JOHN 9

In considering the various restorations of eyesight to the blind found in the NT, there is a consistency in these reports in that they all point to the symbolic correlation between physical sight and spiritual understanding. The story I especially like is that found in John 9 involving a man born blind. Does anyone besides me see the similarity between the mode of treatment here and another example of a brand new creation in the Bible? The creation of Adam in Genesis 2. In both miracles, something brand new is created by combination of something material (dirt in both cases) with something coming from the very mouth of the Divine (God's breath and Jesus' saliva).

The healing of the man born blind can be seen as a small play consisting of seven scenes with a different combination of players in each. Within this chapter, the phrase “eyes opened” appears exactly seven times. Both of these are consistent with John's predilection for this symbolic number.

    1. Jesus and the blind man (John 9:1-7)

    2. blind man and his neighbors (John 9:8-12)

    3. blind man and the Pharisees (John 9:13-17)

    4. Pharisees and man’s parents (John 9:18-23)

    5. blind man and the Pharisees (John 9:24-34)

    6. blind man and Jesus (John 9:35-38)

    7. Jesus and the Pharisees (John 9:39-41)

Note that the blind man's spiritual eyes are also progressively opened as the story proceeds. This can be seen in the way the man refers to Jesus:

    Verse 11: “the man called Jesus”

    Verse 17: “He is a prophet.”

    Verse 33: “If this man were not from God, he could do nothing.”

    Verse 38: “Lord, I believe” and he worshiped him

There are, unfortunately, two sad lessons to this narrative also. As the story proceeds, the Pharisees become more and more blinded to the truth and more oppositional. They refuse to recognize the truth when it is plain as day since to do so would jeopardize their status in the community. This is very close to committing the unforgivable sin.  Also, the blind man's parents refuse to support their own son because they are afraid of being ostracized by these same men in power.

You might see some parallels here with the current political events in our country, but I will wisely refrain from pointing them out.