Sermon for Lent 4: "Jesus Sees"

+ 4^th Sunday in Lent – March 22^nd, 2020 +

Series A: Isaiah 42:14-21; Ephesians 5:8-14; John 9

Beautiful Savior Lutheran

Milton, WA

Grace, mercy, and peace to you from God our Father and from our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Amen.

John’s Gospel brings us a very personal view of Jesus. Jesus talks with Nicodemus by night. Jesus visits the Samaritan woman by the well. Today in John 9, Jesus comes to a man born blind.  

It’s a good reminder that in these days of separation we still find comfort in the communion of saints and in Jesus’ promise: Behold, I am with you always.

The story of Jesus’ personal visit to the man born blind begins rather simply. “As He went along, He saw a man blind from birth.” 

Jesus sees a man. 

Stop for a moment and think about how profound those words are. Jesus sees a man. He takes notice. He acknowledges him. 

Sometimes, it is so hard for us to see a person. We see things not people. We see the Rolex watch or the designer dress, but fail to see the broken marriage. We see the nose ring but completely miss the lifetime of childhood abuse. We see a person smile and say all is well. We see things but do we really see people?

It is hard for us to see a person. When the disciples see this man, what do they see? They see a problem, not a person. Listen to what they say to Jesus: “Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?” For the disciples, this bland man is a teaching moment, an educational instance which has reduced this human being to a theological dilemma.

The disciples observe and notice the man, but they don’t seem to see him, do they? Talking about him but not with him. They do not speak to him. They do not touch him. They do not put shoes on his feet or a piece of bread in his lap. They do not grasp his hand and lead him to Jesus.

This is one of the things John does so well in his Gospel. He contrasts the pharisees and the disciples who can physically see Jesus, but don’t always get what he’s up to, while it’s the blind man and the Samaritan woman – the weak and outcast – who get it.

The disciples had written a story which was too small. It was a story of sin and punishment from God. This man was blind, and someone had sinned. Either he did or his parents and God punished the sin with blindness. 

But Jesus… Jesus does something different. Jesus sees the man. And Jesus sees this man as part of a greater story.

It is the story of creation and restoration. The story of rescue and redemption. Jesus has come to join us in this fallen world and bring us into this greater story. Into Himself. It begins, not with sin but with creation. And it ends, not with punishment but with restoration in Jesus. 

So, Jesus looks at this man and sees him as part of a greater story. Jesus says to the disciples, “Neither this man nor his parents sinned, but this happened so that the works of God might be displayed in his life.” 

Then Jesus shows them what he’s talking about. He kneels on the ground and begins to create again. He spits and makes mud from the dust of the earth. Forming it. Fashioning it. Just as he did when he formed Adam from the dust of the earth. He places this on the man’s eyes. And then He speaks to him and tells him to go wash in the pool of Siloam.

This one who said, “Before Abraham was, I Am,” now shows just how far back He goes. He was there at the first creation, forming a world that was beautiful and fashioning beautiful creatures to live in the world. The One, who was there at the original creation, has come into creation again and is going to work to bring His broken world back to restoration. He will take this man and give him sight. That is His work. And He is willing to die to do such work. In fact, by dying He will do even greater things than these. Jesus did not come to condemn the world but that the world might be saved through Him. He will capture our sin and condense it into His death and then He will rise to create new life. Life for this man. Life for you.

And that is Jesus’ very personal word and promise to you. Today, as we’re separated and yet together in our homes, Jesus’ healing Word is personally given to you. Jesus died for you. Jesus rose for you. 

Today as we perhaps sit in fear and doubt, in worry and wonder, Jesus sees you too, not as a thing or a problem, but as his holy, beloved, baptized saint. He sees us, warts, failures, sins and all – and loves you anyway. Loves you without end. 

Today, Jesus gives us a glimpse of a much greater story. Baptized into the death and resurrection of Jesus, you are children of God. You are dead to sin and alive to God in Jesus Christ. You are not slaves to sin but children of God, servants of His righteousness. Jesus opens the door of His Father’s Kingdom and gives us a glimpse of His greater work. He teaches us to live, not by what we see, but what we hear from our Lord, his mercy and love for you.

The peace of God which surpasses all understanding keep your hearts in Christ Jesus unto life everlasting. Amen.