As he went along, he saw a man blind from birth. His disciples asked him, “Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?” “Neither this man nor his parents sinned,” said Jesus, “but this happened so that the works of God might be displayed in him. As long as it is day, we must do the works of him who sent me. Night is coming, when no one can work. While I am in the world, I am the light of the world.” Having said this, he spit on the ground, made some mud with the saliva, and put it on the man’s eyes. “Go,” he told him, “wash in the Pool of Siloam” (this word means “Sent”). So the man went and washed, and came home seeing.

John 9:1-7

Jesus healed the blind man by putting mud on his eyes. The Pharisees accused Jesus of being a sinner and not being from God because He healed the blind man on the Sabbath. They questioned the blind man, looking for any hole in the man’s story. They were insulted when the blind man told them: Whether he is a sinner or not, I don’t know. One thing I do know. I was blind and now I see. (John 9:25) The Pharisees stubbornly refused to believe that Jesus was from God, and the blind man was certain of only one thing: this man Jesus had healed him. Jesus then asked the blind man if he believed in the Son of Man, the name Jesus most commonly titled Himself. The man answered that he did not know Him but would like to believe. At that point, Jesus revealed to the blind man that He was the Son of God who had performed this miracle and that He had come so that the blind could see.

Having just healed a physically blind person, Jesus reveals that He had come to open the eyes of the spiritually blind. He inferred that the Pharisees were spiritually blind, claiming to see but walking in spiritual darkness.

The Lord calls out to you today to open your spiritual eyes and ears. Just as he healed the blind man, he longs to open your eyes to know Him. Paul prayed: I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened. (Ephesians 1:18) Pray that the eyes of your heart will be open to know Christ and that your ears would be attentive to His Word.

Heavenly Father,

Open the eyes of my heart for understanding. Remove any places of “spiritual blindness” and allow me to hear and obey You.

In Jesus’ name, Amen