Hunkered Down Devotion

John 9:35-41(Voice)
35 Jesus heard what had happened and sought out the man.
Jesus: Do you believe in the Son of Man?
Formerly Blind Man: 36 I want to believe, Lord. Who is He?
Jesus: 37 You have seen His face with your new eyes, and you are talking to Him now.
Formerly Blind Man: 38 Lord, I do believe.
The man bowed low to worship Jesus.
Jesus: 39 I have entered this world to announce a verdict that changes everything. Now those without sight may begin to see, and those who see may become blind.
Some Pharisees (who overheard Jesus): 40 Surely we are not blind, are we?
Jesus: 41 If you were blind, you would be without sin. But because you claim you can see, your sin is ever present.

After healing the formerly blind man and properly introducing himself as the Son of Man (a sort of shorthand to refer to Jesus’ saving role for humanity), Jesus makes plain his purpose for being in the world: ‘I have entered this world to announce a verdict that changes everything. Now those without sight may begin to see, and those who see may become blind.’

What happens next is important for us to understand and apply to our lives.  The man who had literally been blind has already recognized Jesus’ healing and saving power – acknowledging his Lordship by bowing down to worship him (something a Jewish person of the day would not willing to for a mere human being).  

On some level this man recognizes that Jesus has come to give him spiritual sight as well as to heal his physical eyes.  He understands that it is because and through Jesus that he is able to see God, and grasp eternity.

The Pharisees on the other hand miss this completely.  They miss the chance to see God and grasp eternity with him not because they didn’t want to know God, not because they weren’t looking for salvation.

The Pharisees can’t see Jesus for who he is – and as a consequence couldn’t see or accept the life, grace, and salvation that he brings – for one simple reason: they couldn’t bring themselves to admit that they were blind.  

The Pharisees were so focused on earning and finding their own way to God, that the missed God himself, Jesus Christ, as he walked before them, and talked to them.  Their pride blinded them to the reality the physically blind man saw so clearly.   We must be careful to make sure that our pride never clouds our ability to see Jesus.

Sharing God’s Love, 
Chip  

Prayer: Lord, help us to see you and believe you.  Amen.