But these are written, that you might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing you might have life through His name.

John 20:31

Our memory verse for this week was John 9:5, which says, “As long as I am in the world, I am the light of the world.” This one little verse gives us a lot to consider. Please join me as for the next few minutes we study Christ’s message to us.

A man born blind now sees the light.

The entire chapter is devoted to the healing of a man born blind. “Master, who sinned—this man, or his parents—that he was born blind?” The Jews of this day believed that all calamity was the result of sin. However, since this man was born blind, the disciples couldn’t be sure if it was due to his own sin or that of his parents. Jesus negated both theories by stating that this man was born blind so that God could be glorified in him. He then proceeded to cure the man of his blindness. Jesus had actually healed other blind people, and each time He used a different method. I believe He did this to prove that the power to heal was not in the spittle, in the clay, or in the washing, but in Jesus Himself and in the faith of the infirm which moved him to obedience.

Salvation of the soul comes the same way. There are numerous methods in which a person may be presented with the truth of the gospel: by hearing a preacher, by reading a Gospel tract, by reading God’s Word, by talking one-on-one with someone who has already placed their faith in Christ, and so forth. In all these ways, the truth of salvation is presented. You cannot have your sins forgiven without knowing on some level and believing that Jesus Christ paid the penalty for your sins. But believing is not enough. The devils believe and tremble (James 2:19), but they will not enter heaven. Only when your faith motivates you to obedience will God open your eyes to the light of the gospel. This is what we see in this miraculous healing of the blind man.

Men born with seeing eyes still walk in darkness.

You would think the religious leaders would be thrilled about this man’s healing, but no. They questioned him tirelessly, insisting that they doubted he had ever been blind. Either this man was faking as a ploy to get attention, or the Man who worked such a miracle—and on the Sabbath Day to boot—must be found and stopped. After all, He “broke” the Sabbath, so He surely must not be working for God. And if this power did not come from God, then it must have come from the devil. Jesus did not break the Sabbath, nor cause the man born blind to do so. Yes, He violated the traditions of men, but not the Law of God.

When the man refused to deny that Jesus healed him by the power of God, the religious leaders excommunicated him and sent him on his way. Finally, Jesus caught up to him and spoke again with him. Remember that the man had not yet seen Jesus, for the last time they spoke, he was still blind. Now Jesus reveals Himself to the man, telling him that He is the Son of God, deity robed in human flesh. How do we know this for certain? Because when the man believed on Him, he worshiped Christ, and Christ received his worship. No angel or man ever allowed anyone to bow to him in worship. The fact that Jesus did not rebuke him for his worship tells us Jesus was indeed God in the flesh.

Finally, Jesus concludes by saying, “For judgment have I come into this world, that they who see not might see; and that they who see might be made blind.” Some of the Pharisees heard what He said and asked, “Are we blind also?” Jesus said, “If you were truly blind, not having had the opportunity to see and know the truth, you wouldn’t feel guilty about your sin. But you claim that you already know the truth. ‘We see,’ you say. Therefore you are guilty, and your sin remains unforgiven.”

“As long as I am in the world, I am the light of the world.”

There’s a warning here: that time is short. Jesus is the light of the world, but that light will only shine in the world for a little while. Yes, the time of His earthly ministry was drawing to a close, and soon He knew that He would be crucified, buried, then rise again to ascend back to heaven. But the light did not go out when Jesus bodily left the earth. Why not? Because He sent the Holy Spirit to be His Representative on the earth. The Holy Spirit is still here with us, and in us, those of us who know Jesus as our Savior. And so time still remains for men and women to have their blinded eyes opened by the light of the Gospel. But this period will also end. We don’t know the day or the hour, but we know it’s coming soon. One day the Lord Jesus will stand on the clouds above us and tell the angel Gabriel to blow his trumpet. When that trumpet sounds, all the people of all the ages, both dead and living, who have placed their faith in the blood of Jesus, will rise to meet Jesus in the air. “And so shall we ever be with the Lord” (1 Thessalonians 4:17). When all the believers are taken out of the earth, the Holy Spirit will leave with them, and the light on earth will go out. My friend, will you be ready when that day comes? Will your neighbor be ready? If not, spread the word. There isn’t much time.

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This week’s reading:

John 10

This week’s memory verse

I am the door. By Me if any man enter in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out, and find pasture.

John 10:9

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Photo taken at Princess Beach in Destin, Florida, 2019