Nearly every Christmas movie and special reaches its climax with a declaration “that’s what Christmas is all about.” Multiple times in the gospel of John Jesus clearly says what Christmas was all about. Last week, Jesus explained He had come to do the Father’s will, resulting in salvation, preservation and glorification for us. This week, Jesus says He came for judgment. Let’s dig into what that means.
Judgment between the seeing and the blind
Chapter 9 records the miracle of Jesus healing the man born blind and the confrontation with religious leaders that resulted. His pronouncement comes near the end of the conversation, where He explains He came so that those who realize they are blind can receive sight while those who think they can see become even more blind.
Of course, Jesus is using physical blindness as a metaphor for spiritual blindness. As the religious establishment rejects Jesus, the judgment leveled against them is that they become more and more blind to the truth of His identity and purpose. It’s not unlike when Pharoah chose to harden his heart against God and His messengers, God’s judgment was to harden His heart even more.
The gift for us – spiritual sight and understanding.
One commentator called Christ’s coming a “spiritual moment of truth.” Jesus brings us the opportunity to see ourselves for what we are – sinners in need of a savior. But then He doesn’t just leave us with that realization. Earlier in the gospel of John, Jesus says, “For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him” (John 3:17). Jesus was sent to offer us a way out, a cure for our blindness. It’s freely available to anyone — to the world — but rejection of that free offer leaves us exactly where we started, that is, under God’s judgment as sinners.
So what’s Christmas all about? Jesus says it’s about understanding that we are in a predicament, a serious one. But He has the remedy and it’s available for anyone who wants it. But He won’t force it. If we prefer blindness and judgment, He’ll leave us to it.