2 Ways Jesus Opens Blind Eyes, and What You’ll See Now!

One of the most profound miracles Jesus ever did was to open the eyes of the blind. Throughout human history, blind people have been marginalized, mocked, rejected, stepped over, so when Jesus healed the blind man in John 9, it was a culturally stunning act.

In Jesus’ day, the blind were beggars, outcasts and burdens to society, so why would He even notice that one guy? Because Jesus doesn’t see life the way others do:

• Jesus sees sickness through the lens of headling.
• Jesus sees death through the lens of life.
• Jesus sees opposition through the lens of opportunity for God’s glory.
• Jesus sees what you want through the lens of what you need.
• Jesus sees blindness as a spiritual condition, as well as a physical one.

The Pharisees dismissed the blind man every time they encountered him because they saw him as wretched, poor, and unclean. Yes, he was physically blinded, but the blind man saw something they could not and that is why he cried out to the Lord for help him see.

Jesus Opens Blind Eyes that Want to See

Two types of blindness affect the world: physical and spiritual. Not everyone is born physically blind, but everyone is born spiritually blind and while the enemy wants to keep you blinded, Jesus Christ came to open the eyes of your heart.

The Pharisees were so pious and “holy” under the law of Moses that they wouldn’t touch an unclean blind person, but Jesus had something to prove – that blindness comes in many forms.

In fact, the Pharisees were fully aware of every prophecy ever made about Christ, yet they missed His arrival on earth and eventually had Him killed, yet a blind man saw what they could not and would not.

“…blindness comes in many forms.“

~ Alicia Purdy ~

The Pharisees were trapped in tradition and religion and operated under a “legal” sense of purity while a miracle from God had been given to a lowly, unintelligent, unclean blind sinner. The fact is, no one “deserves” anything from God. No one can earn salvation, it is a free gift of God through faith. (Ephesians 2:8-9)

But Pharisees could not see that.

The truth is that God is always moving and working and touching and healing and doing all the things He said He’d do, but many don’t have eyes to see it. Jesus said He desired to display the works of God in you (John 9:3), but before He can do that, you’ll need to recognize where you’ve been blind and let Jesus open your eyes to see Him. 

How Did You Lose Sight of Jesus?

The fact is that there are many believers who have experienced the mercy, love, provision, and faithfulness of God – and so much more – yet cannot see Him in the seasons when everything is dark and difficult. Then, because they become too overwhelmed, disappointed or angry or bitter or exhausted to walk in the light, (1 John 5-1:5-7) the darkness takes their sight.

There are many reasons why such as:

• The trials and difficulties of life that get in the way
• Bad theology or a lack of Scriptural understanding that influences how you see things
• Sinful behaviors or areas of spiritual stronghold, experiences and mindsets

That is why Jesus opens blind eyes – those that cannot see Him even though they look for Him. Here are some ways that happens:

• You go to the small groups and the potlucks and the picnics and show up to the mid-week service, help in kids’ church, but struggle with spending time in saturated, diligent prayer at home.
• You listen to Christian radio, but don’t prioritize passionate, private worship.
• Your read a verse in the Bible or watch some reels on your phone and check it off the list, never digging in or seeking revelation in the Word from the Holy Spirit.
• You avoid the pain of discipleship and accountability and community.
• You downplay the uncomfortable spiritual disciplines of denying yourself, taking up your cross and following Jesus through fasting, the sacrifices of praise, and fighting spiritual battles.
• You’ve become apathetic and live off of fumes in your faith instead of seeking for the Lord to restore the joy of your salvation. (Psalm 51)

Then what?

Then you become lulled into the sense that you “have need of nothing” (Revelation 3:17) until Satan comes after you through things he knows could potentially blind your eyes to the power of the Lord:

• Your kids
• Your finances
• Your health
• Your career
• Your emotions and mental health
• Your marriage
• Your peace

Maybe a world-wide pandemic strikes and you’re locked in your home and you’re constantly afraid of catching a contagious disease or of your loved ones dying. Maybe the churches are closed, the government is taking over, the stock markets are plummeting, people are hoarding supplies and hospitals are overwhelmed and then?

If you want to see more of Jesus in your life, it’s not that you need “more” of Him – He gave it all to you! But you CAN give Him more of yourself each day through the relationship you build by:

• A devoted submission to His Word
• The intimacy of your praise and worship
• Continual fellowship and communion of your prayers

It’s not a sin to be blind, but why stay blind when Jesus wants to heal you so you can see Him more clearly?

