Honoring the Son of Man
Jesus asked the man born blind if he believed in the Son of Man (John 9:35 bibrefjohn9 bibrefjohn9v35). Previously in John’s Gospel, Jesus told Nicodemus that “as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, so must the Son of Man be lifted up” (John 3:14 bibrefjohn3 bibrefjohn3v14). This is a reference to His death on the cross (John 12:32-33 bibrefjohn12 bibrefjohn12v32 bibrefjohn12v33) and the outcome was “that whoever believes in him may have eternal life” (John 3:15 bibrefjohn3 bibrefjohn3v15). The Son of Man gives life.
The Son of Man also gives sight. This is the work of God in John 9. More than opening eyes to color and light, Jesus opened the man’s eyes to see Himself as the Messiah, the Savior. He could see his need and the forgiveness offered by the Son of Man.
The Son of Man also gives food that never perishes. Jesus told the crowd on the other side of the sea, “Do not work for the food that perishes, but for the food that endures to eternal life, which the Son of Man will give to you” (John 6:27 bibrefjohn6 bibrefjohn6v27). Jesus satisfies the soul in a way that no bread can.
He gives life. He gives sight. He satisfies the soul. But only for those who believe in Him. Only to those who identify with His sacrifice for their sin. “Truly, truly I say to you, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink his blood, you have no life in you” (John 6:53 bibrefjohn6 bibrefjohn6v53).
As we come to the communion table set with His body and blood, we come because there is no other Savior (Acts 4:12 bibrefacts4 bibrefacts4v12). We come because we believe that God raised Jesus from the dead (Romans 10:9 bibrefromans10 bibrefromans10v9). We come because we were blind but now can see (John 9:25 bibrefjohn9 bibrefjohn9v25). We come to be filled with all the fullness of God (Ephesians 3:19 bibrefephesians3 bibrefephesians3v19). In all of this the Son of Man will be lifted up in honor because He was lifted up on the cross.