This man is described as having been born blind. To paint this dilemma in more provocative language we could say he was “created” blind. He came off the assembly line that way. God did it…on purpose. And the question hanging over this exchange between Jesus and His disciples is “Why?”

The disciples seem to think that this man’s condition must be just deserts for some sin either in him or in his parents, but Jesus answers that this was not so. The disciples are failing to see this blind man clearly, or perhaps it would be more accurate to say that they do not see themselves clearly and so had a hard time looking on this blind man with anything but judgment. Their flawed view of the man flowed primarily from a flawed view of self. For in saying that this man must be blind due to sin, either in him or his parents, what are they implying about the origins of their own 20/20 vision? They could not see others rightly because they were viewing all things through the broken, pride-filled prism of self.

With some irony Jesus explains that the man was born blind in order that something else could be made visible, namely “the works of God.”

As we explore this remarkable account in John 9 I am certain that God will use this blind man to confront our own blind spots, and to help us all see Jesus more clearly. I hope you can listen in as we study the ninth chapter of John together.