I Was Blind, Now I See: Restoring Perspective

Devotional

Day 1: Mud, Spit, and the Wait for Obedience

The miracle began with dirt and saliva, not instant healing. Jesus applied mud to blind eyes but delayed restoration until the man walked to Siloam. True miracles often unfold through humble obedience rather than dramatic displays. God’s power meets human action at the intersection of trust – the man’s journey to wash became the threshold where brokenness met wholeness. What feels like delay may be divine preparation, inviting us to participate in the story God is writing through ordinary steps of faithfulness. [49:03]

"As he went along, he saw a man blind from birth. His disciples asked him, 'Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?' 'Neither this man nor his parents sinned,' said Jesus, 'but this happened so that the works of God might be displayed in him.'" (John 9:1-3, ESV)

Reflection: Where is God inviting you to take a simple step of obedience today, even if the full miracle isn’t yet visible? How might your willingness to "go wash" become part of someone else’s healing story?

Day 2: Miracles as Mirrors for God’s Glory

The healed man’s eyes became a reflection pool for divine purpose. Jesus redirected the disciples’ blame-centered theology toward a revelation of God’s nature. Suffering, sickness, and unanswered questions aren’t sin detectors but potential canvases for God’s redemptive artistry. When we stop demanding explanations and start anticipating manifestations, ordinary struggles become sacred spaces where light conquers darkness. [43:47]

"He answered, 'Whether he is a sinner or not, I don’t know. One thing I do know. I was blind but now I see!' They said to him, 'What did he do to you? How did he open your eyes?' He answered them, 'I have told you already, and you did not listen.'" (John 9:25-27, ESV)

Reflection: What current situation in your life or community could become a display case for God’s glory if viewed through the lens of faith rather than frustration?

Day 3: The Danger of Seeing Without Perceiving

Religious leaders scrutinized the miracle but missed the Messiah. Their theological frameworks blinded them to the God standing before them in flesh. When our need to explain supersedes our capacity to wonder, we risk becoming spiritually sightless while claiming superior vision. True sight begins not with airtight doctrines but with childlike wonder at Christ’s ongoing work in unlikely places. [56:05]

"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, ESV)

Reflection: Where might religious assumptions be preventing you from recognizing God’s unexpected work in your midst? What familiar framework needs dismantling to behold fresh revelation?

Day 4: From “That Guy Named Jesus” to “Lord”

The healed man’s confession evolved from vague recognition to worship. Initially knowing only Jesus as "the man they talk about," his persistent testimony through persecution led to face-to-face encounter. Spiritual sight deepens through obedience under fire – each challenge to his story became a stepping stone toward clearer revelation of Christ’s true identity. [59:02]

"Jesus heard that they had thrown him out, and when he found him, he said, 'Do you believe in the Son of Man?' 'Who is he, sir?' the man asked. 'Tell me so that I may believe in him.' Jesus said, 'You have now seen him; in fact, he is the one speaking with you.' Then the man said, 'Lord, I believe,' and he worshiped him." (John 9:35-38, ESV)

Reflection: How has your understanding of Christ matured through life’s challenges? What current struggle might be shaping you to perceive Jesus more clearly as Lord rather than just a historical figure?

Day 5: Uncomplicating the Gospel’s Raw Truth

Amid theological debates, the man’s testimony remained unshakably simple: "I was blind, now I see." Complex doctrines and church traditions matter less than the irreducible reality of transformed lives. When faith feels tangled by doubts or debates, returning to this core confession recenters us – Christ’s power to redeem brokenness remains Christianity’s most compelling argument. [01:14:14]

"One thing I do know. I was blind but now I see!... If this man were not from God, he could do nothing." (John 9:25,33, ESV)

Reflection: What makes your personal “I once was ___, but now ___” story worth sharing this week? How can you steward your testimony as evidence of God’s ongoing work rather than just a past event?

Sermon Summary

John 9 sets the scene with Jesus seeing a man blind from birth, while the disciples see a problem to diagnose. Their question, who sinned, this man or his parents, exposes a lens shaped by blame and bad theology. Jesus answers, neither this man nor his parents sinned, but this happened so that the works of God might be displayed in him. The text shifts the purpose of suffering away from fault-finding to God revealing his work, not in the miracle worker, but in the person who receives mercy.

