Being spiritually blind is something we are unaware of, but it affects our daily lives. As Jesus hung on the cross, we are confronted with His incredible compassion and the lack of concern of the Roman soldiers. Luke 23:34 Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they don’t know what they are doing.” And the soldiers gambled for his clothes by throwing dice.[1]
The Roman soldiers customarily would divide up the clothing of the crucified among themselves. As they cast lots, they fulfilled prophecy. Psalm 22: 18 They divide my garments among themselves and throw dice for my clothing. [2]
When we are spiritually blind, we are unaware of what God is doing around us and don’t care. The soldiers in this hour may not have cared about Jesus, but He cared about them. This is a love that is hard for us to comprehend.
We are All Born Blind
As wonderful babies are when they are born, they don’t come into this world as people of faith. Psalm 51:5For I was born a sinner— yes, from the moment my mother conceived me. [3] As we meditate on this verse, it makes it clear that we all were sinners at conception. We all need to be saved and place our faith in Jesus, who opens our eyes.
If you are spiritually blind, you can hear the truth but can’t see what it means. The spiritually blind cannot see the big picture of salvation and how it could apply to their life. A blind person needs more than light to see; they need sight.
My wife and I visited Mammoth Cave in Kentucky a few years ago and for part of the tour, they turned the lights out, and you could not see anything. No matter how good your eyesight is, you cannot see without light. In a spiritual sense, Jesus is the light. Only He can open the eyes of the spiritually blind.
God Can Open Our Eyes in an Instant
One of the greatest miracles on the day of Jesus’ crucifixion took place among the Roman soldiers who executed Jesus. Matthew 27:54 The Roman officer and the other soldiers at the crucifixion were terrified by the earthquake and all that had happened. They said, “This man truly was the Son of God!” [4]
At the cross, the repentant thief and the Roman soldiers seemed transformed as they observed Jesus’ actions. Did the Lord open the eyes of the Roman soldiers to become people of faith? The text does not say, but in God’s mercy, He opens the eyes of the most unlikely people. The thief that repented was hurling insults at Jesus before his eyes were opened. If you have never placed your faith in Jesus as your Savior, He is calling you to faith as you read this. Turn to Him confessing your sins, and He will open your spiritual eyes.
To learn about being spiritually blind, listen here:
https://podpoint.com/light-of-christ-church-podcast/the-ultimate-sacrifice
[1-4] Tyndale House Publishers. (2015). Holy Bible: New Living Translation. Tyndale House Publishers.