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164:3.1 The next [[morning]] the three went over to [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Martha Martha]'s [[home]] at [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bethany Bethany] for breakfast and then went [[immediately]] into [[Jerusalem]]. This [[Sabbath]] morning, as [[Jesus]] and his two [[apostles]] drew near the [[temple]], they encountered a well-known [[beggar]], a man who had been born blind, sitting at his usual place. Although these mendicants did not solicit or [[receive]] [[alms]] on the [[Sabbath]] day, they were [[permitted]] thus to sit in their usual places. [[Jesus]] paused and looked upon the [[beggar]]. As he gazed upon this man who had been [[born]] [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blindness blind], the [[idea]] came into his [[mind]] as to how he would once more bring his [[mission]] on [[earth]] to the notice of the [[Sanhedrin]] and the other [[Jewish]] [[leaders]] and religious [[teachers]].
164:3.2 As [[the Master]] stood there before the blind man, engrossed in deep [[thought]], [[Nathaniel]], [[pondering]] the possible [[cause]] of this man's [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blindness blindness], asked: " Master, who did [[sin]], this man or his [[parents]], that he should be born blind? "[http://nordan.daynal.org/wiki/index.php?title=Gospel_of_John#Chapter_9]
164:3.3 The [[rabbis]] taught that all such cases of [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blindness blindness] from [[birth]] were caused by [[sin]]. Not only were [[children]] conceived and born in [[sin]], but a child could be born blind as a [[punishment]] for some specific [[sin]] committed by its [[father]]. They even taught that a child itself might [[sin]] before it was [[born]] into the world. They also taught that such [[defects]] could be caused by some [[sin]] or other indulgence of the [[mother]] while [[Pregnant|carrying the child]].
164:3.4 There was, throughout all these regions, a lingering [[belief]] in [[reincarnation]]. The older [[Jewish]] [[teachers]], together with [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Plato Plato], [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Philo Philo], and many of the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Essenes Essenes], [[tolerated]] the [[theory]] that men may reap in one [[incarnation]] what they have sown in a previous [[existence]]; thus in one life they were [[believed]] to be expiating the [[sins]] committed in preceding lives. [[The Master]] found it [[difficult]] to make men [[believe]] that their [[souls]] had not had previous [[existences]].
164:3.5 However, inconsistent as it seems, while such [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blindness blindness] was supposed to be the result of [[sin]], the [[Jews]] held that it was meritorious in a high [[degree]] to give [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alms alms] to these blind [[beggar]]s. It was the [[custom]] of these blind men constantly to [[chant]] to the passers-by, " O tenderhearted, gain merit by [[assisting]] the blind. "
164:3.6 [[Jesus]] entered into the [[discussion]] of this case with [[Nathaniel]] and [[Thomas, the Apostle|Thomas]], not only because he had already [[decided]] to use this blind man as the means of that day bringing his [[mission]] once more prominently to the notice of the [[Jewish]] [[leaders]], but also because he always [[encouraged]] his [[apostles]] to seek for the true [[causes]] of all [[phenomena]], [[natural]] or [[spiritual]]. He had often [[warned]] them to avoid the common [[tendency]] to assign [[spiritual]] causes to commonplace [[physical]] [[events]].
164:3.7 [[Jesus]] [[decided]] to use this [[beggar]] in his [[plans]] for that day's [[work]], but before doing anything for the blind man, Josiah by name, he proceeded to answer [[Nathaniel]]'s [[question]]. Said [[the Master]]: " Neither did this man [[sin]] nor his [[parents]] that the works of [[God]] might be [[manifest]] in him. This [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blindness blindness] has come upon him in the [[natural]] [[course]] of [[events]], but we must now do the [[works]] of Him who sent me, while it is still day, for the night will certainly come when it will be impossible to do the [[work]] we are about to [[perform]]. When I am in the world, I am the [[light]] of the world, but in only a little while I will not be with you. "[http://nordan.daynal.org/wiki/index.php?title=Gospel_of_John#Chapter_9]
164:3.8 When [[Jesus]] had spoken, he said to [[Nathaniel]] and [[Thomas, the Apostle|Thomas]]: " Let us create the [[sight]] of this blind man on this [[Sabbath]] day that the [[scribes]] and [[Pharisees]] may have the full occasion which they seek for [[accusing]] the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Son_of_Man Son of Man]. " Then, stooping over, he spat on the ground and mixed the [[clay]] with the [[spittle]], and [[speaking]] of all this so that the blind man could hear, he went up to Josiah and put the clay over his sightless eyes, saying: " Go, my son, wash away this [[clay]] in the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pool_of_Siloam pool of Siloam], and [[immediately]] you shall [[receive]] your [[sight]]. " And when Josiah had so washed in the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pool_of_Siloam pool of Siloam], he returned to his [[friends]] and [[family]], seeing.[http://nordan.daynal.org/wiki/index.php?title=Gospel_of_John#Chapter_9]
164:3.9 Having always been a [[beggar]], he knew nothing else; so, when the first excitement of the [[creation]] of his [[sight]] had passed, he returned to his usual place of [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alms alms]-seeking. His [[friends]], [[neighbors]], and all who had known him aforetime, when they [[observed]] that he could see, all said, " Is this not Josiah the blind [[beggar]]? " Some said it was he, while others said, " No, it is one like him, but this man can see. " But when they asked the man himself, he answered, " I am he. "[http://nordan.daynal.org/wiki/index.php?title=Gospel_of_John#Chapter_9]
164:3.10 When they began to [[inquire]] of him how he was able to see, he answered them: " A man called [[Jesus]] came by this way, and when talking about me with his [[friends]], he made [[clay]] with [[spittle]], anointed my eyes, and directed that I should go and wash in the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pool_of_Siloam pool of Siloam]. I did what this man told me, and [[immediately]] I [[received]] my [[sight]]. And that is only a few hours ago. I do not yet know the [[meaning]] of much that I see. " And when the people who began to gather about him asked where they could find the [[strange]] man who had [[healed]] him, Josiah could answer only that he did not know.
