Spiritually Blind

And He sent away the multitude, got into the boat, and came to the region of Magdala. Then the Pharisees and Sadducees came, and testing Him asked that He would show them a sign from heaven (Matthew 15:39 - 16:1).

I use to be angry with the Pharisees, Scribes, and Sadducees for their hateful treatment of Jesus Christ, their persistent religious hypocrisy, and their disdain for the common people who looked to them for spiritual guidance, but got none. I’m still angry at them, but I pity them now more than anything else. I am angry at those today who are like them - the ‘religious ‘elite’, the ‘spiritual charlatans’, the ‘Christ-less Christians’. I am angry at them for bringing shame upon the name of Jesus Christ, for hindering His Kingdom on earth, and for what they are doing to the people who look to them for spiritual guidance, but get none. I also pity them for what they are and for Whom they will ultimately face when they breathe their last breath here.

I have no doubt that the biblical Pharisees, Scribes, and Sadducees, and the ones we have today, are spiritually blind. They cannot see Jesus Christ for who He truly is, they cannot see themselves for who they truly are, and they cannot see the damage they are doing to the Kingdom, the church, and the lives of those who follow them.

John MacArthur lists three things that contribute to man’s spiritual blindness: 1) personal sin, 2) the power of Satan, and 3) God’s judgment. There is no question that people love their sin and sinfulness. If they didn’t, we wouldn’t be in the mess we’re in, and we wouldn’t be heading toward self-destruction at the pace we’re going. And this is the condemnation, that the light has come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil. For everyone practicing evil hates the light and does not come to the light, lest his deeds should be exposed (John 3:19-20). 

There is no question that Satan is the lord and god of the multitudes. But even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing, whose minds the god of this age has blinded, who do not believe, lest the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine on them (2 Corinthians 4:3-4). And there is no question that God's judgment is upon us for yielding to Satan and saying ‘yes’ to sin. For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who suppress the truth in unrighteousness, because what may be known of God is manifest in them, for God has shown it to them. For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead, so that they are without excuse, because, although they knew God, they did not glorify Him as God, nor were thankful, but became futile in their thoughts, and their foolish hearts were darkened. Professing to be wise, they became fools, and changed the glory of the incorruptible God into an image made like corruptible man—and birds and four-footed animals and creeping things (Romans 1:18-21).

“Lord, save us from spiritual blindness and let us see Jesus again! Amen.”

Pastor