“Ahh… you think darkness is your ally? You merely adopted the dark. I was born in it, molded by it. I didn't see the light until I was already a man, by then it was nothing to me but blinding!” – Bane (The Dark Knight Rises)
Darkness. That was all this blind beggar had ever known, he was born in it. He had no conception of colors, red, yellow, black, or white, the vivid water colored picture of a sunrise or sunset, trees that swayed in the wind, deer grazing in the field on a still morning, vibrant birds that fly this way and that, the serenity of a body of water, the reflection of his own face, nor any of the other beauties of nature or creation. They were hidden to him. This man, perhaps only comforted by the familiar voice of a family member, the arm of a friend, or the sound of coins as they dropped into his bucket. There he sat and begged just outside of the temple. The sounds and sensations he experienced during the Feast of Tabernacles would’ve been more invigorating than the rest of the year for many reasons. More people passing, more food and aromas filling the air, and hopefully, more money being made as a beggar.
John chapter 9 is written to be read seamlessly after chapter 8. So far, throughout the Gospel of John, light is a theme woven throughout. The word itself, appearing 15 times. Light opposes darkness and light is associated with “life”. In chapter 8, Jesus was in the temple causing what seemed like a ruckus and stirring the crowd of Jews and religious leaders. He did so by making a bold proclamation…standing in the presence of the torches that were lit to remember the presence and glory of God in the wilderness, Jesus said, “I AM THE LIGHT OF THE WORLD.” Moments later, the Christ that made such a bold proclamation and caused a commotion, was walking away. With his disciples in tow, he replied to them, “While I am in the World, I am the light of the world.” The blind man heard this, Jesus’ steps approached nearer, and the beggar felt mud being applied to his eyes. He quickly went to the Pool of Siloam, and the darkness that he was born into became flooded and overcome with light. A light that allowed color to be perceived, and shapes to be made visible. Maybe seeing his reflection in the water, he knelt there with his jaw dropped. The sky came into view, the sounds he heard were brought to life, and the faces of people came into focus for the first time. Did this man then go back to the place where he was begging and take another shot at panhandling with his newfound sight? NO CHANCE!
This man went home telling others what had happened! “I was blind, but now I can see!” What a beautiful testimony, what an awesome miracle! This miracle, Jesus performed as a way to “shout” yet again, that he is the light of the world! What was even greater than the world of light that flooded this man’s vision? How about the Light of Life that is recorded in John 9:38, “Then the man said, “Lord, I believe,” and he worshiped him.” Just as he had first responded to the miraculous act of his physical sight being restored, he also acted upon his spiritual sight being restored. He worshipped Jesus. He did not go back to the darkness, but his belief caused him to worship Jesus.
Every word of Jesus, every encounter, and every miracle recorded in the Gospel of John was written so that those whom Jesus encountered would believe upon him and have life in him! Likewise, every word, miracle, and encounter we read about in scripture, is a cause for our belief to be strengthened, and not just sit idly by with that new information, but to LIVE. To live the cause of Christ, to live a life that is changed, to live a life that shouts to the world that our sight has been restored and the darkness is no more.
Darkness. That was all this blind beggar had ever known, he was born in it. He had no conception of colors, red, yellow, black, or white, the vivid water colored picture of a sunrise or sunset, trees that swayed in the wind, deer grazing in the field on a still morning, vibrant birds that fly this way and that, the serenity of a body of water, the reflection of his own face, nor any of the other beauties of nature or creation. They were hidden to him. This man, perhaps only comforted by the familiar voice of a family member, the arm of a friend, or the sound of coins as they dropped into his bucket. There he sat and begged just outside of the temple. The sounds and sensations he experienced during the Feast of Tabernacles would’ve been more invigorating than the rest of the year for many reasons. More people passing, more food and aromas filling the air, and hopefully, more money being made as a beggar.
John chapter 9 is written to be read seamlessly after chapter 8. So far, throughout the Gospel of John, light is a theme woven throughout. The word itself, appearing 15 times. Light opposes darkness and light is associated with “life”. In chapter 8, Jesus was in the temple causing what seemed like a ruckus and stirring the crowd of Jews and religious leaders. He did so by making a bold proclamation…standing in the presence of the torches that were lit to remember the presence and glory of God in the wilderness, Jesus said, “I AM THE LIGHT OF THE WORLD.” Moments later, the Christ that made such a bold proclamation and caused a commotion, was walking away. With his disciples in tow, he replied to them, “While I am in the World, I am the light of the world.” The blind man heard this, Jesus’ steps approached nearer, and the beggar felt mud being applied to his eyes. He quickly went to the Pool of Siloam, and the darkness that he was born into became flooded and overcome with light. A light that allowed color to be perceived, and shapes to be made visible. Maybe seeing his reflection in the water, he knelt there with his jaw dropped. The sky came into view, the sounds he heard were brought to life, and the faces of people came into focus for the first time. Did this man then go back to the place where he was begging and take another shot at panhandling with his newfound sight? NO CHANCE!
This man went home telling others what had happened! “I was blind, but now I can see!” What a beautiful testimony, what an awesome miracle! This miracle, Jesus performed as a way to “shout” yet again, that he is the light of the world! What was even greater than the world of light that flooded this man’s vision? How about the Light of Life that is recorded in John 9:38, “Then the man said, “Lord, I believe,” and he worshiped him.” Just as he had first responded to the miraculous act of his physical sight being restored, he also acted upon his spiritual sight being restored. He worshipped Jesus. He did not go back to the darkness, but his belief caused him to worship Jesus.
Every word of Jesus, every encounter, and every miracle recorded in the Gospel of John was written so that those whom Jesus encountered would believe upon him and have life in him! Likewise, every word, miracle, and encounter we read about in scripture, is a cause for our belief to be strengthened, and not just sit idly by with that new information, but to LIVE. To live the cause of Christ, to live a life that is changed, to live a life that shouts to the world that our sight has been restored and the darkness is no more.