In John 9:1-41 we find the story of a blind man. He has been blind from birth. He is one who sits at that gates begging. Can you see him in his loneliness? He is reaching out and all he is desiring is for someone to reach back, but people pass him by without regard. Ever feel like you reach and reach, but on one is there reaching back? I think this blind man can see more than all those with sight walking in front of him.
Jesus passes by Him. Jesus notices this man. It is Jesus who reaches out. But what do we find the disciples asking? In verse 2 they ask, "And His disciples asked Him, saying, 'Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?'' Wow! Ever find ourselves sitting there asking the same question about another? We see people hurting. We see others sick. We see others going through trials. In our pride we ask, "Wonder what they did?" Oh, we think we see, but we don't see at all. What we are missing is, these folks didn't do anything to cause their circumstances. Jesus doesn't make mistakes. We are blinded by our human reasoning. Something must have happened to cause this in this man's life. Jesus allowed this man to be born blind so that others might see His glory through this man. In doing so glory and honor would be brought to God and Him alone. The precious, healing hands of God not only brought sight to this man, but so much more. He brought salvation.
We see others going through so much and we seem fearful to approach them. Is it contagious? Will I end up like them too? Maybe I should stay back. Yes, that would be best. So, while we stay back, those reaching out know no one is reaching back. He doesn't have to have sight to see this. It is those very people who are standing back that are blinded.
Jesus brings healing to this man. He gives him sight. In verse 3-4 we see Jesus' reply to the disciples. "Jesus answered, 'Neither this man nor his parents sinned, but that the works of God should b revealed in him. I must work the works of Him who sent Me while it is day; the night is coming when no one can work. As long as I am in the world, I am the light of the world.'" God was revealed in the healing of this man. Later in this chapter it brings more questions. The Pharisees would question this man's parents. In their fear they would not answer, but told them to ask their son about his sight. As some would refuse to see God's glory, others did see. Their eyes were opened when this man's sight was brought back. Ever find yourself believing when you see God move through another?
Beginning in verse 35 we see Jesus seeking out this man who He has healed. He knows he has been cast out. But Jesus asks him, "Do you believe in the Son of God?" On in verse 36 we see the man answer. "Who is He, Lord, that I may believe in Him." Wasn't it all worth it? This man came to know Jesus as his Savior through the touch of Christ. He came to see when others with sight could not.
Too many times we get caught up in why something has happened to one instead of simply reaching out to them. What if we didn't ask, "Why?" What if we simply prayed and asked God to move on their behalf? God is waiting to move through us. He wants us to see clearly. Until we take our eyes off our self we will continue to be blinded to all God has done, is doing, and will do.
"A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another. By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another." John 13:34-35
We are quick to judge another when it isn't our place to even question their circumstances. It is easy for us to stand back and wonder what in the world they did to be this way. But, we really don't understand until it is us. Until we too walk in those shoes of uncertainty and pain we will not be able to really see and understand. That is why no one reached out to this man. They didn't care to see or understand him. We miss so much by simply looking the other way.
Let us not judge, but give others the same grace that the Lord gives us daily. I pray that my eyes might be open to all around me. That I might see with my heart and not look an appearance in judgement or questioning. Might we be those very hands and feet the Lord has called us to be. God brings healing in many ways. It may not be in the form we expect to see, but God is in the business of bringing glory to His Father through willing hearts and vessels willing to reach through the blindness so that all might see.
