"A Keen Sense Of Humor Is Not Just A Side Advantage Christians Receive At B

In verse twenty-eight, they ridiculed him: They bit the bait, as did many Pharisees trying to trap Jesus. They would lay a trap for Jesus and he would catch them in their own trap. Apparently, being enlightened by Jesus sharpens one’s wits. Jesus promised his disciples that the, “Indwelling Resident Holy Spirit,” would give them what to say when under question and or attack by hostile authorities. He did not promise that the outcome would be successful by level one standards. However, he did not rule out having a little fun while under fire.

In verse twnty-nine, we do not know where this man is from: In 7:27 the Jerusalemites mistakenly thought they knew where Jesus came from. Galilee, they thought. On level one, they were not even right, since he was born in the south, in Bethlehem, right next door to them. The Pharisees may be simply hinting at Jesus’ rumored illegitimacy, on level one, but more profoundly, they have not a clue.

In verse thirty, that is what is so amazing: Now the man is being sarcastic, very similar to Jesus’ remark to Nicodemus in 3:10. He feigns surprise that these teachers do not know their subject matter, as they should.

In verse thirty-one, We know that God does not listen to sinners: Now the man gets serious. He exaggerates to make his point. God really does listen to sinners, but the Pharisees do not think so. Yet, on their terms and by their logic, Jesus could not be a sinner, since God listened to him and cured the man. Facts are, after all, facts. No wonder they threw him out! He was outsmarting them on every point and they were smarting from it. The man trades places and becomes the teacher and they do not like it.

In verse thirty-two, it is unheard of: The Old Testament had prophecies of restoration to sight but none of giving sight to one born blind. This was without precedent and implies an act of creation, a work of God himself.

In verse thirty-three, If this man were not from God: The only possible conclusion which can be drawn from the level one facts is that Jesus is “from God. “ Though put in negative form for emphasis, it affirms everything the whole dialogue has been leading to.

In verse thirty-foir, they threw him out: His unceremonious ejection is a precursor to the excommunication from the synagogue and all that entails of Jews who became Christians.

Verses thirty-five to forty-one, questioning: Of the man by Jesus scene six.

In verses thirty-five, Do you believe in the Son of Man?” This is a level two question, a faith question. “Son of Man,” would involve everything involved with Jesus, but it captures John’s particular emphasis: the divine glory is visible in the human, Incarnate, Jesus. The Son of Man is the basis, focus, center, discriminating sword, for deciding what is true and not true, good and not good, right and not right. The Son of Man lives and gives level two interpretation of reality. When one sees who he really is, one sees reality as it really is. Those who respond affirmatively are saved.

In verse thirty-six, the one speaking with you is he: This is almost exactly what Jesus said to the Samaritan woman in 4:26. The now sighted man sees only Jesus. For John this is the really- real reason and purpose of the gift of sight; it enables the man to see Jesus, on level one, and see into or believe in him with level two vision, insight.