Seeing Is Believing: How Jesus, the Light of the World, Moves Us from Spiritual Blindness to Worship (John 9:1–41)
In the biblical narrative of John Chapter 9, the physical healing of a man born blind is presented not merely as a miracle, but as a crucial sign of the Messiah. This powerful account vividly displays what it means for Jesus to be the light of the world, a bold claim Jesus made previously in John Chapter 8. The core message revealed in this chapter is that Jesus gives sight to the blind so that those who trust him move from darkness to worship.
The spiritual danger of blindness is analogous to a historical tragedy: the sinking of the Titanic. The Titanic, the largest cruise liner of its time, sank because the lookouts, though responsible for safety, could not see the danger—an iceberg—until it was too late. Only the small portion above the surface was visible; the danger beneath is what truly damaged the ship, causing it to sink. Similarly, many people, spiritually speaking, cannot see the danger that is in front of them, demonstrating the need for Jesus, who alone can give sight.
The context of this sign is significant. Jesus makes his claim, "I am the light of the world," during the Feast of Booths, a long festival centered on God’s presence and provision. During this festival, immense lights were lit up across Jerusalem nightly. By declaring himself the light, Jesus was essentially telling the people that he is God. In John Chapter 9, Jesus takes this claim and puts it on display in living color.
Only Jesus Can Give Sight: Addressing the Root of Blindness
As Jesus passed by, he saw a man blind from birth. The text notes something profound: Jesus sees this man; this man does not see Jesus because he is blind. This scenario serves as a perfect representation of the spiritual truth Jesus intends to communicate.
Upon noticing the man, the disciples asked Jesus a common question: "Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?". This reflects a common human tendency to question God when bad things happen, asking if the suffering is a punishment for a specific act. Jesus provided a helpful response, clarifying that the blindness was not due to a specific sin committed by the man or his parents. Rather, the man was blind "that the works of God might be displayed in him".
Jesus then declared, "As long as I am in the world, I am the light of the world". He followed this declaration by emphasizing the urgency of his mission: "We must work the works of him who sent me while it is day; night is coming when no one can work". The term "we" connects Jesus's ministry with that of his disciples. The day represents the time when Jesus is physically on earth, during which the work can be done, before the darkness comes when the light (Jesus) is removed upon his death and burial.
To heal the man, Jesus spit on the ground, made mud with the saliva, and anointed the man’s eyes. He then gave the command: "Go wash in the pool of Siloam," which John notes means 'sent'. The man was obedient; he went, washed, and "came back seeing".
It is important to understand that the power was not in the water of the pool or the mud. Jesus commanded the man to act to see if he had faith, requiring an exercise of faith through obedience. This event is called a sign—a pointer to the Messiah who was sent—not just a mere miracle. John’s odd insertion of the meaning of Siloam reinforces that the healing came from the one who was sent, Jesus.
The blind man represents every person spiritually before meeting Christ. We think we can see, but we are truly blind. The beauty of this narrative is that the man did not earn his eyesight or his salvation; he was completely dependent on Jesus seeing him and opening his eyes. We do not earn God's favor or a relationship with Him by following rules or by mere religious acts; it is Jesus alone who opens the eyes.
Growth Is a Process: The Opposition That Leads to Insight
The second key point derived from the text is that growth is a process. The man who received sight did not immediately become a "super Christian". His journey to fully understanding who Jesus was unfolded through a lengthy process, which comprises the largest section of John Chapter 9.
Ironically, the primary element that helped this man grow—and which helps followers of Christ grow today—is opposition. The man faced relentless questioning and opposition, which required him to work out his faith.
The man's understanding of Jesus evolved in stages under pressure:
1. A Man Called Jesus: Initially, he only knew that "This man called Jesus made mud and anointed my eyes". When asked where Jesus was, he simply said, "I do not know".
2. A Prophet: After being brought before the Pharisees, who were already divided because the healing occurred on the Sabbath, the man was pressed for his opinion of Jesus. He stated that Jesus "is a prophet".
3. From God: As the questioning intensified, the man stood up to the religious leaders. He stated one thing he knew: "Though I was blind now I see". He challenged the Pharisees, pointing out the amazing fact that they did not know where Jesus came from, yet Jesus had opened his eyes. He used logical reasoning based on Jewish understanding of God: "We know that God does not listen to sinners for if anyone is a worshiper of God and does his will God listens to him". He concluded boldly, stating that "Never since the world began has it been heard that anyone opened the eyes of a man born blind. If this man were not from God he could do nothing".
The Pharisees, however, were unwilling to listen. They accused the man of being "born in utter sin" and cast him out of the synagogue.
Throughout this section, the Pharisees repeatedly demonstrated their skepticism. They sought to verify the man’s story by calling his parents. The parents confirmed their son was born blind and was now seeing, but they claimed ignorance about who opened his eyes, stating he was "of age" and could speak for himself. John reveals that the parents acted out of fear of the Jews, who had already decreed that anyone who confessed Jesus to be the Christ would be put out of the synagogue.
The man’s growth occurred precisely because of the opposition he faced. The message notes that if Christians pray for comfort or convenience, these elements actually hinder growth because they do not require stretching or much effort. The man's experience shows the disciples and subsequent readers that Jesus being the light of the world is a ministry on display that involves standing firm against opposition.
From Darkness to Worship: Believe in the Son of Man
The application of this entire message rests on the man’s final response: belief and worship. After the man was cast out by the Pharisees, Jesus heard that they had cast him out and, having found him, asked, "Do you believe in the Son of Man?". The text emphasizes that Jesus sought out the outcast; we do not know if the man looked for Jesus, but Jesus certainly looked for him and found him.
The man, not being a scholar or grown up in the church, asked for clarification: "And who is he, sir, that I may believe in him?". Jesus answered plainly: "You have seen him, and it is he who is speaking to you".
The man's response was immediate and wholehearted: "Lord, I believe," and "he worshiped him". Without being commanded to worship, this former beggar, now given sight, responded with the profound acknowledgment that Jesus is the Son of Man, God who came down to earth in the form of a man. This worship is the response Jesus desires from all who trust him.
Jesus continued by explaining his ultimate purpose, which involves judgment: "For judgment I came into the world, that those who do not see may see, and those who see may become blind".
This statement is clarified spiritually:
1. Those who do not see (and know it): Those who recognize their spiritual blindness and their need for grace, like the formerly blind man, will receive sight. If one knows they are blind, they can be saved and given sight. This represents a humble awareness of sin and a need for grace.
2. Those who see (and claim it): Those who think they see, like the Pharisees, are spiritually blind. When the Pharisees, hearing Jesus’s words, asked, "Are we also blind?", Jesus responded that if they were truly blind (meaning if they recognized their blindness), they would have no guilt. However, because they insisted, "now that you say we see, your guilt remains". If they think they see but are not in alignment with God, they are blind, and their guilt remains because they proactively rejected the light.
The entire purpose of the ministry, as shown in John 9, is clear: we are to see, believe, and worship. Jesus lived a sinless, perfect life in accordance with the Father's will and died on the cross to take the punishment for sin. As we recognize our blindness and depend on Jesus, we are forgiven and moved from darkness to worship.