The Ancient Word...

John 9 describes how Jesus healed a man blind from birth, who had never before seen the light of day. The author portrays this act as more than a miracle demonstrating Jesus' divine power. It is also a "sign" (semeion, v. 16) that points beyond itself to a deeper truth -- the truth that Jesus is "the Light of the World."

Throughout John's Gospel, Jesus uses "light" as a metaphor for life (see John 1:4-5; 8:12); for truth (3:19-21); and for not stumbling around, but knowing the way to go (11:9-10; 12:35). Accordingly, when Jesus calls himself "the Light of the World," it is another way of identifying himself as "the Way and the Truth and the Life" (John 14:6, NIV). In other words, Jesus comes to show us the way to God, reveal the truth about God, and give us eternal life with God.

Jesus told his disciples that the man was born blind

so that the work of God might be displayed in his life. As long as it is day we must do the work of Him who sent me. Night is coming when no one can work. While I am in the world, I am the Light of the World. (John 9:3-5; compare 7:33-34; 12:35-36; 13:33; 14:1-6)

In this text, "day" refers to the time of Jesus' earthly ministry, when he brought "light" into the world and taught his disciples to be "sons of light" (see 8:56; 12:36). "Night" refers to the time of Jesus' death, when he was forcibly removed from his disciples and lay dead in the tomb for three days (see 13:30). And the day "dawned" again after Jesus' resurrection and ascension, when he returned as the Holy Spirit to empower his disciples to do God's work:

I tell you the truth. Anyone who has faith in me will do what I have been doing. He will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the Father...I will ask the Father, and He will give you another Counselor to be with you forever -- the Spirit of truth...I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you. Before long, the world will not see me anymore, but you will see me...On that day you will realize that I am in my Father, and you are in me, and I am in you. (John 14:12, 16-20)

Jesus told the blind man, "Go, wash in the pool of Siloam." By explaining that the word "Siloam" means "Sent" (see 9:7), John offers a subtle reminder to his readers: Along with sight comes a commission to go, in the power of Christ's Spirit, and do God's work in the world. The risen Jesus later told his disciples:

As the Father has sent me, I am sending you...Receive the Holy Spirit. (John 21:21-22)

... for Today

Blind from birth. Who can imagine what that would be like?

While others chat excitedly about beautiful paintings and sculptures, we'd see nothing. We'd never see the ocean lapping a sandy beach; never see the face of family; never see a sunrise or sunset, a hibiscus bloom or a hummingbird; never see a rainbow, a child's smile, or a street parade.

The loss of sight, like the loss of any sense, deprives us of the richness of reality. Blindness may not kill us, but it steals much that God intended for us.

Blind from birth. Who can imagine it? But then, doesn't that describe us all?

In many ways, the man in John 9 represents each of us. His physical blindness parallels our spiritual blindness, and spiritual blindness is the most debilitating condition of all. That man had done nothing to cause his sightless condition (see v. 3). For us, however, "blindness" is a choice.

Do we grope in spiritual darkness? Or have we been enlightened by "the Light of the World"?

Only as we see can we know the way to go. We see, and then we're ready to be sent.

Siloam awaits us all.

Discuss...

1. How has the Light of Christ enlightened your life?
   
2. Discuss ways we can continue to walk in the Light, rather than dwell in darkness.

Chris Davis, PhD & David Timms, PhD
Hope International University
Fullerton, California

Bare Roots is a regular publication, free of charge, intended for small group discussion or
personal enrichment. To subscribe or unsubscribe, e-mail cadavis@hiu.edu.
This e-list is not used for marketing nor shared with others.

For back issues of Bare Roots, see http://www.hiu.edu/bareroots.