March 2 Sermon on John chapter 9: Growing in Faith and Understanding

Jesus saw a man blind from birth, and the disciples’ response to the man’s suffering was to ask:

“Who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind” John 9:1,2

University chaplain Will Willimon woke up one morning with a wretched sore throat.  He had a meeting at the university that morning and told the gathered participants: “I’ve got a terrible sore throat.  I can hardly talk.  Don’t think I’ll be able to contribute much.”

That sparked a conversation.  One said, “I’ve heard if you don’t intake enough vitamin C you are a candidate for lots of sore throats.”  The other said, “Some people just don’t take care of themselves.  At this time of year they ought to know that the weather makes a sore throat a possibility.” On they went.  Poor Will was only looking for sympathy, not a debate on how he had failed to take care, and now had no one to blame but himself.

Will knew how the blind man felt when they asked:

Who sinned, this man or his parents?

Jesus’ response is “Neither.”  This suffering is not the consequence anyone’s sin.  The point is not to blame someone, but to do something to help.  Rather than speculating on why, see this as an opportunity to show compassion, “So that God’s works might be revealed.”  Then Jesus spits on the ground, makes a paste of the dust and saliva, and heals the man.

While it is true that sin causes suffering, not all suffering results from some particular sin.   Sometimes bad things do happen to good people - innocent people - and about all we can say is that life just isn’t fair.  Not everything that happens is the will of God. So rather than speculating about why, follow Jesus’ example and do something.  Seek God’s help and guidance. Christ does not offer us an explanation for everything, but rather assures us that He is with us, no matter what we go through.

A pastor went to visit a woman who was struggling with cancer.  She was in the final stages of the battle.  “I’ve fought this with every fiber of my being,” she said.  “I’m not giving up, I’m giving the battle over to Jesus.  I’ve fought this as hard as I know how and now it’s His problem.  I’m confident that Jesus will finally triumph even if I don’t.”

Christ is with us.  Not passively offering theories and explanations – He is with us, reaching toward us, and touching us with His grace.

 A little boy was really afraid of the dark.  One night his mother asked him to go out on the back porch and get the broom she had left there. He protested “There’s not light out there and it’s very dark.” “You don’t have to afraid of the dark.  Jesus is always with you.. And you can pray and ask for His help and protection.” The boy went to the back door, opened it a crack, and whispered: “If you’re out there Jesus, please hand me the broom.”

Today’s gospel is a contrast of unbelief and belief – of doubt and faith.  The miracle didn’t immediately produce faith, but rather questions and controversy.

 After blind man’s sight is restored, he explains to his neighbors how it happened and refers to the man called Jesus.  When they ask who Jesus is, he replied I do not know.  Then he repeated his story to the Pharisees, and at the end of the cross examination, they ask What do you say about him?

He is a prophet.

After that the Pharisee call in the man’s parents, and finally want to talk to him again.  They want to hear his story again.  This time their challenges lead to an argument, and the formerly blind man retorts If this man were not from God, he could do nothing. The conversations with neighbors and then the Pharisees force the man to think about what has happened – and what it means.  The challenges begin to produce clarity, as his understanding of who Jesus is progresses from a man, to a prophet, to one sent by God.

Then he meets Jesus again.  Their conversation leads him to say “Lord I believe”, and he worshipped him. 9:38  Faith leads to worship.

I’m sure that’s not the end of his growth in faith, but it does show that his faith and understanding of who Jesus is grew in steps, just as ours does. What might prompt that growth?

Talking about our faith - about Jesus - may do more for us than for our listeners.  It helps us to grow in understanding and spiritual maturity.

Articulating our faith to others gets our mind working - allows the Holy Spirit to work in us - and thus we gain new insight - our faith is strengthened.

Last week, the Samaritan woman spoke to some neighbors who were sympathetic to what she had to say.  The man in this week’s gospel talked to some hostile Pharisees who were skeptical and argumentative. Yet in both cases the result was similar: the person doing the talking, the witnessing, grew and was strengthened in faith. Is the Holy Spirit trying to tell us something through these gospels?  Could the Spirit be trying to lead us to witness to our faith?   Giving us these examples so that we can see how our faith might be increased?

 This month you’ve got some good opportunities to talk about Jesus and His church.

Tell some one about Palm Sunday, or invite them to Walk through Jerusalem. Easter is a great time to bring someone to church. Someone who doesn’t have a church of their own is waiting for an invitation to church during this holy season - waiting for your invitation - so please pray about this, and ask for the Spirit’s guidance.

Take a couple of Walk Through Jerusalem flyers with you as a reminder that you’re going to ask the Lord who you can give them to.  Tell them about it as a way of opening your mind to the prompting of the Holy Spirit.

Today we welcome new members, and Paul’s words are appropriate: So then you are no longer strangers, but you are citizens with the saints, and also members of the household of God, built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus himself as the corner stone. Ephesians 2:19-20

You are of real value in the eyes of God and precious in his sight.  The Paul says, Live as children of the light. 5:8

We all are invited - even called to - shine with and transmit God’s light.

Is that difficult?

Yes.  Is it worthwhile?

Absolutely.  In the lesson, he says there may be things you have to cut out, like putting away falsehood - getting rid of bitterness and anger - no wrangling or malice.

Take a minute to think about attitudes in your life that tend to keep Christ light from shining through you.  What might you have to do shine with the light of Christ?

Paul said put away falsehood and start to be honest with yourself and others about who you really are.

He said give up stealing.  I never steal, you reply.  Is your form 1040 complete and accurate, without poetic license?

Cast away bitterness and anger by reaching out to that relative who you haven’t been getting along with for years - or try striking up a pleasant conversation with that co-worker you don’t care for.

 Practice random acts of kindness - just do little good deeds for others without expecting anything in return.

Live as children of the light for the fruit of light is found in all that is good and right and true. 8,9

Obviously, this isn’t doing what comes naturally.  Rather it is trying to find out what is pleasing to the Lord. [10]

 After making a mistake you might say “Well I’m only human.”  That’s true, you are human, but are you only human?  Aren’t you destined for something greater than an undisciplined life in which bad behavior is excused? As Christians we’re not supposed to remain people who are only human.  We’re supposed to find out what would be pleasing to the Lord in our lives.  The challenge is to put effort into trying to discover what is the best Christian behavior in the face of challenging circumstances.

Focus on what is good and right and true.  Our compassion and patience and love create a channel for the light of Christ to shine through us.

As we live our faith, talk about our faith and His church, invite others to worship with us, to share in our community of faith, the light of Christ shines through us, and we mature in faith, grow in grace, increase in knowledge and understanding and experience the joy of believing.