ITW John's Gospel June. #25

FreedoFrom Blindness to Sight

As we inscribe John 8:45 through 9:6 this week, we’re moving through two distinct but beautifully connected scenes. In the first, we see Jesus continue His bold confrontation with the religious leaders. In the second, we see Him meet a blind man with compassion and healing.

What ties these two moments together is this: spiritual sight.
Who sees Jesus for who He truly is? And who refuses to see?

Jesus doesn’t just open physical eyes. He opens hearts.
Let’s explore the passage together and let it speak to ours.

Truth They Couldn’t Bear (John 8:45–59)

“Because I tell the truth, you do not believe me.” (v. 45)

Jesus is still speaking with the Pharisees. They claim to know the law, yet completely miss the One the law pointed to. So, He tells them the truth, and they reject it. They reject the truth not because it’s untrue, but because their hearts aren’t willing to receive it.

He says, “Whoever belongs to God hears what God says. The reason you do not hear is that you do not belong to God.”(v. 47)

Those are hard words, but they come from a place of truth and profound sorrow.
Jesus isn’t trying to win an argument. He’s exposing their hearts in hopes they might see and turn.

Then, in one of the most profound statements in all of Scripture, Jesus declares:
“Before Abraham was born, I AM!” (v. 58)

With those words, Jesus connects Himself directly to the divine name God gave Moses at the burning bush: I AM who I AM. (Exodus 3:14)

He isn’t just saying He existed before Abraham.
He’s claiming divinity.
He is Yahweh. He is the eternal, uncreated One.

And how do they respond?
They pick up stones.

It’s a sobering reminder: truth often divides.
Some hearts soften when Jesus speaks; others harden.

But Jesus doesn’t stop speaking.
And He doesn’t stop loving.

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