John 9:35-41
When Jesus heard that they had thrown him out, he found him and said, “Do you believe in the Son of Man?” He answered and said, “Who is he, sir, that I may believe in him?” Jesus said to him, “You have seen him and the one speaking with you is he.” He said, “I do believe, Lord,” and he worshiped him. Then Jesus said, “I came into this world for judgment, so that those who do not see might see, and those who do see might become blind.” Some of the Pharisees who were with him heard this and said to him, “Surely we are not also blind, are we?” Jesus said to them, “If you were blind, you would have no sin; but now you are saying, ‘We see,’ so your sin remains.
Grace Prayed For
The grace of worship: To express your love and devotion to God through acts of adoration and praise.
Seeing the Light
In this continuation of Jesus’ encounter with the blind man, we witness a profound shift in perspective. While the Pharisees remain blinded by their pride and adherence to the law, the healed man recognizes Jesus as the Son of Man and worships him.
Jesus’ question, “Do you believe in the Son of Man?” challenges us to examine the depth of our faith. Do we merely acknowledge Jesus as a historical figure, or do we truly believe in his divine identity and saving power?
The blind man’s response, “Who is he, sir, that I may believe in him?” reveals his eagerness to know and embrace the truth. He doesn’t hesitate to accept Jesus’ revelation and immediately worships him. This act of humility and faith stands in stark contrast to the Pharisees’ stubbornness and refusal to see the truth.
Jesus’ statement, “I came into this world for judgment, so that those who do not see might see, and those who do see might become blind,” highlights the paradoxical nature of faith. Those who are open to God’s grace and willing to acknowledge their blindness can receive the gift of spiritual sight. However, those who cling to their self-righteousness and refuse to acknowledge their need for God remain in darkness.
The Pharisees’ arrogant response, “Surely we are not also blind, are we?” exposes their blindness to their own spiritual condition. They are so consumed by their own pride and self-importance that they cannot see the truth that stands before them.
This passage serves as a powerful reminder that true sight comes from recognizing our own blindness and need for God’s grace. It challenges us to examine our own hearts and motives, to let go of our pride and self-righteousness, and to humbly seek the truth that can only be found in Christ.
May we always be open to the light of Christ, who reveals our blindness and leads us into the fullness of life.
Growing in Intimacy with Jesus
Personal Encounter: Jesus seeks out the healed blind man and initiates a conversation. This mirrors how Jesus seeks us out and desires a personal relationship with each of us. Reflect on how Jesus might be seeking you out in your life and how you can respond to his invitation.
Sharing
Jesus last words on Earth were to his disciples, can be found in Matthew Chap 28 when Jesus told his disciples, “Then Jesus approached and said to them, “All power in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, until the end of the age.”
Jesus calls all of us to share in his redemptive mission here on Earth. I would ask you to share this Scripture reflection with your family, your friends and your acquaintances, and then share it with a couple of individuals that you may may not be comfortable sharing with, keeping in mind always the words of Jesus, And behold, I am with you always, until the end of the age
Author was assisted by AI in the drafting of this Post