while today

“And Jesus said, ‘For judgment I came into this world, so that those who do not see may see, and that those who see may become blind” (John 9:39 NASB95).

Why did Jesus come into this world?  It was for judgement.  But how can this be reconciled with Jesus’ earlier statement in John chapter 3?  Jesus said to Nicodemus, “For God did not send the Son into the world to judge the world, but that the world might be saved through Him” (John 3:17). Jesus did not come to earth with the goal of condemning mankind.  No, He came to save.  He came to offer eternal life.  Nevertheless, the words of Jesus, which embody truth and light, will by their very nature create a separation.  In John 9:39, Jesus uses the word “judgement” not in the sense of condemnation, but in the sense of separation based on the response of people to His word.  Some, when they hear the words of Jesus, will come into the light, but some will reject His word and go farther into the darkness. This type of judgement is unavoidable.

And what is the judgment?  That those who do not see may see.  Who are those who do not see in this passage?  It is those who have been in darkness but who long for the light.  It is those who recognize their spiritual poverty but hunger and thirst for righteousness.  It is those who recognize their spiritual ignorance and their need for God.  It is those who, like the tax collector of Luke 18, beat their breast and cry out to God, “Be merciful to me, a sinner!” (Luke 18:13).  It is people like this to whom Jesus will grant sight!

But on the other side of this separation are those “who see.”  Jesus came that those who see may become blind. Who are those who see?  It is those who are like the Pharisees.  It is those who are self-righteous.  It is those who think they already know all the answers.  It is those who think they already have their lives together.  It is those who are impressed with their own spiritual performance.  It is those who are so sure that they already see.  Jesus says it is these who will become blind because they will reject Christ and His word.  It is those who say, “we see” who will remain in their sins (John 9:41).

In all of this, there is encouragement and warning for you and me.  On which side of the divide will you fall?  Will Jesus grant you sight?    It all depends on our willingness to recognize our spiritual need and to humbly listen to the words of Jesus.