164:3.11 This is one of the strangest of all [[the Master]]'s [[miracles]]. This man did not ask for [[healing]]. He did not [[know]] that the [[Jesus]] who had directed him to wash at [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pool_of_Siloam Siloam], and who had [[promised]] him [[vision]], was the [[prophet]] of [[Galilee]] who had [[preached]] in [[Jerusalem]] during the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Feast_of_Tabernacles feast of tabernacles]. This man had little [[faith]] that he would [[receive]] his [[sight]], but the people of that day had great [[faith]] in the efficacy of the [[spittle]] of a great or [[holy]] man; and from [[Jesus]]' [[conversation]] with [[Nathaniel]] and [[Thomas, the Apostle|Thomas]], Josiah had concluded that his would-be [[benefactor]] was a great man, a learned [[teacher]] or a [[holy]] [[prophet]]; accordingly he did as [[Jesus]] directed him.
164:3.12 [[Jesus]] made use of the clay and the [[spittle]] and directed him to wash in the [[symbolic]] [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pool_of_Siloam pool of Siloam] for [[three]] reasons:
164:3.13 1. This was not a [[miracle]] [[response]] to the [[individual]]'s [[faith]]. This was a [[wonder]] which [[Jesus]] chose to [[perform]] for a [[purpose]] of his own, but which he so arranged that this man might derive lasting benefit therefrom.
164:3.14 2. As the blind man had not asked for [[healing]], and since the [[faith]] he had was slight, these [[material]] [[acts]] were suggested for the [[purpose]] of encouraging him. He did [[believe]] in the [[superstition]] of the [[efficacy]] of [[spittle]], and he knew the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pool_of_Siloam pool of Siloam] was a semisacred place. But he would hardly have gone there had it not been [[necessary]] to wash away the [[clay]] of his [[anointing]]. There was just enough [[ceremony]] about the [[transaction]] to induce him to [[act]].
164:3.15 3. But [[Jesus]] had a third [[reason]] for resorting to these [[material]] means in [[connection]] with this [[unique]] [[transaction]]: This was a [[miracle]] wrought [[purely]] in [[obedience]] to his own [[choosing]], and thereby he [[desired]] to teach his followers of that day and all subsequent ages to refrain from despising or neglecting [[material]] means in the [[healing]] of the [[sick]]. He wanted to teach them that they must cease to regard [[miracles]] as the only [[method]] of curing [[human]] [[diseases]].
164:3.16 [[Jesus]] gave this man his [[sight]] by [[miraculous]] working, on this [[Sabbath]] [[morning]] and in [[Jerusalem]] near [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Second_Temple the temple], for the prime [[purpose]] of making this [[act]] an open [[challenge]] to the [[Sanhedrin]] and all the [[Jewish]] [[teachers]] and religious [[leaders]]. This was his way of [[proclaiming]] an open break with the [[Pharisees]]. He was always [[positive]] in everything he did. And it was for the [[purpose]] of bringing these matters before the [[Sanhedrin]] that [[Jesus]] brought his two [[apostles]] to this man early in the afternoon of this [[Sabbath]] day and [[deliberately]] provoked those [[discussions]] which compelled the [[Pharisees]] to [[Attention|take notice]] of the [[miracle]].
