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I love the story in John 9 of the healing of the man born blind. There are so many lessons, beginning with the first verse, “As he passed by, he saw a man blind from birth.” First, the encounter happens “as he passed by.” It’s an interesting exercise to see how many of Jesus’ conversations with folks were “unplanned.” Jesus illustrated steps one and two of missional living described in my book Join the Adventure:
- Be there
- Pay attention
Jesus saw a man, and it’s apparent as you read the story that other folks had NOT seen him!
But I want to focus this blog on the end of the story. Jesus is absent from verses 8 through 34 when all the discussion occurs. The way he healed the man, sending him to wash in the Pool of Siloam, allowed Jesus to disappear while the healing actually occurred. Then we have this exchange:
Jesus heard that they had cast him out, and having found him he said, “Do you believe in the Son of Man?” He answered, “And who is he, sir, that I may believe in him?” Jesus said to him, “You have seen him, and it is he who is speaking to you.” He said, “Lord, I believe,” and he worshiped him. (John 9.35 – 38, ESV, emphasis mine)
We tend to use the word “worship” only in connection with the “worship service.” Sometimes with only part of the worship service, the singing part. Some pastors, as I wrote on January 13, believe that the purpose of the church is to gather to worship. I wrote yesterday that according to Ephesians 4.11, 12, the purpose of the church is to train and equip all the members, much like a trade school, “sending out workers.”
Jesus is doing his ministry “out there” in the neighborhood. And Jesus’ ministry resulted in worship. But, as my pastor pointed out last Sunday, this worship occurred outside the synagogue. “He didn’t even have a bulletin!”
But the hour is coming, and is
Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship. (Romans 12.1, NIV)