John 9 — From Blindness to Sight: A Story for All of Us
Imagine being born blind. Never seeing a sunrise. Never knowing the faces of the ones you love. That was the reality for the man in John 9. And then, one ordinary day, Jesus walks by—and nothing is ever the same.
But this story isn’t just about physical blindness. It’s about spiritual blindness. About seeing Jesus for who He truly is. And it’s for us—whether we’ve walked with Jesus for years, or we’re still unsure of who He really is.
Jesus Sees What Others Don’t
The story begins with the disciples noticing the blind man and asking, “Who sinned—this man or his parents—that he was born blind?” It’s the kind of question we often ask, isn’t it? Why did this happen? What went wrong?
But Jesus isn’t interested in assigning blame. He’s interested in transformation. He replies, “This happened so that the works of God might be displayed in him.” In other words, this man’s life—his suffering, his story—is about to become a stage for the glory of God.
Here’s what we learn about Jesus: He sees us with compassion. He sees purpose where others see problems. He sees a future where others see brokenness. If we let Him work, even the hardest parts of our story can become a testimony to God’s goodness.
Believers: We Must Let Jesus Work in Us
To the disciples—believers in process—Jesus gives a subtle but serious lesson. He says, “We must do the works of him who sent me… as long as it is day.”
He’s not just talking about Himself. He’s including us. Those who follow Him are called to join in His mission: to bring light where there’s darkness, healing where there’s pain, truth where there’s confusion. And there’s urgency. Night is coming—there is limited time to live and share the light of Christ.
For us today, this means we have to let Jesus do His work in us so He can work through us. The more we allow Him to transform our hearts, expose our blind spots, and reorder our priorities, the more clearly we’ll see Him—and reflect Him to others.
The Unbeliever: Jesus Can Restore Your Soul
If you’re not sure where you stand with Jesus, pay attention to the man who was healed. At first, he didn’t even know who Jesus was. He didn’t ask to be healed. But he obeyed. Jesus told him to go wash in the pool of Siloam—and he did. That act of trust opened the door to everything that came next.
Jesus met him where he was, and then led him to something greater. He gave him sight—but more than that, He gave him spiritual vision. Later, when Jesus finds the man again, He asks, “Do you believe in the Son of Man?” The man says, “Who is He, sir, that I may believe in Him?” And Jesus answers, “You have now seen Him; in fact, He is the one speaking with you.”
That’s the moment. The man, once blind, sees—and he believes. He worships.
If you’ve ever felt like you’re in the dark, like you can’t see clearly who God is or where your life is going, Jesus offers you the same invitation. Let Him touch your heart. Let Him restore your soul. You don’t have to have all the answers. Just take that first step of trust.
Pride Keeps Us Blind
The contrast in this story is sobering. The religious leaders, who were supposed to be the ones who saw clearly, were the most blind of all. They were so sure of their spiritual insight that they couldn’t recognize the work of God happening right in front of them. They didn’t want to believe in Jesus. They couldn’t admit they needed healing.
And that’s still the danger today—religion without relationship, knowledge without faith, pride without repentance.
Jesus says in verse 39: “I came into this world for judgment, so that those who do not see may see and those who do see may become blind.”
That’s not just a warning—it’s a powerful truth: the only requirement to receive the light of Jesus is to admit that you need it. The man who knew he was blind could be healed. The ones who insisted they could see had no room for Jesus.
So What Does This Mean for Us?
• If you’re a believer: Don’t settle for shallow vision. Let Jesus keep opening your eyes to who He truly is. Invite Him to do a deeper work in your heart. Join Him in the mission of restoring sight to others. Don’t just know about Him—see Him clearly and follow Him fully.
• If you’re unsure about Jesus: This story is for you too. Jesus sees you. He loves you. And He wants to restore you. Your past doesn’t disqualify you. Your uncertainty doesn’t scare Him. You don’t have to fix yourself first. Just trust Him enough to come close. Like the blind man, let Jesus speak to your heart. And when you see Him for who He is, believe—and worship.
Final Thought
Jesus is still the light of the world. Still the healer of the blind. Still the One sent to bring life, hope, and restoration. And whether we’ve walked with Him for decades or are just encountering Him for the first time, the invitation is the same:
Come. Let Him open your eyes. Let Him change your life. Let Him be your light.
