The earliest Christians followed a Jewish tradition of pausing to pray, preferably together, first thing in the morning, about mid morning, at noon, about mid afternoon, and in the evening. “Just a Note” posts are brief observations made from Scripture readings not related to a lectionary. If I have one to post, it normally appears about 9:00 in the morning, at “the hour of prayer.”
There are some features of this world that we see and understand right away. There are some that we do not grasp quickly. There are some which remain mysteries to us. In John 9:24-34, the authorities are still trying to deal with the fact that Jesus, whom they believe to be a deceiver of some sort, seems to have done a miracle which nobody can explain. The situation is completely ruining their conceptual framework. They don’t know what to do with it.
The man who was healed of his blindness is not helpful. He is convinced that Jesus must be a godly man and that the authorities probably knew all about him. Could this be a new bit of information for his leaders? Do they want to know who this Jesus is so they can believe him also?
Notice that while the man originally was identifying himself as someone who had been healed, and Jesus as a miracle worker, he is now identifying himself as a disciple of Jesus and someone who would help others become disciples as well. We often go through a progression like this. We are confronted with the claims of Jesus. We start to deny him, then start to believe him. We begin to think he is someone we can be personally involved with. We begin to realize he is personally involved with us. We see him as our savior. We see him as the one who wishes to call others as well.
What of the Jewish authorities? Where are they standing in this? They are denying Jesus, and many continue to deny him to this day. It does not mean that Jesus is incapable. It doesn’t mean that Jesus is not the Lord and savior of all. It means that not all have believed as yet.
Would you like to be Jesus’ disciple as well? I hope so.
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