Blindness As An Opportunity: Seeing People Through God’s Eyes

Jesus answered, “It was not that this man sinned, or his parents, but that the works of God might be displayed in him. — John 9:3

It's important to note that the disciples make a judgment about this man. A lot like we do when we make a prejudiced judgment about a person we pass on the street. Everyone does this. But not Jesus. Jesus made no judgment as to the reason for the blindness. He never addressed the cause because he is not predisposed to prejudice. That's because he knows every reason for everything — every situation and disability. But instead, Jesus clarifies the opportunity because the blind man's blindness offers him an opportunity to show God's power through him.

This moment is so convicting. Mainly because we all tend to see people the way we want to see them. We see people for who they were or who they are based on what they have done or how they look. But not Jesus. He looks at this man differently than we do. He sees this man for who God intends him to be. He sees the spiritual potential of this man and this moment. And because he does, he will heal physical and spiritual blindness. The physical blindness of a blind man and the spiritual blindness of his men. Because note this, blind men are surrounding Jesus. His disciples were spiritually blinded to the cause of this man's situation. And the blind man was physically blinded. And in this one man, God was going to do not a work but numerous works. Through his healing, Jesus was going to open one man's eyes and open many men's eyes.

Today, strip yourself of spiritual prejudice. Stop seeing people for who they were or who they are based on what they have done or how they look. Instead, reject this and take a second look. See people for who God intended them to be. And speak this to them. And remember, this is not positive self-talk or optimism. This is telling the spiritual truth to people about who God has intended them to be so they can do what God intended them to do.

ASK THIS: Who is a person you have made a prejudiced judgment about? What is that biased judgment? How do you need to see them differently? 

DO THIS: Confess your prejudiced judgment to God. Then speak to that person who God has called them to be.

PRAY THIS: God, I confess I have been prejudiced. I want to see others in the way you see them and for who you want them to be.

PLAY THIS: Holy Eyes.