When the Blind See and the Proud Don’t | John 9:35–41

Each Wednesday, we pause and rewind—not just to remember the message, but to reflect more deeply on what God is saying. These aren’t transcripts. They’re a fresh walk through Scripture with open hearts and open Bibles. Let’s return to John 9 together.

Jesus Finds the Outcast | John 9:35

The religious leaders had cast the healed man out. But Jesus went looking for him. He didn’t go searching for Jesus—Jesus came searching for him. That’s who Jesus is. He wasn’t just concerned with what the man believed, but who he believed in. The miracle had opened the man’s eyes. This moment would open his heart.

Imagine the emotional swing. One moment, he’s rejoicing in newfound sight. The next, he’s dismissed and discarded for testifying about it. That’s often what happens when your encounter with Jesus disrupts the status quo. But Jesus doesn’t leave him in that place of rejection. He seeks him out personally.

Jesus wanted more than sight. He wanted saving faith. Romans 10:9–10 reminds us that salvation comes through believing in the heart and confessing with the mouth. That’s the moment Jesus was leading this man toward. And that’s what Jesus still seeks—hearts that are willing not only to see, but to believe.

Jesus always shows up when standing for truth costs you something.

When boldness costs you relationships or comfort, Jesus meets you there. And He doesn’t just show up to comfort—He shows up to call us deeper.

Seeing Jesus for Who He Is | John 9:36–38

The man didn’t hesitate. He didn’t need to be talked into anything. He just needed to know who to believe in. When Jesus revealed Himself, the response was immediate: “Lord, I believe. And he worshipped Him.”

This is what it looks like when the Holy Spirit moves and someone truly receives the gospel. No debate. No resistance. Just belief and worship. The miracle opened his physical eyes, but now the Spirit opens his spiritual ones.

True salvation isn’t something we can talk people into. It’s something the Spirit awakens. That’s why we don’t argue people into faith—we testify, we proclaim, we live it out, and we trust the Spirit to stir hearts.

Worship is the heart’s response to the goodness and greatness of Jesus.

When eyes are opened and the heart is stirred, worship flows naturally. It’s not forced. It’s not just music—it’s surrender, obedience, and sacrifice.

Worship isn’t just a Sunday morning moment. It’s the everyday echo of a heart changed by Jesus. When you’ve truly seen Him—when you’ve tasted grace and been met by truth—you don’t need to be told to worship. It rises up on its own.

Blind Eyes, Proud Hearts | John 9:39–41

Jesus said He came so that the blind could see, and those who think they see would be revealed as blind.

This wasn’t about physical eyesight. It was about pride. Those who know they need help will find it. But those who think they’ve got it all figured out will stay lost. That’s the tension that runs all through this chapter—one man embracing the truth he’s just met, and a group of religious leaders resisting the truth they’ve known all along.

The Pharisees asked, “Are we blind also?” not because they were curious, but because they were offended. Jesus answered plainly: “Because you claim to see—your sin remains.” They saw the miracle, heard the testimony, and stood face to face with the Light of the world. Still, they chose darkness.

The blind man surrendered the moment he saw the truth. The Pharisees doubled down. That contrast still plays out today. When truth gets too close, pride either breaks or it hardens. And often, the most dangerous form of blindness is the one convinced it already sees clearly.

The first step to seeing clearly is admitting you can’t.

Their problem wasn’t a lack of information. It was an unwillingness to yield. As Matthew 15:14 says, “…they be blind leaders of the blind. And if the blind lead the blind, both shall fall into the ditch.” That’s the danger of prideful certainty without heart-level transformation.

Spiritual awareness without surrender is still spiritual blindness.

Sunday Takeaways

Jesus meets you when boldness costs you comfort
True belief leads to surrendered worship
Spiritual pride blinds the heart to truth
Worship is the overflow of a heart that sees clearly
Seeing Jesus clearly changes everything

Going Deeper This Week

Reread John 9. Notice how the man’s responses grow bolder with each encounter. Ask yourself: What has boldness cost me? What has it revealed about my walk with Jesus? Take a few minutes to thank Jesus for the moment He opened your eyes—physically, spiritually, or both. Reflect on whether pride has ever kept you from seeing what Jesus is showing you right now.

Join the Journey
This post is part of our ongoing Gospel of John series at Cottontown Baptist Church. Catch the full message from Sunday, and if you're in the area, worship with us this Sunday at 11 AM. 

🔔 Want to be the first to see each post? Follow our page on Facebook and tap “★ Favorites” under the Following tab so Sunday Rewind appears at the top of your feed.

🔗 Follow along and stay rooted in the Word all week long.