Blinded by Scripture
NO 03/02/08 MW
Good Question for One Who Knows the Scriptures
The disciples ask Jesus who's sin is responsible for the blindness of the man they pass along the road. We tend to scoff at the disciples for asking Jesus this question but it was not a laughing matter to them. They were getting to the heart of consequences of sin. It was a question that would be asked by those familiar with the scriptures.
“You shall not bow down to them or serve them, for I, the Lord, your God, am a jealous God, responding to the transgression of fathers by dealing with children to the third and fourth generations of those who reject me...” Exodus 20:5a (Net Bible first version)
“I keep my promises to my people forever, but I also punish anyone who sins. When people sin, I punish them and their children, and also their grandchildren and great-grandchildren." Exodus 34:7 (CEV)
Wrong Question
Jesus, according to Eugene Peterson, tells them they have asked the wrong question, “Jesus said, "You're asking the wrong question. You're looking for someone to blame. There is no such cause-effect here. Look instead for what God can do.” John 9:2 (The Message)
The disciples knew the scriptures and what they had been taught they meant. They would have felt they were on pretty solid ground asking their questions but Jesus lets them know that they are focused on the wrong thing.
The Cured Man
We know nothing about this man other than the fact that he had been blind from birth. Most likely he was beside the road begging in order to just survive. We don't know. There is no indication that he's good or bad a believer or not. He is simply there and he is blind. We also know that he did what Jesus told him to do – what more needs to be known?
The Pharisees
Here is another group that knows the scriptures. Where does their focus go? They, like the disciples, are blinded by scripture as well.
The Sabbath
Jesus healed this man on the Sabbath and that was a no no. The keepers of the law knew that the Sabbath was to be kept holy and no work was to be done. God had created the earth in six days and on the seventh God rested – believers were to rest and do no work on the seventh day.
They Knew Jesus Was a Sinner
Because he had healed the man on the Sabbath, Jesus was a sinner in their eyes. He had gone directly against what the Hebrew Bible stated he was to do and thus he disobeyed God.
Blinded Today by Scriptures
Often Christians are blinded by scriptures the same as those folks in Jesus' day. We too often use the Bible as a book of magic where we can find quick and easy answers to our struggles in life. We have made it an idol that fits into how we want God to be. We can take the Bible and make it say anything we want it to say. Even when sincere and careful we cannot keep our personal life-processes out of the words as we read them. We become blinded to our way and we make it the real truth.
The Fugitive and the Rabbi
Linda Beasley, a member of Carol's Covenant Group at the Academy, e-mails a meditation each day. Carol usually sends it on to me and this past week there was one that just fit right into this dilemma we face as we turn to the scriptures to meet God.
“One day a young fugitive, trying to hide himself from the enemy, entered a small village. The people were kind to him and offered him a place to stay. But when the solders who sought the fugitive asked where he was hiding, everyone became very fearful. The soldiers threatened to burn the village and kill every person in it unless the young man was handed over to them before dawn. The people went to the Rabbi and asked him what to do. Torn between handing over the boy to the enemy and having his people killed, the Rabbi withdrew to his room and read his Bible, hoping to find an answer before dawn. In the early morning, his eyes fell on these words: ‘It is better that one man dies than that the whole people be lost.’
Then the Rabbi closed the Bible, called the soldiers, and told them where the boy was hidden. And after the soldiers led the fugitive away to be killed, there was a feast in the village because the Rabbi had saved the lives of the people. But the Rabbi did not celebrate. Overcome with a deep sadness, he remained in his room. That night an angel came to him and asked, ‘What have you done?’ He said: ‘I handed over the fugitive to the enemy.’ Then the angel said: ‘But don’t you know that you have handed over the Messiah?’ ‘How could I know?’ the Rabbi replies anxiously. Then the angel said: ‘If, instead of reading your Bible, you had visited this young man just once and looked into his eyes, you would have known.’”
What Does the Blind Man Understand?
We don't know if this man ever had any exposure to the Word of God. Most likely he did not because he was seen as a sinner and would not be acceptable. We just don't know what he knows other than an extremely important sentence where he states, "I know nothing about that one way or the other. But I know one thing for sure: I was blind . . . I now see." John 9:25 (The Message)
Conclusion
I have been reading some material that one of our members shared with me. It has many Bible quotes and “This is the only way it is...” statements. For example, the writer insists that one must baptize only in the name of Jesus Christ rather than Father, Son and Holy Spirit because the Bible says it. As I pondered what I was reading the thought crept into my consciousness, “But in who's name was Jesus baptized?”
The Risk for Today
There's a pretty good chance that someone will leave this morning having heard me say that Ben doesn't believe in the Bible. If that is what you've heard then you are mistaken. I believe the Bible is inspired by God but I also believe that we never get beyond being human and so we can be Blinded by the Scriptures. If you leave saying, “Ben believes that we can misuse the Bible.” then you've heard me pretty accurately. If you leave saying, “He actually believes the scriptures can be misunderstood.” you're right again.
If the Disciples can be blinded along with the best religious minds of their day then I have no reason to think that we are exceptions to that and that we can just sit down read the Bible and completely understand what we are reading.
Our Hope
Our hope is also found in the scriptures. There is really no way that we can get to know the Lord and what he is calling us to be about if we are not reading the scriptures. We cannot know what the church is to be about if we are not reading the scriptures. However, the Bible must be more than words and understanding. The Bible is a place where we meet God and so we have to see God beyond the words. We have to, as I see it, read the Bible with heart, soul, and love.
When Samuel was sent to pick David to replace Saul as king, God did not tell him who it would be. He was to go and trust God would lead. David was the last person in line and he was overlooked by his family. God reminded Samuel “For the LORD sees not as man sees: man looks on the outward appearance, but the LORD looks on the heart." (I Samuel 16:7b, English Standard Version) We must always keep in mind that the scriptures are as much a job of the heart as of the head otherwise we will be blinded by the scriptures.
Roy Brittain's testimony today is an example of seeing with more than one's eyes. It is an example of seeing with one's heart as well as with one's eyes. He expressed, along with that healed blind man, that now I see.
You want to meet Jesus? Look at every person you meet and look for him! Look each person in the eyes!