Sight Beyond Pride: Trusting Jesus for True Sight

Introduction

How many of you can relate to the following story?

Tom and his wife, Sarah, were driving to a friend’s new house for a dinner party. Ever the planner, Sarah had mapped out the route and confidently gave directions from the passenger seat. “Turn left at the next light,” she said, glancing at her phone’s GPS.

Tom, however, was sure he knew a better way. “I’ve been through here many times before,” he declared, puffing out his chest. “I don’t need that GPS nonsense. I’ll take the shortcut through Maple Street.” Sarah raised an eyebrow but stayed quiet, knowing Tom’s pride was steering the wheel.

Ten minutes later, they circled a cul-de-sac in a neighborhood that looked nothing like their destination. “Honey, I think you missed the turn,” Sarah said gently. “The GPS says we’re five miles off course.”

“Off course? Impossible!” Tom scoffed. “I’ve got this under control. Maple Street always gets you where you need to go.” Sarah sighed and muttered, “If you say so.”

Another fifteen minutes later, and they were now parked in front of a llama farm, with a curious llama staring at them through the window. Sarah couldn’t help but chuckle. “Well, Tom, unless our friends moved to a petting zoo, we’re lost.”

We’ve all been Tom at times, letting pride lead us astray.

But pride doesn’t just get us lost on the road - it can blind us to God’s truth.

Today, as we finish the story of the blind man.

In John 9, we’ll see how pride kept the Pharisees in darkness, while humble faith gave the blind man sight.

In John 9:35-41, Jesus confronts spiritual blindness and offers us true sight through faith.

Let’s read our text.

John 9:35–41 KJV 1900

35 Jesus heard that they had cast him out; and when he had found him, he said unto him, Dost thou believe on the Son of God? 36 He answered and said, Who is he, Lord, that I might believe on him? 37 And Jesus said unto him, Thou hast both seen him, and it is he that talketh with thee. 38 And he said, Lord, I believe. And he worshipped him. 39 And Jesus said, For judgment I am come into this world, that they which see not might see; and that they which see might be made blind. 40 And some of the Pharisees which were with him heard these words, and said unto him, Are we blind also? 41 Jesus said unto them, If ye were blind, ye should have no sin: but now ye say, We see; therefore your sin remaineth.

Here is what I want us to know and learn this morning.

Overcoming spiritual blindness requires humility and trust. Pride keeps us in sin, but faith in Him brings light and life.

So this morning, I want us to think and consider two things. We need to recognize the danger of pride and the darkness it brings. We need to humble ourselves and receive by faith the Lord Jesus Christ and the spiritual light only He can give.

So, let’s begin with this first thought and how it addresses a universal problem.

Recognize the Darkness of Prideful Blindness

John 9:40–41 KJV 1900

40 And some of the Pharisees which were with him heard these words, and said unto him, Are we blind also? 41 Jesus said unto them, If ye were blind, ye should have no sin: but now ye say, We see; therefore your sin remaineth.

I start with the last two verses. It is in these verses that we find a universal problem - pride. The DNA of sin is pride and selfishness. As such, there is a particular danger that comes with pride.

It is pride that blinds us to God’s truth.

When we last considered this story of the blind man, things were not going well. The last words before our text were “And they cast him out.” Who cast him out? Indeed, these same Pharisees are now inquiring, “Are we blind also?” As we know already, these men, the Pharisees, were doing everything in their power to cast doubt upon Christ, causing the people to follow them. However, as in this story, there were those who chose to place their faith in Christ and experienced radical changes in their lives. Changes they never found in the teaching of the Pharisees. All they found with the religious leaders was more bondage. The Pharisees, however, could not see or accept Christ's miraculous power. Their pride and selfish desire for power blinded them, as they believed only they understood the Law. This was their biggest problem and one that continues even today.

Note Christ’s response to their question. He said, “If ye were blind, ye should have not sin: but now ye say, We see; therefore your sin remaineth.”

To help us understand His response, let’s see what He said about these Pharisees elsewhere.

John 15:22–24 KJV 1900

22 If I had not come and spoken unto them, they had not had sin: but now they have no cloke for their sin. 23 He that hateth me hateth my Father also. 24 If I had not done among them the works which none other man did, they had not had sin: but now have they both seen and hated both me and my Father.

