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As Jesus passed by he saw a man blind from birth. His disciples
asked him, “Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was
born blind?” Jesus answered, “Neither he nor his parents sinned; it
is so that the works of God might be made visible through him.”
John 9:1–3
Imagine being blind throughout your life and then suddenly being
healed. All of the sounds you had heard from childhood, all that
you had touched, tasted, or smelled suddenly took on new form
within your imagination as these images registered with sight for
the first time. Colors suddenly made sense. Large items, such as
trees that you had only heard in the wind and touched with your
hands, could be seen from a distance, glimmering in the sunlight.
Your mind suddenly perceived in a new way the utensils, clothing,
and other items you used daily. Just as the blind man was filled
with awe at receiving his sight, so too is the soul overwhelmed
when freed from the blindness of sin and brought into the light of
God’s grace.
The healed blind man was given a gift that those who can see from
birth are not. Perceiving and understanding the physical world only
through four of his senses, and then adding the powerful fifth
sense of sight later in life, provided immediate wonder and awe,
filling him with profound gratitude for something most of us take
for granted.
Think of a person who lives a sinful life for many years and
understands life only through the distortions of sin and
selfishness. Once set free from sin, the person’s spiritual eyes
are opened. Those who experience such a conversion are given a
blessing that those who have been faithful throughout their lives
do not receive in the same way. They understand the contrast
between spiritual blindness and sight, and the newfound freedom
they receive after conversion provides a greater understanding of
the gift of God’s grace and its transforming effects. They will
never forget the weight of bondage once caused by their sin.
One reason God permitted this man to be born blind and live that
way into adulthood was to illustrate the contrast between spiritual
darkness and light. This is part of what Jesus means when He says
this man was born blind “so that the works of God might be made
visible through him.” The miracle not only illustrated Jesus’
divine power but also symbolized the much deeper spiritual healing
He offers to all. Just as the blind man received physical sight, we
are offered the gift of spiritual sight through grace.
We are born with poor spiritual sight. Our fallen human nature,
which suffers from concupiscence, tends toward selfishness and sin.
Although capable of love and affection, a child is prone to
selfishness, anger, emotional outbursts, and other “childish”
behavior. Over time, with the guidance of good mentors, children
begin to understand the value of greater patience and selfless acts
of love, kindness, and generosity. Those who are not well-formed as
adolescents or who choose to rebel selfishly in their later years
never gain a clearer spiritual sight. The world around them remains
blurry, and divine wisdom never penetrates their eyes of
faith.
The story of the man born blind is an opportunity for each of us to
examine how clearly we perceive our lives and the world around us.
Just as the man was healed, we need healing from the blindness
caused by our fallen nature. God’s grace restores our spiritual
sight, allowing His light to illuminate all we encounter in
life.
Reflect today on your own need to see more clearly. We need our
spiritual sight restored and sharpened if we are to perceive
ourselves and our world with divine Wisdom. It takes humility to
admit we have poor spiritual sight, and profound humility to admit
if we are spiritually blinded by sin. Learn from the wonder and awe
that this healed blind man experienced, and know that our Lord
wants us to have clearer spiritual vision.
My healing Lord, because of my fallen human nature and my sin, I
often fail to see the light of truth with clarity. Please heal me,
as You healed this blind man, so that I will understand my life and
Your will more clearly and be filled with wonder and awe at the
reception of that gift. Jesus, I trust in You.
Image: Christ Healing the Blind By El Greco
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