A man born blind, so poor that he possesses only himself. And Jesus stops precisely for him, while others start questioning: why blind? Who sinned? Him or his parents? Jesus immediately distances us from the idea that sin is the explanation for evil, which, at one time, was the cornerstone of religion.
The Bible does not answer why innocent people suffer; even Jesus does not explain it. Instead, he focuses on freeing people from evil. He engages with those in pain, sharing their burdens rather than offering explanations.
For instance, Jesus applies mud to a blind man’s eyes and sends him to the pool of Siloam, where he returns able to see, symbolizing a new life. The recurring question throughout this story is, “How were your eyes opened?” Everyone is curious about the process, longing for improved vision, as many feel they see incompletely.
This passage conveys deep sadness. The Pharisees place God in opposition to humanity, suggesting one can believe without being kind. This represents a tragic outcome for faith. True glory lies not in observing the Sabbath but in a beggar rising to a fuller life. The Pharisees focus on rules, prioritizing law over compassion, revealing a faith that lacks empathy—something Bonhoeffer argues does not deserve our devotion.
Ultimately, God’s glory transcends mere Sabbath observances; it is found in the restoration of the blind man from being called impure to being full of life, a “man finally promoted to manhood.”