Jesus then moves from I must work in John 5 to we must work in John 9. The light of the world still shines, now through those in whom Christ dwells. The gifts and the miracles are not trophies for ministers, they are manifestations of God’s work in others. Love God, love people, then the gifts fit.

The mud and Siloam press the issue of obedience. Sight does not break in at the saliva, or at the smear, or even on the road, but at the washing. Obedience carries the miracle to its moment. The disciples do not even seem to witness the result, which underlines again that miracles are not for the operator’s acclaim, but for the one in whom God’s work is displayed.

The neighbors and Pharisees push the healed man through a gauntlet of suspicion and Sabbath rules. His understanding grows in motion. First, the man they call Jesus. Then, he is a prophet. Finally, Lord, and he worshiped him. The controversy exposes another blindness, a religious certainty that prefers accusation to amazement. The parents get pressed about guilt. Jesus’ earlier correction echoes Ezekiel 18, where generational sin explains consequences, not inherited guilt.

The healed man’s line becomes the thread that pulls the whole story straight. One thing I do know, I was blind, but now I see. That simplicity steadies faith when questions multiply. The text even notes how rare this was. Nobody has ever heard of opening the eyes of a man born blind. God is not limited to what anyone has seen before.

Jesus ends with a hard mercy. For judgment I have come into this world, so that the blind will see and those who see will become blind. Those who admit need receive sight. Those who cling to their grip on being right remain in the dark. The call is plain. Drop the blinders, keep the gospel simple, seek the gifts for God’s glory in others, and do the work prepared in advance.

Key Takeaways

1. Neither blame nor inherited guilt explains suffering [41:13] The disciples’ question reaches for a culprit, but Jesus rejects the blame economy. Ezekiel 18 clarifies that consequences can linger without guilt transferring. The correction frees the church from hunting for causes and turns attention to God’s purpose. Mercy, not accusation, opens room for sight. [41:13]
2. Miracles manifest God’s work in others [45:35] Jesus names the goal, that the works of God might be displayed in him. The gifts are given for building up, not for self-exaltation. When the church seeks the Spirit’s power for neighbors rather than notoriety, God entrusts more. Ministry becomes a conduit, not a spotlight. [45:35]
3. Obedience carries the miracle to completion [49:46] Sight does not arrive at the touch, but at the washing. The pool called Sent turns command into healing when the man goes and does what he heard. Faith walks what it hears until grace meets it on the far side of obedience. The timing belongs to God, the steps belong to the servant. [49:46]
4. Keep the testimony simple and steady [56:58] When arguments tangle, the healed man holds a line no critic can steal. I was blind, but now I see. That confession does not dodge hard questions, it anchors them. Remembered mercy steadies a soul through seasons of deconstruction and rebuilds trust on what Christ has actually done. [56:58]
5. Admit need or remain blind by certainty [01:10:58] Jesus’ judgment unmasks a trap, those who claim sight keep their guilt. Humility receives light because it makes room for it. Certainty without surrender hardens into darkness. The way forward is confession, not control, so the light of the world can see through his people again. [70:58]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[36:02] - Can you see it, John 9
[38:08] - Who sinned, and Jesus’ correction
[39:53] - Ezekiel 18 and consequences
[43:47] - Works of God displayed in him
[47:26] - We must do the works
[49:03] - Mud, Siloam, and obedience
[52:18] - Sanhedrin confrontation on Sabbath
[56:38] - One thing I know, I see
[58:46] - Resist denial, keep it simple
[61:03] - Old Testament rarity, new things
[63:38] - Bad explanations for suffering
[64:39] - Layers of spiritual blindness
[68:55] - Do you believe in the Son of Man
[71:38] - Deconstruct, then rebuild on Christ
[72:49] - Seek gifts for God’s glory
[76:31] - Simple gospel invitation
[80:17] - Uncomplicate life, start with Jesus

Bible Study Guide

Bible Reading
John 9:1-7 (ESV)
As he passed by, he saw a man blind from birth. And his disciples asked him, “Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?” Jesus answered, “It was not that this man sinned, or his parents, but that the works of God might be displayed in him. We must work the works of him who sent me while it is day; night is coming, when no one can work. As long as I am in the world, I am the light of the world.” Having said these things, he spit on the ground and made mud with the saliva. Then he anointed the man’s eyes with the mud and said to him, “Go, wash in the pool of Siloam” (which means Sent). So he went and washed and came back seeing.

