We live in an environment surrounded by people more concerned with their own agendas and activities than seeing God and acknowledging His presence. This is a sign of being spiritually blind. Most people have learned to be self-reliant and self-sufficient, and asking for God’s help never occurs to them. This kind of mindset stems from the now-expired Law of Moses, which holds us back from receiving God’s best.
Hearing the Word of grace preached offends spiritually-blind people. This was what happened when the Pharisees were highly offended by what Jesus taught. Rather than get caught up in trying to convince people who simply didn’t believe, Jesus told His disciples to leave them alone. They were blind leaders of the blind; listening to today’s religious doctrines only further intensifies spiritual blindness.
Under the law, the requirement to follow hundreds of rules and work hard to obey all the commandments put people in bondage to self-effort. However, what was true under the law may not be true under grace; we’ve now been freed from all those rules. When Jesus was preaching to the people, He told the Jews who believed Him that if they continued in His Word, they would know the truth, and the truth would make them free. Faith in grace gives us rest from our labors.
Trusting in Christ lets Him open blind eyes. He brings out prisoners and those who sit in spiritual darkness. With help from the Holy Spirit, we can do the same things Jesus did; preach deliverance to the captives, recovery of sight to the blind, and set at liberty those who are bruised in spirit. The empowerment He gives us is something we can help others find.
The law, which requires self-effort, focuses on sin. Thankfully, sin doesn’t have dominion over us anymore because we’re no longer under the law, but under grace. Receiving this gift for ourselves opens our spiritual eyes and lets us see life from God’s perspective.
Prayer:
Heavenly Father, Your Son opens our eyes to Your goodness, mercy, and grace. We don’t need perfect performance, just a willingness to believe. We’re grateful for the freedoms You brought us. In Jesus’ name, amen.
Scriptures:
Matthew 15:12-14
John 8:31, 32
Matthew 11:28-30
Isaiah 42:7
Luke 4:18
Romans 6:14