Some of us have perfect eyesight but some do not. Some are short-sighted but some are long-sighted. Some can see but some cannot see! We all desire to see. We all desire to know and understand. The purpose of sight is to enjoy with knowledge and understanding what has been seen or perceived. Losing one’s sight is a very painful thing. Losing one’s vision is worse. Losing one’s sense of direction in life is even worse. We all need to have direction in life. We all need to have fulfilment in life. Life without fulfillment is really life without purpose. Sight is one critical component in life. Without sight, your world is full of darkness. Worse still is when you do not have spiritual sights.
In the Bible, there are many incidents of God opening the eyes of the blind. In Matthew 9:27-30, Jesus asked two blind men, “Do you believe that I am able to do this?” Jesus was asking them whether they believed that He was able to open their eyes. They replied, “Yes, Lord.” They had faith that Jesus was able to give them sight. Jesus touched their eyes and their sight was restored. In Mark 10:46-52, it was recorded that a blind man named Bartimaeus came to Jesus. Jesus asked him, “What do you want me to do for you?” Bartimaeus replied, “Teacher, I want to see.” Immediately, he received his sight. He must have been rejoicing over the fact that he can see now. After that, he followed Jesus. In John 9:1-7, Jesus opened the eyes of a man who was born blind. How did Jesus heal him? He spat on the ground, made some mud with his saliva, and then put it on the man’s eyes. He asked him to go to wash in the Pool of Siloam. The blind man went and washed. His eyes were opened and he could see. In John 9:39-41, Jesus pointed out to the Pharisees, who are the religious leaders of the Jews, that they were spiritually blind. In John 9:39, Jesus said, “For judgment I have come into this world, so that the blind will see and those who see will become blind.” When Jesus was asked by the Pharisees, “Are we blind too?”, Jesus replied, “If you were blind, you would not be guilty of sin, but now that you claim you can see, your guilt remains.” There is a great contrast between physical blindness and spiritual blindness. There must be a deep desire in our hearts to want to see. The ability to see releases the full realization of the condition which one is currently in. For one who is physically blind, when his sight is restored, there is a tremendous joy flowing out from his heart. He will be full of thanksgivings and praises to the One who opens his eyes.
This reminds me of the hymn, “Amazing Grace”, composed by John Newton. I love the lyrics of this beautiful hymn. One of the stanzas is as follows:
Amazing grace! How sweet the sound
That saved a wretch like me!
I once was lost, but now am found;
Was blind, but now I see.
I am reminded of another of my favorite song, “Father, I Thank You”, composed by Steve Stewart. One of the stanzas is as follows:
Father I thank You
For all that You’ve done
You gave Your Son freely for me
And I praise You for calling me
Drawing me near
Out of blindness
You cause me to see
Jesus has opened my spiritual eyes and I can see and understand who He is. I have believed that He is the Son of God who takes away the sins of the world, including my sins. As the Psalmist in Psalm 119:18 says, “Open my eyes that I may see wonderful things in your law.” I often teach new Christians to pray this prayer before starting to read the Bible. In order to know and understand the contents of the Bible, we need to ask God to open our eyes so that we may see and know what He is teaching us. There are many wonderful things recorded in the Bible. The first and foremost is what Jesus has done for us on the cross, by dying for our sins, delivering us from the wrath of God and determining our salvation.
As we daily walk with Jesus our Lord, we need to ask Jesus, “Open my eyes, LORD! I want to know You, love You and meditate upon Your precious words.” Jesus will open your eyes so that you may know Him and follow His ways. Let us begin to do just that!
Pastor George Ang
June 29, 2014
