This chapter (John 9) began with a question: Who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?
And it ends with Jesus saying, But now that you say, ‘We see,’ your sin remains.
So this saga with the man born blind being healed and the resulting debate all about it started with the disciples’ assumptions about sin and blindness—that suffering must be a direct result of someone’s wrongdoing. But by the end, Jesus flipped the script.
The one who was blind now truly sees, not just physically, but spiritually. He has recognized Jesus as the Son of Man and worships him. Meanwhile, the ones who claim to see—the religious leaders—are revealed to be the truly blind.
This is a striking reversal. The Pharisees begin the story assuming they have all the answers—that they understand sin, righteousness, and truth. But Jesus exposes the danger of claiming sight while rejecting the truth right in front of them.
It’s easy enough to assume this is about the Pharisees 2000 years ago. But we ought to let scripture work on us, too.
This is one of John’s most powerful themes: true sight is not about physical eyes but about recognizing Jesus for who he is. And the hardest hearts to reach are often not the struggling or the searching, but those convinced they already see perfectly.
There’s a humility of the mind at work here. Some people have spent an incredible amount of time studying the Bible, going to seminary, and honing theology (this writer included). But this man born blind - presumably held back from even the regular religious training all the Jewish kids got - came to believe in the Son of Man in a moment. And Jesus readily accepted it.
As we read this story today, the challenge is clear:
Will we be like the blind man, open to seeing what Jesus reveals?
Or will we be like the Pharisees, clinging so tightly to our own assumptions that we miss the truth standing before us?
Who sinned? is the question we begin with.
Your sin remains is the warning we end with.
Being accurate about the nature of Jesus is important. Accepting it in transformative experience with him is more important. It’s not that theology doesn’t matter. It’s that it doesn’t matter if it has no effect on the lived life.
John 9:35-41
Jesus heard they had expelled the man born blind. Finding him, Jesus said, “Do you believe in the Human One?”
He answered, “Who is he, sir? I want to believe in him.”
Jesus said, “You have seen him. In fact, he is the one speaking with you.”
The man said, “Lord, I believe.” And he worshipped Jesus.
Jesus said, “I have come into the world to exercise judgment so that those who don’t see can see and those who see will become blind.”
Some Pharisees who were with him heard what he said and asked, “Surely we aren’t blind, are we?”
Jesus said to them, “If you were blind, you wouldn’t have any sin, but now that you say, ‘We see,’ your sin remains.
Psalm 119:18, 33-34
Open my eyes so I can examine the wonders of your Instruction!
Lord, teach me what your statutes are about, and I will guard every part of them.
Help me understand so I can guard your Instruction and keep it with all my heart.
Prayer
God,
Open my eyes so I can truly see, not just to understand, but to believe, not just to observe, but to follow.
Teach me your ways, and help me to hold them close—not just in my mind, but in my heart and in my life. Keep me from assuming I already see clearly. Give me the humility to recognize when I don’t.
By your Spirit & in Christ,
Amen.