“I know this, I was blind, but now I can see.” John 9:225 NLT
This is one of my favorite stories in the Bible. A man who is born blind is healed by Jesus. I wonder what that moment was like? Being born blind means you’ve never seen color, depth, shape or even your own reflection. Then, in a moment you can see it all. Seriously, think about that moment, going from no sight to seeing clearly for the first time! It had to be crazy awesome! Although I was not born blind, I have lost most of my vision and wonder what this moment will be like? The moment I can say, “I was blind, but now I can see!”
And then, isn’t it just like the religious to question and try to disqualify the power and presence of Jesus! And that is what happens here in this chapter. Verse 16 says, “there was a deep division among them.” The division was among the Pharisees, the religious leaders. Some felt that there was no way Jesus was from God because He performed a miracle on the Sabbath. And others said an ordinary sinner do such miraculous signs? And so there self-righteous attitude kept them divided and they missed the miracle.
I can’t help but think about the division we are experiencing today in our nation. And most heartbreaking is the division we are experiencing within the Church. Have we, have I become so confident in my own beliefs and opinions that I fail to see the greater work of Jesus here all around me? Am I so strongly stuck to my own idea of what is wrong with everyone, that I miss the opportunity to expand the Kingdom of God?
In verse 39 Jesus says, “I entered this world to render judgement, to give sight to the blind and to show those who think they can see that they are blind.” I’m asking myself today, what do I think I can see, but is really a mirage I’ve made up, because really, I am blind? In the medical field this is called the Charles Bonnet Syndrome. This is when someone with little or no sight sees, or rather, thinks they see something that isn’t there. For example, like looking through a doorway and seeing a person because you heard someone talking and assume somewhere in your subconscious that he or she is standing there. So, today I’m wondering, where in the Spirit do I think I see, but really am blind? When have I allowed my own thoughts and opinions to taint my witness? Where am I so confidently prideful in my own accomplishments, that I’m missing the miraculous move of Christ? And where have I allowed my judgement of others to become more prevalent than Christ love for them to flow through me?
Lord, open my eyes to see what you see. Give me supernatural sight to see beyond the physical. Lord, I want to see where I’ve missed it. Reveal those blind spots to me and change me. Help me to love like you love. Amen.
What is God speaking to you today? Share your thoughts and insights in the comments below!
