(1) Background
(NET) chap. 9 (along with the ensuing debates with the Pharisees) serves as a real-life illustration of the claim Jesus made in 8:12, I am the light of the world...[served] as a concrete example of the victory of light over darkness...chap. 9 is its messianic significance. In the OT it is God himself who is associated with the giving of sight to the blind (Exod 4:11, Ps 146:8). In a number of passages in Isa (29:18, 35:5, 42:7) it is considered to be a messianic activity.
(2) 9:3 Jesus answered, “Neither this man nor his parents sinned, but he was born blind so that the acts of God may be revealed through what happens to him.
This man has suffered the pain of blindness for 40 years since he was born and he used to sit and begged v.8. In v.3, "so that," means those things had happened for a purpose.
(3) 9:4 We must perform the deeds of the one who sent me as long as it is daytime. Night is coming when no one can work. 9:5 As long as I am in the world, I am the light of the world.”
Because the blind man was set aside for this purpose, then "we," referring to Jesus and His Sender, must perform the deed in the limited period of time.
(NET) “Light” is not a metaphysical definition of the person of Jesus but a description of his effect on the world, forcing everyone in the world to ‘choose up sides’ for or against him (cf. 3:19–21).
That was the miracle selected for the blind man to make his decision as a believer v. 35-38 and for the Jewish leaders to expose their stubborness of unbelief v.13-41.
Because the blind man was set aside for this purpose, then "we," referring to Jesus and His Sender, must perform the deed in the limited period of time.
(NET) “Light” is not a metaphysical definition of the person of Jesus but a description of his effect on the world, forcing everyone in the world to ‘choose up sides’ for or against him (cf. 3:19–21).
That was the miracle selected for the blind man to make his decision as a believer v. 35-38 and for the Jewish leaders to expose their stubborness of unbelief v.13-41.
(4) 9:6 Having said this, he spat on the ground and made some mud with the saliva. He smeared the mud on the blind man’s eyes
(BKC) Jesus’ making of clay broke the Rabbinic regulations against kneading clay on the Sabbath (cf. John 9:14)
Being fully known the consequences v.14-15, Jesus spat, made and smeared the mud on the blind man's eyes. He was not afraid of the coming of the night time. In other words, Jesus did more than what He usually did to perform this miracle. He told the paralyzed man to get up and that was done (ch 5), but He did all the "works" on the Sabbath this time. The fact that religious leaders accused Him of violating the Sabbath was a sign of their hardened heart.
Reflection: The pain and suffering of the blind man had a purpose. Jesus as the Messiah came for a limited time. During this time, the Messiah's miracle exposed the people's hearts. The believers responded and the unbelievers were stubborn. We may not know the purpose of our pain and suffering, but can we trust God that He knows?
Jesus was not afraid of offending the religious leaders, nor the coming of the night. The result of offending them meant the Cross. Instead of avoiding the conflict, He took the opportunities before the night time and performed the miracle. Do we have the same courage and take up our cross? We know we offend someone when we share the Gospel. Are we still doing it? We know that we may become unwelcomed but do we still invite our friends to the Evangelistic meeting? We know that we are labelled as "pushy" but do we still warn people of their unsaved heart?
Comments