Just to be certain you all get this straight from the Gospel this morning: it was the blind man that sees clearly.
Yes, the blind man is the one that sees, but not just because Jesus gave him his sight. It would be too easy and not very worthwhile to discuss that aspect of things, for even doctors today can help people recover their sight.
In our own cry for mercy from the Lord, we reflect on the previous two Sundays of this Gesimatide. Two weeks ago, we decided that it would be better to have our enemy in Church beside us, rather than spend eternity in hell.
Last week, we were repentant for not understanding the Word of God. In both cases, we neither know God’s Word nor the power therein, for if we did, we would find salvation and forgiveness. In other words: Christ.
So what then are we to take away from these three Sundays before Lent and especially what are we to find today. When we find it, that will be a true confession, without which no comfort could be had by us.
It is by what your heart believes and what your lips confess that you can confidently believe in what it is you believe. This is what we hear today. The confession of the disciples is that they don’t understand, they don’t know, and they don’t see. The blind man does understand, does know and does see.
We know this because Jesus speaks to us and tells us that, before the blind man could even see, he confessed that Jesus was the Son of David and, by implication, the true Son of God. It is not just that he says, “Jesus is Lord”, but that he believes that Jesus is Lord for him.
It is easy to say that someone is in charge and its easy to point out that God is everywhere, has every bit of knowledge, and has all power, but what does that do for this blind man? Where is the love/power/knowledge/presence of God in his life?
Those who were telling him to be silent confess this truth for us: there is no love of God for that man. Not only is he blind, but he is a burden. He can not praise God rightly, he can not offer sacrifices correctly, and he can not lead anyone to Christ. Can the blind lead the blind?
By the blind man’s cry, we know he has been praying fervently for healing. By his actions, we know he desires to follow God that he may receive a blessing, but it has not happened.
Repent. This blind man puts us to shame. In his physical blindness, he already sees his salvation worked out perfectly when all others, with working eyes, do not understand, know, or see that what Jesus is doing is atoning for sin.
The blind man sees his salvation. The blind man sees the God-man Jesus going to the cross. He sees the Lord’s Messiah passing by him on His way to be delivered to the Gentiles and killed, as Jesus has said multiple times.
I would even say that the blind man could care less about receiving his sight back. That it was a happy accident that Jesus stopped and asked him what he wanted. For what Faith truly desires is mercy from the Son of David. Mercy that is more than simply restoring eyes that Macular degeneration will destroy later in life.
This mercy, which has been given in full, is mocked, shamefully treated, and spit upon. This perfect mercy is flogged and crucified. This begged-for, underserved, unearned mercy is risen again and lives. Christ lives for this blind man and has rescued him from sin, death, and the devil. This is the full and perfect gift of mercy, given for free.
But, so that you may know that this mercy is also for you today, receive your own sight; your faith has made you well, also. Your faith, given to you, has saved you because you hear the Word of the Lord and believe that your sight, your hearing, and all your senses have been healed in baptism, where the same son of David washed you in His Blood.
In light of this, your confession is now full. You see Jesus passing by you, in the flesh today, and you don’t just cry “Hosanna to the son of David”, but “Lord have mercy; Christ have mercy”, “Gloria in Excelsis”, “Holy, holy, holy”, “Blessed is He that cometh in the Name of the Lord”, and “Amen”.
All of these good confessions reveal the true confession: that Jesus is both man and God and that He is here, now, to give us the miracle of Faith once again. Not because we have lost it, but because we need more.
And you know you need more, because Jesus continues to offer more. As you return to the Holy Scriptures, they do not change. Jesus is always coming to relieve sinners of sin and death. Thus, your confession needs to be just that, so that He comes for you.
Just what? Just that you are a blind and deaf sinner, dead in your sins, in need of a savior Who has already redeemed you and Who sends His Holy Ghost to enlighten you with gifts of water, Word, and bread and wine.
Jesus has had mercy on the entire world. Jesus gives His mercy and salvation to you, now, for free. The Gospel is preached to you and you believe you have forgiveness by it. There is no more sitting in darkness, or blindness, or deadness. For Christ is risen from the dead, for you, and has taken you into Himself; Body and Blood.
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