This painting, by Duccio di Buoninsegna, completed in 1308-1311, is held by the National Gallery in London. It isn't large, approximately 17" across, apparently originally used in front of an altar. Sometimes we see that important figures in paintings are larger than the less important figures. That isn't the case here, where we see that Jesus, though in bolder colors than his twelve apostles or the blind man, is normal in size. But notice the man who was healed is depicted twice. First, he is blind and being healed by Jesus. In the second depiction, he has dropped his walking stick and has opened his mouth to speak. Consider the way the formerly blind man in John chapter 9 testifies to Jesus, even before he has ever seen him with his newly opened eyes!
John 09 Questions for Reflection and Discussion
Notice in the Bible we refer to the following:
Book - John (there are many different "books" in the one book of the Bible),
Chapter - Normally found as a big numeric heading. John has 21 chapters,
Verse - a segment usually about a sentence long.
The chapter and verse markings were added to the text as a handy index about 800 years ago. They are the same in virtually every different translation.
Here's a link to John chapter 9. You can also compare the text in several different languages and translations.
If you want a copy of John's Gospel in print, we're happy to meet you around the Mizzou campus and put one into your hand!
1. This whole chapter centers around Jesus healing a man born blind. What problems would blindness have caused in that time and location?
2. The religious leaders are convinced that nobody born blind receives sight. This is not an unusual conclusion to make. What does your world think and say about events which cannot be explained through natural means?
3. It becomes clear that the leaders have decided that anyone who confesses Christ should be removed from the synagogue. Why is this a serious penalty? What equivalent might there be in your world today?
4. The man who was previously blind (he isn't given a name) thinks the religious leaders might want to believe in Jesus also. They are offended at this idea. What do our intellectual elite think and do when they are confronted with a line of reasoning which suggests they should come to a conclusion they didn't want to embrace?
5. Jesus presents himself to the man as the Son of Man, who is the Messiah, the savior. Are you also ready to follow Jesus, the messiah?
Be sure to ask your questions and share your ideas in the comments for this post!
Notice in the Bible we refer to the following:
Book - John (there are many different "books" in the one book of the Bible),
Chapter - Normally found as a big numeric heading. John has 21 chapters,
Verse - a segment usually about a sentence long.
The chapter and verse markings were added to the text as a handy index about 800 years ago. They are the same in virtually every different translation.
Here's a link to John chapter 9. You can also compare the text in several different languages and translations.
If you want a copy of John's Gospel in print, we're happy to meet you around the Mizzou campus and put one into your hand!
1. This whole chapter centers around Jesus healing a man born blind. What problems would blindness have caused in that time and location?
2. The religious leaders are convinced that nobody born blind receives sight. This is not an unusual conclusion to make. What does your world think and say about events which cannot be explained through natural means?
3. It becomes clear that the leaders have decided that anyone who confesses Christ should be removed from the synagogue. Why is this a serious penalty? What equivalent might there be in your world today?
4. The man who was previously blind (he isn't given a name) thinks the religious leaders might want to believe in Jesus also. They are offended at this idea. What do our intellectual elite think and do when they are confronted with a line of reasoning which suggests they should come to a conclusion they didn't want to embrace?
5. Jesus presents himself to the man as the Son of Man, who is the Messiah, the savior. Are you also ready to follow Jesus, the messiah?
Be sure to ask your questions and share your ideas in the comments for this post!
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