Spiritual Blindness

Scripture: John 9:35-41 (Click link for scripture in Bible Gateway)

35 When Jesus heard what had happened, he found the man and asked, “Do you believe in the Son of Man?” 36 The man answered, “Who is he, sir? I want to believe in him.” 37 “You have seen him,” Jesus said, “and he is speaking to you!” 38 “Yes, Lord, I believe!” the man said. And he worshiped Jesus. 39 Then Jesus told him, “I entered this world to render judgment—to give sight to the blind and to show those who think they see that they are blind.” 40 Some Pharisees who were standing nearby heard him and asked, “Are you saying we’re blind?” 41 “If you were blind, you wouldn’t be guilty,” Jesus replied. “But you remain guilty because you claim you can see. (John 9:35-41 NLT)

Jesus followed up with the man he had healed and asked him if he believed in the Son of Man. (Son of Man was Jesus’ favorite name for himself. Another time we’ll talk about why I think it’s so important and wonderful for us that Jesus identified fully with us in our humanity and opened the way for us to become identified as Sons and Daughters of God!) The man said, “I want to believe in him.” This guy ought to be a writer! He has a way of making profound and memorable statements that have significantly impacted my faith. In yesterday’s devotional he said, “I know this…” and today he says “I want to believe in him!”

“I Know This!” The person who has an experience of God (I know this…) is never at the mercy of the person who has theory.

“I Want To Believe!” God loves faith and believing! Belief and faith are the currency of God’s economy. Belief and faith are the energy that powers a life on a journey with Jesus to discover the Kingdom of God. Belief and faith gave a man blind from birth perfect sight, and intentional refusal to believe made the religious know-it-alls blind!

Do you see how this works? A blind man acknowledged his blindness and Jesus gave him his sight. The religious Pharisees claimed to see everything and couldn’t even see God standing right in front of them. Acknowledging our need opens the resources of Heaven to us. Repentance leads to transformation. Belief and faith bring us to the Kingdom and the Kingdom to us.

Prayer:

Father, May we never forget the two profound lessons this unnamed man has taught us: “I know this..!, and “I want to believe!” In Jesus’ Name!