This past Sunday, we dove into the powerful conclusion of John 9. In this passage, Jesus confronts spiritual blindness. He offers true sight through faith. I shared a message from John 9:35-41. It challenges us to examine our hearts for pride. It also encourages us to embrace the humble faith that brings us into God’s light. Let’s unpack the sermon’s key insights and how they apply to today’s lives.
The Danger of Pride: A Road to Spiritual Darkness
The sermon opened with a humorous story about Tom and Sarah, a couple driving to a dinner party. Sarah’s GPS gave clear directions. However, Tom was confident in his own shortcut. He led them to a llama farm instead of their destination. This lighthearted tale set the stage for an important realization. Pride can lead us astray. This happened just as it did to the Pharisees in John 9.
“Some of the Pharisees which were with him heard these words and said unto him, Are we blind also? Jesus said unto them, If you were blind, you should have no sin. But now you say, We see, therefore your sin remaineth.” (John 9:40-41)
The Pharisees’ pride manifested in three ways: rejecting Jesus’ authority, clinging to self-reliance, and resisting divine truth. They scoffed at Jesus’ miracles and teachings, insisting they had it all figured out. Their pride blinded them to the truth standing before them—Jesus, the Son of God. As I noted, pride is the “DNA of sin,” keeping us in spiritual darkness and estranged from God.
Humble Faith: The Path to Spiritual Sight
In contrast, the formerly blind man in John 9 exemplifies humble faith. After being cast out by the Pharisees for defending Jesus, he was at a low point. Yet, Jesus sought him out, asking, “Dost thou believe on the Son of God?” (John 9:35). His humble response—“Who is he, Lord, that I might believe on him?”—led to a life-changing moment of faith and worship.
“And he said, Lord, I believe. And he worshipped him.” (John 9:38)
This man’s journey from physical and spiritual blindness to sight mirrors our own potential transformation. He humbly obeyed Jesus’ command to wash in the pool of Siloam. As a result, he received not just physical sight. He gained spiritual light as well. I reminded us that Jesus is “the light of the world” (John 8:12). He offers hope to all who trust in Him.
Jesus Seeks the Lost
One of the most beautiful aspects of this passage is Jesus’ pursuit of the blind man. After being ostracized, the man wasn’t alone—Jesus found him. This reflects God’s personal love for each of us. As I shared, “God knows you so well that he knows every hair on your head.” No matter how lost or alone we feel, Jesus seeks us out, offering light and life.
Applying the Message: Choosing Sight Over Pride
The sermon challenged both believers and unbelievers to confront pride and embrace humility:
- For Unbelievers: Pride can keep you from eternal life. Jesus asks, “Dost thou believe on the Son of God?” (John 9:35). As Hebrews 9:27 reminds us, “It is appointed unto man once to die, but after this the judgment.” Don’t let pride blind you to the truth—open your heart to Jesus today.
- For Believers: Pride can creep into our lives, causing us to rely on our own understanding. I encouraged us to start each day with prayer. We should begin with Scripture. Consider Psalm 119:105: “Thy word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path.” Daily devotion helps us stay humble and guided by God’s truth.
I also emphasized our calling to be witnesses. Like the blind man, whose testimony pointed others to Jesus, we’re called to share how Christ has changed our lives. Humility, not pride, makes us effective witnesses for Him.
Your Next Steps
Here are practical ways to live out this message this week:
- Reflect on Pride: Ask God to reveal areas where pride is clouding your spiritual vision. Surrender those to Him in prayer.
- Start with Scripture: Spend five minutes each morning reading a Bible verse and praying for God’s guidance. Try Proverbs 3:5-6 to focus on trusting God over self-reliance.
- Share Your Faith: Write down your testimony. Reflect on how Jesus changed your life. Pray for an opportunity to share it with someone this week.
Let’s Walk in the Light
The story of the blind man reminds us that pride leads to darkness. Humble faith opens our eyes to Jesus’ light. Whether you’re seeking Christ for the first time or walking with Him daily, let’s choose humility. Trust His guidance and shine His light to others.
Missed the sermon? Watch the full message on our website. Join us next Sunday as we continue exploring the Gospel of John!
“Lord, help us to be humble today, to do your will, and to be guided by your Word.”