John 9, Part 7

Scripture: John 9:39-41

Observation: Jesus makes a statement that explains His reason for healing the blind man: He came to give sight to the blind, but also to cause blindness to those who can see (v.39). The Pharisees catch on right away to what Jesus is saying - they say to Him, "What, are we blind too (v.40)?" Jesus' answer gives them reason to think: "If you were blind you would not be guilty of sin; but now that you claim you can see, your guilt remains (v.41)." The issue for these religious leaders is their pride - they do not recognize their need because they trust in their knowledge.

Application: Light can be helpful. It can illuminate and make things clear. But it can also be so bright it blinds. Jesus told truth both to the religious leaders and to the crowds. For the humble, the light made everything clear; to the proud it was burning and stinging. The sin in this story is not the physical blindness of the man but the spiritual blindness of the Pharisees, who believed themselves above all because of their knowledge of the law. We have Scripture today, more than the Jews had at that time, yet the same truth remains: if we have knowledge of Scripture but not a relationship with Jesus, if we see what our sins are but do not repent of them, then we are like the prideful Pharisees who remained blind in their spirituality. Knowing the laws did them no good because they refused to surrender to the One who fulfilled the law.

Prayer: Father, Scripture clearly states that eternal life comes from knowing You (John 17:3), not just acquiring knowledge. I can read my Bible each day, but if I don't put in practice what I learn and apply it to my life, it's just empty knowledge like the Pharisees had. Please show me how to live the Word, not just read it or memorize it. Let it penetrate into my being, so that in all my walk, in all my decisions and my thoughts, I will refer back to what I've learned from You and default into Your Holy mode and not my flesh mode. In Jesus' name I pray, Amen.