Read John 9:35-41.
Why does it always seem that Jesus healed only on the Sabbath? I suppose, just like in the news, those are the stories that grab the headlines. They sure did grab the Pharisees’ attention. All he did was to tell the man to go wash the mud off his eyes. Was it really that big of a deal? Apparently so.
They questioned the man, they questioned his parents. When neither satisfied their demands to curse Jesus as a sinner, they cursed the blind man and threw him out of their presence.
Jesus never wants to leave a person in a state of uncertainty, so he looked for the man. He knew he’d been physically healed, but wanted to make sure of his spiritual condition as well.
When he found him, he asked, “Do you believe in the Son of Man?”
“Who is he, sir?” the man asked. “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.”
Then the man said, “Lord, I believe,” and he worshiped him.
Then Jesus made a statement that turned the Pharisees on their heads:
For judgment I have come into this world, so that the blind will see and those who see will become blind.
When they countered his words, Jesus replied,
If you were blind, you would not be guilty of sin; but now that you claim you can see, your guilt remains.
That’s what Jesus does in this world–those who admit their blindness are made to see, while those who claim to see are left in their blindness. It has to do with recognition of our state of being.
The blind man knew his state–physically and spiritually. He didn’t claim to have no need of a savior. He readily believed. Yet, the Pharisees, even when they saw the blind receive sight, refused to believe, and thus they remained in their spiritual blindness and self-righteousness.
Do I recognize the work of Jesus in the lives of those around me? In the world? Have I admitted my sinful state and need for a savior? Or am I blind to my own blindness? Jesus doesn’t want to leave you in your blindness. He searched me out. He’s searching for you as well.
I have seen Jesus. Have you?