John 9:39-10:1

39 And Jesus said, “For judgment I have come into this world, that those who do not see may see, and that those who see may be made blind.”

40 Then some of the Pharisees who were with Him heard these words, and said to Him, “Are we blind also?”

41 Jesus said to them, “If you were blind, you would have no sin; but now you say, ‘We see.’ Therefore your sin remains.

10 “Most assuredly, I say to you, he who does not enter the sheepfold by the door, but climbs up some other way, the same is a thief and a robber.

Am I Blind? If So, Will I Remain in the Dark?

In verses 39 through 41, Jesus says some things that are a bit confusing on the surface. Let’s paraphrase verse 39, “I have come into this world for judgment, so that people who can’t see will see, and so that people who can see will become blind.” Hmmmm. Isn’t it a bad thing to be blind, and a good thing to be able to see? This is what the Pharisees were thinking when they asked in verse 40, “Are we blind also? Jesus answered them in verse 41 by saying, “If you were blind, then you would have no sin; but since you say that you can see, then your sin remains.” What does Jesus mean? He means this…..Jesus came to this lost and dying world to help people who were spiritually blind see His light. The people who saw Jesus for who He was were humble and realized that they were blind without Him. They allowed themselves to be healed spiritually by Him. He also came to this lost and dying world to help those who thought they could see realize that they were actually spiritually blind. The Pharisees did not know that they were spiritually blind, and until they were willing to admit it, they would remain in the darkness of sin. If they would admit that they were blind and allow the light of Jesus to open their eyes, their sin would be forgiven. It is the same situation with us today. If we do not know that we are in darkness, then we will remain in the darkness of sin. If we refuse to admit that we can’t see without the light of Jesus, then we remain blind. The Pharisees refused to realize that they needed Jesus to see. So… we have to admit that we are spiritually blind without Jesus, to be able to see. If we say we have never been blind, then we are saying that we never needed Jesus to see. How sad! Until we admit that we are sick, we won’t go to the doctor, will we? Until we admit we have a problem of any kind, whether it is alcohol, drugs, etc., we won’t get help. What Jesus was saying makes so much sense. In Isaiah 42:6-7, Isaiah prophesied, “I will keep You and give You as a covenant to the people, as a light to the Gentiles, to open blind eyes, to bring out prisoners from the prison, those who sit in darkness from the prison house.” This is talking about Jesus! He will open blind eyes and bring people out of the prison of sin! He is still opening blind eyes and bringing people out of the prison of sin today! Every day!

Have my eyes truly been opened? Or do I just think they are open? Here are some questions I have to ask myself to see if my eyes are truly open spiritually. Do I truly love others? Do I love them enough to help them see the truth? I am spiritually blind if I think I can be a Christian and have hate in my heart (1 John 2:10-11). I do not truly know God if I don’t love others, because God is love (1 John 4:8). Do I have or am I working toward having the fruit of the spirit within me? 2 Peter 1:5-9 says that I am to grow, adding to my faith, virtue, to my virtue, knowledge, to knowledge, self control, to self-control, perseverance, to perseverance, godliness, to godliness, brotherly kindness, and to brotherly kindness, love. I have to be diligent to grow in all of these fruits so that I can be a fruitful servant of God. It says that I am nearsighted to the point of blindness if I lack these things or if I am not working diligently to add them to my life. Nearsighted means that I only see what is right in front of me. I only see what this world has to offer. I only see what can benefit me physically in this world. I am not looking ahead to my future… my eternity. God wants me to be far-sighted and prepare myself for eternity, because eternity can start at any time. He also wants me to be near-sighted, but not in a worldly way. He wants me to see spiritual opportunities right in front of my face. He wants me to see the harvest that is right under my nose. He wants me to see with spiritual eyes, not worldly eyes. It also says that I have forgotten that I was cleansed from my sins if I think that I can be a Christian without these fruits growing within me. 

Here is another question to ask myself. It will definitely reveal if I am spiritually blind or not. Do I desire to worship God? If I don’t truly desire to worship God in spirit and truth, then I am blind (John 4:24). If I don’t love to worship here on earth, then how do I expect to be in heaven, where I will be worshiping for eternity? 

Jesus transitions to a discussion about sheep and shepherds in chapter 10. It seems that He is still speaking to the same people. In verse 1, He says, paraphrasing, “Most certainly, anyone who comes into the sheepfold in any other way other than the door, is a thief and a robber.” This sounds like Jesus is changing the subject, but he is really not. He is still trying to get these people to realize that they are blind and need to be healed spiritually. This verse reveals that there is only one way into the sheepfold… through the door. The world has made up all kinds of ways to get into the sheepfold… other than the door. This has fooled so many people into thinking they have actually made it into the sheepfold. Just like Jesus said in John 9:41… they think they can see, but they are really blind and remain in sin. Jesus’ way is the only way into the sheepfold. His way is the only way to gain our spiritual sight and be free from the bondage of sin. It doesn’t matter how good a person I believe I am or how good a person people say that I am. If I haven’t obeyed Jesus, I am blind and outside the sheepfold. Salvation is about obedience to Him. Yes, Jesus paid our sin debt on the cross, but He never said we didn’t have to obey Him. “If you love me, keep my commandments” (John 14:15). 

