Open our Eye

 

2026 03 15 Sermon

Today’s Gospel reading is about vision, something that is important to us all. When I was in 3^rd grade, I remember going to the gym for an eye test. It wasn’t long before I found myself in Dr Flood’s office. I remember he had drawers full of frames and asked me which ones I liked. I decided I liked the light blue ones best. After getting my new glasses, I was stunned to look at the chalkboard and see that the lines of chalk were quite clear, not fuzzy.  Since that day, I have focused on getting the best sight I could.

The first half of John’s gospel focuses on laying out the story of who Jesus is, like peeling the layers of an onion, a bit at time. Some of the stories are labeled signs, the equivalent of miracles. But signs point to something, and that’s John’s (ahem) point. We learn that: 

-            Jesus is God, through whom all was created

-            Jesus can change water to wine, and is obedient to his mother Mary

-            When Jesus speaks with people, he uses metaphors, not parables.

-            The Spirit of God is an active part of Jesus’ ministry, and in the lives of believers

-            Jesus brings life, like living water, and it’s even better than a well in our own backyard

-            Jesus brings the dead back to life – next week’s story

-            So: Jesus the Son of God, given divine powers, temporarily inhabiting a human body

 

Today, we learn that Jesus heals a man who was blind from birth, not just restoring lost sight, but giving sight where there was none. It always amazes me that when Jesus heals people, he gives not just the physical ability, but the knowledge to use what is given. In this case, this man who has never seen anything, knows that he is seeing people and places, and clothing, and animals, etc.

I wonder what it must have been like for this man. First, let’s give him a name – how about Daniel. He is an adult, though we don’t know his age. His parents are still alive, so probably 25-30.  Daniel has spent his life being guided by others to get from place to place, and his ability to earn a living is limited, so he spends his time begging. He has been accused of being a sinner, simply because of his blindness, because in those days, it was believed that sin caused disability and financial ruin and childlessness.

 People witnessed his healing and were amazed at it. Yet, the authorities question the authenticity of it. In a scene that seems rather like good cop, bad cop they agree it’s possible – What if this Jesus really did do this? – but not very likely. In addition, this healing occurred on a Sabbath! Finally, they bring in the parents. They don’t want to risk the consequences of telling the truth, so they deflect the question. Yes, he’s our son, but ask him what happened. He’s old enough to answer for himself.

In the end, Jesus returns, learns what has happened to Daniel and affirms him with a blessing. He also has a conversation with the folks who doubted the healing. Because you refuse to believe, your sins remain.

Open our eyes, Lord.

Lest we think that only happened in Jesus’ time, we may need to have our own eyes opened. Yesterday, I had a call from a polling company. The questions were about a potential upcoming vote to add a penny to our sales tax, with the funds to repair roads, increase infrastructure like widening roads, and protect natural lands and water.

The questioner had several options to answer most of the questions: very much agree, somewhat agree, somewhat disagree, very much disagree. While I mostly said that I very much agree that the money must be raised and spent, I know that there are folks who disagree with me. They probably weren’t in the bottleneck that occurred when a car broke down on a curve leading up to a bridge on the two-lane highway just north of Inverness.

Our society has become very divided on lust about every issue, whether it’s money, education, health, defense, or whatever. There is a general refusal to see the benefits of the other side, whatever the other side is. It’s often a refusal to compromise to craft a deal that works for everyone, especially for the people in need. We need Jesus’ help to open eyes and hearts.

In 2008, I heard this song by Brandon Heath on the radio, and it has stuck with me. He asks God to give us the eyes to see what we have been missing, especially God’s love for all humanity. It’s a reminder for me that it’s too easy for us to judge people, to be blind to their humanity beneath whatever shell they have covering their true selves.

We see people on a street corner with a beggar’s sign and think, “I’ve heard they make $200 a day that way. Why should I give to them?” and “Why don’t they get a real job?” When Covid first shut down the world, Mike and I ordered food from a local restaurant. The delivery person wore a suit. I wondered where he used to work, and if this was his new way of feeding his family. Open our eyes, Lord.

Let’s pray:

Open our eyes, Lord. Help us to see your presence in worship, in our daily lives, in our friends, and in our not-friends, in our broken family relationships.

Open our eyes, Lord. Help us to see the gifts you have given us, including those that we have ignored, that we have not used lately, that you can use for your purposes in our congregation or community.

Open our eyes, Lord. Help us to see the way forward for this congregation. We don’t always like change, but help us see how it can lead to good things. Help us be open to your many surprises, even when we can’t see how they can be possible.

Open our eyes, Lord. Amen