Cryptic Insights Reveal Those Who Are Blind and See
Photo by Marc-Olivier Jodoin on Unsplash
We can be right about something and yet wrong. We may be able to prove our rightness in an argument or debate but this doesn’t mean what we say is true. In fact, we can be wrong in some ethical, moral, or spiritual sense with false confidence and smugness.
This takes place in countless court cases, religious debates, and philosophy classes around the nation every day. It also plays out in too many homes between spouses, siblings, and parents and children.
This can lead to legal and moral travesties and tear apart precious relationships.
Oftentimes, we’re not right so much as convinced we are right. It’s easy for some people to manipulate and misconstrue words to make a point, but it doesn’t make what they say true or valid. We can be convincing without being correct.
I see this played out daily across various social media platforms and in news media. What grieves me the most is seeing this take place with families, in churches, and within communities.
This breaks my heart as a veteran pastor, dad, and grandparent. How much more it must grieve the Shepherd of our souls.
Scripture
Jesus heard that the Jews had thrown the man out ⌞of the synagogue⌟. So when Jesus found the man, he asked him, “Do you believe in the Son of Man?”
The man replied, “Sir, tell me who he is so that I can believe in him.” Jesus told him, “You’ve seen him. He is the person who is now talking with you.” The man bowed in front of Jesus and said, “I believe, Lord.” [vss 35-38]
Then Jesus said, “I have come into this world to judge: Blind people will be given sight, and those who can see will become blind.” Some Pharisees who were with Jesus heard this. So they asked him, “Do you think we’re blind?”
Jesus told them, “If you were blind, you wouldn’t be sinners. But now you say, ‘We see,’ so you continue to be sinners. [vss 39-41]
(John 9:35-41 GW)
Key phrase—
“Blind people will be given sight, and those who can see will become blind.”
Digging Deeper...
Review the Scriptures above as you answer the following questions
What does Jesus do when He hears what happened to the man born blind but healed?
What does Jesus ask the man healed of blindness?
How does the man answer Jesus and then respond to Him?
What does Jesus proclaim about Himself and about blindness?
What do you think Jesus meant by this?
Photo by Malik Earnest on Unsplash
Reflection...
The healing of the man born blind is the sixth miraculous sign in John’s gospel. Each miraculous sign illustrates some aspect of the Lord’s ministry while on earth.
The cryptic statements of Jesus at the end of this story are made clear by the illustration of the man’s healing and his responses about Jesus (John 9:17, 33 GW).
When Jesus asks the man who’s been healed if he “believes in the Son of Man,” the man expresses his willingness to know who the Son of Man is so he can believe. After Jesus tells him, “you’ve seen him…,” the man responds immediately with a confession of faith and act of acceptance and submission (John 9:38 GW).
After this, Jesus makes His cryptic remarks (see verses 39 and 41). This is not just a play on words. It’s intentional. Jesus makes reference to two different messages from the prophet Isaiah. First, when He says blind people will see, it’s a reference to the Messianic declarations in Isaiah 42:6-7 and 61:1. But the second part of the Lord’s statement echoes Isaiah 6:9-10 that speaks of spiritual blindness and dullness.
The Pharisees seem to understand these references of Jesus yet defy Him. The message of these Jewish leaders is obvious. They are smug and falsely confident in their own sense of righteousness, which Jesus acknowledges in verse 41—
Jesus said, “If you were blind, you would not be guilty of sin; but now that you claim you can see, your guilt remains. (John 9:41 NIV)
Taking it to heart...
Read through the Scripture text again as you consider and answer these questions
Why do you think the Jewish leaders are so certain they are right?
How do the blind man’s healing and acceptance of Jesus contrast with the Pharisees’ response?
How is this a clear confirmation of Jesus, the Son of Man, being the Messiah?
How is this a clear indictment of the Pharisees’ spiritual blindness?
Who do you most identify with in life—the man who is healed or the Pharisees?
Has the Lord Jesus made Himself known to you in some way? If so, how?
Personalize it...
Meditate On This— We can be right about something and yet wrong. We can be convincing without being correct. God honors humility but opposes arrogance.
Prayer Focus— When you find yourself acting more like an arrogant and self-righteous Pharisee, repent and ask the Lord for forgiveness! When you realize your own need to be healed or set free or forgiven, simply seek the Lord with an honest and humble heart.
©2021—Word-Strong