12.02.05

And Jesus said, "For judgment I have come into this world, that those who do not see may see, and that those who see may be made blind.” - John 9:39.

Because of frosted windows from the freezing temperatures, police officers could not see that an illegally parked vehicle was occupied by an 85-year-old man. It happened in Edmonton, Alberta and the vehicle was impounded. Thankfully, some movement was noticed inside after the vehicle arrived at the police impound yard. Police Spokeswoman Lisa Lammi said, "They accessed the vehicle and sure enough there was an elderly man inside. He was disoriented but he was not unconscious." Even though the man had spent several hours inside the vehicle with temperatures reaching, 14 degrees Fahrenheit he was still conscious and he was taken to a hospital for observation.

It was frosted windows that blinded the police officers to the desperation of an 85-year-old man. At least they had an excuse. However, many are blinded spiritually to their own needs and the needs of others around them. The Pharisees had just seen the evidence that a great miracle had been performed. A man who had been born blind had been healed by Jesus and now he could see. Even though the Pharisees saw the evidence they still denied that it could be true. Even though they knew personally this man who had been blind since birth and now knew that he could see - they still denied the evidence that they saw with their own eyes! The Pharisees could see with their own eyes yet they were still blind to the truth that Jesus was the Messiah, the Christ.

There is a range of spiritual blindness beginning with blindness to our own personal need for Jesus like that of the Pharisees. Do you know Jesus as your personal Savior? Have you invited Him into your heart in a state of repentance, asking for forgiveness of your sins (Romans 3:23; Romans 6:23; John 1:12; John 3:16; Romans 10:9-10, 13; Revelation 3:20; 1 John 1:9)?

There is also a blindness to the great harvest that is waiting for laborers (Matthew 9:37-38). Sadly, there are millions of Christians (perhaps billions) who have never even given a Gospel tract to a lost person much less talked to someone about Christ. Jesus said to His disciples and I believe He says the same thing to all that follow Him, "Follow Me, and I will make you fishers of men.” If you are unwilling, unmotivated, uncaring about the lost you cannot be described as a "fisher of men.” Therefore, you must be spiritually blind to the great harvest of souls that Jesus so very much wants you to participate in reaping. If this is your condition, I would urge you to repent and fall upon 1 John 1:9 as the cure of your blindness.

Then there is a blindness to the physical needs of others like that of the rich man being oblivious to the need of the poor beggar Lazarus (Luke 16:19-26). Phil Collins song, "Another Day in Paradise” has lyrics that are convicting of our blindness at least they are to me. Here are a few of the lyrics:

She calls out to the man on the street
’sir, can you help me?
It’s cold and I’ve nowhere to sleep,
Is there somewhere you can tell me? ’
He walks on, doesn’t look back
He pretends he can’t hear her
Starts to whistle as he crosses the street
Seems embarrassed to be there
Oh think twice, it’s another day for
You and me in paradise

Are you blind and uncaring about the physical needs of those around you like the rich man called dives was to that of the poor beggar Lazarus? If so, fall upon 1 John 1:9 in repentance as the cure for your blindness.

I for one know that there is a need for me to be able to see beyond where I now am able to see. Lord, help me so that I may see. Amen.