John 9:24-41
This is the great miracle of conversion to Christianity- the changed heart. It has been well said that the man with an experience is not at the mercy of a man with an argument. When a sin-loving sinner who drinks iniquity like water loses it's appetite for sin and hungers and thirsts for righteousness, then there is no argument on earth that can refute that. With the Holy Spirit living inside us we can also say, "One thing I know: though I was blind, now I see."
Then they said to him again, "what did He do to you? How did He open your eyes?" He answered them, "I told you already, and you did not listen. Why do you want to hear it again? Do you also want to become His disciples?" Then they reviled him and said, "You are His disciple, but we are Moses; as for this fellow, we do not know where He is from.
This blind man did nothing to make himself to see, it was all Jesus. Likewise the Christian does nothing to save Himself. It is all the saving work of the Savior. And though the world, like these Pharisees may marvel, many will not take part because of self-righteousness. "We are Moses' disciples." Moses administered the law- which the Pharisees thought they kept. They were so filled with self-righteousness that they weren't in need of any Savior. So it is with unbelievers. They say, "I'm good. I need not follow this Jesus because I'm a morally good person. I'll get into Heaven because I am good." And so their self-righteousness disqualifies them from God's grace (for grace is not earned, it is given). They choose to work for their salvation, instead of receiving the free gift of salvation, so they'll be judged by their works (Galatians 5:4).
Just as this man was born blind, humanity is born sinners. We have a disease-sin. The cure-Jesus! Good news for some, but for many who refuse to see they are sinners, they'll find no cure. Like this man, the world will cast you out. The world does not want anyone pointing out their sin or their need for a Savior. But to lose friends, positions of power, or even family is nothing compared to what the believer has in Christ. Once blind, dead in sin, and a slave to sin-how could we ever leave Jesus? Cast us out if you wish.
Jesus heard that they had cast him out; when He found him, He said to him, "Do you believe in the Son of God?" He answered and said, "who is He, Lord, that I may believe in Him?" And Jesus said to him, "You have both seen Him and it is He who is talking with you." Then he said, "Lord, I believe!" And he worshipped Him.
As the world casts us out for being Christians Jesus looks for us; He seeks us out. He, in His kindness, assures us that our sacrifice (of leaving friends, prestige, sin, etc) was not in vain. His affection toward us and His power to remove our blindness fills us with gratitude and worship for Him.
And Jesus said, "for judgement I have come into this world, that those who do not see may see, and that those who see may be made blind." Then some of the Pharisees who were with Him heard these words, and said to Him, "are we blind also?" Jesus said to them, "If you were blind, you would have no sin; but now you say, 'we see.' Therefore your sin remains"
If these self-righteous Pharisees would have humbled themselves, confessed their sins, the Son of God would have forgiven them. But because of their foolish pride and their belief that their own works made them good, they remain in their sin. When people say, "we see" they remain blind to their great need for a Savior. For those who confess their spiritual blindness, Jesus opens their eyes- they pass from death to life, eternally.