Was Blind, But Now I See

“For judgment I CAME into this world, that those who DO NOT see may SEE, and those who SEE may become BLIND.”  ~John 9:39

The story of the blind man is full of many, great treasures; however, this week we are only going to look at one found in verse thirty-nine.  After the blind beggar miraculously received his sight, preached a mini sermon in the synagogue, and then was consequently kicked out, Jesus found him and asked him the question all must face, “Do you believe in the Son of Man?”  And the formerly sightless man believed.  Why did the man so readily believe?

Because he knew he had been blind and that someone had touched his eyes so that he could now see, and that someone could only have been from God.  So when Jesus revealed himself, the former beggar believed and received both physical and spiritual sight.  On the other hand, the Pharisees disbelieved the entire story and threw the man from their midst, showing that though they had physical sight they were spiritually blind.  How did each of these parties get to opposite ends of the spectrum?  It all started in the heart.  The blind man knew his weakness, while the Pharisees refused to admit theirs.  The beggar was humble while the Pharisees were self-righteous and proud of it.  These two could not be more different!  But in which one did Jesus perform a miracle?  The blind man!  The Pharisees never got to experience a miracle, they were only bystanders!  They didn’t have the opportunity because they were blinded by their self-righteousness.

Thus, our lesson is to be like the blind man, who recognized and knew his area of weakness and blindness and then saw the Son of God heal and empower him.  We all have shortcomings, sin issues, and weaknesses, the key is to acknowledge these areas in our life and not cover them up with self-righteousness, self-justification, and pride.  But give them to God, for His power is manifested and made perfect in our weakness.

So the question I pose to you is…. are YOU going to be like the man who knew he was blind and desired to see or are you going to join the nearsighted, self-righteous bystanders wearing blinders?  What areas of weakness will you bring to God?

Let us be those touched by a miracle and not a judgment.  Therefore, admit your blindness and weakness and let Jesus open your eyes and empower you.  And join the formerly blind beggar in worshiping God and declaring, “Lord, I believe”!  And sing with John Newton, “I once was lost, but now I am found, was blind but now I see.”

 “We know that God does not listen to sinners, but if anyone is a worshiper of God and does his will, God listens to him.”  ~John 9:31​