Essentially, Christ said here that they, the Pharisees, the most religious people on earth, had no excuse. Note the phrase, “they have no cloke for their sin.” In other words, they had no excuse for their sin. Christ exposed them. He unveiled their pride and selfishness. Had they admitted their spiritual blindness and really desired to know Christ, they too would have been rescued and received spiritual sight. Instead, they allowed their pride and self-sufficiency to continue blinding them to the truth and salvation that stood before them. These “condemned already” men continued to remain in their blindness and sin.

The Pharisees’ pride showed up in three ways, and we see these same patterns today.

They outright rejected Christ’s authority.

What is impressive about this story is the contrast between those who believe in Christ and those who do not. The blind man represents those who make the right choice. On the other hand, the Pharisees represent those who continue to deny Christ. One of the most significant traits noted in these men and even those today who reject Christ is their denial of Christ’s authority. According to Christ, in verse 39 of this chapter, they were “they which see” but were spiritually blind.

They continued clinging to self-reliance.

Note how they stated, “We see,” in verse 41. It was their way, not God’s way. They chose flawed human wisdom over faith in Christ, perpetuating their sin and estrangement from God.

They resisted Divine truth.

Each time Christ pointed out that He was the way, the truth, and the life, they scoffed and rejected it. Each time Christ pointed out that He was the only way to the Father, they ridiculed and dismissed it. Each time Christ demonstrated His power to change people’s lives, they responded angrily and again rejected Him. We see this pattern repeated throughout Christ’s time on earth.

Just as Tom’s pride led him to a llama farm instead of a dinner party, the Pharisees’ pride led them away from God’s truth into spiritual darkness. However, it is also a pattern that repeats itself today. People still resist. They reject Christ as God, saying that He was nothing more than a good teacher, perhaps a great prophet. Many still allow their pride and self-reliance to be the means of getting into heaven. Yet, their pride and self-reliance do nothing but perpetuate their sin. And, as noted, people still today become defensive and resist the Divine truth of God’s Word. All of which confirms that people are bound by spiritual blindness.

What am I saying? I am saying that you must not reject or ignore the identity and authority of Jesus Christ. You must not cling to our pride and selfishness. I am asking that you not resist the Divine truth of God’s Word. For if you do, you too will remain in sin and estranged from God. You will continue living a life of spiritual darkness just as these Pharisees vividly demonstrated.

Here is the danger! Christ pointedly said in John 3 the following:

John 3:16–19 KJV 1900

16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. 17 For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved. 18 He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God. 19 And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil.

Both John 15 and John 3 show that pride leaves us without excuse and condemns us unless we turn to Christ. Allowing pride and selfishness to keep you from having faith in Christ as your personal Savior means you will die condemned already. However, there is hope. Christ is our hope. He came as the Light of the Word.

By the way, even as believers, pride can creep in when we rely on our strength instead of God’s guidance. Have you ever said, “I’ve got this,” only to realize that you needed God’s help? We think we do certain things on our own power, and then we fail or fall, ask Peter after his walking on the water experience. Pride is like a fog that clouds our vision, keeping us from seeing Jesus. Proverbs reminds us that pride comes before destruction and a haughty spirit before a fall. May I suggest that you start each day with a prayer: “Lord, I need your guidance.” Yes, pride leads to a fall, but humility keeps us in God’s light.

A thought that brings us to our next point.

Receive the Light of Jesus’ Revelation

This story is a story of hope. Remember the blind man. He is at the very center of this account. He was blind, but now, praise God, he sees. His life has been radically changed.

Jesus said in John 8:12

John 8:12 KJV 1900

12 Then spake Jesus again unto them, saying, I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life.

The blind man’s story shows this truth in action.

John 9:35–38 KJV 1900

35 Jesus heard that they had cast him out; and when he had found him, he said unto him, Dost thou believe on the Son of God? 36 He answered and said, Who is he, Lord, that I might believe on him? 37 And Jesus said unto him, Thou hast both seen him, and it is he that talketh with thee. 38 And he said, Lord, I believe. And he worshipped him.

The opposite of rejecting Christ is receiving Him. That might sound simple, but it is quite profound. We already noted the Pharisees' rejection and its consequences. Now, we find a man who believes.

One of the great images of this account is Christ finding the formerly blind man after he was cast out of the synagogue. In a way, we might see this as a low point in this man’s life. His life is changed, and instead of people rejoicing with Him, they are chastising and interrogating him. The result was that they excommunicated him. He was ostracized for his faith. Yet, in that very moment, Christ came seeking him. Note that “Jesus heard that they had cast him out; and when he had found him, he said...’ Dost thou believe on the Son of God?’” What a great illustration of Christ’s love and concern for His own. It is moments like this when I realize just how much love Christ has for us. He is personally concerned about us. He heard, He came, and He spoke.

