Rochester, MN UCC - "The One Thing I Know" - John 9:1-41

The 9th Chapter of John’s Gospel is a work of art. It tells this magnificently ironic story where a man born blind is able to see; yet the religious authorities remain blind to the identity of Jesus who healed him. These religious authorities have already decided that Jesus cannot be the Messiah. This certainty prevents them from witnessing the miraculous power of God and giving thanks for its manifestation in Jesus. They wind up in the odd position of being opposed to a person restoring sight for the blind!

 When the religious authorities question the formerly blind man about Jesus, he is unsure about the specific title appropriate for him. What he is not unsure about is that Jesus healed him. He says, “I do not know whether he is a sinner. One thing I do know, that though I was blind, now I see.” This formerly blind man will not let anyone else’s opinions on Jesus’ identity prevent him from proclaiming his experience of being healed by Him. 

 There are many ways that we at The Congregational Church UCC understand Jesus Christ, and a multiplicity of titles we use for Him: Messiah, Son of Man, Son of God, Lord, Brother, Friend, Teacher. Some of these titles may ring true for you and others may not at this point in your life. More important than any of these titles however, is the experience of being healed, helped, delivered, or saved by Jesus Christ. Those of us who have known the saving power of God’s love in our lives should follow the example of the formerly blind man and cling to the truth of our experience. One thing we know, though we were blind, now we see. Trusting in God’s saving help is the beginning of our journey in faith- a journey that will continually deepen our appreciation of God’s work in Jesus Christ- helping us to claim him as the Son of God, the Son of Man, our Teacher, Lord, and Friend. 

 Pastor Andrew Greenhaw