Why? Why would anyone be irate, angry, or even offended…if a blind person had their eyes opened and could see? It makes no sense to me; or at least to my natural mind and way of thinking.

And yet we read of an account where Jesus was passing by and saw a man who was blind from birth. (John 9:1) 

They stopped and His disciples asked Him if this man was born blind because of sin, either on his part or his parent’s part. (2)

Jesus responded: “Neither his parents nor this man sinned.” (3)

[Not long ago I heard a well-known preacher touch on this passage and then make the statement suggesting we could safely conclude by this comment alone that sin has nothing to do with bad things or sickness occurring as a form of judgment and suffering. He seemed to want to dismiss any relationship between the two. I was puzzled and wanted to ask how he interpreted what Jesus said in John 5:14 and Luke 13:1-6 (to name a few) but given it was a recorded broadcast, I was unable to do so.]

Jesus then goes on elaborating about the ‘works of God’ that needed to be carried out and how He had been sent by God to do these works…’while it is day’. (4). Then, we hear this ominous warning that “night is coming when no one can work.” But for now…there is work to be done so Jesus then spits onto the ground, makes some ‘clay’ with His saliva and dirt before applying it to the blind man’s eyes. (6). He then directs him to do wash in a local pool of water. The man obeys and comes back seeing. (7)

And that is when things ‘hit the fan’. Word got out, obviously, and here comes the questions and interrogation by the local religious force of the day. The Pharisees want answers and explanations and they are not impressed by what they are hearing. You can read the entire story on your own there in that chapter 9 but when all the conversation ends, the (formerly) blind man is ‘cast out’ of the local synagogue.

You might say he ‘lost his religion but he found Jesus’. (9:35-38).

That really is not a bad trade-off now, is it? ;-)

I think one of my favorite lines in that entire story is found in vs. 25 though: “He answered and said, ‘whether He (Jesus) is a sinner or not I do not know. One thing I do know: Though I was blind, … now I see.”

You can’t argue with living proof. Well, I mean you can but how silly is that?

It’s a pretty remarkable story that so illustrates God’s mercy and grace, both of which we were all so undeserving of. And yet, because of His great love for us God sent Jesus to extend it to us. (John 3:16-17)

His coming was well foretold and anticipated for the longest of times, even as it is today by so many. (His second coming).

Listen to the writing of Isaiah who gives us this: “Arise, shine; for your light has come! And the glory of the Lord is risen upon you. For behold, the darkness shall cover the earth and deep darkness …the people. But the Lord will arise over you and His glory will be seen upon you. The Gentiles shall come to your light…then shall you see and become radiant and your heart shall swell with joy.” (Isa. 60:1-5)

There really are so many beautiful verses that speak to this theme as we venture in to the NT. Both Matthew and Luke record how ‘the people who sat in darkness have seen a great light….those who sat in the shadow of death- Light has dawned. (Matt. 4:16). We read how God has ‘visited and redeemed His people that we should be ‘saved from our enemies so that we might serve Him in holiness and righteousness all the days of our lives.” (Luke 1:68-75). And he goes on to record how the ‘Dayspring from on high has visited us to give light to those who sit in darkness and the shadow of death…to guide our feet into the way of peace.’ (1:78-79)

Jesus would often circle back to this theme of light and darkness as a central point in His teachings. In one place we have His words recorded as He taught: “A little while longer the light is with you. Walk while you have the light, lest darkness overtake you; he who walks in darkness does not know where he is going. While you have the light, believe in the light that you may become sons of light.” (John 12:35-36)

Do you know what I have come to learn and experience these past few years? When it comes to the ‘church world’ (the very ones Jesus is coming back for but may very well reject Him as they did the first time He came – John 1:11) – there are two groups of people in that crowd: Those who simply profess to ‘believe in the light’…and those who ‘walk in the Light as He is in the light’. (1 John 1:6-7). Would you care to guess which is the larger crowd of the two? (Matt. 7:13-14)

Jesus, once again drives home this truth: “I have come as a light into the world, that whoever believes in Me should not abide (remain) in darkness. (John 12:46).

If you continue to practice sin, then you remain a slave to sin. (John 8:34). His words, not mine.

“Little children, let no one deceive you. He who practices righteousness is righteous, just as He is righteous. He who sins is of the devil…” (1 John 3:7-8). His words, not mine.

Are you aware that ‘The Gospel’ that Jesus came to preach, and then in turn commanded us to preach was intended and designed to “open our eyes in order to turn us from darkness to light and from the power of Satan to God…” (Acts 26:18)

He came to set us free. You no longer need to remain a slave to sin. You truly can ‘go and sin no more’ in the power of His Spirit and grace. But you have to have your eyes opened first to ‘see it’, just like that blind man did in John 9. But don’t expect your church counterparts to rejoice with you when you finally do ‘see it’.

Can I just tell you what I believe, based on what scripture teaches, the time we are living in is? We are like those ten virgins we read about in Matt. 25. The virgins, being a ‘type of the church’ and the awaiting bride who were looking for the return of the bridegroom. But as we read there, they ALL grew drowsy and fell asleep. Two things you can be sure of when a person falls asleep: Their eyelids close and everything becomes dark. Also, when you are asleep, you don’t know it…until you are woken up.

We read there in that parable that ‘at midnight’…( a time when there is great darkness), a warning cry went out and woke them all up. Those who were ‘wise’ were able to trim their lamps (find light thanks to the oil supply they had, which is a picture of the Holy Spirit). They then got about the business of ‘walking in the light’ and eventually made themselves ready and went in to the wedding when the door was opened. (25:10)

Consider this: They ALL feel asleep and they ALL were awakened at midnight. But, not ‘all’ went in to the wedding. (11-13)

Friends…it is no longer a matter of ‘night is coming’, as Jesus warned. Night is here.

And the Lord is sounding the alarm to awaken and come to the Light, once again. But just like back in Jesus’ day, not everyone will be happy about this. You can speculate as to all the why’s and why not’s, but let me help you narrow it down as to what will irk and offend and anger a lot of people, just like it did back in that synagogue where they threw that man out whose eyes were opened. Jesus put it this way:

“This is the indictment: The Light has come in to the world and people loved the darkness rather than the light for their deeds were evil. Everyone who does wrong hates the Light, and does not come to the Light (but shrinks from it) for fear that his sinful and worthless deeds will be exposed.” (John 3:19-20)

He then goes on to teach: IF anyone hears My words and does not believe…I do not judge him; for I did not come to judge the world but to save the world. He who rejects Me, and does not receive My words, has that which judges him – the word that I have spoken will judge him in the last day.” (John 12:46-48)

Light is here friends…but it won’t be around forever. (John 12:35-36). Arise…and shine…and follow the light…walk in the light…even as He is in the light.