(REFLECTIONS ON John 9:24-41)

In the Gospel of John, Jesus challenges our understanding of life and death, this world and that world, blindness and sight, physical and spiritual, etc., all in order to help us to understand the kingdom of God and the will of God.

As we continue in John 9, we see in the aftermath of the man born blind being healed of his physical sight, his journey from physical sight to spiritual sight, and this in contrast with those that are questioning him, that have physical sight, but seem to be spiritually blind.

The spiritual eyes of the man once blind grows stronger and stronger until he says to the Lord Jesus, “Lord, I believe.” It is in this journey that he responds to the Pharisees saying,

32 “Since the beginning of time it has never been heard that anyone opened the eyes of a person born blind. 33 If this man were not from God, He could do nothing.”

The man born blind recognizes that Jesus is doing something that since the beginning of time has never been heard of. Since the beginning of time takes us back to the beginning, to Creation, and to God.

Who can see the identity of Jesus? More than a man, but Son of God, and more than the Son of God and born of Mary, but the Word, with God, and was God, in the beginning (Ref. John 1:1). It is the one that can see beyond what our eyes tell us, but more importantly sees with the spirit, and that with the Spirit of God, has spiritual sight.

The Pharisees responded to the man born blind saying, “You were born entirely in sins, and are you teaching us?” The Pharisees see a man born blind, the traditions and culture surrounding their understanding of physical ailments, showing that they are bound by their sight, not allowing them to truly see.

To these Pharisees,

41 Jesus said to them, “If you were blind, you would have no sin, but since you say, ‘We see,’ your sin remains.

Who then is with sin? The man born blind has already said, “Lord, I believe.” This statement reveals his spiritual sight, and also his willingness to turn his life and authority over to the Lord. Yet those that have perfect vision, who have established themselves as the authority, they continue in blindness and thus their sin remains.

If only we could see. No, not with the sight that we have now, but with spiritual sight and vision.

If only we could see. Then we would recognize Jesus, not just a man, a prophet, a teacher, but in the beginning, with God, and God manifested in His creation as the Son of God.

If only we could see. Then we would constantly be challenged with how we live our lives, what we live for, and who has authority over our lives.

If only we could see. Then each day would be different. Our choices and decisions, our words and action, our motivations and purpose would be different.

IF ONLY WE COULD SEE!

Pastor Michael Lu
Enduring Word Bible Commentary: John 9