It’s not a sin to be blind, but why stay blind when Jesus wants to heal you so you can see Him more clearly?

~ Alicia Purdy ~

In John chapter 9, the account relates that people questioned what sins the blind man’s parents had committed to cause his condition. But for Jesus, there was only one question: Do you want to be well?

Your Testimony is How Others See Jesus

When Jesus healed the man born blind, it infuriated the Pharisees, who thought Jesus was a sinner.

They were convinced that God couldn’t possibly use a sinner for anything, they were self-righteous in their moral “purity” under the law of Moses and didn’t believe for one second that Jesus was the Son of God.

They were blinded to their own sin because they thought the rituals and sacrifices under the law of Moses made them pure. They were blinded to Jesus Christ as the Son of God, even as miracles happened right before their very eyes!

“…So again they called the man who was blind and said to him, ‘Give glory to God. We know that this Man is a sinner.’ He said, ‘I do not know if He is a sinner. I know one thing: I was blind, but now I see.’ Then they insulted him and said, ‘You are His disciple, but we are Moses’ disciples.’ We know that God has spoken to Moses. As for this fellow, we do not know where He is from. The man answered, ‘Well, here is an amazing thing! You do not know where He is from, and yet He opened my eyes…'”

HE OPENED MY EYES.

That is your testimony to the world.

• How did Jesus Christ heal your blindness?
• Were you blind to your own sin? Your pain?
• Were you blinded from your past?
• Have you been blind to the power of worship?
• Have your habits and routines blinded you to the fresh, current move of the Holy Spirit?
• Were you blind to who you really were and the Lord opened your eyes and healed your heart? Testify!

Someone else out there is blind right now and your testimony could be what Jesus uses to open their eyes too! 

As for the blind man? He couldn’t stop talking about what Jesus had done for him!

• After Jesus opened the blind eyes of the man, He wanted to know if the man would like his spiritual eyes open too saying, “Do you believe in the Son of God?” (John 9:35)

• Plenty of people believe in Jesus, but the formerly blind man asked an important question many assume they know the answer to: “Who is He, Lord, that I may believe in Him?” (John 9:36)

• That is when the man’s spiritual blindness was healed too! Jesus answered saying, “You have seen Him, and it is He who speaks with you.” (John 9:37)

• The man’s response revealed his complete transformation both physically and spiritually when he cried out: “‘Lord, I believe.’ And he worshipped Him.” (John 9:38)

Here’s something else the blind man knew, without anyone ever telling Him: Worship is the natural response of a grateful heart that has seen the Lord.

Thought for today: Spiritual Blindness is the True Sickness

You have seen Jesus, as many have. He is always working on your behalf to fulfill every one of the promises God ever made in His Word. Paul wrote, “For all the promises of God are ‘Yes!’ and in Christ, “Amen!” to the glory of God.” (2 Corinthians 1:20)

There isn’t anything more powerful and effective in the life of the lost person than an eye witness testimony to the goodness, mercy and love of God. That’s you!

While Jesus Christ healed the physical blind eyes, He can also open the eyes of the spiritually blind as well. This includes people who already follow Him! So many times, once your eyes are open at the point of salvation, it becomes easy to lapse back into blindness or struggle to see amid the darkness of life.

The power of your testimony matters to the physically blind and the spiritually blind. Revelation 19:20 says that when you testify of what Jesus has done, you are speaking prophetically that what He has done for you, He will do for those who hear you as well.

Learn more about the 7 Hebrew Words for Praise and how each one helps create strength, intimacy, and fresh revelation as you understand more about God’s plan for praise in your life!

If Jesus has opened your eyes, worship Him! If you need your eyes opened more, pray and ask the Holy Spirit to show you where you are blind and invite Him to open your eyes and worship Him! Worship is the natural response from a grateful heart.

• If Jesus Christ has opened your eyes, worship.
• If you believe, you’ll worship.
• If you’re thankful, you’ll praise Him.

Certain people will mock reject what God has done in you, but Jesus seeks out those whom He has healed because He wants to do more in and through you! And how does He find them? They’re worshipping. (John 4:23)

Jesus wants to show the world the glory of God through the healing of your blindness: Are you ready for what He will show you? Are you willing to turn and show another person who hopes to one day see?

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