The Power of Spiritual Sight: Seeing Jesus for Who He Truly Is

In our journey through life, we often encounter moments that challenge our perception of reality. But what if the most significant blindness we face isn't physical, but spiritual? This profound truth emerges from a powerful narrative found in Matthew 20:29-34, where two blind men's encounter with Jesus becomes a metaphor for our own spiritual awakening.
Picture the scene: a bustling crowd follows Jesus as He leaves Jericho. Amid the commotion, two blind men sit by the roadside. They can't see, but they can hear. And what they hear changes everything. Jesus of Nazareth is passing by.
In that moment, these men make a choice that would alter their lives forever. They cry out, "Lord, have mercy on us, Son of David!" Their plea is raw, desperate, and public. It's a cry that cuts through the noise of the crowd, a cry that refuses to be silenced.
But here's where the story takes an unexpected turn. The very crowd following Jesus tries to silence these men. It's a stark reminder that sometimes, those closest to Jesus can be the ones who inadvertently hinder others from reaching Him. How often do we, in our own lives, become obstacles rather than bridges for those seeking Christ?
Yet, the blind men persist. They cry out even louder, their voices rising above the rebukes of the crowd. Their determination teaches us a vital lesson: when it comes to seeking Jesus, we must be willing to push past every barrier, ignore every discouraging voice, and cry out with all our might.
And Jesus? He stops. He calls them. He asks, "What do you want me to do for you?" It's a question that cuts to the heart of our deepest needs and desires. The men's response is simple yet profound: "Lord, let our eyes be opened."
In this exchange, we see the beautiful interplay between human faith and divine compassion. The Greek word used to describe Jesus' response - 'splagchnizomai' - goes beyond mere pity or compassion. It speaks of a deep, gut-wrenching empathy that moves Jesus to action. He touches their eyes, and immediately, they receive their sight.
But the story doesn't end there. The final three words of the passage are perhaps the most significant: "and followed him." These men, having received their sight, choose to follow Jesus. It's a powerful reminder that true spiritual sight always leads to discipleship.
This narrative isn't just about two men who regained their physical sight. It's about all of us. We are all born spiritually blind, unable to see Jesus for who He truly is. Our greatest need isn't physical healing, but spiritual awakening.
The good news is that Jesus is in the business of opening blind eyes - both physical and spiritual. No level of blindness is beyond His healing touch. But like the blind men, we must recognize our need, cry out to Him, and be willing to follow when He heals us.
This truth is further illustrated in the same chapter of Matthew, where we encounter two other "blind" men - the sons of Zebedee. Their mother approaches Jesus, asking for her sons to sit at His right and left in His kingdom. Jesus' response reveals their spiritual blindness: "You do not know what you are asking."
These disciples, despite physically following Jesus, were blind to the true nature of His kingdom. They sought power and prestige, not understanding that in God's kingdom, true greatness comes through servanthood and sacrifice.
Jesus patiently teaches them, saying, "Whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first must be your slave— just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many."
This juxtaposition of physical and spiritual blindness teaches us a crucial lesson: proximity to Jesus doesn't guarantee spiritual sight. We can be in church every Sunday, know all the right words, and still be blind to who Jesus truly is and what He calls us to be.
So, what does it mean to truly see Jesus? When our spiritual eyes are opened, we begin to see Him as:

1. King - ruling over all creation with authority and power
2. Holy - perfect in every way, calling us to a life of holiness
3. Savior - the one who rescues us from our sin and brokenness
4. Lord - deserving of our complete allegiance and obedience

Seeing Jesus clearly changes everything. It transforms our priorities, reshapes our ambitions, and redefines our understanding of greatness. We begin to see that true life is found not in being served, but in serving; not in accumulating power, but in sacrificial love.
The question for each of us is this: Are we truly seeing Jesus? Or are we, like the disciples, following Him physically while remaining spiritually blind? Are we crying out to Him like the blind men, desperate for our eyes to be opened? Or are we content with our limited vision, afraid of what we might see if our eyes were truly opened?
The invitation is clear: Cry out to Jesus. Don't let the crowd silence you. Don't let your own doubts or fears hold you back. Ask Him to open your eyes, to help you see Him for who He truly is. And when He does - for He surely will - be ready to follow Him wherever He leads.
Remember, there is no blindness too severe for Jesus to heal. Whether you've been a Christian for decades or you're just beginning to explore faith, Jesus is ready to open your eyes wider, to reveal more of Himself to you.
As we close, let's take a moment to reflect. Where in our lives do we need Jesus to touch our eyes? What areas of spiritual blindness do we need Him to heal? Let's cry out to Him with the same desperation and faith as those blind men by the roadside. For when Jesus opens our eyes, we'll find that the view is more beautiful, more transformative, and more life-giving than we ever imagined.
May we all have the courage to cry out, "Lord, let our eyes be opened!" And may we, like those healed blind men, follow Jesus with newfound clarity and devotion.