Let’s put the pieces of the puzzle together, my friends. Here are some of the pieces: “Go, teach, and make disciples by baptizing them…” (Matthew 28:18). “If you believe and are baptized, you will be saved” (Mark 16:16). “Repent and be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins…” (Acts 2:38). “Three thousand people who gladly received the word with open hearts were baptized on the day the church was born” (Acts 2:41). “God added souls to the church daily as they were being saved” (Acts 2:47). “Get up and be baptized to wash away your sins and call on the name of the Lord” (Acts 22:16). “Here is water. What is stopping me from being baptized?” (Acts 8:36) We were buried with Jesus through baptism into death so that just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we were also raised to walk a new life. Through baptism, we were united with Jesus to represent and reenact his death for our sins, and we were then raised with Him to represent and reenact Jesus’ resurrection. (Romans 6:3-6) To explain this a little further, Jesus’ beaten and crucified body was buried, and was raised completely healed from His injuries. Our body, which Satan had beaten down with sin, was buried in the waters of baptism with Jesus’ beaten and pierced body, which carried all our sins. We were buried together with Him at that moment of immersion. When we came up out of the water, all the sin had been washed away… left behind. Just like Jesus was raised physically healed, we were raised spiritually healed when we were baptized. (Romans 6:3-6) All of us who were baptized into Christ have put on Christ. (Galatians 3:27)

Everyone, use the verses to answer these questions as you read the verses word-for-word. I paraphrased the verses in the paragraph above. Open your heart and eyes, and let yourself see. How are disciples of Christ made? (Matt. 28:18, speaker is Jesus) How are we saved? (Mark 16:16, speaker is Jesus) How do we receive remission of sins? (Acts 2:38, speaker is Peter)  What did 3000 people with open hearts do on the day the church was born? (Acts 2:41) Who adds us to the church and when? (Acts 2:47) How are our sins washed away? (Acts 22:16, Ananias speaking to Saul/Paul) How do we call on the name of the Lord? (Acts 22:16, Ananias speaking to Saul/Paul) What are we baptized in? (Acts 8:36, the eunuch speaking to Philip) What is baptism a reenactment of? (Romans 6:3-6) Who are we buried with in baptism? (Romans 6:3-6) Who are we raised with? (Romans 6:3-6) How do we get “in Christ”? (Galatians 3:27 and Romans 6:3, speaker is Paul) How do we “put on Christ”? (Galatians 3:27) By reading these verses, answer honestly: Is baptism essential for salvation? 

What do all these pieces put together tell you? Isn’t it beautiful? Let the purity of God’s Word help you open your eyes. Believe me, I have been blind in the past. It is nothing to be ashamed to admit. I admit that I was blind in so many ways spiritually. It is one thing not to know and then be willing to change, but it is another thing to turn away from what is right in front of us. I turned away for a long time, knowing deep in my heart that I was wrong. I loved the sin I was in more than I loved Jesus. Do you know how hard that is for me to type? Tears come just thinking of how I let Him down with no regard for what He did for me. But no more… I make mistakes, and I do still let Him down, but I own those mistakes, and I’m sorrowful for them, and I try to do better and not make those same mistakes again. That is all He wants… our best efforts… and that means “for real” efforts, not the “I am who I am” attitude. That’s what the world wants you to believe. The world wants you to stay blind and believe that “you are who you are” and you don’t have to change for anyone… even God. Whew! I certainly know who I am, and it is not pretty! I put Jesus on the cross with my sin, just the same as Eve did in the garden. And if I am who I am, then I can’t be with Him for eternity. I have to strive to be who He wants me to be… less of self, and more of Him. It’s impossible to reach that high bar… that high bar that is Jesus Christ, but I’m willing to try. Are you? 

Reach out if you need help putting the pieces together. I’d be glad to help. 

God means for everyone to learn what the Bible teaches about being saved. It only takes an open heart for Jesus and a willingness to put away what we’ve been taught in the past, and truly read what God’s Word says for ourselves… and then accept what it says and obey it. If I can help you in any way, I would love to! Are you walking in the light? Are you in Christ? Are you saved? If you aren’t, or if you’re not sure if you are, I’d love to help you. Are you a member of the Lord’s church, but are struggling spiritually in your walk with Christ? If you are… believe me, I’ve been there many times, and I’d love to help you. If you have any questions, please reach out. 

I love God’s Word. It challenges me to be better… to do more in His service. It is interesting and keeps me on the edge of my seat, wondering what will happen next. It gives me confidence and builds me up, and it brings me to my knees when my soul needs convicting! Thank you, Father, for the wonderful gift of Your Word!

God’s Plan of Salvation

Below is the plan God has outlined in His Word for humankind to receive His grace, which leads to salvation and an eternity with God in heaven. This plan is straight from the Bible. 

We have to hear His word. (Romans 10:17) 

Upon hearing the message of Jesus, we believe it. (Mark 16:16) 

Then, we confess Jesus’ name before men. (Matthew 10:32) 

Next, we repent of our sins. (Acts 2:38, Acts 3:19) 

Finally, we are baptized into Christ for the remission of our sins.  (Acts 2:38, Matthew 28:18-20, Mark 16:16, Romans 6:3-4, Acts 22:16, 1 Corinthians 12:13, Galatians 3:26-27) After baptism, God adds us to His church. (Acts 2:47)