April 7, 2020

The Way to True 20/20 Vision

John 9:24–41

Jamie Kenston
Tuesday's Devo

April 7, 2020

Tuesday's Devo

April 7, 2020

Central Truth

We gain true clarity when we admit our lack of sight and depend only on Jesus for full sight.

Key Verse | John 9:39

Jesus said, "For judgment I came into this world, that those who do not see may see, and those who see may become blind."

John 9:24–41

24 So for the second time they called the man who had been blind and said to him, “Give glory to God. We know that this man is a sinner.” 25 He answered, “Whether he is a sinner I do not know. One thing I do know, that though I was blind, now I see.” 26 They said to him, “What did he do to you? How did he open your eyes?” 27 He answered them, “I have told you already, and you would not listen. Why do you want to hear it again? Do you also want to become his disciples?” 28 And they reviled him, saying, “You are his disciple, but we are disciples of Moses. 29 We know that God has spoken to Moses, but as for this man, we do not know where he comes from.” 30 The man answered, “Why, this is an amazing thing! You do not know where he comes from, and yet he opened my eyes. 31 We know that God does not listen to sinners, but if anyone is a worshiper of God and does his will, God listens to him. 32 Never since the world began has it been heard that anyone opened the eyes of a man born blind. 33 If this man were not from God, he could do nothing.” 34 They answered him, “You were born in utter sin, and would you teach us?” And they cast him out.

35 Jesus heard that they had cast him out, and having found him he said, “Do you believe in the Son of Man?” 1 9:35 Some manuscripts the Son of God 36 He answered, “And who is he, sir, that I may believe in him?” 37 Jesus said to him, “You have seen him, and it is he who is speaking to you.” 38 He said, “Lord, I believe,” and he worshiped him. 39 Jesus said, “For judgment I came into this world, that those who do not see may see, and those who see may become blind.” 40 Some of the Pharisees near him heard these things, and said to him, “Are we also blind?” 41 Jesus said to them, “If you were blind, you would have no guilt; 2 9:41 Greek you would not have sin but now that you say, ‘We see,’ your guilt remains.

Footnotes

[1] 9:35 Some manuscripts the Son of God
[2] 9:41 Greek you would not have sin

Dive Deeper | John 9:24–41

I still remember the day I borrowed a pair of my friend's glasses in the sixth grade, looked outside, and realized you could see the leaves on the trees. Some people might be able to resonate with this exact experience; others might be confused that I went so long without realizing that most people already knew you could see leaves on trees! 

Like the Pharisees, I had actually managed to trick myself into thinking I had sight. It wasn't until I admitted my need for assistance  that I could truly SEE, and my life was forever changed! Similarly, trusting in Jesus is a true life-transformation.

We receive salvation when we admit our need for a Savior and trust in Jesus. To move from blind to sight, we have to believe in Jesus, our way to 20/20 vision. The blind man was able to accept his blindness — which allowed him to see — while the Pharisees claimed their sight was just fine. Instead, Jesus tells the Pharisees to admit their full blindness. To have a genuine, believing faith, they would have to admit the entirety of their lack of sight. We gain full spiritual sight when we admit just how much we lack and that we need those heavy-duty Coke-bottle glasses to be able to see what Jesus has done for us. Who knew Jesus was also an ophthalmologist? 

Jesus continues with a sincere teaching and hope that those who claim to see may become blind so that they can have full sight. Just as the well-known John 3:16 reminds us, God loves the WORLD. His hope is that all will admit their need for a pair of spiritual glasses so that they can see and experience the freedom and joy from the other side of those thick lenses. The gospel is for everyone, you just have to believe it to receive it.

So put on your glasses (real and/or spiritual) today, look out at the trees, and thank Jesus for allowing you to see. Know that it is because of your daily surrender to Him that you have true sight.

Discussion Questions

1. What steps can you take daily to increase your spiritual sight?

2. What weakness in your life is God continuing to reveal?

3. How can you share sight with someone this week?