Jesus said, “For judgment I have come into this world, so that the blind will see and those who see will become blind.” Some Pharisees who were with Him heard Him say this and asked, “What? Are we blind too?” Jesus said, “If you were blind, you would not be guilty of sin; but now that you claim you can see, your guilt remains.” (John 9:39-41 NIV)
As it concerns salvation, the Bible is very clear that it requires the humility of accepting that we need it. A person must first acknowledge they have a problem before they can seek a solution. Those who do not see their need for a Saviour will never seek one. This was the case with the Pharisees, and Jesus addressed this reality many times in His teachings.
In the passage above, Jesus uses the imagery of blindness and sight to make a powerful point. He had just healed a blind man, which angered the Pharisees. He then explained that He came so that “the blind will see,” referring to those who recognize their spiritual need for sight. He also said that He came so that “those who see will become blind,” referring to those who are proud and self-righteous. In this context, Jesus used blindness to speak about those who acknowledged their need for salvation—something the Pharisees refused to do.
On the other hand, He uses sight for those who are set in their own ways, thinking they don’t need a Saviour. This is similar to the parable of the Pharisee and the tax collector. Jesus ended that parable by saying that those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted. This is the same truth He expressed through the imagery of blindness.
To some who were confident of their own righteousness and looked down on everyone else, Jesus told this
parable: “Two men went up to the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. The Pharisee
stood by himself and prayed: ‘God, I thank you that I am not like other people—robbers, evildoers, adulterers—or even like this tax collector. I fast twice a week and give a tenth of all I get.’ “But the tax collector stood at a distance. He would not even look up to heaven, but beat his breast and said, ‘God, have mercy on me, a sinner.’ “I tell you that this man, rather than the other, went home justified before God. For all those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.”
— Luke 18:9–14 (NIV)
The way to salvation is through humility, admitting our need and receiving God’s grace. Pride blinds, but humility opens our spiritual eyes to see the Saviour.
Prayer:
Heavenly Father, thank You for the gift of salvation that cannot be earned by our efforts. Help me to remain humble, acknowledging my need for You every day, so that I may walk in the light of Your grace. Amen.
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