4th Sunday in Lent

by lay preacher, Julie Carew
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Open our eyes LORD, that we might see and know you. Amen. 

Most of us were given guidelines and rules from a very early age. Generally, parents adopt practices to help keep their children safe, to ensure they have what they need to thrive and grow, to give them structure and to guide them. These rules are determined largely by what those who are raising them see to be the most important. Parents are influenced by what they have experienced themselves, by what they have seen and experienced through others, by their worldview, their resources, by what they hope their children will have and what they hope they won’t have to deal with- by many, many factors. In my experience as a parent, oftentimes, rules make things easier. If a parent can establish a rule about something, and explain the reasoning and/or why it’s necessary, it (ideally) removes the need for questioning and debate- the parent observes what’s happening, sees the need for a guideline, does the initial thought-work, reaches a conclusion and expects that their children will follow said rule. 

Sounds simple, right? On paper, maybe, but real life is a whole different scenario. I mean, my kids should know that I am older and wiser and have their best interests at heart, so they will be in full agreement with what I have set in place for them at all times, right? 

Maybe they would if they were robots, but they’re not. They have feelings, they see things that maybe I don’t, they are aware of what they’re experiencing in their bodies and how a rule sits with them. If I am being the loving, sensitive, emotionally nurturing parent I hope that I am (at least for a few minutes on my best days), I’m looking to get to know my children, to hear directly from them how things feel in their bodies as they walk through this life and to guide them through in a way that will empower them to set guidelines and boundaries for themselves. I want them to know that I see them and hear them, and that I factor that into what I ask and expect of them. 

I also expect that they will respect when, even after discussion, I stick with my original assessment of the situation and hold to the boundary or rule I have put in place. I hope they will recognize that there are times when the trusted adults in their lives may set rules that don’t make sense to them, but they will know that we are thoughtfully considering it when we do and they will honor that. When we zoom out to the bigger picture of their life beyond living under our roof and to their own expanding circles of support and influence, I want them to treat themselves and those around them in this same way, to leave room for questions, to give space to feel deeply, and to be ok with not knowing all the answers to everything they come across. I want them to have learned from our relationship, our questions and conversations, and be well-equipped to make good decisions on their own or with those also involved. And I hope that if and when they get to a point in their lives in which they’re unsure of what to do next, they will know that they can come to me and I will help them with it, starting by listening to them. 

As a parent, when I become more focused on the rules than on the child, I miss out and so do they. When I shut them down before hearing what is happening inside of them, and helping them to work through that as needed, I miss the chance to gain some perspective and they feel unvalued. As challenging as it is, and was- when they were little, there were times I had to declare a “break on questions” so that I could have a few moments of quiet- I WANT children who ask questions. I want children who aren’t afraid to express when something doesn’t feel ok to them. Of course I want children who respect the leaders around them, who acknowledge that their elders have seen way more than they have, and give them the credit that is due, but I don’t want children who blindly obey, especially when it doesn’t feel right to them. I’m hoping that this approach will help them to see, know and feel how deeply they are loved, and that they generally will defer to what I have put in place for them, knowing that I have their best interest in mind. 

Now, I know this is different for an omniscient Creator who sees all and knows all- God is infinitely better equipped than I am- but the fact is, they give space for our humanness. God knows that we are not simple, God created us this way and knows that we’re going to have questions, we’re going to have feelings, we’re going to need to be able to experience things in order for the guidance to make sense, or for us to want it. 

So what’s happening here with the Pharisees vs the (now formerly) blind man? I know I’m often quick to judge the Pharisees, but if I’m honest, I understand their point of view and I know I’m guilty of it at times too. The Pharisees have learned and studied the rules, they have taken what is known about God, what has been recorded and passed down about God and they are trying to do what is right, to the letter of the law. Laws are necessary of course, the best ones are written to help us know right from wrong, to help protect us from poor decisions, but it’s very difficult to write a law, governing elements of everyday people’s everyday lives, that can apply in every situation.

The Hebrew Bible has HUNDREDS of rules- related to diet, clothing, hygiene, farming, who is ok to talk to or make deals with, etc. These were given to different groups of people, many in very specific circumstances and we wouldn’t imagine that we’d be expected now to keep them all. These rules made sense in their context, and were important for people of those times to stick to. And yes, some of these rules are still helpful today. But as most parents will tell you, there are different rules for different circumstances, and rules need to adapt and change as children grow and as the world changes around them. God gifted humans with brains and reason and emotions, and when we use those things together, we are capable of figuring out what rules apply when, but we need to have space for consideration, for testing, for exploring and like a parent with a growing child, God gives us that. 

When asked by a Pharisee in Matthew 22, “Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?” 

37 Jesus replied: “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’[c] 38 This is the first and greatest commandment. 39 And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’[d] 40 All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.” 

So Jesus really gave us 2 overarching rules. And they apply to EVERYTHING. And what is the core of both of them? LOVE. 

Jesus knew what he was doing. He showed that LOVE overrules all the rules- LOVE for God, LOVE for neighbor, LOVE for self. And here, Jesus is demonstrating exactly that. The intention of the Sabbath is to bring our attention to God and that is precisely what Jesus is doing by giving sight to this blind man. Could he have done it without making this mud for him to rub on his eyes? Could he have done it without sending the man to go and wash the mud from his eyes? Of course he could have, but in doing this, he makes this healing so clearly an act of “work”, which is not allowed on the Sabbath, BUT this work reveals the power of God, the LOVE of God, the Redemption of God. 
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Jesus makes it crystal clear that in following the rules like the Pharisees are here, without considering their intent or their context, we miss the point. We miss seeing God move, seeing God work, and allowing God to use us. Through Jesus’ work, the blind man regains his physical sight and he also sees so very clearly what the Pharisees cannot. He sees and calls out the foolishness of the Pharisee’s questions, he is able to distance himself from them, to look at them with a broader lens and reveal the truth. 

So, what can we take from this today? Jesus gives us such a beautiful illustration here of what he means with his great commandments. He reminds us that it’s not a matter of following a list of rules, or doing what has always been done, the way it’s always been done. It’s about taking the guidance we have, dwelling in relationship with God and centering ALL that we do in love. 

I have to admit, as a teacher and a parent, especially on a busy day with lots going on, I want ALL the rule followers on my team! Everything is so much easier when things just go the way I plan for them to go, without any “extra” energy expended to navigate on the fly. 

And also… I know I’d miss SO MUCH. I love those moments when I recognize and can appreciate a spark of creativity, a working of or around the system for the betterment of others. I love that I get to see my children and my students for the unique individuals that they are. And it is undoubtedly (most days!) worth the extra time, attention and energy. I believe too that God must delight in seeing their beloved children think outside the box, step out of the routine, connect with God through asking questions, look for God’s purpose and intent, and show love and compassion in ways that really change lives- their own and those of others. 
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So, let us examine where we might be “just” going through the motions, doing what we’re “supposed” to do- and where that might be keeping us from connection with God and with each other. Let us be encouraged by Jesus’ example here to get creative, to really see God’s beloved around us, to get our hands dirty and engage in a way we might not normally make time or space for. And may that shift open our eyes to the love and care of God for all of us. Amen.

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