One Thing I Know, That, Whereas I Was Blind, Now I See -- Part 2005

If the blind lead the blind, they might both find themselves in a ditch. This is hardly the situation one should want to find themselves in. This is why, sometimes, relying on an analogy or an example to explain God's message can be helpful.

For example, sons and daughters of God ought to stop considering that the unsaved -- those who do not know of the saving grace of our Lord God and Saviour Jesus the Christ, should know what salvation is. How could they? You were there once. Indeed, we all were, blind to understanding God's plan of salvation. But now, by accepting the salvation that Jesus provided on the cross, when He shed His precious holy blood for you and I, we have been made partakers of the power of the life to come. So, in this context, cease striving to perform good works. The fruits of your salvation will shine through as you get closer in your heart to the Lord.

We see this in John 9, wherein Jesus passing by, stops to heal the man who was blind from birth.

"And as Jesus passed by, He saw a man which was blind from his birth. And His disciples asked Him, saying, "Master, who did sin, this man, or his parents, that he was born blind?" Jesus answered, "Neither hath this man sinned, nor his parents: but that the works of God should be made manifest in him. I must work the works of Him that sent Me, while it is day: the night comes, when no man can work. As long as I am in the world, I am the Light of the world."

When Jesus had thus spoken, He spat on the ground, and made clay of the spittle, and He anointed the eyes of the blind man with the clay, and said unto him, "Go, wash in the pool of Siloam" -- (which is by interpretation -- Sent.) He went his way therefore, and washed, and came seeing.

The neighbours therefore, and they which before had seen him that he was blind, said, "Is not this he that sat and begged?" Some said, "This is he." Others said, " ... he is like him" but he said, "I am he." Therefore said they unto him, "How were thine eyes opened?" 11 He answered and said, "A man that is called Jesus made clay, and anointed mine eyes, and said unto me, "Go to the pool of Siloam, and wash," and I went and washed, and I received sight." Then said they unto him, "Where is He?" [referring to Jesus. The man] said, "I know not." (John 9:1-14)

So, they brought the healed blind man to the Pharisees. It was the sabbath day when Jesus made the clay, and opened his eyes. The Pharisees asked him how he had received his sight. He said unto them, "He put clay upon mine eyes, and I washed, and do see." Therefore, said some of the Pharisees, "This man is not of God, because He keeps not the sabbath day." Others said, "How can a man that is a sinner do such miracles?" And there was a division among them. 

Again, they say unto the blind man, "What say thou of Him, that He hath opened thine eyes?" The man said, "He is a prophet." But the Jews did not believe concerning him, that he had been blind, and received his sight, until they called the parents of him that had received his sight. And they asked them, saying, "Is this your son, who ye say was born blind? how then doth he now see?" The man's parents answered them and said, "We know that this is our son, and that he was born blind: but by what means he now sees, we know not; or who hath opened his eyes, we know not: he is of age; ask him: he shall speak for himself."

These words spake his parents, because they feared the Jews: for the Jews had agreed already, that if any man did confess that He was Christ, he should be put out of the synagogue. Therefore said his parents, " ... he is of age; ask him." (John 9:15- 23)

Then again called they the man that was blind, and said unto him, "Give God the praise: we know that this man is a sinner." The man answered and said, "Whether He be a sinner or no, I know not: one thing I know, that, whereas I was blind, now I see."

This comment in and of itself, plus the fact that the man who was blind could now see should have sufficed. However, as we see, it did not. For they then said unto the man again, "What did He to thee? how opened He thine eyes?" The man answered them, "I have told you already, and ye did not hear: wherefore would ye hear it again? will ye also be His disciples?"

Then they reviled him, and said, "... thou art His disciple; but we are Moses’ disciples. We know that God spake unto Moses: as for this fellow, we know not from whence He is." The man answered and said unto them, "Why herein is a marvellous thing, that ye know not from whence He is, and yet He hath opened mine eyes. Now we know that God hears not sinners: but if any man be a worshipper of God, and does His will, him He hears. Since the world began was it not heard that any man opened the eyes of one that was born blind. If this man were not of God, He could do nothing."

