I had finished writing this week’s article and sent it to my editor when images like these from Charlottesville, Virginia began to fill newscasts and social media. So as an introduction to this week’s A Norvell Note this is my plea: We must be better than this!
Vol. 19 No. 32 | August 13, 2017
The story of Jesus healing the blind man in John 9 has been the focus of these notes for the last two weeks. Thus far, we have observed that we have a tendency to want to blame others for our problems as well as demand an explanation for everything that happens to and around us. Somehow, being able assign blame or identify an explanation provides us with a sense of comfort. Or, maybe it gives us a sense of satisfaction to think that people get what they deserve.
We are a peculiar people.
As this story reaches the climax and concludes, I see a third interesting characteristic of humanity.
We often miss the point.
Jesus corrects His disciples’ view on why some things are not the consequence of sin, but are instead designed to bring a new vision of God. He proceeds to demonstrate why the wonders of God do not need to be explained or defended when the man whose sight had been restored offered no explanation other than the simple facts of what Jesus did to his eyes. Now as the mans shares his miraculous healing with the religious leaders, He reveals our tendency to focus on the wrong thing when the man attempts to share his miracle with the religious leaders.
At first, they reject the miracle all together.
Some of the Pharisees say, “Obviously, this man can’t be from God. He doesn’t keep the Sabbath.”
Others counter, “How can a bad man do miraculous, God-revealing things like this?” There was a split in their ranks.
They come back at the blind man, “You’re the expert. He opened your eyes. What do you say about him?”
He explains, “He is a prophet.”
The Jews didn’t believe the man was blind to begin with, so they called on his parents to inquire.“Is this your son, the one you say was born blind? So how is it that he now sees?” (16-19, The Message)
Next they question his parents, who because they fear being rejected from the community, offer no explanation and direct the conversation back to their son. (20-23)
When they continue to demand an explanation from the man, his response is brilliant:
“I know nothing about that one way or the other. But I know one thing for sure: I was blind … I now see.” (25)
Yet they are still not satisfied and proceed to interrogate him, demanding details of how it happened. The once blind man chides them a bit and sarcastically ask if they want become one of his followers. I love the way Peters expresses their response: With that, they jumped all over him. “You might be a disciple of that man, but we’re disciples of Moses. We know for sure that God spoke to Moses, but we have no idea where this man even comes from.” (28-29)
The healed man continues to tease them, alluding to their lack of understanding. This incites the men to the point of throwing him out of the synagogue, yelling “You’re nothing but dirt! How dare you take that tone with us!” (30-34)
Jesus finds him in the streets and reassures him, engaging in one of many encounters with the Pharisees that will follow. (35-41)
Let me share a few observations and admonitions.
When our interpretation of the Word focuses more on adhering to rules and laws more than people, we have missed the point.
The religious leaders show no interest in this man who had been blind and is now healed. They are concerned only about the rules that have been broken. They show no concern for his parents, except for what information they might provide for finding fault with the healer. How many times do we miss this same point? Something really good happens to someone we know and our concern is more for how it happened and who is responsible than for the person who has received the blessing.
When our interpretation of the message from God focuses on power and reputation, we have missed the point.
The religious leaders know they have the power to expel this man and his family from the religious community. They use threatening and condemning language to intimidate them and to protect their authority and reputation and miss the intent of God’s message. Churches and religious leaders, who are more concerned with their reputations as the voice of authority than with the souls of people, have missed the point.
When our understanding of God excludes celebration over God’s workings, we have missed the point.
Why didn’t they rejoice with this man? This provides one of the most revealing and disappointing images of God’s people in all of Scripture. How often do we miss this? Whether from jealousy, fear, and/or stubbornness, we miss the opportunity to rejoice, celebrate, and acknowledge the wonders of God displayed through His people. What a shame! What a waste! What a disgrace!
How can we miss these opportunities to rejoice with people? How can we miss these opportunities to celebrate the power of God displayed all around us? How can we disregard God’s workings for the sake of our reputation or position of authority?
We have missed the point too often, too many times, and for too long. We have too often allowed people to be ignored and disregarded. People, all people, matter to God and must matter to us. People matter more than being the fastest growing, most innovative and influential church in our community. People matter more than being the most powerful person or leader or President or nation.
We can do better than this. We must be better than this!
Tom
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