What does the blind man's declaration about Jesus teach us about spiritual insight? The Moment of Declaration – John 9:17 “So they asked the formerly blind man again, ‘What do you say about Him, since it was your eyes He opened?’ He said, ‘He is a prophet.’” What the Blind Man Saw with New Eyes - Physical sight restored, but spiritual sight awakened even more. - Recognizes Jesus as “a prophet” before the religious leaders reach any conclusion. - Immediate acknowledgement shows spiritual perception that surpasses the highly trained Pharisees. Why Calling Jesus “a Prophet” Matters - In Scripture, prophets speak for God; declaring Jesus a prophet affirms divine authority behind His works (Deuteronomy 18:15). - Points toward Jesus’ ultimate identity—greater than a prophet (John 9:38, the man later calls Him “Lord”). - Shows the progression: sight → confession → worship; mirrors our own journey of revelation (2 Corinthians 3:18). Contrast with the Sighted yet Blind - Pharisees possess intellectual knowledge of the Law but reject the Sign (John 9:24–34). - Blind man possesses almost no formal training yet discerns truth instantly. - 1 Corinthians 2:14: “The natural man does not accept the things that come from the Spirit of God… they are spiritually discerned”. Marks of Genuine Spiritual Insight • Humble Reception – The man obeys Jesus’ simple instruction to wash in Siloam (John 9:7). – Spiritual insight begins with humble submission to God’s Word. • Immediate Confession – He speaks truth without fear of consequences (John 9:27). – Romans 10:10 links belief and confession; insight always moves the lips. • Growing Illumination – From “the man called Jesus” (v.11) → “He is a prophet” (v.17) → “Lord, I believe” (v.38). – Proverbs 4:18: “The path of the righteous is like the first gleam of dawn, shining ever brighter…” Connecting Passages - Isaiah 42:6–7 foretells Messiah opening blind eyes—physical and spiritual. - Luke 4:18 quotes the same prophecy, affirming Jesus’ mission. - John 3:3: “Unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.” - 2 Kings 6:17: Elisha prays for his servant’s eyes to be opened; spiritual sight is God-given. Takeaways for Us Today - Insight is a gift, not merely education; ask God to open eyes (Psalm 119:18). - Obedience to the revealed Word precedes deeper revelation. - Bold confession strengthens sight; silence weakens it. - Spiritual sight continually sharpens—keep walking in the light you have (1 John 1:7). |
    |