I Was Blind But Now I See
Recommended Reading: John chapter 9 and SOAP 9:39
Then Jesus told him, “I entered this world to render judgment—to give sight to the blind and to show those who think they see that they are blind.”
John 9:39 NLT
It wasn’t Sin
Sometime after Jesus had escaped the murderous plot of those who were hostile to Him in John chapter eight, “He saw a man who was blind from birth”. His disciples were curious and asked who was to blame for the man’s blindness – him or his parents. Jesus’ answer may surprise you. He said, “It wasn’t sin that caused the man’s blindness.” Jesus laid the answer at God’s feet when He replied that it happened – “so that the acts of God would be seen through him”. Even if you’re familiar with the story, I believe most would admit that the answer Jesus gave was not what anyone expected. It’s important to note this part of the chapter and all that happens after it to truly understand what Jesus meant both throughout the chapter and in today’s focus verse.
The rest of the passage tells what happens to the man, so read and watch for the “acts of God” all the way to the last verse. You will watch Jesus give the man a mud bath on his eyes and send him to wash off in the pool. You will stand in awe as he returns no longer blind! You will hear as the man testifies several times about what Jesus did. He will be doubted and questioned, his parents will be questioned, and yet there will still be disbelief – but the man does not waver in his testimony. In fact he becomes more adamant that the man who healed him was surely from God! Finally you will see the man profess his faith in the Lord Jesus Christ – which I think you would agree is a pretty good result of ‘the acts of God’.
What Jesus Came To Do
According to our focus verse today, John 9:39, Jesus came to the world “to render judgment”. What? Doesn’t the Scripture say that He didn’t come to judge or condemn as some translations say it? We just read in John 3:16 and 17 that He was sent to save the world not condemn (or judge) it. Paul’s letter to the Romans says that “there is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus”. So why does Jesus say what seems to contradict the words of John and Paul? Because, in order to bring salvation “sin” has to be judged – He did not come to condemn us – but the sin that had entangled us – in order that we might be saved. To be sure – there will be those who, having heard and seen the truth, will still reject God – but didn’t we just read in John 3:36, “Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life, but whoever rejects the Son will not see life, for God’s wrath remains on them. Because of their rejection they will be forever separated from God.
I couldn’t read this chapter without having to search for answers to several of the verses along the way, specifically our focus verse, and the ones that followed. They proved to be a bit confusing, especially because we know from other passages, that God did not send His son to ‘judge’ the world but to save it – the fine line is this … Jesus came to bring salvation and for that to happen “judgment had to be made on and against sin”, as one commentary says. To better understand this, as well as the full chapter, visit the link below and simply click on the verse or verses that may have you wanting more clarity.
https://www.bibleref.com/John/9/John-chapter-9.html
Choose This Day Whom You Will Serve
Despite the confusion that can arise with some passages in the God’s Word, we must not allow the questions that arise cloud the TRUTH. Rest assured, those who TRUST in God will be given sight and understanding (6-7 and 35-37). It is equally certain that those who reject the TRUTH of God that they have both heard and seen will be ‘made blind’ by their ‘own decision’ to reject God and live in disbelief. In the Old Testament Joshua told the people to choose whom they would serve, the LORD or the god of the Amorites and in the New Testament we are given much the same choice – the way of the world, which leads to sin and death or salvation through Jesus Christ – who sets us free from from the law of sin and death, (Romans 6:1-2, 14-15). Jesus was referring to money (material wealth) when He taught His disciples that they couldn’t serve two masters, because they would either love the one or hate the other – but we can certainly equate the teaching with any thing that has a hold on us and draws us away from God. So, like Joshua and his people, we must choose – The way of Christ which leads to God and eternal life – or the way of the world ruled by the dark forces and leading to impending judgment and eternal death. – As for me, I choose the way of Christ.