I ONCE WAS BLIND, BUT NOW I SEE…!

Let’s read Luke 18:35-43(NKJV), Hebrews 11:6(NKJV), Proverbs 8:17 & Matthew 5:8 in tandem

Then it happened, as He was coming near Jericho, that a certain blind man sat by the road begging. And hearing a multitude passing by, he asked what it meant. So they told him that Jesus of Nazareth was passing by. And he cried out, saying, “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!” Then those who went before warned him that he should be quiet; but he cried out all the more, “Son of David, have mercy on me!” 

So Jesus stood still and commanded him to be brought to Him. And when he had come near, He asked him,  saying, “What do you want Me to do for you?”He said, “Lord, that I may receive my sight.” Then Jesus said to him, “Receive your sight; your faith has made you well.” And immediately he received his sight, and followed Him, glorifying God. And all the people, when they saw it, gave praise to God.

“But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him”

“I love those who love me, 

and those who seek me find me”

“Blessed are the pure in heart, for

they will see God”

There are three noticeable things about the blind man from the first scripture portion above (Luke 18:35-43). He was blind; He was on the roadside; He was begging. He was on the roadside (unable to follow Jesus) because of his blindness. He was begging (unable to earn his living) also because of his blindness.

Just as physical blindness in this physical world can make you confined and dependent, spiritual blindness can also cause similar consequences. Firstly, a spiritually blind person can never follow Jesus – he/she is always on the “roadside”, carried away by the worries of this world (read Matthew 6:31-34).  Secondly, he/she is dependent on others (not on God) for his existence. In other words, he/she is totally dependent on man’s limited mercy and not on God’s unlimited & ever new mercy.

How would you know if you are spiritually blind?? If you say “Yes” to any of the questions below, it is highly likely that you are spiritually blind..!

1.      Do you feel like you are confined (imprisoned) to any of the man-made limitations? (Examples: ritualistic/religious practices, denominational exclusivity, family traditions, regional/caste-based exclusivity). With all their attractive and convincing gimmicks, these roadside street-hawkers stray you away from following Jesus.

2.      Do you feel like you are dependent (partly or solely) on men for your spiritual nourishment and survival? Depending on bible-teachers, pastors & preachers without reading the Word of God yourself and without letting the Holy Spirit God speak to you personally can at the most make you know “about God” and not “know God” as a real & loving Father.

How to overcome spiritual blindness??

Once you identify the area/areas in which you are spiritually blind, simply do what the blind beggar did –

a.       Cry out loud (pray with a pure heart) for God’s mercy & grace.

b.      Receive your spiritual sight (wisdom & understanding) through faith.

c.       Leave the “roadside” to follow Jesus with wide opened eyes & outstretched arms glorifying God.

d.      Diligently seek Him and be His witness among others.