Sermons for the Month

Jesus Clears Our Vision
DATE: March 6th, 2005
SERVICE: Fourth Sunday In Lent
TEXT: John 9:1-41
“To all of you Saints here this morning, grace and peace to you from God our Father, from His Son, Jesus Christ and His Holy Spirit. AMEN

We just experienced another LONG Gospel lesson … it's the third in a series of four stories from the Gospel of John that are narrowing our focus on the words and actions of Jesus. It's all leading up to that significant week we call Holy that begins this year on March 20. For today, though, I'm wondering how well you kept track of all the interesting details in today's account.

For example, did you wonder what happened to Jesus after the man who was born blind was healed? Where was Jesus when this poor guy - who must have been surprised and overwhelmed by the healing since he did not ask Jesus to help him and perhaps had never even heard of Jesus - was being interrogated about what had happened?

In the midst of the debate that is detailed in today's Gospel reading, which you'll note is not so much about the formerly blind man as it is about Jesus, where is Jesus? The healed man has to defend Jesus who is, evidently, no where in sight.

As one commentator noted, his healing leads to turmoil rather than joy. While he is trying his best to answer questions, it is obvious that his knowledge of Jesus is far from perfect. Yet, there is no sudden flash of revelation and insight from heaven to help him.(1) Where is Jesus?

It has been pointed out that the first Christians who heard, and then read this account, probably caught this detail while we overlook it. After all, some 70 years after Jesus ascended into heaven (which is approximately when the Gospel of John was written) his promises to return soon have not yet been fulfilled.

So, there they were defending Jesus, suffering persecution for their faith, and Jesus was not physically present among them. Like the man born blind they must hold their own in the face of grilling and attacks, and Jesus is out of sight. (2)

How can he, indeed how can they, believe - let alone defend - the one they cannot see? How can they remain faithful?

Well, it is clear how the first century followers of Jesus could see their situation in the story of the man born blind, but what about us? Does this, "How do we remain faithful when Jesus is not in sight?", question apply to us?

I guess that depends on how we see ourselves. If we 21st century Christians are committed to Jesus Christ, if making disciples is important to us, if serving in the world is our goal, if we are eager for others to know God and if we are willing to make sacrifices - as individuals and as a congregation - for the sake of the Gospel then there will be times when we are called upon to defend Jesus, to proclaim our faith in him and to readjust our priorities. Then, we may indeed struggle to remain faithful when Jesus is not in sight.

However, if we view being part of the Christian community as something that's probably a good idea, as long as not too much is expected of us, if making disciples seems to be an antiquated concept in this pluralistic world, if our focus is on our own needs being met by the congregation, if we view religion as a private matter and if we value what's comfortable and convenient, then we may never be challenged because of our faith. In that case remaining faithful - if that's what it's called - is not a struggle. In fact it's easy. But, it also leads to stagnation or even death of the faith community because there is little or no spiritual growth.

In his book Waking To God's Dream Dick Wills writes about the need for church members to experience deep spiritual growth. He tells a story about a young family that went to the zoo. The smallest boy loved play grounds, especially swings. As soon as they arrived he made a dash for the swings that were located just outside the zoo entrance. Before long, though, the other children were ready to do into the zoo. Frustrated, they began to express their displeasure at their brother. Strangers stopped to watch the drama unfold. Then, the Dad remembered there was a carousel around the corner. He knew his son also loved carousels, so he told the boy about it. However, the child was not persuaded, and he was drug kicking and crying from the swing. But, once at the carousel, he was happy again. (3)

The point of the story - other than that the parents need parenting classes - is that many people are like that little boy who refuses to leave the swing and are only mollified by the next thing that makes them happy. It's an illustration of immaturity, of being unable to look beyond oneself. We expect that of children, but not of adults.

As painful as it is to admit it, this illustration applies to spiritual immaturity which keeps Christians from making a difference in the world. Only spiritually mature people can live out the reality that the church is the only organization on the planet that exists entirely for the sake of people who do not belong to it. And, when we strive to live for the sake of others we will face times when - like the man born blind - we must defend our Lord and our commitment to him.

It's interesting, though, to note what happened to the man born blind as he faced challenges from his neighbors and the Pharisees. This detail is one of the reasons it is best to read the entire story at one sitting. His faith and insight grow as he faces the challengers and honestly shares his experience with Jesus.

First, when his neighbors confront him, debating if he is even the beggar they have known for years, and questioning how his eyes were opened, he refers to Jesus as "the man". Then, when the Pharisees show up and he explains the mud and the washing and the fact that he now sees, the healed man calls Jesus "a prophet". After his parents sidestep the question of how their once blind son now see, the seeing man becomes more bold, nearly chastising the Pharisees in his proclamation that Jesus is "from God". They throw him out.

Now he is, no doubt, at a most vulnerable point. Should he continue to defend Jesus? You'll note that Jesus does not abandon him, but comes to him. Then, the man's eyes are fully opened as he confesses Jesus as Lord.

In other words, he does not end where he starts. As he continues to tell his story and to focus on Jesus and on what Jesus did, his witness grows stronger. And, Jesus comes when he is most needed, to confirm the healed man's faith.

As we step out in faith our witness will grow stronger. Spiritual maturity does not happen all at once, it's a process. But as we intentionally strive to grow in faith and commitment, our focus will shift more and more beyond ourselves - beyond the swing and the carousel.

It's true that we may then find ourselves faced with people who do not understand - as was true of the blind man - and wondering how we can remain faithful in the midst of such challenges. Where is Jesus, we ask?

The answer is clear; he is with us, opening our eyes, giving us a clear vision of how he is at work in us … to make a difference in the world.

The Christian Resource Institute, Commentary on the Texts, Fourth Sunday in Lent, Jirair Tashjian, www.cresourcei.org

Same as above

Waking to God's Dream, Dick Willis, Abingdon Press, pgs 78-80.

AMEN