We are familiar with the stunning miracle of the healing of a blind man at the Pool of Bethesda and the Pharisees’ negative reaction. The healing of the blind man took place on the Sabbath—a day no one was allowed to “work.” They called his parents in for questioning. Twice, they interrogated and insulted the healed man. Infuriated, they finally threw him out, saying, “Are you trying to teach us?”

Some of the Pharisees were already looking for a reason to kill Jesus. Their spiritual blindness created a distorted view of God and a distorted view of themselves. The motive of their hearts blinded them to the miracle of a blind man seeing for the first time in his life. 

When Jesus learned how the man was treated, he went to him and revealed who He was—the Son of God. The man threw himself at His feet and worshipped Him, saying: “Lord, I believe in you.” Jesus answered 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” (John 9:39). 

The Pharisees would not see their spiritual blindness. Jesus said they would remain guilty of sin because they claimed they could see. It takes a humble heart to admit what we have believed may be up for questioning. With our limited interpretation of reality, it’s rather easy to become pharisaical in our beliefs and a know-it-all faith in our illusions. A religious spirit produces great bondage that carries eternal consequences. 

We need to be careful about how we handle what we consider to be the truth. When we take communion every day, Jan and I receive the new, fresh mercies Jesus gives us to forgive our sins and heal our diseases. We ask for sight where we are blind and do not recognize it. Sight is the beginning of healing. 

The older we get, the more we learn that we see only in part. There is always something greater to learn. Any wisdom and understanding we gain always reveals a mightier, more mysterious God and also a loving and caring Father.