Day 67 – Sight and Sound

Read:  John 10:11-21

I have a friend with whom I disagree on just about every political topic imaginable. Since we are friends, we can enter into debates and freely disagree without fear of damaging our relationship. We often read the same news story, from the same source, agree on all of the facts as they are laid out, and come to opposite conclusions. There is something deeper than our ability to comprehend basic vocabulary and the events of a story that causes us to respond in very different ways. Throughout the Gospel of John, people see and hear Jesus, but have different interpretations of His words and actions. This disparity is especially noticeable in chapters 9 and 10.

As the Good Shepherd, Jesus promises to go to any extreme to protect and care for His sheep. He is even willing to lay down his life for them (John 10:11 & 15).  While this is a striking statement of Jesus' commitment toward His followers, it is not controversial or unprecedented.  There have been many throughout history willing to be martyred for a cause. What is unusual about Jesus' statement is that He also claims to have the "authority to take up" His life again (John 10:17-18).  To claim authority over one's death is conceivable. A person may choose to sacrifice his or her life in an act of valor, refuse life-saving treatments, or even make the tragic choice to end life by suicide. But to claim to have the ability to "pick [life] up again" after death, is as inconceivable as it is controversial.  It is no wonder the crowd listening to Jesus split between those who said He was demon-possessed and those who believed Him.

It is amazing how the crowd's divided response so accurately reflects their willingness to acknowledge the miracle Jesus has done among them. Those able to "see" that Jesus restored sight to a man born blind (Chapter 9) are also able to "hear" Jesus' voice and believe His radical claims.  Those "blind" to the fact that the blind man isn't, cannot understand Jesus' words or accept His assertions.

To see the miracles of Jesus is to believe His words.  To believe Him is to see His miracles. And so, the church must not only promote the teaching of Christ but must continue His ministry of healing in the world.  The powerful combination of the words of Life and the evidence of Grace will impact many, but not all.  There are always the "blind" among us who will see what we see and hear what we hear but will not recognize by sight or sound the Savior standing right before them.

Good Shepherd,

You have spoken, help me hear.

You have healed, help me see.

You have come, help me welcome.

You have called, help me respond.

You have saved, help me to be saved.

In Jesus Name,

Amen