Seeing Who Jesus Is

Some of the Pharisees said, "This man is not from God, for he does not observe the sabbath." But others said, "How can a man who is a sinner perform such signs?" And they were divided. So they said again to the blind man, "What do you say about him?" It was your eyes he opened. He said, "He is a prophet".... Jesus heard that they had driven him out, and when he found him, he said, "Do you believe in the Son of Man?" He answered, "And who is he, sir? Tell me so that I may believe in him." Jesus said to him, "You have seen him, and the one speaking with you is he." He said, "Lord, I believe." And he worshipped him. John 9:16-17, 35-38 NRSV

The beggar that Jesus healed physically "sees" but does not "see" who Jesus really is. He identifies Jesus as a prophet when interrogated by the Pharisees. But it is noticeable in the text that he is still identified as a blind man! It isn't until Jesus approaches him later that the healed man sees who Jesus is and worships him.

Although many identify Jesus as a prophet, it is clear in the Gospel of John that Jesus is more than that. In this gospel, Jesus identifies himself as the Vine, the Light, God's Son, the One who came from heaven, the Bread of Heaven and the Living Water just to name a few. However, even with his frequent soliloquies on who he is, many still don't "see" him. It isn't just the Pharisees who have this problem, either. Even the disciples take a long time to see who he is. In fact, Thomas (the so-called doubter) ends up being the one who claims that Jesus is "My Lord and My God" in John 20:28 after the Resurrection.

Jesus is obviously more than a prophet but do we really see him for who he is? Or are we still blind as well?

God, sometimes we stumble about, unable to see and to understand. Our eyes are open but we are still blind. We ask for your healing power in our lives so that we can truly see. In Jesus' Holy Name. Amen.

Copyright 2009 Amelia G. Sims