[[Category: Paper 164 - At the Feast of Dedication]]
164:3.1 The next [[morning]] the three went over to [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Martha Martha]'s [[home]] at [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bethany Bethany] for breakfast and then went [[immediately]] into [[Jerusalem]]. This [[Sabbath]] morning, as [[Jesus]] and his two [[apostles]] drew near the [[temple]], they encountered a well-known [[beggar]], a man who had been born blind, sitting at his usual place. Although these mendicants did not solicit or [[receive]] [[alms]] on the [[Sabbath]] day, they were [[permitted]] thus to sit in their usual places. [[Jesus]] paused and looked upon the [[beggar]]. As he gazed upon this man who had been [[born]] [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blindness blind], the [[idea]] came into his [[mind]] as to how he would once more bring his [[mission]] on [[earth]] to the notice of the [[Sanhedrin]] and the other [[Jewish]] [[leaders]] and religious [[teachers]].
164:3.2 As [[the Master]] stood there before the blind man, engrossed in deep [[thought]], [[Nathaniel]], [[pondering]] the possible [[cause]] of this man's [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blindness blindness], asked: " Master, who did [[sin]], this man or his [[parents]], that he should be born blind? "[http://nordan.daynal.org/wiki/index.php?title=Gospel_of_John#Chapter_9]
164:3.3 The [[rabbis]] taught that all such cases of [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blindness blindness] from [[birth]] were caused by [[sin]]. Not only were [[children]] conceived and born in [[sin]], but a child could be born blind as a [[punishment]] for some specific [[sin]] committed by its [[father]]. They even taught that a child itself might [[sin]] before it was [[born]] into the world. They also taught that such [[defects]] could be caused by some [[sin]] or other indulgence of the [[mother]] while [[Pregnant|carrying the child]].
164:3.4 There was, throughout all these regions, a lingering [[belief]] in [[reincarnation]]. The older [[Jewish]] [[teachers]], together with [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Plato Plato], [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Philo Philo], and many of the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Essenes Essenes], [[tolerated]] the [[theory]] that men may reap in one [[incarnation]] what they have sown in a previous [[existence]]; thus in one life they were [[believed]] to be expiating the [[sins]] committed in preceding lives. [[The Master]] found it [[difficult]] to make men [[believe]] that their [[souls]] had not had previous [[existences]].
164:3.5 However, inconsistent as it seems, while such [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blindness blindness] was supposed to be the result of [[sin]], the [[Jews]] held that it was meritorious in a high [[degree]] to give [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alms alms] to these blind [[beggar]]s. It was the [[custom]] of these blind men constantly to [[chant]] to the passers-by, " O tenderhearted, gain merit by [[assisting]] the blind. "
164:3.6 [[Jesus]] entered into the [[discussion]] of this case with [[Nathaniel]] and [[Thomas, the Apostle|Thomas]], not only because he had already [[decided]] to use this blind man as the means of that day bringing his [[mission]] once more prominently to the notice of the [[Jewish]] [[leaders]], but also because he always [[encouraged]] his [[apostles]] to seek for the true [[causes]] of all [[phenomena]], [[natural]] or [[spiritual]]. He had often [[warned]] them to avoid the common [[tendency]] to assign [[spiritual]] causes to commonplace [[physical]] [[events]].
164:3.7 [[Jesus]] [[decided]] to use this [[beggar]] in his [[plans]] for that day's [[work]], but before doing anything for the blind man, Josiah by name, he proceeded to answer [[Nathaniel]]'s [[question]]. Said [[the Master]]: " Neither did this man [[sin]] nor his [[parents]] that the works of [[God]] might be [[manifest]] in him. This [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blindness blindness] has come upon him in the [[natural]] [[course]] of [[events]], but we must now do the [[works]] of Him who sent me, while it is still day, for the night will certainly come when it will be impossible to do the [[work]] we are about to [[perform]]. When I am in the world, I am the [[light]] of the world, but in only a little while I will not be with you. "[http://nordan.daynal.org/wiki/index.php?title=Gospel_of_John#Chapter_9]
164:3.8 When [[Jesus]] had spoken, he said to [[Nathaniel]] and [[Thomas, the Apostle|Thomas]]: " Let us create the [[sight]] of this blind man on this [[Sabbath]] day that the [[scribes]] and [[Pharisees]] may have the full occasion which they seek for [[accusing]] the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Son_of_Man Son of Man]. " Then, stooping over, he spat on the ground and mixed the [[clay]] with the [[spittle]], and [[speaking]] of all this so that the blind man could hear, he went up to Josiah and put the clay over his sightless eyes, saying: " Go, my son, wash away this [[clay]] in the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pool_of_Siloam pool of Siloam], and [[immediately]] you shall [[receive]] your [[sight]]. " And when Josiah had so washed in the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pool_of_Siloam pool of Siloam], he returned to his [[friends]] and [[family]], seeing.[http://nordan.daynal.org/wiki/index.php?title=Gospel_of_John#Chapter_9]
164:3.9 Having always been a [[beggar]], he knew nothing else; so, when the first excitement of the [[creation]] of his [[sight]] had passed, he returned to his usual place of [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alms alms]-seeking. His [[friends]], [[neighbors]], and all who had known him aforetime, when they [[observed]] that he could see, all said, " Is this not Josiah the blind [[beggar]]? " Some said it was he, while others said, " No, it is one like him, but this man can see. " But when they asked the man himself, he answered, " I am he. "[http://nordan.daynal.org/wiki/index.php?title=Gospel_of_John#Chapter_9]
164:3.10 When they began to [[inquire]] of him how he was able to see, he answered them: " A man called [[Jesus]] came by this way, and when talking about me with his [[friends]], he made [[clay]] with [[spittle]], anointed my eyes, and directed that I should go and wash in the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pool_of_Siloam pool of Siloam]. I did what this man told me, and [[immediately]] I [[received]] my [[sight]]. And that is only a few hours ago. I do not yet know the [[meaning]] of much that I see. " And when the people who began to gather about him asked where they could find the [[strange]] man who had [[healed]] him, Josiah could answer only that he did not know.
