John 9 notes

 Br Rd 19th Sept 2004 PM 

Man born blind   Fifth Sign

The Fifth Sign of John's Gospel

 Narrative:

Part one     1-12           I AM THE MAN (1)

Part Two     13 - 34      WHY DO YOU WANT TO KNOW? (2)

Part Three   35 - 41      WHO IS HE THAT I MAY (3)BELIEVE?

[The reading lends itself to group and voice reading in three parts]

John is deeply concerned that we should understand the significance of SIGHT in this story.  It means more than the healing of blindness - and has a bearing upon those who listen at the "edges" of the story (40,41)

"Clearly this story is about more than giving sight to a blind man. It is also about his odyssey of faith.

The healed man begins by seeing Jesus as just a man (v. 11). (1)

He progresses until he sees Jesus as a prophet (v. 17). (2)

Finally he sees Jesus as the Son of Man, the one who must be believed and worshiped (v. 38). Physical sight without spiritual sight (faith) is still inadequate.[1] (3)"

[2]Bryant, B. H., & Krause, M. S. (1998). John. The College Press NIV commentary (Jn 9:35). Joplin, Mo.: College Press Pub. Co.

It may seem to us that this response is easy and natural, yet we should not be so quick with this conclusion. The man has received much from Jesus (his sight), yet he has lost much because of Jesus (his synagogue membership, which he would have finally been able to exercise as a whole man). His response is simple and beautiful, “Lord, I believe.” This is the uncoerced confession of faith that Jesus seeks, and the type of confession that John seeks from his readers (cf. 20:31).[3]

[4]Bryant, B. H., & Krause, M. S. (1998). John. The College Press NIV commentary (Jn 9:35). Joplin, Mo.: College Press Pub. Co.

----