As I noted yesterday, I may stay on this section of Alison's work.
Jesus' final comment, "For judgment I came into the world, that those who do not see may see, and that those who see may become blind," is his assessment of the whole story (that of the blind man). In the first place Jesus has carried out no active judgment at all. The only judgment related in the story has been that of the Pharisees, casting the man out. This is part of the ironic Johannine recasting of judgment: it is by being crucified that Jesus is the real judge of his judges. So because Jesus is the cause of the former blind man's expulsion, the former blind man shares Jesus' role as judge of those who have expelled him. It is not that Jesus simply abolishes the notion of judgment or is merely much more of a judge than the other judges: the sense in which Jesus is a judge is a subversion from within of the notion of judgment. The judgment that excluded the former blind man is revealed as the judgment (also discernment) that the expellers are really blind.
Judgment. It can be a frightening word. It can be a community breaking word. It can be a word that is held out in the middle of a people and rather than live within the joy of life, we live with eyes always aware of judgment. But what it the judge judges for us? What if Jesus - for example - reaches in to hold us and heal us and welcome us and brush us off and help us to stand again? What if I am a blind man from birth and Jesus makes we see. Even though Alison says that 'Jesus carries out no active judgment at all,' Jesus really does. He - in his actions toward the blind man - judges the man worthy of healing. On the other hand, that judgment is one that is contrary to the popular judgment made on the man by the rest of the world around him. Does that mean Jesus judges the rest of the people as being wrong? I guess that is one way to say it. But then again, could it be that Jesus is more concerned about the healing of that blind man - the reunited of one who has been separated, than he is about judging others. As it turns out, Jesus judgment for the blind man - for the one pushed out - is a witness to another way to be human. It is a witness to the saving power of the truly human one - a power that does not let itself be ruled by the way things are. Rather, the truly human one within God's Reign acts with mercy, loving-kindness, compassion, and an unbelievable healing presence - no matter what might be the cost of such action.
Connection: What are the many ways we can make judgments for other today. It is not always easy and it does take some prayerful consideration. And yes, we will find ourselves stepping over lines that many say are to be left in place and ruling over us. We will also find ourselves straddling those lines. In all cases, what is it that carries us over the line to live within a judgment for others?
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