the lame walk, and made the blind see..
Remember about the lepers? How about making people who chose to be social lepers, who did wrong to live the right way?????? Isn’t that a Miracle?
June 20, 2008 at 5:29 pm. Permalink.
Hayden Tompkins replied:
“Why would you read something over and over and over again?”
Because I LOVE IT. My books are my friends; we are well acquainted. One book I love, “Ender’s Game” is something that, every time I read it, I would ‘see’ something new or in a new light.
Those are my favorite book based experiences!
When you get to something like to Bible, packed with a ton of information, different layers of truths, I can understand coming back to it again and again.
June 20, 2008 at 5:46 pm. Permalink.
M54 replied:
Lindsey, as usual thank you for your kind response.
For those of you who tried to read between the lines and thought my motive was less than pure or of a redirecting nature… I do the best I am able to be obediant to the “promptings” I receive.
I read somewhere that people usually get what they expect. If you expect someone or something to be a certain way you most certainly won’t be disappointed in what you find.
Finally, I did comment (partially) on the originally post.
If you feel that I was unresponsive because I did not respond on the entire post…. lower your expectations of me and next time you will not be disappointed.
June 20, 2008 at 7:31 pm. Permalink.
Lindsey replied:
@ M54: “lower your expectations of me and next time you will not be disappointed”- Oh, that made me laugh SO hard! The truth is that my correspondence with you became very easy when I decided to accept you as you offered yourself. You are careful to tell me that if I perceive your words as offensive I can disregard them, and in that vein I feel that I can accept it when you say “I mean this kindly.” I feel you do. Other commenters make no apologies or exceptions, and those commenters can be really hard to stomach.
Sanity & Amber: Thank you girls so much! It is AMAZING the depth of meaning one can find when one chooses to look at the miracles of Jesus as both literal and allegorical. Sparing people judgment, empowering the weak, re-socializing the lepers, raising the dead… we could use some of that good mojo right here and now!
Hayden: Oh, absolutely. I read my favorite books and watch my favorite movies regularly. Ender’s Game is a good example- I’ve probably read it upwards of ten times and it never bores me. The Stand is another book I’ve read countless times, as is Narcissus and Goldmund. Never boring!
June 20, 2008 at 8:38 pm. Permalink.
e2tc replied:
When we read our Bibles we need to expect (even ask) the Holy Spirit to bring revelation knowledge to us.
Yes – so true, M54!
June 21, 2008 at 4:08 am. Permalink.
e2tc replied:
As an aside, I’m another one who has favorite books that have been read many times over.
But some books are best read only once, I think. (And I’m talking about good books here!) Because they’re concentrated; intense, like a strong color. (I can only handle so much at one time.)
June 21, 2008 at 4:10 am. Permalink.
The Weekly Fruit Salad 03 « SanityFound’s Rambling’s replied:
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June 22, 2008 at 7:52 pm. Permalink.