A Gospel of a Different Color

The word “believe” occurs 173 times in the Bible. The word “believed” occurs an additional sixty-seven times. But notice how the Gospel of John dominates the use of the word. Of the 173 times “believe” is found in the Bible, an astounding fifty-seven of them are included in John. Likewise, of the sixty-seven “believed” references, twenty-four are found in John. Obviously, John has an exaggerated interest in the word. But why? As we explore this gospel of a different color, we will focus on certain stories as they relate to Jesus’s core mission: to bring folks to him. We will not interpret every verse of the gospel, but several speak directly to this mission.

A Man Born Blind (9:1–41)

Jesus’s healing ministry was powerful, transforming many lives from brokenness to wholeness. A great example is the healing in chapter 9 of a young man who was born blind. But this is no ordinary healing story. It is filled with invitations to believe in Jesus, some of which are accepted and others rejected. The disciples ask Jesus, “Rabbi, who sinned, this man or the parents, that he was born blind?”

“Neither this man nor his parents sinned,” Jesus answers. “He was born blind so that God’s works might be revealed in him” (9:3). Jesus heals the man and tells him to go and wash at the pool of Siloam, which he did.

Upon his washing he begins to see, and folk notice: “Is this not the man who used to sit and beg?” (9:8). He says yes, that he has been healed. Unable to understand the situation, they take the man to the religious authorities for an explanation.

The religious leaders immediately distrust the man, and when he explains that his sight was gained by the work of Jesus, their response is acute: “This man [Jesus] is not from God, for he does not observe the sabbath” (9:16). Others, perhaps even Nicodemus, whom we will hear more from in chapters 3 and 19, dispute the accusation by asking, “How can a man who is a sinner perform such signs?” (9:18). “The Jews did not believe that he had been blind and had received his sight until they called the parents of the man.” His parents confirm that this is in fact their son, who was blind, but out of fear of being put out of the synagogue, they will not name Jesus as the source of his healing (9:22).

The leaders call for the man again and question him once more. He is adamant that Jesus healed him. Defiantly, he says, “Do you also want to become his disciples?” (9:27), and they respond by throwing the man out of the synagogue.

Later, Jesus seeks out the man and asks, “Do you believe in the Son of Man?” (9:35).

“And who is he, sir? Tell me, that I may believe in him.”

Jesus said, “You have seen him, and the one speaking to you is he.”

“[The man] said, ‘Lord, I believe.’ And he worshipped him ” (10:38).

For the Preacher and Teacher

This story contrasts the faith of one born unable to see with the spiritual blindness of the religious leaders. This is at the heart of Jesus’s mission: to find, save, and heal the lost. In his day, those afflicted with unexplainable or incurable conditions were understood as either cursed by God or the result of another’s sin. Jesus transforms those the world would reject with his invitation to a new life. Our ability to see is not determined by the function of our eyes but our faith. As the man’s parents say, “Ask him; he is of age. He will speak for himself ” (9:21).

When did you first believe? Is your belief the result of Jesus’s invitation? How did you hear those words, and how did you respond? What keeps people from hearing Jesus’s invitation? What pressures might they feel before saying yes? How does John’s prolific use of the word “believe” affect your understanding of Jesus’s ministry?