Observation Questions

What assumption did the disciples make about the cause of the man’s blindness, and how did Jesus correct their perspective?
What specific steps did Jesus instruct the blind man to take for his healing, and when did the miracle occur?
How did the healed man’s understanding of Jesus evolve throughout his interactions with the Pharisees (e.g., “the man called Jesus,” “a prophet,” “Lord”)?

Interpretation Questions

Why do you think Jesus emphasized that the man’s blindness was not caused by sin but existed to display God’s works? How does this challenge common misconceptions about suffering?
The pool of Siloam means “Sent.” What might the act of obedience (washing there) symbolize about faith and participation in God’s work?
The Pharisees claimed spiritual sight but were called “blind” by Jesus. What contradictions does this reveal about religious certainty versus humility?

Application Questions

When have you seen someone (or yourself) default to blaming circumstances or sin for suffering instead of seeking how God might work through it? How can you shift toward a posture of expectancy for His purposes?
Jesus’ healing required the blind man’s obedience even before the miracle happened. What step of obedience is God asking you to take in a situation where you’re waiting for breakthrough?
The healed man’s testimony was simple: “I was blind, now I see.” What specific experience of God’s mercy or power in your life can you share with others this week, even if you don’t have all the answers?
The Pharisees clung to rules over wonder. Are there areas where your religious habits or assumptions might be blinding you to God’s unexpected work? How can you cultivate humility to “see” anew?
The sermon emphasized seeking spiritual gifts for others’ benefit, not self-glory. How could you intentionally use your talents or resources this month to display God’s work in someone else’s life?
Jesus said, “Those who see will become blind.” What need or weakness are you tempted to deny or hide? How might admitting it open you to greater spiritual sight?

Sermon Clips

40s

#MiraclesForOthers

“If we think that miracles are for us, we've got it messed up. But if we begin to realize that miracles are not for us, we are used in giving them because God uses us to perform the miracle. But he's the one doing the miracle, using us to do it, and the works of God are being displayed, manifested in the person who receives the miracle. It's not for us. It's for them. When we want these miracles, I ask you, search your heart.”

42s

#OnlyThroughJesus

“The only way we can be saved is through Jesus Christ. One of his other I am statements is I am the way, the truth, and the life. No man gets to the father except through me. That's him saying that. I can't save you. If I could save you, I would try. I would do what I could, but I'm a sinner. And a sinner can't save a sinner, but a savior save a sinner. So this morning, I come to bring the simple truth, the simple gospel of Jesus Christ.”

36s

#IWasBlindNowISee

“Interesting, isn't it? That they hear the mysteries of God giving glory to God by telling the truth and they refuse to reject they refuse to accept it, they reject it. And instead of giving glory to God by the truth, they begin telling lies. We know this man is a sinner. He replied, whether he is a sinner or not, I do not know. One thing I do know, I was blind but now I see.”

52s

#SimplicityOfTheGospel

“Can I tell you that when we encounter and see what God has in store for us, there will be those who want to deny it, to reject it, to explain it away, and I beg you? I beg you. Don't try to get into all of the understandings that we do and do not have, but get into the simplicity of the gospel. I was blind, but now I see. There's a man named Jesus who loves me. He died for me. He rose for me, and I am alive because of him. I don't know the doctrinal thesis behind x y z, but I do know that I was blind, but now I see.”

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I Was Blind, Now I See: Restoring Perspective

Devotional

Day 1: Mud, Spit, and the Wait for Obedience

Day 2: Miracles as Mirrors for God’s Glory

Day 3: The Danger of Seeing Without Perceiving

Day 4: From “That Guy Named Jesus” to “Lord”

Day 5: Uncomplicating the Gospel’s Raw Truth

Sermon Summary

Key Takeaways

Youtube Chapters

Bible Study Guide

Sermon Clips

I Was Blind, Now I See: Restoring Perspective

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