How can John 9:40 inspire us to seek true spiritual insight from Jesus? The Setting: A Question That Reveals the Heart “Some of the Pharisees who were with Him heard this and asked, ‘Are we blind too?’” (John 9:40) • Jesus has just healed a man born blind and declared, “For judgment I have come into this world, so that the blind may see and those who see may become blind” (v. 39). • The Pharisees—religious experts who prided themselves on sight—overhear and bristle. Their question is tinged with sarcasm but also betrays insecurity: Could we really be the blind ones? What the Verse Shows About Spiritual Blindness • Intellectual knowledge is not the same as spiritual sight. • Pride resists revelation; humility invites it (cf. James 4:6). • An honest question directed to Jesus opens the door for Him to diagnose the heart (v. 41). Lessons for Our Own Pursuit of Insight 1. Acknowledge the possibility of our own blindness. – Like the Pharisees, we can possess Bible facts yet miss Jesus (John 5:39-40). 2. Bring every assumption to Christ for testing. – He alone is “the true Light who gives light to everyone” (John 1:9). 3. Measure sight by obedience. – True seeing produces worship and submission, as with the healed man (John 9:38). Practical Steps to Seek Jesus’ Light • Begin each reading of Scripture asking, “Lord, where am I not seeing?” • Compare personal opinions with the plain words of Scripture; where they conflict, surrender opinion (Psalm 119:105). • Invite trusted believers to speak into blind spots (Proverbs 27:6). • Act immediately on any truth received; obedience sharpens vision (John 7:17). Encouragement From Related Passages • Psalm 119:18 — “Open my eyes that I may behold wondrous things from Your law.” • Ephesians 1:17-18 — Paul prays for “the eyes of your hearts to be enlightened.” • Revelation 3:18 — Jesus counsels the church to buy eye salve “so that you may see.” John 9:40 nudges us to trade complacent confidence for humble inquiry. When we admit the possibility of hidden blindness and turn to Jesus, He faithfully clears our vision and guides us into His truth. |
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