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| ����������� "He did what?" |
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| ����������� "You heard me." |
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| ����������� "People don't do miracles like that.� He's a fake." |
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| ����������� "I can see.� He is not a fake." [18] |
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| ����������� "Well, when did he do it?" |
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| ����������� "Yesterday." |
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| ����������� "On the Sabbath?� You know you're not supposed to work on the Sabbath." |
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| ����������� "Well, it wasn't exactly work." |
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| ����������� "He made mud, didn't he?� You washed, didn't you?� That's work." |
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| ����������� "Where is that man, Jesus, now?" |
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| ����������� "I don't know." [19] |
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| ����������� Elam walks away.� He will not force them to believe.� There is too much living to do. |
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| ����������� The two neighbors watch Elam's back.� Eber nudges Haran.� "This may be our door to get in tight with the leaders of the Temple" |
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| ����������� "You're right." |
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| ����������� "We need to see the Pharisees as soon as possible," Eber announces.� "This man has had an encounter with Jesus." |
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| ����������� The two go over to the Temple and send a message to High Priest Caiaphas. |
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| ����������� "You can't just walk up and expect to send a message to your high priest." |
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| ����������� "They want Jesus, don't they?� We can give him to them." |
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| ����������� The Sanhedrin anxiously assembles.� They summon Elam and his friends to their chambers.� In the process of questioning, they find out who did the healing, how, and when. [20] |
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| ����������� Okay, Elam.� The time is now. �The time for which you were born.� Can you do it? |
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| ����������� "You mean he made that mud on the Sabbath?" |
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| ����������� "Well, yes." [21] |
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| ����������� "Tell us again how he did it." |
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| ����������� "He made mud and put it on my eyes." [22] |
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| ����������� "That is work!� He is not allowed to work on the Sabbath!� That is just one more proof Jesus is a rebel." |
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| ����������� "He is in it for himself, not for God's glory." |
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| ����������� Surprisingly, the Sanhedrin is still not united. |
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| ����������� "If Jesus is so sinful, how can he perform miracles?" they ask to deaf ears.� "Look at this man for yourself." [23] |
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����������� But they are blind too. |
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| ����������� "Elam.� What is your conclusion?� What do you think of this Jesus you claim healed you?" |
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| ����������� All right, Elam.� Say it.� Blurt it out.� God will help you. |
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����������� "He has been sent by God." |
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| ����������� That's right, Elam.� Don't back down.� All this opposition will strengthen your faith.� Keep it up.� Help them see. [24] |
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| ����������� "Well, this is not the same man who's been outside the Temple all these years." |
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| ����������� "Doesn't even resemble him." |
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| ����������� But men.� You're looking right at him.� How can you deny the facts when they're clear as day?� So blind. |
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����������� "You may go.� But do not leave Jerusalem.� Do you understand?" |
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| ����������� Elam goes back home disturbed.� He had thought the Pharisees and chief priests would appreciate hearing about this man from God.� They had wanted to know more about him.� But they had not wanted to know anything he does or says.� What's going on here?� They're supposed to be so holy. |
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| ����������� A couple days later Elam receives a knock on his gate.� It is a messenger from the Temple.� |
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����������� "Sir, your parents have been interrogated, and they have been cleared.� But the Sanhedrin is requesting that you return for follow up debriefing." [25] |
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| ����������� An hour later Elam is back before the religious leaders.� The blind religious leaders. |
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| ����������� "Once more, sir.� And this time, glorify God.� If God performed the miracle directly on you, just say so.� But do not bring this man, Jesus into it.� He is one of the worst heretics of our century.� So leave him out of your healing." [26] |
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| ����������� Once more, Elam.� Go for it! |
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| ����������� "I cannot tell you anything about this man's private life.� All I know is what he did to me." [27] |
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| ����������� "Then tell us again." |
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| ����������� Maybe he will eventually see the light and change his story.� They hope so. |
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| ����������� "But I've already told you.� If I told you a hundred times, it would still be the same." |
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| ����������� "Then tell us again." |
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| ����������� Growing a little exasperated at the third degree, Elam wonders what they are so afraid of.� Then he tells his story once again.� Except this time he has a new twist.� They do not like his twist.� He knows ahead of time they will not. |
