What Do You See?
For years the man who was born blind was an outsider -- a beggar -- an outcast of society -- his body & spirit arching for light & love. And then one day Jesus came to him with a touch of compassion -- & gave the blind man sight!
His story is recorded in the Gospel of John, chapter 9. -- (John 9)
You cannot read his story without sensing that it points beyond itself. This story comes to us on two wavelengths! It is the story of a blind man who came to see the light of day -- but it is also a story of a man who came to see Jesus -- Who is "the true light, who gives light to everyone" (John 1:9 NLT).
Do you know the name of the blind man referred to in John 9? No -- & neither do I -- nor anyone. Perhaps there is a reason why this poor fellow should have remained anonymous down through the centuries of time. Perhaps he is nameless so that you & I may give him our name -- for he is the typical "innocent bystander" in life. And, oh how often you & I occupy that position!
Have you ever felt like an "innocent bystander" in life? Things happen to you that are of no fault of anything you have done -- but you are still a victim of pain & suffering? -- Things that are hard to bear?
The blind man is a case in point! -- At the time of his birth -- or before that -- something happened that took his sight. Maybe you suffer because of some sort of physical illness -- or maybe your suffering is due to a natural disaster -- or it could even be some kind of emotional agony brought on by broken relationships. You feel like you are a victim -- & other people are saying "this thing that has happened to you is your own fault" -- or they may suggest "it is the fault of others." All you know for sure is that you are crying out, asking: -- "Why is this happening to me, God?"
That is the question the disciples put to Jesus that day -- in John 9:2 -- asking: -- "Who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?" Jesus gave a classic answer -- when he said: -- "Neither this man, nor his parents sinned, but this happened so that the work of God might be displayed!" My friends -- hardships are really blessings, because they teach us so much! Some ailments are directly due to the fault of those who suffer them; -- but more generally it is otherwise! There are accidents -- germ-diseases -- & various contributory factors -- all blending in hereditary transmission from one generation to another. The big surprise is our Lord's disclosure that running through all the dark-seeming mysteries of God's permissive will -- is an all-anticipating good purpose -- a purpose which takes in even the blindness of an obscure beggar! -- "that the works of God should be manifested."
The story of the man born blind -- & his miraculous healing at the hand of Jesus -- covers the entire 9th chapter of John -- all 41 verses. So I will not take the time to read it in its entirety -- but I wish to cover as much of the chapter as time will permit this morning. It addresses the subject of human suffering -- but it also addresses the subject of spiritual blindness.
This story is drama at its best! -- One way to understand drama is to ask -- what did the actors in the drama see? That is a good question! -- What do you see? What did those involved in this story really see?
As we endeavor to answer that very question -- may our own spiritual eyes be opened!
1. Let's begin by asking, What Did the Crowds See?
According to verses 8 & 9 -- the neighbors & others who knew him as a blind beggar -- asked each other: -- "Is this the same man -- that beggar?" Some said he was -- & others said -- "No, but he surely looks like him!" They saw him as a beggar! -- But even beggars are dear to God!
What a difference between the way Jesus saw -- & the way others saw! The people who passed this man every day saw just another blind beggar. -- Jesus saw a soul whom God desired to redeem -- someone God desired to heal.
The miracle of healing was preformed in a place so public -- with so many people present -- that it could not be denied; -- & the man was so well known by everyone -- that it could not be ignored!
I wonder if the crowd did not have a shadow of guilt pass over them concerning this blind man. Often they had seen him out begging. -- It was his only livelihood. He was dependent totally upon the charity of others. As he sat there on a corner near the
But let's not be too hard on them; -- for we have all done the same; -- me included. We have some neat stereotypes; -- we put people into slots in a file: -- alcoholic -- nerd -- loafer -- no-good -- tramp -- lazy. Somehow -- just classifying them eases our conscience.
Jesus came upon this man just outside the
But Jesus saw the blind man -- & gave him the touch of compassion! For Jesus -- no one is ever lost in a crowd! He knows each one of us -- where we are -- & what our need is! That was this beggar's hope; -- it is your hope & my hope!
It is great to be orthodox -- neat to have a good theology -- but there is nothing more important than helping people. When Jesus passed by -- Jesus saw the man; -- a man for whom He would soon die upon a cross. -- And Jesus reached out in love!
There is a tremendous spiritual lesson here! When a poor, sin-blinded unbeliever is truly converted -- born again through the miracle of God's great grace -- his mind is opened -- & there is a very noticeable change in that person -- yes, even in his appearance. It is true that born again Christians live in the same old tabernacle of flesh -- but when we are born from above -- our entire manner & way of life will be changed -- & it will be noticeable to others around us!
While the crowd may have been confused as to the identity of this man -- he himself certainly knew who he was! The beggar kept crying out: -- "Hey, it's me! -- I am the same man! -- The very one who was blind -- but now I can see!" The crowd asked: -- "How did your eyes get opened? -- Who healed you?" He told them: -- "The man they call Jesus made mud & smoothed it over my eyes -- & told me, 'Go to the pool of Siloam & wash off the mud.' -- I went & washed -- & now I can see!" (John 9:11 NLT).
