- The Explore the Bible lesson for Feb. 12 focuses on John 9:24-38.
John 9 details how Jesus heals a man blind from birth during the Sabbath. Unsurprising to John’s readers, once the man was brought to the Pharisees, the group springs into action to explore the circumstances of the healing. The investigation consisted of the following stages: (1) Questioning the man on the method used by Jesus (John 9:15), (2) Internal disagreement on Jesus’ motives and ability (John 9:16), and (3) Interrogation of the man’s parents (John 9:18-23).
The Pharisees return to the man a second time. This second exchange with the healed man provides John’s readers further confirmation concerning Jesus’ identity and mission.
‘One thing I know’ (John 9:24-28)
John employs the rhetorical device of repetition with the use of “know” in this second examination of the man’s healing. The Pharisees declare about Jesus that they “know this man is a sinner.” The healed man retorts with the words in verse 25, “Whether he is a sinner or not, I don’t know. One thing I do know. I was blind, but now I see.”
Twice the healed man makes a declaration about what he does and does not “know.” His initial use of the term is in response to the Pharisees’ claim of certainty that Jesus was a sinner. Here the healed man declares he has no knowledge of that assertion. He very well might be a sinner as far as the healed man is concerned.
The second use of the term by the healed man declares that he does “know” one thing: that he was blind and now he sees. The proof of healing speaks for itself. While the man’s knowledge of Jesus’ religious standing with God is limited, he is acutely aware a miracle has occurred in his life.
These two statements accentuate the entire point of the narrative and the Pharisees primary problem with Jesus. They, having much more information about Jesus, miss the entire point, while a man just recently healed and aware of his own limited knowledge of Jesus “sees” what is clear.
The man, wearied by the questioning, takes the opportunity to chide the Pharisees’ obsession with the issue by asking, “Do you want to become his disciples too?” This is quickly answered with the insistence that they are disciples of Moses.
Driven from the Synagogue (John 9:29-34)
The Pharisees continue with the discussion on Moses to return to a theme John’s readers are becoming accustomed to hearing; namely Jesus’ origin and authority. While the evidence for Moses as delivering a word from God is airtight in the minds of the Pharisees, the evidence for Jesus is still in debate.
The healed man’s response is appropriate: “Now that is remarkable! You don’t know where he comes from, yet he opened my eyes” (John 9:30).
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The healed man engages in a brief theological monologue laying out the case for why Jesus must have come from God. He closes with the declaration, “If this man were not from God, he could do nothing” (John 9:33). Unwilling to receive insight from one “steeped in sin” (John 9:34) the Pharisees drive the healed man from the synagogue.
‘You have seen him’ (John 9:35-38)
For the first-century Jew, being thrown out of the synagogue carried a great deal of weight for not just the isolated moment, but also because of the social and religious ramifications. Jesus, upon hearing the news, finds the man and asks of him, “Do you believe in the Son of Man?” (John 9:35)
Jesus’ concern with the man and his situation is not with making sure the man is restored to a right standing with the Pharisees and synagogue leaders. The more pressing need for Jesus is that the man understands and “believes in” in one much greater. Responding in the affirmative, he states that if he knew who he was, he would “believe in him” (John 9:36).
Jesus simply and clearly states, “You have now seen him; in fact, he is the one speaking to you” (John 9:37). The following reply serves as the appropriate response John desires his readers to have when made aware of Jesus’ identity, “Lord, I believe” (John 9:38). John immediately adds that the man worshipped Jesus.
The entire episode reminds the reader of the progression of how one is to respond to Jesus. A gracious work of healing leads to questioning of legitimacy. This, in turn, can lead to further strengthening of faith. When one is made aware of Jesus, such acknowledgment leads to confession and ultimately worship.
John’s retelling of the story is ever reminding the reader not everyone will respond in this manner. Sometimes, the very ones who think they “see” miss the obvious. For John, the path to take is that of the healed man, though “steeped in sin” (John 9:34), can see what God has done and responds.
Matt Baird is assistant professor of Christian ministry and director of the graduate program in the School of Christian Studies at East Texas Baptist University.
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