But note the tone of the conversation. First, there is the question of belief. Now, you must understand that Christ was not questioning His faith. Instead, Christ was asking a question to reaffirm this man’s faith in Christ. This world and those who do not believe in Christ often try to shake our faith in Christ. This man’s faith was being challenged. Thus, Christ gently asks, “Do you believe?” The man’s response is interesting as well.

John 9:36 KJV 1900

36 He answered and said, Who is he, Lord, that I might believe on him?

You might note something in the tone of this man’s response. He was not belligerent or brash. Instead, he was humble. He acknowledged Christ as His Lord and humbly asked Him to help His unbelief. Then, Christ reveals, “Thou hast both seen him, and it is he that talketh with thee.” And then, we have the most wonderful climax to this entire story.

John 9:38 KJV 1900

38 And he said, Lord, I believe. And he worshipped him.

Note the contrast in this man's faith versus the blind pride of the Pharisees.

The blind man, once helpless, humbly obeyed Christ at the Pool of Siloam. Remember how Christ told him to wash in the Pool of Siloam?

Unlike the Pharisees, who refused to hear and obey because they were too wise and far too pious, this man understood his condition and trusted Christ.

Unlike Tom, who ignored Sarah’s GPS and got lost, the blind man humbly followed Jesus’ direction and found light.

Later, this man boldly testified to Christ’s merciful work in his life. Despite the interrogations and threats, he stood firm, confessing that Christ was of God.

Now, he learns about the excellency of Christ and falls in worship at His feet.

Do you see the difference? The path to true spiritual light and deliverance from sin’s bondage is placed before us in this man's testimony. All God is asking is that you believe. He is asking that you humbly admit your sinful condition. It is a condition that is wretched, hopeless, and condemned to an eternity separated from Him. However, He, the loving Savior, stands ready this morning to change your life. He has already done the work. He came. He died for your sins on the cross. He bridged the gap between you and the Father. He rose again, demonstrating His power over death and sin. He stands this morning offering you a new life.

He is saying to you, “Do you believe in me?” Are you willing to open your heart to Him?

This past week, my wife and I attended a funeral for a dear friend who recently passed away. Each funeral is a reminder of just how short life truly is. The pastor who officiated the funeral mentioned this verse.

Hebrews 9:27 KJV 1900

27 And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment:

One of the greatest tragedies is this. It is for you to hear this message and allow your pride and selfishness to keep you from having eternal life. You see, all of us have an appointment with death. It is coming. We cannot avoid it. However, right now and right here, you can change your future. There is life after death. The only question is, where will you spend that life for all of eternity? Christ wants you to spend it with Him.

For those who have already trusted Christ, receiving His light isn’t a one-time event. Like the blind man, we must daily seek Jesus through prayer and obedience, asking, “Lord, help me see Your truth today.” We must begin each day with Him.

I would encourage you to set the tone for your day by spending at least five minutes reading a verse and asking the Lord to guide you.

I have found that the more time I spend with Him in the morning, the easier it becomes for me to humbly submit to His guidance throughout the day. No matter what, incorporate a time of daily devotions each morning before you get into the busyness of the day.

Conclusion

Today, we’ve seen how pride blinds us to God’s truth, while humble faith opens our eyes to His light. Like Tom ignoring Sarah’s GPS and ending up at a llama farm, the Pharisees’ pride kept them in spiritual darkness, rejecting the Savior before them (John 9:40–41). But the blind man, humbly obeying and believing, found light and worshipped Jesus (John 9:35–38).

If you’ve never trusted Christ, hear His question today: “Dost thou believe on the Son of God?” (John 9:35). Pride leads to darkness, but Jesus offers you light and life. Hebrews 9:27 reminds us, “It is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment.” At a friend’s funeral last week, I was reminded how short life is. Don’t let pride keep you from eternal life. Will you open your heart to Jesus today?

Believers, don’t let pride creep in, saying, “I’ve got this.” Like a driver needing GPS, we need Jesus’ guidance daily. Start each morning with five minutes in Scripture, like Psalm 119:105: “Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.” Pray, “Lord, guide me today,” and follow His direction.

Let’s choose sight over pride. Trust Jesus, the Light of the World, to lead you home. Pray with me: Father, forgive our pride. Open our eyes to see Jesus clearly. Help us trust Him today and every day. Amen.