When We See

11 hours ago
3 min read

High-contrast image of a person looking into a cracked, ancient mirror. In the reflection, they see themselves clearly—no longer hidden by shadows or "filters"—while a warm, golden light (symbolizing Grace) shines from behind them. — Created using Gemini

30 The man answered, “Now that is remarkable! You don’t know where he comes from, yet he opened my eyes. 31 We know that God does not listen to sinners. He listens to the godly person who does his will. 32 Nobody has ever heard of opening the eyes of a man born blind. 33 If this man were not from God, he could do nothing.” 34 To this they replied, “You were steeped in sin at birth; how dare you lecture us!” And they threw him out. (John 9:30-34)

When Jesus gave sight to a man who was born blind, he revealed the spiritual blindness of the Pharisees. As Jesus and his disciples initially approached the blind man, the disciples asked Jesus rather the man's blindness was caused by his own or his parents' sin. But Jesus said that neither the man's sin nor his parents' sin was the cause of his blindness, he was blind in order to display God's works. After Jesus placed mud on the man's eyes, Jesus told him to go and wash in the pool of Siloam. It's interesting to note that the man did not ask to be healed, and Jesus had not asked him if he wanted to be healed, but at this moment the man made the decision to receive healing by obeying Jesus and washing in Siloam. Upon his return, the man was questioned about how he was healed and who had healed him - first by his neighbors and then by the Pharisees. He testified that Jesus was responsible for his healing but the Pharisees (who had also questioned the man's parents) refused to believe him and

threw him out of the temple.

In order for the Pharisees to acknowledge this healing they would have had to acknowledge Jesus' power which, as the formerly blind man stated, could only have come from God. To acknowledge that would have meant acknowledging that God had not empowered them, and may have caused the people to stop listening to them. And, if they had no control over the people, they would be of no use to the Roman empire. All of the influence that allowed them to feel in charge would be gone.

So often we fear the loss of control, status and power that faith in Jesus demands. If he rules, then we do not. But, rather we acknowledge it or not, Jesus rules and we do not. We are not in control of anyone or anything except ourselves. We do not have any status over others - regardless of how faithful or influential we think we are. We do not have any power beyond what God gives. When we see who Jesus truly is, we see who we truly are - individually, communally, nationally - and we see who we are our called to be in response to God's love. Despite the filters that buff away flaws and the systems that prop us up, we are all sinners saved by grace, and grace alone. May we not be blind to this truth that can free us from sin's grip.

23 Search me, God, and know my heart;

test me and know my anxious thoughts.

24 See if there is any offensive way in me,

and lead me in the way everlasting.

(Psalm 139:23-24)

This original song is still appropriate