164:3.11 This is one of the strangest of all [[the Master]]'s [[miracles]]. This man did not ask for [[healing]]. He did not [[know]] that the [[Jesus]] who had directed him to wash at [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pool_of_Siloam Siloam], and who had [[promised]] him [[vision]], was the [[prophet]] of [[Galilee]] who had [[preached]] in [[Jerusalem]] during the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Feast_of_Tabernacles feast of tabernacles]. This man had little [[faith]] that he would [[receive]] his [[sight]], but the people of that day had great [[faith]] in the efficacy of the [[spittle]] of a great or [[holy]] man; and from [[Jesus]]' [[conversation]] with [[Nathaniel]] and [[Thomas, the Apostle|Thomas]], Josiah had concluded that his would-be [[benefactor]] was a great man, a learned [[teacher]] or a [[holy]] [[prophet]]; accordingly he did as [[Jesus]] directed him.
164:3.12 [[Jesus]] made use of the clay and the [[spittle]] and directed him to wash in the [[symbolic]] [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pool_of_Siloam pool of Siloam] for [[three]] reasons:
164:3.13 1. This was not a [[miracle]] [[response]] to the [[individual]]'s [[faith]]. This was a [[wonder]] which [[Jesus]] chose to [[perform]] for a [[purpose]] of his own, but which he so arranged that this man might derive lasting benefit therefrom.
164:3.14 2. As the blind man had not asked for [[healing]], and since the [[faith]] he had was slight, these [[material]] [[acts]] were suggested for the [[purpose]] of encouraging him. He did [[believe]] in the [[superstition]] of the [[efficacy]] of [[spittle]], and he knew the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pool_of_Siloam pool of Siloam] was a semisacred place. But he would hardly have gone there had it not been [[necessary]] to wash away the [[clay]] of his [[anointing]]. There was just enough [[ceremony]] about the [[transaction]] to induce him to [[act]].
164:3.15 3. But [[Jesus]] had a third [[reason]] for resorting to these [[material]] means in [[connection]] with this [[unique]] [[transaction]]: This was a [[miracle]] wrought [[purely]] in [[obedience]] to his own [[choosing]], and thereby he [[desired]] to teach his followers of that day and all subsequent ages to refrain from despising or neglecting [[material]] means in the [[healing]] of the [[sick]]. He wanted to teach them that they must cease to regard [[miracles]] as the only [[method]] of curing [[human]] [[diseases]].
164:3.16 [[Jesus]] gave this man his [[sight]] by [[miraculous]] working, on this [[Sabbath]] [[morning]] and in [[Jerusalem]] near [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Second_Temple the temple], for the prime [[purpose]] of making this [[act]] an open [[challenge]] to the [[Sanhedrin]] and all the [[Jewish]] [[teachers]] and religious [[leaders]]. This was his way of [[proclaiming]] an open break with the [[Pharisees]]. He was always [[positive]] in everything he did. And it was for the [[purpose]] of bringing these matters before the [[Sanhedrin]] that [[Jesus]] brought his two [[apostles]] to this man early in the afternoon of this [[Sabbath]] day and [[deliberately]] provoked those [[discussions]] which compelled the [[Pharisees]] to [[Attention|take notice]] of the [[miracle]].
[[Category: Paper 164 - At the Feast of Dedication]]
