Who is This?
“Who is this?” That’s the question asked when the man born blind and in God’s spitting image, the man who was sent to wash returns with sight. Is he the man who used to sit and beg? Is he someone like him? Apparently, the answer is …
Wash
After covering the blind man’s eyes with mud, the one who God sent to continue the divine creative work sends the man to a pool that means “sent” to wash. When he had said this, he spat on the ground and made mud with the saliva and spread the mud on the man’s eyes, saying…
Sent
After covering the blind man’s eyes with mud, the one who God sent to continue the divine creative work sends the man to a pool that means “sent” to wash. When he had said this, he spat on the ground and made mud with the saliva and spread the mud on the man’s eyes, saying…
Spitting Image
Jesus’ response to the man born blind moves to reveal him as someone made in the spitting image of the divine. At least that is a playful way to talk about Jesus’ actions that answer the question, “What now?” When he had said this, he spat on the ground and made mud with the saliva…
Light Up the Darkness
We are born in the void. We return there even after presence finds us. So how does God light up the darkness? We see it described metaphorically in the Genesis account. Jesus does this work throughout his time on earth. He also invites his followers to participate in it. But how are we to live…
Life in the Void
Before exploring where we ended last time before we consider how the man born blind uses his freedom, it is important to reflect more on life in the void. This is especially true for those born into the void who never experienced an early return to presence. This topic is important to me because, as…
A Better Question
Is there a better question to ask about the man born blind? The disciples saw the man and from their world of transcendent-enchantment asked, “Who sinned?” The assumption is that it must be the man or his parents. In our world of immanent-disenchantment we ask, “Who’s to blame?” We use frameworks like meritocracy and victimhood…
A Better Question
Is there a better question to ask about the man born blind? The disciples saw the man and from their world of transcendent-enchantment asked, “Who sinned?” The assumption is that it must be the man or his parents. In our world of immanent-disenchantment we ask, “Who’s to blame?” We use frameworks like meritocracy and victimhood…
Who Sinned?
The question, “Who sinned?” launches us into a multi-week exploration of the local context of John 10:10 and Jesus’ offer of an abundant life. Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind? John 9:2, NRSV
Jesus’ Abundant Life in Context
Jesus talked about the abundant life in context. It is not a random saying. It happens as part of a broader story. So if we want to understand what Jesus meant, we have to consider that story. That is the goal of these posts. What did Jesus really mean when he said: The thief comes…
There’s Something About Jesus
Even in the most difficult times in my life of faith, there’s been something about Jesus. Like those times when my jaw clinched against my will. From deep within my gut anger rose up like a kindled tinder bursting into flame. Rarely opened spickets in my eyes allowed the early stages of tears to form….