The man gave a positive, clear-cut testimony! -- Can you give a positive, clear-cut testimony as to the transforming grace & power of God in your life? If you have been truly born again -- you ought to be able to do so! My friends -- if your profession of Christ has not made a difference in your life -- you have good grounds to question your faith!
The testimony of the man born blind is indeed intriguing! When the happy man told his neighbors what had happened -- they took him to see the religious leaders -- the Pharisees. An involved discussion followed -- & the man finally said to these self-righteous Pharisees: -- "This I know! -- I once was blind, & now I can see!"
When you attribute a radical change in your life to the power of Christ -- it is difficult for anyone to deny its validity!
In his book -- A Hunger for Meaning -- Calvin Miller tells about an alcoholic who became a transformed born again Christian. To test him -- a non-believing friend challenged the new Christian to tell exactly how Christ had changed water into wine. The new believer answered: -- "I do not know how or why Christ changed the water to wine. -- I only know that in my case -- He did something more useful: -- He changed my beer into furniture!"
My friends -- if you want your neighbors to see what Christ will do for them -- tell them what Christ has done for you!
2. Having looked at the Crowd's reaction in this story -- let's ask -- What Did the Pharisees & this Man's Parents See?
We are told that "they took the man to the Pharisees" (9:13). Perhaps the excited people thought a miracle as marvelous as this sudden healing of a man born blind demanded further investigation. But now the tone is not so friendly -- & the discussion becomes more heated. The Pharisees -- realizing this miracle had taken place on the Sabbath -- were confrontational -- & almost belligerent in their approach. The Pharisees were precise in their keeping of the Mosaic Law; -- which included very strict rules about what could or could not be done on the Sabbath. The Pharisees were so concerned about keeping the rules & regulations of the Sabbath -- that they couldn't even see that God puts human need above procedure!
To the Pharisees this man was only a tool. Since the healing was performed on the Sabbath -- they could use the man as a tool in incriminating Jesus -- Whom the Pharisees sought to trap.
At first -- the Pharisees attempted to explain away the miracle by proving that the man had never been blind. When that failed -- they endeavored to force the man to admit that God was really his healer -- & that Jesus of Nazareth had nothing to do with it. The doubting Pharisees refused to recognize that Jesus -- through His divine power -- had preformed this mighty miracle.
These Pharisees were not conducting an unbiased inquiry.
They had already reached a verdict.
They were simply looking for supporting evidence.
So they asked their questions laced with innuendoes.
The Pharisees went at their business as some people attack the Bible!
They don't want the Bible to speak; -- they want to tell the Bible how it is.
Their's is not an openhearted search for truth.
All they want is corroborating evidence -- a proof text of some kind.
As this story unfolds -- the parents are called before an investigative committee of the Pharisees. -- The man's parents saw trouble coming. They answered cautiously -- but honestly. They responded: -- "We know this is our son -- & that he was born blind." And having admitted he was their son -- & he was born blind -- they went no farther. They feared that they would be run out of the church -- excommunicated! It was a serious thing indeed for a Jew to be put out of the synagogue. Such action was equivalent to being cut off from all relatives -- & from all communication with other Jews. Determined to have no more to do with the case than was absolutely necessary -- the parents said to the Pharisees: -- "He is old enough to speak for himself. -- Ask him!" The parents of this man did not want to be suspected of favoring or defending the One who had healed their son! They would not take a stand for Christ! The problem with this man's parents was that they were not willing to break out of their own religious traditions -- & put their faith in Jesus!
So the crowd marveled at the miracle; -- the Pharisees questioned the miracle; -- & the parents failed to acknowledge the miracle.
3. So let's move to our next question -- What Did the Blind Man See?
The man born blind saw the light of day! -- but he saw much more than just the day light. As the story unfolds -- we are actually seeing a blind man gain two kinds of sight: -- physical & spiritual!
While the crowd, the Pharisees, & the parents all had physical sight -- they were blind to God's work right there in front of them! And that kind of blindness can still be found! Tradition may blind us -- as it blinded the Pharisees. Fear may blind us -- as it did the parents. Even pride may blind us -- as it does so many people today.
This poor man! -- Ever since he gained his sight -- he has had nothing but trouble! He is a simple man -- unlearned & untrained -- & the Pharisees want him to offer theological insights about what he has just experienced.
Since the Pharisees are so curious about the One who had healed him -- the man thought perhaps they wanted to be disciples of Jesus. But that very suggestion brings forth a flood of further abuse! They would not do anything of the kind! -- They were disciples of Moses! Follow this heretic named Jesus? -- Nothing doing! The Pharisees were proud of their religious status -- so proud that they were willing & able to completely miss the most remarkable event in human history. -- And, as a result -- they remained spiritually blind! They were unaware that the very One they ridiculed was in fact the Messiah -- the Savior they & their ancestors had awaited for centuries. The one person in this story who goes from blindness to sight -- is this poor beggar! He who was born blind -- experiences a new vision -- both physically & spiritually -- because he is open to seeing what God is doing in his life. He certainly does not understand it all at first. At first he doesn't even know who healed him; -- all he knows is that the a man named Jesus told him what to do -- & now he can see!
