That We Might See
That We Might See
. “‘While I am in the world, I am the light of the world.’ When he had said this, he spat on the ground, and made clay of the spittle, and applied the clay to his eyes, and said to him, ‘Go, wash in the pool of Siloam.’ (which is translated, Sent). And so he went away and washed, and came back seeing.” (John 9:5-7, N.A.S.B.)
. One of the things that distinguishes the Gospel of John from the other gospels (the “synoptic” gospels) is the tendency of its author to write about events in Christ’s ministry in such a way that the story points to or hints at and underlying and more basic spiritual significance to the event of Christ’s incarnation. Much of what Christ did, for John, is charged with deep symbolic meaning. This is clear, for example, in such as passages as chapter 6, where Jesus says, “I am the bread of life”; and in chapter 2, where he turns the water into wine; and chapter 11, where he states, “I am the resurrection.” I believe it’s also true in chapter 9.
. When Jesus says in verse 5 of chapter 9, “While I am in the world, I am the light of the world,” I think that he is symbolically pointing to a deeper spiritual meaning in the healing act that he is about to perform. As Jesus made a part of the earth unto something with which to anoint the blind man’s eyes, so also when the divine Word, Jesus Himself, became flesh, his life and ministry became an anointing or healing balm applied to the spiritual eyes of mankind. And just as the man did not instantly receive his sight, but had to believe in and act upon Christ’s instructions, so also we are not automatically spiritually enlightened and enlivened simply because Christ lived, ministered, died and rose again on this earth. We also must respond in faith and action to his word and instruction.
. Although in some mysterious way everything depends on the action of God’s grace and we can accomplish nothing good in ourselves apart from that grace, that does NOT imply that God’s grace works without our action. We are responsible, once we have heard and understood, to act on Christ’s word, at the same time realizing that our action requires his grace to make it effective and meaningful.
. An interesting thing about the rest of the story in chapter 9: as the man remained strongly faithful to the truth as he knew it, he was gradually enlightened more and more concerning this stranger who gad healed him. In verse 11 he knew him as “the man who is called Jesus,” the one who had done something wonderful in his life. In verse 17 he confesses, “He is a prophet.” In verse 27 he subtly implies that he would like to be Jesus’ disciple. In verses 30-33 he advances a powerful argument for the source of Jesus’ power and authority. Finally, in verse 38, after Jesus more fully reveals himself to him, he confesses faith in Jesus as the Messiah.
. Likewise, our own enlightenment in spiritual understanding is a growing process, at least partly contingent upon our faithfulness in clinging to and acting upon the truth as we know it. Why should we be further enlightened if we are not faithful to the light we now have?
. Just as the man in John 9 was under much pressure from others not to confess his faith in Jesus and become His disciple, we also face many pressures in our own society today that work to discourage us from confessing and living according to Christ’s word and example. But as we “hold fast the confession of our faith without wavering,” and continue firmly to commit ourselves to a life-style that befits our calling, we will grow in an ever greater understanding of Christ, until finally He will personally reveal Himself to us completely and fully.
. As we look toward that day with hope and longing, let us strive to be faithful to the Truth.
Charles Shelton
Computers for Christ – Chicago