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All of chapter 9 is devoted to this one healing story and the reaction the local Pharisees have to it. It also preserves a later development in Judaism where anyone professing belief in Jesus was to be excommunicated. But, a healing story it is, first and foremost. Jesus restores the sight of a man born blind. What he “sees” and the sight available for those who believe in Jesus are what we’re looking at today. Let’s go!

  • What are the different points of view of the people in this story? How do their different points of view account for what they say and do?

  • This miracle is Jesus’ sixth and next to last ‘sign’ in John’s Gospel (the Raising of Lazarus is the last). As we’ve seen, Jesus’ signs reveal something about him and, here, Jesus demonstrates that he is both the giver of sight and the revealer of truth. What truth does Jesus reveal about himself? About those who believe it? About those who refuse to believe it?

  • This story perfectly contrasts the threat implied by the Pharisee’s questioning of various characters in the story and the irrepressibly fearless testimony of the healed man. What is behind his fearlessness? What can we learn from him?

Next Step: The Pharisees repeatedly question the healed man about what Jesus did for him. Have you ever been ‘questioned’ about Jesus’ activity in your life or the basis of your belief? Imagine that happening. What would you say?

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