As we age, there is nothing more alarming than slowing losing our eyesight. For some of us, it began in our youth. Losing eyesight begins with our eyes not adjusting as quickly when coming into a dark room from the light.  It progresses to losing sight of the details.  Leaves on trees become green blobs unless we come really close to see individual leaves attached to the branches.

So, we go the eye doctor who prescribes lens with correction so we can see more clearly what we have been missing in our slow decline.  I will never forget what my oldest daughter said as a teenager when she put on her first pair of glasses for the trip home.  As we drove, she was amazed.  “I never knew that building had individual bricks.  I see the lines, now!”  “And look at the trees!”  She was so excited and amazed to SEE all the details she had been missing in life.

Because in most cases losing eyesight is a slow decline, we sometimes just accept it while modifying and adapting our lifestyles to it—until we can no longer see at all!  Then it might be too late for correction!  We do this spiritually, too, says Jesus. 

Here’s how the Son of God explains it…

John—God’s Love

John 12:36-50, The Message

Their Eyes Are Blinded

^36-40 Jesus said all this, and then went into hiding. All these God-signs he had given them and they still didn’t get it, still wouldn’t trust him. This proved that the prophet Isaiah was right:

God, who believed what we preached?
Who recognized God’s arm, outstretched and ready to act?

First, they wouldn’t believe, then they couldn’t—again, just as Isaiah said:

Their eyes are blinded,
    their hearts are hardened,
So that they wouldn’t see with their eyes
    and perceive with their hearts,
And turn to me, God,
    so I could heal them.

⁴¹ Isaiah said these things after he got a glimpse of God’s overflowing glory that would pour through the Messiah.

^42-43 On the other hand, a considerable number from the ranks of the leaders did believe. But because of the Pharisees, they didn’t come out in the open with it. They were afraid of getting kicked out of the meeting place. When push came to shove they cared more for human approval than for God’s glory.

^44-46 Jesus summed it all up when he cried out, “Whoever believes in me, believes not just in me but in the One who sent me. Whoever looks at me is looking, in fact, at the One who sent me. I am Light that has come into the world so that all who believe in me won’t have to stay any longer in the dark.

^47-50 “If anyone hears what I am saying and doesn’t take it seriously, I don’t reject him. I didn’t come to reject the world; I came to save the world. But you need to know that whoever puts me off, refusing to take in what I’m saying, is willfully choosing rejection. The Word, the Word-made-flesh that I have spoken and that I am, that Word and no other is the last word. I’m not making any of this up on my own. The Father who sent me gave me orders, told me what to say and how to say it. And I know exactly what his command produces: real and eternal life. That’s all I have to say. What the Father told me, I tell you.”

WHAT LEADS TO SPIRITUAL BLINDNESS?

–Caring more for human approval than for God’s glory.

–Adjusting to the world’s ways, avoiding correction from God.

–Going blind to the details of what God wants for us—His best life for us.

–Unbelief in God

–Refusing to see Truth

–Refusing to see God at work—”Who recognized God’s arm, outstretched and ready to act?”

–Refusing to see to understand

–Rejecting God of our own free will not wanting His will to be done in our lives.

The diagnosis and cure for spiritual blindness

“Whoever believes in me, believes not just in me but in the One who sent me. Whoever looks at me is looking, in fact, at the One who sent me. I am Light that has come into the world so that all who believe in me won’t have to stay any longer in the dark.”—Jesus, The Great Physician

Hallelujah, praise God for healing us from spiritual blindness!!  Believe.  Come into the Light and get a good look at the Savior who loves us more than we can imagine!  When we do, our blinded eyes receive sight once more and we are no longer stumbling around in the dark!

Lord,

I was blind but now I see!  Thank you for saving my soul, healing my spiritual blindness, correcting and overriding my will to see your will which is best for my life.  You are God.  Jesus, you are Healer.  Thank you for all you have done, are doing and will do to mold and shape me to be who you created me to be.  May all I do today be done in your Name for your glory.  Lead me, Lord.  Open my eyes, Lord and help me to see your Truth always.

In Jesus Name, Amen

Casting Crowns has a beautiful song that describes the healing of spiritual blindness called Blinded Eyes…Here are the lyrics:

You say I’m lame for calling on a man that I have never seen
You say I’m crazy for listening for a voice that I have never heard
You say that I am so naive to think that He could love me
but I have joy and I have peace
that will never ever leave me

Is it because you’ve never seen
Is it because you’ve never heard
that you’re comfortable in darkness
in a lost and dying world
He’ll be standing all around you
with His arms held open wide
and you’re straining just to see Him
through blinded eyes

Open your eyes the place where you are standing now is holy ground
God shined His light straight into you heart now look what you’ve found
Is that right what you call righteousness
All dressed up in Sunday best
They’re draped across the stage
Only Jesus never walked away

Open your heart, He’ll open your eyes
show you the hope you have inside
call on the Name of Christ
and He will save you
and give you wings to fly!