Based on John 9 (New King James Version)
“Now as Jesus passed by, He saw a man who was blind from birth. And His disciples asked Him, saying, ‘Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?’ Jesus answered, ‘Neither this man nor his parents sinned, but that the works of God should be revealed in him. must work the works of Him who sent Me while it is day; the night is coming when no one can work. As long as I am in the world, I am the light of the world.’ When He had said these things, He spat on the ground and made clay with the saliva; and He anointed the eyes of the blind man with the clay. And He said to him, ‘Go, wash in the pool of Siloam’ (which is translated, Sent). So he went and washed, and came back seeing. Therefore the neighbors and those who previously had seen that he was blind said, ‘Is not this he who sat and begged?’ Some said, ‘This is he.’ Others said, ‘He is like him.’ He said, ‘I am he.’ Therefore they said to him, ‘How were your eyes opened?’ He answered and said, ‘A Man called Jesus made clay and anointed my eyes and said to me, ‘Go to the pool of Siloam and wash.’ So I went and washed, and I received sight.’ Then they said to him, ‘Where is He?’ He said, ‘I do not know.’ They brought him who formerly was blind to the Pharisees. Now it was a Sabbath when Jesus made the clay and opened his eyes. Then the Pharisees also asked him again how he had received his sight. He said to them, ‘He put clay on my eyes, and I washed, and I see.’ Therefore some of the Pharisees said, ‘This Man is not from God, because He does not keep the Sabbath.’ Others said, ‘How can a man who is a sinner do such signs?’ And there was a division among them. They said to the blind man again, ‘What do you say about Him because He opened your eyes?’ He said, ‘He is a prophet.’ But the Jews did not believe concerning him, that he had been blind and received his sight, until they called the parents of him who had received his sight. And they asked them, saying, ‘Is this your son, who you say was born blind? How then does he now see?’ His parents answered them and said, ‘We know that this is our son, and that he was born blind; but by what means he now sees we do not know, or who opened his eyes we do not know. He is of age; ask him. He will speak for himself.’ His parents said these things because they feared the Jews, for the Jews had agreed already that if anyone confessed that He was Christ, he would be put out of the synagogue. Therefore his parents said, ‘He is of age; ask him.’ So they again called the man who was blind, and said to him, ‘Give God the glory! We know that this Man is a sinner.’ He answered and said, ‘Whether He is a sinner or not I do not know. One thing I know: that though I was blind, now I see.’ Then they said to him again, ‘What did He do to you? How did He open your eyes?’ He answered them, ‘I told you already, and you did not listen. Why do you want to hear it again? Do you also want to become His disciples?’ Then they reviled him and said, ‘You are His disciple, but we are Moses’ disciples. We know that God spoke to Moses; as for this fellow, we do not know where He is from.’ The man answered and said to them, ‘Why, this is a marvelous thing, that you do not know where He is from; yet He has opened my eyes! Now we know that God does not hear sinners; but if anyone is a worshiper of God and does His will, He hears him. Since the world began it has been unheard of that anyone opened the eyes of one who was born blind. If this Man were not from God, He could do nothing.’ They answered and said to him, ‘You were completely born in sins, and are you teaching us?’ And they cast him out. Jesus heard that they had cast him out; and when He had found him, He said to him, ‘Do you believe in the Son of God?’ He answered and said, ‘Who is He, Lord, that I may believe in Him?’ And Jesus said to him, ‘You have both seen Him and it is He who is talking with you.’ Then he said, ‘Lord, I believe!’ And he worshiped Him. And Jesus said, ‘For judgment I have come into this world, that those who do not see may see, and that those who see may be made blind.’ Then some of the Pharisees who were with Him heard these words, and said to Him, ‘Are we blind also?’ Jesus said to them, ‘If you were blind, you would have no sin; but now you say, ‘We see.’ Therefore your sin remains.’
Not everyone views things or events in the same way, as one's perspective on life is shaped by emotions, temperament, personal reasoning, motivations, beliefs, and so on. One person might see something as simple as a flower as a miracle, while another might view that same flower differently—perhaps focusing on different details and seeing it merely as something pleasant. Others might dismiss it as insignificant because it lacks fragrance or has unappealing colors; some might be completely indifferent to its existence, while others might even flee from it due to allergies. Some might look upon the flower with fondness because it evokes happy memories, whereas another person might view it with repulsion because it brings back painful ones. Ultimately, every individual perceives and appreciates things—even the simplest ones—according to their own perspective and personal reasoning.
Today, we read about a very significant miracle performed by the Lord: restoring sight to a man born blind—an unprecedented event. He accomplished this in a unique manner, distinct from how He had healed other blind people. One might reason that He healed him differently because it was a unique case. That may be true but let us remember that we are speaking of God—the very God who brought all creation into existence simply by speaking things into existence. Did the Lord truly need to make mud, given that He Himself created and ordered all the galaxies, stars, and planets merely by the sound of His voice—commanding them to exist, and nothing more? This brings us to the heart of the matter.
Some might view this event as a magnificent feat; others, as an act of love and mercy; and others, as yet another conclusive proof that Christ was not merely a prophet, but the Messiah—God Himself. Some might regard it as a mere story, a figment of someone’s imagination. The religious leaders we read about saw it as something evil—proof that the Lord was someone utterly opposed to God—because He did not follow the rules as they interpreted them. Yet, if we look past the grandeur of God for a moment, what was the religious leaders' real problem? If the Lord had even raised the dead—feats Moses never accomplished—was there truly room for doubt? Or were there things within their hearts that prevented them from seeing reality? Quite simply, it was their pride and envy that kept them from seeing things as they truly were: the greatness of the Only Begotten Son of God, revealed in love, power, and glory. These religious leaders sought preeminence among the people, but how could they claim it when they were unable to perform any of the works the Lord did? And worse, they spoke of God and His law, yet nothing they said or did reflected Him. Ultimately, they wanted to be greater than the Lord and sought to be honored as such—a desire that defines their pride and envy. Anyone who fails to see the Lord for who He is and to follow Him accordingly has these same issues, regardless of what they say. Everything the Lord has done and continues to do provides more than enough reason to believe; therefore, those who do not believe do so not because they cannot, but because they will not—all driven by pride and envy. They refuse to admit their sin and desire to be their own god. So, have you decided to believe in the Lord for who He truly is, or do you continue to let your pride and envy lead you to eternal ruin? Lord bless! John. God bless Israel!