But the stages of his growing knowledge are remarkable! The most interesting feature in this story is the healed man's progress in his understanding of Who Jesus is. There was a progressive revelation of Jesus Christ in this man's life. Watch as his faith unfolds -- & his spiritual understanding develops!
At the beginning -- he called Jesus "a man." -- See verse 11. The neighbors asked him how he had received his sight. His answer was: -- "A man called Jesus ..." But when asked where was this Jesus -- he did not know. Nor did he know Who Jesus really was!
Then later -- he called Jesus a prophet. -- See verse 17. The Pharisees once again questioned the man & demanded: -- "This man who opened your eyes -- who do you say he is?" (9:17 NLT). The man replied: -- "I think he must be a prophet." A prophet -- a great teacher -- is all that Jesus is to many people -- even today! -- They fail to see Jesus as the one & only Son of God!
And then later still -- the man refers to Jesus as "a man of God." -- See verses 32 & 33. Upon further examination from the Pharisees -- the man says: -- "Nobody has ever heard of opening the eyes of a man born blind. -- If this man were not from God -- he could do nothing" (NIV). For the eyes of one born blind to be opened -- & made to see clearly -- was a work beyond the power of any ordinary man. Such a miracle had not been heard of since the world began -- not even among the prophets. Therefore the man knew this had to be the work of a Man of God!
This man who had never attended a theological school was more learned than the Pharisees in the things of the Spirit. And the Pharisees knew that the man's argument was unanswerable; -- & therefore, his statement made them furious. They cast him out of the synagogue; -- a formal excommunication from the
When Jesus heard that the man had been thrown out for defending the One Who had healed him -- Jesus looked him up -- & challenged him. See verse 35 -- Jesus said: "Do you believe in the Son of Man?" The man asked: -- "Who is he, sir? -- Tell me so that I may believe in him." Jesus said: -- "You have now seen him; -- in fact, he is the one speaking with you."
And finally -- the man burst into the sunlight past the clouds of confusion & doubt to say: -- "Lord, I believe!" -- & he worshiped Jesus! (vr. 38). He walked in the light & found the Light of the world as his Lord & Savior!
Do you see this exceptional growth in the faith of this man: -- he went from seeing Jesus as only a man -- to seeing Him as a prophet -- to seeing Jesus as "a man of God" -- to beholding Jesus as the Messiah -- the Christ -- the Savior of the world! -- And he worshiped Jesus! Have you made that wonderful discovery for yourself?
Conclusion: -- Could it be that God is reaching out to touch your life right now? -- Are you willing to open your eyes & see what He is doing? -- And are you willing to respond in faith & obedience? -- Are you willing to see?
Who in your estimation is Jesus Christ? That very question was put to the man born blind -- not once, but several times. And each time he responded -- the man had a clearer picture of Who Jesus Christ is! -- He is "a man" (vr. 11); -- "he is a prophet" (vr. 17); -- he is a "man ... of God" (vr. 33); -- & finally he fell at Jesus' feet & worshiped Him as "Lord" (vr. 38).
Perhaps when you were first introduced to Jesus -- you thought of Him as a great Teacher -- Preacher -- or even as an Example. But that's not how the Bible presents Him. -- The Bible wants to convince you that Jesus is nothing less than the Son of God -- & that only through Him can you discover what life is all about!
The Apostle John writes in 20:30-31 -- "Jesus did many other miraculous signs in the presence of his disciples, which are not recorded in this book. -- But these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ -- the Son of God -- & that by believing -- you may have life in his name."
Are you -- like the man born blind -- ready to change your opinion regarding Christ? He patiently waits for you to worship Him as Lord; -- nothing less will do! Will you acknowledge Jesus as your Sovereign Lord right now?
If William Shakespeare came into the room -- we would all rise! If Jesus Christ -- the Son of God -- came into the room -- what response would you give Him? True faith will show itself in a humble adoration of the Lord Jesus! Those who believe in Him will see all the reason in the world to worship Him!
As this man was blind from birth -- we are all sinful from birth.
As Christ restored sight to this man -- He can save us from sin.
My dear friend -- it is a terrible thing to trifle with your soul -- & close your eyes to the truth -- for God may eventually let you go completely blind -- so that you will "grope in the noonday as in the night" (Job 5:14) -- & never be saved! So come -- come to the Light of the world -- before your life is snuffed out -- & you find yourself in eternal darkness. Oh, come to Jesus today!
Amazing grace! -- how sweet the sound
That saved a wretch like me!
I once was lost -- but now am found;
Was blind, -- but now I see.
Pastor Lyle Pettit -- Wynne Chapel -- Cochise, AZ
www.wynnechapel.org