Jesus said, “If you were blind, you would not be guilty of sin; but now that you claim you can see, your guilt remains. John 9:41
Jesus here addresses the Pharisees who for their positions (appointment by God and placement before men) assumed they had arrived. For a moment they failed to recognize that whatever and wherever they were was by grace and not race; and given a little time and chance, the tables can turn.
Sight in this discourse transcends the natural ability or power of vision to a spiritual dimension. The plot has a blind man, his parents, external community (temple/ church goers), the spiritual leaders (Pharisees) and the sight giver (physician and his friends (disciples)). If you look very closely, you’ll notice you have at least one of each character in your life- some are more obvious than others.
The disciples probably heard Jesus advise the lame man at Bethesda to stop sinning lest a worse situation befalls him. A few miles down the road, they see a blind man and ask the question – who sinned? High time they tried the prophetic, right? To their amazement, neither the man nor his parents sinned but it happened for the glory of God.
I was blind but now I see
This was the man’s testimony (good news or if you like, gospel). Not even the Pharisee or the community could take this away from him. He knew what he had been through – the many years of blindness, groping, falling, and rising. Now with a mud pie (Jesus’ spittle and dust) and a pool wash, he is cured. Hang on, do these folks actually think I can fake my blindness from birth, he wonders ……
That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word… Ephesians 5:26
What did he do to you?
The Pharisees still bewildered by the miracle probed to see if there was any way they could discredit or discount his experience. I have told you, the man responded. On and on the dialogue went. I did interject with a few lines –
He gave his life for me, took away my filthy garments exchanging them with a beautiful robe of righteousness – that’s what he did for me. Took me from the miry clay and set my feet upon a rock to stay – he did it! Pulling me out of the garbage dump, he set me among noblemen and women where I have inherited a throne of honour – My, did he do it? Yes , he did! #ifeelapraise #hollaapraise
The disciples have now disappeared to do some more praying to activate their prophetic accuracy leaving Jesus center stage to finish his work. Something profound had happened and not many realized. The physically blind had both his sights activated. He could see man and God while those who apparently have been seeing from birth were blinded even to death. Their spiritual sight was deactivated. They can only see so far… Looking at their condition, Jesus said:
If you admitted you couldn’t see, I would have given you sight but now you claim to see – you are blind! You are ashamed of the gospel (the good news , testimony) which is the power of God unto salvation – Romans 1:16
At this point, I got involved in the ‘multilogue’ interjecting with the question, what about the glory of God?
A few words of scripture came to mind:
For the grace of God has appeared that offers salvation to all people. Titus 2:11
Action: Receive
… who desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth. 1 Timothy 2:4
Action: Come
Do I take any pleasure in the death of the wicked? declares the Sovereign LORD. Rather, am I not pleased when they turn from their ways and live? Ezekiel 18:23
Action: Turn
3 If the Good News we preach is hidden behind a veil, it is hidden only from people who are perishing. 4 Satan, who is the god of this world, has blinded the minds of those who don’t believe. They are unable to see the glorious light of the Good News. They don’t understand this message about the glory of Christ, who is the exact likeness of God. 2 Corinthians 4
As I listened to the passage this morning, I paused to just to tell Jesus – I can’t see, would you open my eyes please? Unveil my eyes, cause me to see, enlighten me to the truth. I want to see the glorious light of the good news. Cause me to understand the message about Christ’s glory ….
I would like to invite you to do the same….. if you would