Lenten Devotion: Do you believe in the Son of Man? (John 9:18-41)
Day 23 – 31 Mar 2025
“Whether he is a sinner I do not know. One thing I do know, that though I was blind, now I see.” John 9:25
Why is it so difficult to believe that Jesus is the Messiah? Does witnessing a miracle necessarily guarantee belief in Jesus? The answer is no according to this passage.
The Apostle John draws our attention to two characters with different statuses in society. The Pharisees in the position of authority not only refused to believe that Jesus had healed the blind man but also condemned Jesus as a sinner (v. 16, 18, 24). Their belief, authority and tradition had blinded their eyes to see the truth.
On the other hand, those who were in oppression, like the blind man’s parents, were blinded by their fear to see the truth about Jesus (v. 22).
This raises a question in the reader’s mind: who can believe that Jesus is the Messiah? While seeing the miracle is not a guarantee of belief, experiencing the miracle is. The eyes of the blind man was opened when he experienced healing from Jesus (v. 25).
Jesus healed not only his physical eyes but his spiritual eyes also. The blind man is now a transformed person who is able to see the truth about Jesus (v. 30-33). When Jesus opens his eyes to see the truth, he is able to call Jesus as his Lord and believe in Him (v. 38, cf. v.36).
The irony of this story is that those who do not see may see and those who see may be blind (v.39). Power, wealth, authority, tradition and fear of people may blind us to see the truth about Jesus. Only when we experience the touch of Jesus and his healing power in our life are we able to see him as the Lord. Jesus offers His healing touch to those who are listening and willing. Come and receive his touch.
O God, whose glory it is always to have mercy:
Be gracious to all who have gone astray from your ways,
and bring them again with penitent hearts
and steadfast faith to embrace and hold fast the unchangeable truth of your Word, Jesus Christ your Son;
who with you and the Holy Spirit lives and reigns,
one God, for ever and ever.
Amen
Wiryi Aripin🙏