John 9:18

"But the Jews did not believe concerning him, that he had been blind and received his sight, until they called the parents of him who had received his sight" John 9:18

There are yet two groups of people - well one group of people and one individual we have yet to discuss. The Pharisees would not be satisfied that this man was healed until they called in the parents. In typical parent form, they supported their son. "Indeed he was born blind ... but we really have no idea how it happened. We weren't there. Why don't you ask him - he's a big boy. He can answer for himself." I know how the parents thought - they were in a pinch. If they claimed Jesus healed their son, they were in deep trouble. If they denied the fact that Jesus healed their son and He was in truth the Messiah, they might miss out on any further blessing He may bestow upon them. What a spot! They did the only safe thing - they deferred to their son.

We often do that ourselves. We take the coward's way out and suffer for the mistake for months or years.

In walks the newly seeing son and the Jews ask him how this all came about. I suspect the son was rather fed up with all the questioning by now. His fifteen minutes of fame had taken on the proportions of an unending nightmare. As patiently as possible he listens to the new round of questions. Answers to the best of his ability, and then in frustration blurts out the best line in the whole story: "Whether He is a sinner or not I do not know. One thing I know: that though I was blind, now I see." John 9:25 "Once I was blind, but now I can see." Amazing words - words with multiple meanings. On the surface the literal meaning is clear - "I can see now. I couldn't then." But look deeper and we can see a message that all of us can share. The formerly blind man had a new revelation of who had done this thing to him. The very fact that the Pharisees were interested in this event was evidence of something powerful. They continually ask if this fellow called Himself the Messiah. They called Him the devil in disguise. Now the man could see clearly. This man must be connected to God in some powerful way. No one else in all recorded Jewish history had ever caused a man born blind to be able to see. This man did. His spiritual vision was opened at that moment and he now saw his Savior, his Redeemer, his Messiah! Indeed, the blind man was converted into a firm believer never to doubt again.

Sometimes we fail to see Jesus in the miracles around us. We observe. We take note. We even praise God for His intervention. But all too soon we take up the mantle of faithlessness we wore before and try to do thing our own way. And we mess it up royally. And when we have really fouled the works, we once again remember the miracles we have seen and call upon the miracle worker.

Lord, let us never forget. Thank You for opening our eyes for once we were blind, but now we can see! Help us to never be blinded by our own failures, the worlds allurements, and Satan's lies - ever again! Hallelujah, Amen and Amen.