Devotion - Monday, February 17

In John 9 there is a different kind of healing story.  The writer informs us that this is different, from the very first verse.  He tells us that Jesus "saw a man blind from his birth."

Sight will be given this man.  That is the miracle.  What is important to note is that sight is given; not merely restored.

This story goes on for many verses.  The story is so long that it will occupy my lectionary for two days.  Be prepared, I may have more to say about it tomorrow.  The significance of this story is reflected in its length.

If this man had had sight, at some point in the past, then Jesus would have merely fixed something that was broken.  This is what healers did.  (And remember there were many such "healers" in Jesus' day.)  But Jesus makes it possible for one who has never had sight to see.  This is less of an act of repair and more of an act of creation.

Another sub-plot is that all of this occurs on the Sabbath.  Sometimes that is the part of the plot that occupies our discussion.  Is the significance of this story Jesus' words about appropriate use of the Sabbath?  Or is it occurrence on the Sabbath a way of connecting Jesus' creative act with THE creation event - and thus with the Creator?

Jesus is more than an adjustment along the way.  Jesus does more than remind us of who God is and what God says.  Jesus is the very presence of God in our midst and in our lives.  Jesus is God's self-expression, on a level where we can build a solid relationship with him.