December 2002

Acceptance and New Life: The Lesson of John 9

The following is based on the workshop given by the Rev. Dr. Richard Younge, “What Did Jesus Do: Telling Bible Stories in the Time of AIDS,” at the NEAC New Directions Conference in Austin in October.

Bible verses and Bible “values” have often been used judgmentally and unlovingly with regard to those infected and affected by HIV and AIDS. But there is another way to read the Bible, a way that can lead us as people of faith to shape a caring, practical, healing, gospel-based ministry for our time.

One of the texts that can show us truly healing values is John 9:1-41, the story of the man born blind. Verse 2 should sound familiar to anyone who has dealt with AIDS: The disciplines ask Jesus, “Who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?” And Jesus responds that there is no fault: “He was born blind so that God’s works might be revealed in him.” Disease, like other setbacks in life, can be an opportunity for us to do the compassionate work of God. “We must work the works of him who sent me.”

Then Jesus takes the initiative, does the work. He anoints the eyes of the blind man with mud softened with saliva, and sends him to wash them in the pool of Siloam. The blind man has not asked for sight, but he does take responsibility for his healing by following Christ’s directions.

Look at the instruments of healing: dirt, spit. Common. Not nice. Not neat. Not proper. In other words a lot like condoms, needles, candid talk about sex.

It’s not just the instruments but the timing. Christ did this on the Sabbath day. He broke a taboo. And he brought down the wrath of the “righteous,” those people who believe that conformity is more important than healing. Even the blind man’s parents try to avoid being involved: They admit that their son was born blind, but “we do not know how it is that now he sees … ask him. He is of age, ask him.” “His parents said this because they were afraid … anyone who confessed Jesus to be the Messiah would be put out of the synagogue.”

Sounds familiar so far, doesn’t it? Someone has to be a victim. Someone has to be guilty. Healing upsets the rules. Healing gives freedom.

The Pharisees brought back the blind man for a second interrogation. He was defiant: “I have told you already and you would not listen.” He was challenging: “Never since the world began has it been heard that anyone opened the eyes of a person born blind. If this man were not from God, he could do nothing.” So they drove him out.

But there is a place for him. Jesus comes to him again. They talk, and the formerly blind man says, “Lord, I believe.” Jesus answers, “I came into the this world for judgment so that those who do not see may see, and those who do see may become blind.” The new kingdom of God is a community of acceptance, a community of those willing and working to be healed. It is on the path to new life, not just for those dealing with HIV and AIDS, but for all of us.