Jesus said to them, “If you were blind, you would have no sin; but since you say, ‘We see,’ your sin remains.”
John 9:41
This appears a hard saying. Based on it, I want to be blind so that I would have no sin! But what might that mean? What should I be blind to?
Having recently read a book on grace with Matthew 7:1–3 as the theme, these words came to mind:
“Do not judge so that you will not be judged. For in the way you judge, you will be judged; and by your standard of measure, it will be measured to you. Why do you look at the speck that is in your brother’s eye, but do not notice the log that is in your own eye?”
They seem to fit well the occasion of Jesus healing the blind man in John 9.
The Pharisees focus was on examination of Jesus rather than themselves. Seems like their whole day was spent looking for problems in others and then offering “helpful solutions” like, best to heal people on only six days in the week!
Perhaps rather than walking around “seeing” the faults and errors of others, I should be walking around blind, seeing that which I really need to see, that is my need for Christ and our Heavenly Father’s gracious provision of him! Hallel YHWH!
With God’s salvation in my mind’s eye, I will see others as those for whom Christ died and, Lord willing, be an encouragement in Christ to them as I need them to be for me.
Contemplating if I were blind….would there be no lust of the eye, would there be no coveting, would my hearing become more intense making me a better listener, would my sense of touch be more important and meaningful, would my sense of taste be enhanced so I would be more appreciative of my blessings, I need to be grateful for all my senses and use them to glorify God.
Thanks Phil. These words came to me at just the right time. God’s perfect timing.
I want to be blind too, Phil, so that I may see in the same manner that Christ saw people.