As we age, going to see the eye doctor makes us leery of what he might say in his examination.  As you wait in the exam room, do you try to memorize as many of letters on the chart before he comes in so you’ll get a “good grade” on the test? Maybe that’s just me; I don’t like to fail.  My last few yearly eye tests, the doctor has alluded to the fact that a condition called cataract, a medical condition in which the lens of the eye becomes progressively opaque, resulting in blurred vision, is looming on my horizon.  Well, that sounds fun.  To see less than I already do with glasses is not something to look forward to at all!  My first question to the doctor is what can I do to slow the progress or avoid it altogether?  His reply came with a slight smile, “At your age, not much.”   Don’t you just love explanations that begin, “at your age,” from the medical community?  Yeah, I don’t either. 

For people younger, not “at my age,” I will explain.  Most cataracts happen because of normal changes in your eyes as you get older. When you’re young, the lens in your eye is clear. Around age 40, the proteins in the lens of your eye start to break down and clump together. This clump makes a cloudy area on your lens — known as a cataract. So, I asked, “How do you stop cataracts from getting worse?”  In general, prevention is difficult; but the most helpful practice is to avoid ultraviolet light from the sun with sunglasses. Avoid using steroid eye drops unless absolutely necessary. Avoid the rare medications that may be associated with cataract progression.  In other words, not much, you can’t stop it.  However, there is surgery…Ugh.

Jesus reminds us of a far worse condition than cataract!  Spiritual blindness!

Spiritual blindness can lead to death unless we reverse our thinking to lean not on our own understanding and will; but fully trust the One who saves us and sets us free from this blindness.

John 12, 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 DO WE LEARN—HOW DO WE RESPOND?

The Word-made-flesh speaks for God, the Father.  God is love and truth.  Jesus speaks God’s love and truth.  “What the Father told me, I tell you.”—Jesus

You might be thinking…Isn’t this exactly what the prophets did…say the words God gave them?  Yes, but Jesus was more than a prophet and good teacher.  “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.” John 3:16-17, NIV’ 

Only Jesus, Son of God, who knew no sin, was qualified as the perfect sacrifice for our sins removal and in the process redeem us from the punishment we deserve.

Jesus knew the condition of the blinded hearts, minds, and souls who refused to understand because they could not and then did not trust Jesus as God’s Son, the promised Messiah from God. 

The growing “cataract of evil” blinded their eyes and blurred their minds as the glory of God stood right in front of them!

The more Jesus explained Kingdom of God thinking, the more they rejected Him.  Why?  Most (not all) religious leaders didn’t want to hear God’s real-life intentions of The Law that they studied, manipulated, added to and debated each day as sport.  Most, (including Judas) wanted a messiah who would end all their troubles and trials of  Roman oppression.  They wanted to be the greatest and best—no longer a defeated nation but un undefeated world power!   They wanted Jesus to enlarge their self-produced power so they could lord it over those who lorded over them.  Sounds, like they wanted a king “in their pockets” to do their will, doesn’t it?  In other words, they wanted the opposite of what Jesus proclaimed—be reconciled to God through repentance of sins!  Become a servant. Don’t seek to be the greatest but the least.  Don’t just love your neighbor but your enemies, too!  Whoa, Jesus, that’s too much!

Only Jesus can provide redemption.  Believe and be saved for eternity!  Matthew’s gospel account meticulously explains Kingdom of God thinking and behaving as directly spoken by Jesus in his recorded of the entire “Sermon on the Mount”. (Matthew 5-7)

Many of Jesus’ explanations began with; “You have heard it said, but I say to you…”  There were many “ah-ha” moments in Jesus ministry.  (Still are, even at our age!)

Many believed.  Others developed spiritual blindness that was irreversible as time progressed and their condition of unbelief worsened.

“When push come to shove,” what will we do?  It’s fair question to consider before we are faced by others’ opinions.  Will we allow our spiritual blindness to progress so that others continue to approve us? 

Or do we lean on the power of Jesus, trusting Him to heal us from this blindness so our hearts remain fully committed to Him with eyes wide open to His glory at work within us and all around us?  The Word is the last Word.  The Word is Jesus.

May our souls be filled to overflow with His Holy Spirit!  (That’s my prayer for all of us!)

I was blind—but now I see!

Lord,

Thank you for removing the scales from my spiritual eyes of understanding.  Thank your for your Light that helps me to see you as you really are—full of glory!  Thank you for cleansing my heart, removing all that offends you, as you treat my blindness with glorious sightedness!  Thank you for refreshing my soul with your new mercies for today. Thank you for changing my mind with your power to transform my behaviors.  I can’t do life without you working in me.  Thank you restoring my joy and health daily as your salvation does its work in me.

In Jesus Name, Amen