This incident in Jerusalem, however, does not end with this man receiving his sight. Maybe one should read it to the end to see if the gift of sightful eyes was, in fact, the “works of God .... displayed in him” – or whether some further “works of God” took place. Briefly, what happened next was this. A great controversy arose – · His neighbours can’t believe it and begin to argue whether this is the same man. But he said, “I am the man.” · The national leaders, religious men, interview him to disprove it and then interrogate his parents as to how he now could see. They, to protect themselves from this onslaught, say, “He’s of age; ask him.” · The leaders re-call the born-blind man and demand a statement that Jesus is a sinner. But he says, “Whether he is a sinner I don’t know. One thing I do know, that though I was blind, now I see”. · They demand to know exactly how Jesus has done it and the born-blind man says, “I have told you already, and you would not listen .... Do you want to become his disciples?” · They claim to know God but say, “We don’t know where this man comes from.” · The born-blind man says, “Why, this is an amazing thing! You do not know where he comes from, and yet he opened my eyes. .... If this man were not from God, he could do nothing.” · They have the last word, “You were born in utter sin, and would you teach us?” And they throw him out. · Jesus finds him and asks him, “Do you believe in the Son of Man?” · The man says, “Who is he, sir, that I may believe in him?” · Jesus says, “You have seen him, and it is he who is speaking to you.” · The born-blind man says, “Lord, I believe” and worships Jesus. |
