The Blind Side

In the movie “The Blind Side” Sandra Bullock who played the adoptive mother of Michael Ohr explained the danger to quarterbacks of the blind side – that side in which he cannot see the defensive tackle coming. There is a sense in which all of us, like football quarterbacks, have a blind side. It is interesting to note that a person can be very rational and clearly see things in one area of life and still have a blind side in other areas. People are have a blind side in a variety of ways. In Matthew 9:27-34 we see two literally blind men that end up seeing, a demon possessed mute man that ends up speaking, and the Pharisees that end up blaspheming. Of the three, the Pharisees are in a worse condition. The old proverb says, “There is none so blind as those who will not see.” Are you blind?

There are some that are blind, but see very clearly. That is the case of these two blind men. “And when Jesus departed thence, two blind men followed him, crying, and saying, Thou Son of David, have mercy on us (Matthew 9:27).” These men could not see, but they had heard that Jesus could heal. Though they could not see, they recognized Jesus as the long awaited Messiah. Though they could not see, they believed. Faith sees even when the physical eyes are blind. And so it is with we who believe in Christ. “Whom having not seen, ye love; in whom, though now ye see him not, yet believing, ye rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory: Receiving the end of your faith, even the salvation of your souls (1 Peter 1:8-9).” Their blind side – their physical blindness – was not a hindrance to the eyes of faith. “So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God (Romans 10:17).” In their blindness they came to Jesus in faith and went away seeing. They did not allow their blind side (physical blindness) from seeing Jesus, the Messiah.

In Matthew 9:32 we are introduced to another man in need of Christ. “As they went out, behold, they brought to him a dumb man possessed with a devil (Matthew 9:32).” He was a mute (dumb in the old English), but he was not a mute by any physical limitation. He was mute because he was possessed by a demon. We are not told how this man was demonized. But we are told that there were some that cared for him enough that they brought him to Jesus. Although there were many that knew this man that were blind to him and his need, these that brought him to Jesus were not. They came to Jesus in faith on behalf of the man. In the presence of Christ this man was set free from the demon that possessed and silenced him. Silent no longer the mute spoke and the multitude glorified God for Jesus. “It was never so seen in Israel (Matthew 9:33).”

We come now to the Pharisees. “But the Pharisees said, He casteth out devils through the prince of the devils (Matthew 9:34).” If you were physically blind it would be a foolish thing for you to get behind the wheel of a car. Yet, the Pharisees are blind and didn't know it. They were blind and did something much more dangerous that getting behind the steering wheel of a car. They, in their blindness, blasphemed the Holy Spirit. This is the real unpardonable sin – attributing to Satan the works that the Holy Spirit performed by Jesus. “Wherefore I say unto you, All manner of sin and blasphemy shall be forgiven unto men: but the blasphemy against the Holy Ghost shall not be forgiven unto men (Matthew 12:31).” They had a blind side toward the Savior and accused Jesus of working for the Devil. They were condemned to remain in their blindness and die in their sins.

Of the three, the ones to be most pitied are the Pharisees. In their blindness these particular Pharisees lost their opportunity to repent and believe Christ Jesus. But you have the opportunity to repent and believe the gospel of Christ. I plead with you to repent and believe the good news. I pray God that He will open your eyes that you might truly see and your ears that you might really hear the gospel of Christ. And then, that Christ might dwell in your heart by faith. Repent and believe today.