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| ����������� "I have already explained everything to you and you won't listen to me.� Why do you want me to tell you again?� You aren't thinking of following him yourself, are you?" [28] |
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����������� They rage at his sarcasm. |
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| ����������� Caiaphas bangs his fist on the table.� "Young man!� Do you realize who you are speaking to?" |
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| ����������� Elam knows.� But for the first time, he realizes he has not really known them.� God is helping him see. |
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| ����������� "It is obvious you are a follower of this heretic!" |
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| ����������� "Young man, you are as blind as they come." |
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| ����������� "Can't expect any more from a beggar and a bum." |
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| ����������� "Well, young man, we follow Moses, the great lawgiver.� We know all about Moses.� We know nothing about this apostate, Jesus.� He is a fake and a nobody.� And we will destroy him." [29] |
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| ����������� Ah yes.� Infallible knowledge.� Don't try to confront Temple wisdom. |
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| ����������� But Elam does.� Once more, exasperated, he responds.� Go get 'em, Elam! |
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| ����������� "That is what is so amazing!� He is not well known or respected in religious circles, but he made me see.� We all know God does not answer the prayers of sinners, but only those who follow his word.� In all the history of the world, no one has ever been made anyone see who was born blind.� But it happened to me!� If he wasn't from God, he could not have done this." [30] |
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| ����������� How dare Elam stand up to the high Temple officials.� They know what they are doing.� He does not.� They have studied theology.� He has not. |
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| ����������� "Enough!" |
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| ����������� "We have had enough of your insolence.� You were born blind because of your sins, and you dare teach us?" |
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| ����������� "We have no alternative but to excommunicate you from the Temple and all synagogues.� You are no longer welcome here.� You are no longer one of us." [31] |
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| ����������� Rejection comes swiftly.� And hard.� Elam now has no synagogue.� No religious identity.� Has God excommunicated him too?� The religious leaders declare that he has.� Elam is now religiousless.� But not Godless. |
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| ����������� Elam walks out between two Temple guards.� They pause at the outside gate.� Then from behind them they hear a loud voice standing on the sacred altar.� |
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| ����������� "Attention worshippers!� Elam Thorn is no longer to be considered a member of our religion.� He has been officially excommunicated.� Have nothing to do with him.� Do not even speak to him.� He is to be shunned forever."������ |
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| ����������� Elam leaves the fortress of the spiritually blind.� The great Temple.� He is confused.� What is going wrong?� Isn't that what God wanted?� For him to tell the truth? |
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| ����������� He walks out the gate of the grand Temple for the last time and over to the pool where he received his miracle.� It will help him recall the experience of the moment.� The miraculous moment when he first received his sight.� |
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| ����������� He sits there a long time.� People around him whisper.� He can hear what some of them are saying, for his ears were long ago trained to tune in on what most people cannot hear.� He knows they're whispering about him.� They back away from him.� They do not talk to him.� Only about him.� They're afraid of the blind ones. |
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| ����������� "Elam." |
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| ����������� Someone is speaking to him.� Who could it be?� He's been excommunicated.� But he knows.� He smiles before he even turns in the direction of the voice. |
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| ����������� "Jesus.� It's you.� I guess you heard what happened." |
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| ����������� "Elam, do you believe in the Son of Mankind, the Son of God?" [32] |
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| ����������� Jesus comes right to the point. |
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| ����������� "Who is he?� Who is the Son of God?� I would believe anything you told me.� Despite what the others say.� Just point him out." [33] |
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| ����������� "You have already seen him." |
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| ����������� "I have?" |
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| ����������� You bet, Elam! |
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| ����������� "I am the Son of God." [34] |
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| ����������� Elam looks on Jesus with his new eyes, the eyes of faith.� And he knows.� He had been suspicious there was something more about this Jesus than anyone was letting on.� Of course.� The Son of God.� He stares at Jesus a moment while he comprehends yet another dimension, one vaguely familiar to him. |
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| ����������� The angels of heaven cheer.� |
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| ����������� Go ahead, Elam.� Do what you're thinking of doing! |
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| ����������� Tears come to Elam's eyes. |
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| ����������������������� He trembles. |
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| ����������������������������������� And falls to his knees.� |
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| ����������� Out in the middle of the square.� Where people can see him and poke fun of him.� He does it anyway.� |
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| ����������� "Yes!� Yes, Lord!� It is you!� You are the Son of God!� And I have been touched by your hand.� You brought sight to my eyes, my spirit, my soul.� Thank you, Jesus." [35] |