They answered and said unto him, "Thou wast altogether born in sins, and dost thou teach us?" And they cast him out. However, Jesus heard that they had cast the man out; and when He had found him, He said unto him, "Dost thou believe on the Son of God?" The man answered and said, "Who is He, Lord, that I might believe on Him?" And Jesus said unto him, "Thou hast both seen Him, and it is He that talks with thee." And he said, "Lord, I believe." And the man worshipped Jesus.

So much here to understand, but as we can learn, the blind man (who for all those years from birth could not see) now had sight. However, unlike those whom Jesus fed and wanted more because their bellies were hungry, the man whom was blind desired more of Jesus in his heart. Listen again to what he said to the Pharisees who were Moses disciples and thus, reviled Jesus.

That is, that his healing was a marvellous thing, and that even though they knew not from whence Jesus is, these should have rejoiced for He opened the blind man's eyes. There is more. 

" ... Now we know that God hears not sinners: but if any man be a worshipper of God, and does His will, him He hears. Since the world began was it not heard that any man opened the eyes of one that was born blind? If this man were not of God, He could do nothing." (John 9:30-33; John 3:2, 10; John 9:16; Zechariah 7:1)

Remember Nicodemus, the ruler of the Jews? Did he not also say to Jesus by night, "Rabbi, we know that Thou art a teacher come from God: for no man can do these miracles that Thou doest except God be with Him." (John 3:1-2; John 7:50; John 19:39; Acts 10:38) And Jesus said unto him, "Verily, verily, I say unto thee -- Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God!" (John 3:3) 

That being born again -- not of corruptible seed but of incorruptible -- by the Word of God, which lives and abides for ever. The Word of the Lord which endures forever. The same Word made flesh and dwelt among us. (John 1:1-14; John 14:6-12) And this is the Word which by the gospel is preached unto you. (I Peter 1:23-25; Isaiah 40:6-8; John 1:11-13; James 1:18)

Jesus said, "For judgment I am come into this world, that they which see not might see; and that they which see might be made blind." And some of the Pharisees which were with Him heard these words, and said unto Him, "Are we blind also?"  Jesus said unto them, "If ye were blind, ye should have no sin: but now ye say, "We see" --  therefore your sin remains." (John 9:39-41)

We who believe in Jesus by faith should want the scales to fall from our eyes, so that we can behold Him - the Great Shepherd who gave His life for His sheep while we were still His enemies. After the kindness and love of God our Saviour toward man appeared. (Titus 3:4-7) And ye shall call His Name JESUS, for He shall save His people from their sins. (Matthew 1:21-23) 

JESUS -- the Alpha and Omega, the first and the last, the beginning and the ending. The King of kings and Lord of lords. The everlasting Father. (Revelation 1:8; Isaiah 9:6)

The blind man did not fail to proclaim his healing, or his desire to worship the Lord who healed him because if this man -- Jesus -- was not of God, He could have done nothing. Admittedly, there may come a time for you too when you have to shake the dust off your feet because of unbelief.  Still, in the interim, we can continue to set the table, sending out the invitations to the 'whosoever will' in order that they too might come, dine and pray, remembering that God loves the lost more than you or I. 

And He proved His love for His beloved people when He wrote His love in crimson red -- His precious holy blood shed for you and I on that cross. Now that is love. Recall the parable of the sewer who went out to sow seed in the harvest field?  Not all the seeds took root. Some of the seeds fell here and some seeds fell in all the wrong places. The seeds that fell in the latter places withered and died. There is a message here. That is, keep your hand upon the throttle and your eyes upon the rail. A boat without a rudder is going wherever the tide or wind directs it. For us, though, the Lord is our Shepherd. He guides us and directs us. Whether the wind or tide rocks us to or fro, we can rest assured that Jesus has us safely in His arms. 

The lyrics to the old hymn -- We love to tell the story; It will be our theme in glory; to tell the old, old story ... of JESUS and His Love.

Jesus is still the Light of this world. And this same Lord Jesus wants to heal your blindness so that you can see His abundance of love and mercy and grace for you too. Thus, ask the Lord Jesus Christ into your heart today. Repent and be water baptized in the precious Name of our Lord God and Saviour Jesus the Christ. (Acts 2:36-38) Find a New Testament and begin reading His Word, asking the Lord Jesus to show you the way, the truth and the life, that can only be found in Him. (John 14:6) And be sanctified by Thy Word, which is Truth. (John 17:!7)

Stand in the offering plate.