Seeing Is Not Always Believing
We have heard the statement many times in our lives that “seeing is believing.” Simply put, people want to see the evidence before they believe something to be true. However, this old expression does not always hold true, especially when dealing with matters religious. One of the best examples of this is recorded in John 9. Jesus comes across a blind beggar who had been blind from birth. Curing this man of his infirmity, he created quite a stir among friends and neighbors of the blind man. Not only had Jesus healed the blind beggar, but he had also done so on the Sabbath, stirring up even greater controversy among the religious leaders. This chapter presents an intriguing paradox, one from which we can glean a great lesson.
On the one hand, there is the blind beggar. Though blind from birth, physically unable to see, he had great spiritual insight. Though his physical eyes could not make out shapes and colors, his spiritual eyes were unobstructed. Though he was physically blind, he was far from being spiritually blind. He knew not whom it was who removed the veil of darkness from his physical eyes, allowing him to see the beauty of God’s creation for the very first time. Yet, his spiritual insight led him to conclude that he who had healed him must be a prophet sent from God. There was no other explanation that could be given for this man’s healing. Deductive reasoning, common sense, and an open mind led this once-blind beggar to the conclusion that the man who had healed him had to be from God (John 9:33). His faith and his conviction led him to the Lord (John 9:35-38). His physical eyes were finally able to behold what his spiritual eyes had seen long before.
In stark contrast to the blind beggar were the religious leaders. They were able to see physically, but their spiritual eyes were completely blind. They could see the evidence of the miracle that Jesus per-formed on this man. They listened to the testimony of the blind beggar and his parents. Nevertheless, they refused to open their eyes and believe the evidence. They could see it, but they could not see it. Had their spiritual eyes seen the light of truth, they would have had to proclaim Jesus as the Messiah rather than proclaiming him a sinner. This they would not do, and because of their stubborn refusal to lift the cloak of darkness from their spiritual eyes, their sin remained (John 9:41). Pompous pride told them that they had perfect spiritual vision, but in actuality they could not see the truth that stood immediately before them.
In the case of the beggar, seeing was believing. For the Pharisees, seeing was not believing. The same evidence brought different responses, due wholly to the spiritual sight, or lack thereof, of those involved. The same can happen, and does happen today. We must be sure that we have removed our spiritual blinders when we examine the evidence of God’s word. Whether we enjoy the physical ability to see, or whether we do not have that privilege, we all have the ability and the responsibility to see with our spiritual eyes. May we all open them before it is too late.
-Patrick Morrison
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