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Scripture Focus: John 9

This chapter tells the story of a man who was blind from birth until he met Jesus. In John 9:1–3, Jesus makes something clear from the beginning: his blindness was not the result of his sin or his parents’ sin, “but this happened so that the works of God might be displayed in him.”

Right away, Jesus reframes the situation. The disciples were focused on finding a cause, but Jesus reveals a purpose. What looked like a limitation or even a question of blame was not the point—it was the very place where God’s works would be revealed through this man’s life.

This healing also unfolds differently from what we are often used to seeing in Scripture. Instead of only speaking a word, Jesus heals the man in a unique and intentional way (John 9:6–7), reminding us that while His methods may vary, His healing is always complete.

Those who knew the man could not believe it. But the man simply said, “I am the man” (John 9:9). He didn’t try to explain everything—he testified to what had happened.

Later, in John 9:30–33, he boldly acknowledges that Jesus is from God, even at the risk of being rejected by the Pharisees. Unlike his parents, who feared being put out of the synagogue (John 9:20–23), his boldness came from experience—he knew what Jesus had done for him.

Because of this, he was thrown out. But “Jesus heard that they had thrown him out, and when He found him…” (John 9:35).

This was not a coincidence. Jesus heard, went after him, and found him. He had already healed his physical blindness, but now He came to reveal Himself and heal his spiritual sight as well (John 9:35–38).

And the man’s response?
He worshiped.

Then Jesus speaks a deeper truth in John 9:41: “If you were blind, you would not be guilty of sin; but now that you claim you can see, your guilt remains.”

The issue is not blindness—the issue is the assumption that we already see clearly when we do not.

The man who was physically blind received sight—both physically and spiritually—because he was open to Jesus. But the Pharisees, who believed they already had sight, remained blind because they refused to recognize Him.

So, the question is not simply: Are we blind? The real question is: Do we recognize our need for Jesus?

Because what seems like weakness or limitation in our lives may actually be the very place where God chooses to reveal His works. But if we assume we already see, we may miss Him completely.

Spiritual blindness is not the absence of sight—it is the refusal to recognize our need for Jesus. And sometimes, what looks like weakness is exactly where God reveals His power most clearly.

Prayer

Lord, open my eyes to truly see You. Help me to stay humble and recognize my need for You. Let Your works be revealed in my life, and lead me into deeper truth. Amen.