John 9:41

“Let me put it to you this way,” Jesus tells them, “It you are truly blind, you would be above reproach in this matter; but the fact that in spite of your question you are convinced you see perfectly…well, in that case, your sin and guilt remain.” John 9:41 EFP 

Jesus’ reply is simple and to the point. He does not beat around the bush. There is no better way for him to confront the willful blindness of this group of religious leaders. In short, there is no offense taken if they are actually blind, which they are not. But given the fact they are sighted, then their unwillingness to see is their indictment.

Jesus uses the term “your guilt remains” to address their precarious situation. Their guilt remains because they choose not to see. They choose not to see because they would rather protect their personal interests than allow for the possibility that Jesus is truly who he says he is. By doing so they cling to their sin to the point that they no longer consider it sin, rather they see their actions as righteous, thus they have nothing to confess—and as a consequence their guilt remains.

This is the danger I face daily in my search for truth. I must be willing to be open to what God is telling me through his word. The fact that I have been blessed with precious truths in my community of faith does not mean that I will never learn more or never uncover new insights into the heart of Jesus and about the will of God for me. If I cling to what I have always known because it requires less theological discomfort or doctrinal upheaval, then I may be falling victim to the same ailment of the religious leaders of Jesus’ time. God is leading all those who are willing to be led—to truth. I must continue to search for truth and never reach a point this side of heaven where I feel as if I have arrived at ultimate truth. God is too great to be totally understood by finite human minds. My journey continues until I see God face to face. And then it gets even more exciting!