Seeing!

When it comes to a proper perception of things it is not as much about having good eye sight as it is the willingness to see. I have known individuals who were blind yet possessed a marvelous outlook on life. I have also known some who had no need for glasses, but really struggled with maintaining a clear vision for directing their life.

As Jesus and his disciples were walking along they saw a man who had been BORN BLIND. ( John 9:1) Though the disciples had a wrong perception as to what was behind the blindness ( John 9:2) Jesus helped them understand that here was an opportunity for the works of God to be displayed in him. ( John 9:3) After Jesus healed this man he was thoroughly questioned by the Jewish leaders who could not deny the miracle, but refused to acknowledge Jesus as being from God. (i.e. John 9:16) But what was evident?

When called before the leaders again, we read…
“(24) So for the second time they called the man who had been blind and said to him, ‘Give glory to God. We know that this man is a sinner.’ (25) He answered, ‘Whether he is a sinner I do not know. One thing I do know, that THOUGH I WAS BLIND, NOW I SEE.’” ( John 9:24-25 ESV)

After Jesus had clearly revealed Himself to the man BORN BLIND, he believed and worshiped Him. ( John 9:35-38) Though he had been BORN BLIND he had now seen Jesus not only physically, but also spiritually.

Now what about those who questioned him? These leaders had been BORN JEWS. ( John 8:33) They laid claim to all the privileges of being a Jew, to being linked to Abraham ( John 8:39), and the eventual fulfillment of the coming Messiah. But there Jesus was in there midst and they could not see Him for Who He was and is. Besides the man BORN BLIND being questioned, so were his parents. ( John 9:18-23) The leaders seem to have figured there had to be some other explanation. They were unwilling to admit what the evidence pointed toward.

Note the discussion that brought this particular encounter to a close.
“(39) Jesus said, ‘For judgment I came into this world, that those who do NOT SEE MAY SEE, and those WHO SEE MAY BECOME BLIND.’ (40) Some of the Pharisees near him heard these things, and said to him, ‘ARE WE ALSO BLIND?’ (41) Jesus said to them, ‘IF YOU WERE BLIND, YOU WOULD HAVE NO GUILT, BUT NOW THAT YOU SAY, ‘WE SEE,’ YOUR GUILT REMAINS.’” ( John 9:39-41 ESV)

What a contrast! One who had been BORN BLIND received his sight and was able to see clearly both physically and spiritually while those who had been BORN into a position to be able to see, closed their eyes and hardened their hearts and were therefore BLIND in the worst possible way. It is not so much how we’re BORN or what we’re BORN into as much as what we are willing to do from there. To see or not to see often depends on our own attitude and desires. May we sincerely seek God’s guidance so that our perception of life is based clearly upon the truth He has placed before us.

Have a great day WITH EYES THAT GIVE BIRTH TO BELIEF!
Carl

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