The unveiling of the blinded heart
When Jesus heard what had happened, he found the man and asked, “Do you believe in the Son of Man?” The man answered, “Who is he, sir? I want to believe in him.” “You have seen him,” Jesus said, “and he is speaking to you!” “Yes, Lord, I believe!” the man said. And he worshiped Jesus. Then Jesus told him, “I entered this world to render judgment—to give sight to the blind and to show those who think they see that they are blind.” Some Pharisees who were standing nearby heard him and asked, “Are you saying we’re blind?” “If you were blind, you wouldn’t be guilty,” Jesus replied. “But you remain guilty because you claim you can see. John 9:35-41
After Jesus Christ had provided sight to the man born blind, the Pharisees still refused to believe. This is why from the text He told them that their unbelief resulted in their inability to recognize who Jesus was. Unlike the blind man who was healed and forgiven of his sin because of his faith, the Pharisees remained in their sin because of unbelief. It is sad that a person has blinded eyes, but it is infinitely worse to have blinded heart. No one chooses to lose one’s sight but to be blind spiritually was a matter of choice. The Pharisees were blinded by their intelligence that it became difficult for them to see the claims of Jesus. Same with some people nowadays, inspite of their claim that they are enlightened yet seemed to be incurably blind in spiritual matters. They profess to have deeper understanding in philosophy and highest learning, but had fallen short believing that salvation comes from Jesus alone. As the Apostle Paul said, “Satan, who is the god of this world, has blinded the minds of those who don’t believe. They are unable to see the glorious light of the Good News. They don’t understand this message about the glory of Christ, who is the exact likeness of God” (2 Corinthians 4:4). The Pharisees were religious people yet when confronted with the truth that God was revealed in the flesh through Jesus Christ, their religion has blinded them that they could not submit under His Lordship. “But the people’s minds were hardened, and to this day whenever the old covenant is being read, the same veil covers their minds so they cannot understand the truth. And this veil can be removed only by believing in Christ. Yes, even today when they read Moses’ writings, their hearts are covered with that veil, and they do not understand” (2 Corinthians 3:14-15). Christ came to this world as “the light” that when one is confronted by this truth and responds in faith, the gospel will shine in their hearts. The veil of unbelief that blinds the eyes is removed. “But whenever someone turns to the Lord, the veil is taken away. For the Lord is the Spirit, and wherever the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. So all of us who have had that veil removed can see and reflect the glory of the Lord. And the Lord—who is the Spirit—makes us more and more like him as we are changed into his glorious image” (2 Corinthians 3:16-18). “Jesus spoke to the people once more and said, ‘I am the light of the world. If you follow me, you won’t have to walk in darkness, because you will have the light that leads to life’” (John 8:12).
Blessings.
