Amazing grace

I llustration: In the 40’s and 50’ s, Ben Hogan was considered the greatest golfer in the world. While Hogan was setting records across the country, in Alabama, a local sports hero named Charley Boswell, was racking up an impressive record of golfing titles too. Boswell was also somewhat of a war hero, having rescued a buddy from a burning tank during WW II. That saving effort resulted in Boswell being blind for the rest of his life. But that didn’t stop him from golfing. In fact, Boswell won the National Blind Golf Championship 16 times, once shooting a 81. In 1958, Boswell went to Ft. Worth to receive the coveted Ben Hogan Award. Hogan agreed to play a round of golf with Boswell. Charley said, “Would you like to play for money? Hogan replied, “That wouldn’t be fair.” Charley said, “C’mon Mr. Hogan, are you afraid to play a blind guy?” Hogan was pretty competitive so he told Charley, “Okay, I’ll play you, for money, how much?” Boswell said, “How a bout $1000 a hole?” Hogan said, “Charley, I can’t do that, People would think I was taking advantage of a blind man.” Charley smiled and said, “Don’t worry, Mr. Hogan, our tee time i s tonight at midnight.” (Sermon Central staff, SC.com 6/8/2013)

Tonight’s text deals with blindness – two types of blindness. In the first stanza of John Newton’s classic Hymn “Amazing Grace,” Newton speaks of his spiritual blindness. Charley Boswell dealt with physical blindness. Which one had better vision? We might ask that same question of the characters presented to us tonight in John’s inspired gospel account.

Jesus and His disciples are in Jerusalem for the Feast of Tabernacles, a remembrance of God’s leading Israel through a forty-year wilderness experience to the Promised Land. And, on this low-key, unannounced visit, Jesus encounters a disgruntled and confrontational group of religious leaders as they listened to His teachings in the Temple. Of course, Jesus did not endear himself to His now constant opposition, the Pharisees, when He tells them that “If God were your Father, you would love me, for I came from God and I am here. I came not of my own accord, but He sent me. Why do you not understand what I say? It is because you cannot bear to hear my word. You are of your father the devil, and your w ill is to your father’s desires.” (Jn. 8:42 -44)