Though I Was Blind, Now I See
“One thing I know, that though I was blind, now I see.”
John 9: 25, RSV
You may remember that old TV show from the 1950s hosted by Walter Cronkite, “It was a day like all days, filled with those events that alter and illuminate our times — and You are There.” In each episode, a historical event was reenacted with the viewer eye-witnessing the action.
John Ruskin (1819-1900), an English writer and philosopher, suggested that as you read the Bible, you “ought to imagine yourself present at each recorded act in the life of the Redeemer.” For instance, take any scene in the Gospels and imagine “You Are There” as it happens, looking on as a spectator and observing the whole drama.
This technique can make reading more interesting, however, it does not go far enough. No matter how hard we try to be spectators, the real power of the Gospels is that we are not simply watching but are involved in the action. We can identify with each character in each scene. They are stories about us.
For example, the story of the blind man in John’s Gospel (9:1-38) is about us. We are blind until God opens our eyes. It is too easy for believers to sit in church and say “amen” to sermons about sinfulness that we believe do not apply to us. We know there are places deep down where we fear to expose to the Light of God, and so, we cover our sins as best we can. Either way, we remain blind to the power of God to heal and forgive.
And yet, I am encouraged because the story about the blind man states that faith in Jesus can be a simple thing. Give Christ your trust and mighty works can happen in your life. For unlike us, God sees. He sees our secret and broken places and loves us anyway. More than that, God yearns to heal the broken places He sees and make us whole.
He yearns to open our eyes and see the love He has for us. “Open your eyes, let in my light,” He says to us, “and I will sweep, clean, restore, brighten and make your whole house a joyful habitation.”
We are not mere spectators in this or any other Gospel scene. We are involved in the action. It is us who are the blind man. It is us who have our sight restored. And it is we who must answer Christ’s question, “Do you believe?” Healed, forgiven, set free and eyes opened — do you believe?
