The Gospel of John is rich in theological and spiritual teachings that have inspired countless generations of Christians throughout history. One of the these teaching is found in John chapter 9, in which Jesus performs a miraculous act of healing a blind man.
that not only restores the man's physical sight but also serves as a powerful symbol of spiritual enlightenment.
At the beginning of the story, Jesus and his disciples encounter a man who has been blind from birth. The disciples ask Jesus if the man's blindness is the result of his own sin or the sin of his parents. Jesus responds by saying that neither the man nor his parents sinned, but rather his blindness was an opportunity for the glory of God to be revealed through him.
This is the Great Controversy theme of scripture at work. The blindness wasn't the result of his parents or of anything the man had done. The blindness was the result of living in a broken, sin filled world. Bad things just happen. Jesus affirms this, by saying, "“Neither this man nor his parents sinned, but that the works of God should be revealed in him." (John 9:3)
This is the idea that is seen in Romans 8:28;
"And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose."
God didn't cause this man to be born blind, but because he was born that way, Jesus could use this as a witness of His power and His father's glory.
Jesus then proceeds to heal the man by spitting on the ground, making mud, and applying it to his eyes. He then instructs the man to go and wash in the pool of Siloam. The man obeys, and when he washes his eyes, he is able to see for the first time in his life.
The healing of the blind man is a powerful symbol of spiritual awakening. His eyes were opened to the spiritual realities all around him.
Ephesians 6:12 tells us;
"For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places."
There is a spiritual rhelm all around us. The Great Controversy deals with this battle between good and evil and between our allegiance to follow the author of light or the author of darkness. The blind man had to make a choice the moment Jesus instructed him to go wash. He could have tried to reason with Jesus, "How is some mud going to make me regain my sight?" "How by blocking my eye's am I supposed to see?" "Jesus, why are you doing this?" But he doesn't question, he just acts. He follows Jesus instructions and the result was both physical restoration of his sight, but also spiritually, he could now see.
The man's physical blindness is a metaphor for the spiritual blindness that afflicts all human beings. We are all born spiritually blind, unable to see the truth of God's love and grace. Instead of seeing the challaneds we face as the result of a counterfeiter, an advisory, many people blame God. But it is only through the healing power of Jesus that we can begin to see the light of truth and experience the fullness of spiritual life. John tells us in the next chapter;
"The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly." (John 10:10)
In the story, the blind man's physical healing is not enough to convince the Pharisees of the power and authority of Jesus. They refuse to acknowledge Jesus as a true prophet, and they even go so far as to accuse the man of being a sinner and a liar. The Pharisees are spiritually blind, unable to see the truth that is right in front of them. They refuse to acknowledge Jesus and embrace the abundant life that He came to offer.
The blind man, on the other hand, is transformed by his encounter with Jesus. He is able to see not only with his physical eyes but also see the spiritual realities taking place. He sees those living in darkness struggling to see the light. He testifies to the power of Jesus and the truth of his teachings, even in the face of persecution and rejection. He is now able to see what John 1:5 tells us, "And the light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not comprehend it." For him it was so clear, "I was blind, but now I see." (John 9:25)
The story of the healing of the blind man is a powerful reminder of the importance of spiritual sight. It challenges us to examine our own lives and ask ourselves if we are truly seeing the world as it is. Or are we preferring to walk around in darkness? In spiritually blindness?
In conclusion, the story of the healing of the blind man is a powerful testimony to the transformative power of Jesus. It challenges us to confront our own spiritual blindness and to seek the truth that can only be found through Him. May we all be blessed with the gift of spiritual sight and may we all join this man in saying, "One thing I know: that though I was blind, now I see.” (John 9:25)
Join me in praying, "Jesus, may you transformative power, heal my spiritual blindness!"