When a person becomes a Christian, they’re supposed to start developing their “Spiritual eyesight”. They’re supposed to begin developing eyes that see the world differently.  It’s an important characteristic of living in Christ’s kingdom. So this morning I want to give you an spiritual eye test.

Here’s the first question on the test: How do you see other people?  Jesus came upon a man blind from birth. Probably hundreds of people passed by this man each day. Most probably didn’t even notice him, while some, noticing him, chose to avoid him. After all, he was different. He was a blind man.  Many people avoid those who are different from them, whatever the difference might be.

What’s your reaction when you encounter someone with a disability? Do you shy away from them? Patronize them? Or do you treat them simply as you would another human being? Some people with physical disabilities are truly inspiring.

Dr. Larry Baker lost his eyesight because of a viral infection when he was 25. The doctor told Baker, “I’m afraid that I have to tell you something that will affect the rest of your life. You will never see again.” Baker replied, “Doctor, I understand what you’re saying, but I will determine the effect [this will have on my life].” Baker took what would be a devastating blow to most of us, and made it a pivotal point from which he grew and expanded his horizons.

When Baker lost his sight, he was married, with three children and working for a family dairy delivering milk.  Baker decided he wanted more than that. Taking advantage of a scholarship offered to persons with sight disabilities, he entered Indiana University and received a bachelor’s degree, ranking fifth in a class of 780. He also received the Presidential Achievement Award, and went on to earn his master’s and doctor’s of business administration degrees.

He became a university professor, taught for 10 years, then formed his own company. He now presents time management seminars internationally, and his company produces more than 60 publications on time management and related subjects.

Baker believes everyone has some disability, some lack of ability to do something that they need to do. “The most severe disability I have ever encountered,” he says, “are people who are paralyzed from the neck up--people who are not coping with change, in ideas and concepts. We make progress by our willingness to make changes.”

Baker said. “Have faith in God, your family, friends, and last, but not least, have faith in yourself. Set your objectives and pay the price."  1

People with disabilities do amazing things, but we want to put people in a box, and label the box: handicapped, African-American, Latino, elderly, female--the list is endless. Let’s develop a new list--human being, child of God, person of worth for whom Christ died. So the first question on our “eye” exam. How do you see other people?

Here’s a second question: How do you see God? At this point in their relationship with Jesus, the disciples saw God primarily as a dispenser of justice.   His disciples asked Jesus, “Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?”

If you worship a God who is primarily a dispenser of justice, this is a logical question. We do the same when we cry out, “What did I do to deserve this?”  And, obviously, there are some heartaches in life that are a result from cause-and-effect.

Drive too fast--have an accident, or at least a speeding ticket. Eat too much--develop diabetes or put yourself at risk for a heart attack.  Sowing your wild oats while you’re married, be prepared for crop failure. Some things in life are cause-and-effect.

But the idea that God would punish a child for the sins of his parents is wrong.  “Neither this man nor his parents sinned,” said Jesus, “but this happened so that the work of God might be displayed in his life.”

Now, this is important: God is not interested in punishing us for our past failures; God’s focus is on our future. God wants to take away our hurt and bring healing, so that we may glorify Him. God wants to wash away our past so that we’ll be free to serve Him.

It’s interesting what Jesus does next. He spits on the ground, makes some mud, and puts it on the man’s eyes. That sounds kind of “yucky,” but it works. “Go,” he tells the man, “wash in the Pool of Siloam.”  

Probably he used clay here just for effect. But then again, who knows?  It was God who did the healing, not the clay, not the ceremonial cleansing. The point is that the man went and washed, and suddenly he could see.

He experienced first hand the touch of God on his life. And he gave God the glory.  His neighbors and those who had formerly seen him begging asked, “Isn’t this the same man who used to sit and beg?” Some claimed that he was. Others said, “No, he only looks like him.”  But he himself insisted, “I am the man.”  “How then were your eyes opened?” they demanded.

He replied, “The man they call Jesus made some mud and put it on my eyes. He told me to go to Siloam and wash. So I went and washed, and then I could see.” And the rest of the story has this formerly blind man testifying to the religious authorities about what Christ has done for him.  

Which brings me to the third question on our spiritual eye exam. But let’s review.  Do you remember the first question: How do you see others? And the second: How do you see God?   Here’s the third: How do you see the things that happen in your life?

Do you see the bad things as accidental? Do you see the good things as something you deserve because of your hard work?  Do you see them as a gift from God. 

Do you thank God for the humdrum events of life? Or do you ignore them and pay little attention to them.  Of course, after a crisis you’re thankful, but are you thankful about your everyday life?

Rev. Glen Herrington‑Hall pastors a mainline Protestant church.  He took his youth group to visit a more informal, “Pentecostal” church. The youth were taken aback by the many testimonies given during prayer time, testimonies that began something like this: “I want to thank Jesus for getting me through the night and waking me up this morning and bringing me here to worship.”

That struck these young people as odd, first, that people would be thankful to be at worship, and secondly, that they would credit Jesus for having done it.

“What a marvelous attitude,” their pastor tried to tell them, “what a powerful theology to be able to see each day as a gift from God. Not a challenge to be endured, but a gift to be received and treasured, shared and enjoyed. And much of the difference is a matter of choice."  2

You and I have so many blessings in our lives. What a difference it would make in our attitude if we started each day thanking God for those blessings.

The man blind from birth was thankful to Christ for his sight. If this man was thankful to receive his sight after a lifetime of darkness, should we not that much more thank God for a lifetime of seeing?  That is, if we do see.

How did you do on our spiritual vision exam? A follower of Jesus ought to be able to see. Not with physical eyes, perhaps, but with his Father’s eyes.

How do you see other people? How do you see God? How do you see the good things that happen in your life? The choice is yours, but I promise you it will make all the difference in how much joy you discover in your life.