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| ����������� After a few moments, Jesus reaches down and takes Elam's arm.� He helps him back up.� By now there is a small crowd around them.� Elam does not pay attention to them.� Jesus does.� He speaks to Elam.� But really he speaking to all mankind. |
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| ����������� "I came to the world to judge just who is blind and who is not.� I came to make the sightless see what the seeing are too blind to see." [36] |
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| ����������� Jesus leaves.� Elam has met his purpose in life.� He has recognized it.� He has grabbed hold of it.� |
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| ����������� Jesus leaves Jerusalem the great holy city.� It is too dangerous here.� He will be arrested if he stays longer.� He has just a little more work to do. |
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| Province of Perea |
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| ����������� He travels around on the other side of the Jordan.� Out of Procurator Pilate's territory.� The religious rulers have too much influence over Pilate.� He goes to over to King Herod's other territory.� Dangerous there too, but not as dangerous. |
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| ����������� Several try to warn Jesus that Herod is on the prowl after him too.� Jesus calls him a fox and says he has no time for him right now. [37] |
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| ����������� This will be his last chance to personally teach the people on the other side of the Jordan.� He has not spent much time with them.� He must do so now. |
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| ����������� The rest of the winter he travels.� And early spring.� He travels through every city.� Teaching.� Warning.� Pleading for people to get ready for the new kingdom of God.� It is much closer now.� It is imminent.� Get ready.� |
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March AD 30
Jericho, Judea |
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| ����������� The time is near.� The time of the end and of the beginning.� Jesus works his over to Jericho.� A parade meets him there.� Great things happen.� Then he leaves.� He must never stay too long in one place.� Keep moving. [38] |
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| ����������� But a large crowd continues to follow him.� They want to be around for the take over. |
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| ����������� "Hail to the king!" they keep shouting.� "Hail to the king!" |
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| ����������� "What's going on over there," Bar Timaeus asks some people around him.� He is blind. [39] |
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| ����������� "It's Jesus.� He has been in town, and now he's headed for Jerusalem." |
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| ����������� "Jesus?� The Jesus?� The descendant of King David predicted to be our eternal king?" |
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| ����������� "One and the same." |
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| ����������� But the sound of the crowd moves away.� Bar Timaeus must do something quick. |
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| ����������� Jesus turns.� He is obviously going to make a speech.� Everyone quiets down and waits.� What do you have to tell us, Jesus?� You're brave.� You stand up to people for us.� We're on your side.� Tell us what to do next. |
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| ����������� Still they wait.� In the stillness.�� Shhhhh....� Jesus is about to speak. |
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| ����������� "Hey, Jesus!� Are you here?� Where are you, Jesus?" |
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| ����������� Shhhhh.� Be quiet.� Jesus is trying to talk. |
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| ����������� "Jesus!" Bar Timaeus cries out.�"Where are you Jesus?� Son of David!� Take pity on us!" [40] |
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Shhhhh. Quit interrupting. Be quiet.
But that is what Jesus has been waiting for. He must teach another lesson. Not words. Action.
"Bring that man over here to me," he tells the people nearest him.
Oh, well, Jesus has to be a good example. He will give the man alms, everyone will see it, and then people will do more good for the poor.
"Hey! Good news! Jesus heard you, and he's consented to see you. Get up! Hurry!
The beggar throws off his robe and gets up, suppolrting himself with his staff. Click. Click. Click.
"This way! He's over here!" [39]
"Here you are. This is Jesus."
?"So, what would you like me to do for you today?"
Okay, here's your chance. You can ask for something trite like a denarus. But you will not. Do for you? Do for you? Oh, Jesus, you who made light can turn the light on for me.
"I want to see. Can you make me see? Please, sir." [40]
"Okay. It's done. You can see now."
That's it? That's all it takes, Jesus? No great theatrics? No organ or orchestra in the background? No representatives of the Temple standing by? Just okay?
"I can see! I can see my hand! I can see the crowd! I can see you, Jesus! I can see the whole world!" [41]
Praises rise in waves and mingle with applause. They echoe through the still barren trees and reverberate through the world.
Yes, Jesus can make people see. He is light. He is the light. See themselves for what they really are. See God for what he really is. He can open up a whole new world. Jesus pulls up the shades to let in that world.
But to others, his light dazzles too much. They cannot handle that much light. Go away, Jesus.
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LIFE APPLICATION |
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1. Creeds often have more in them than is in the Bible. Most denominational hymn books have at least part of their creed in the back of the book. Find a book with a denominational creed in it and compare some topics in it with a Bible concordance. Do you see anything in it not in the New Testament? How does that make you feel?
2. Have you ever had to stand up for someone who was unpopular? Is Jesus very popular in your circle of friends, or some other friends you have? How can you stand up for him among them? Do you think you will keep those friends by doing so?
3. The blind man did not worry over the unconventional ~ whether methods or people. All he cared about were results. Baptism in the Bible is rather unconventional because it is by immersion and is messy (see Romans 6:4). I Peter 3:21 says baptism saves us. Other things save us too ~ Jesus' blood, mercy, etc. How do you feel about responding to Jesus in a way that the rest of the world might think unconventional?
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