was blind but now i see

The last two weeks I have had the same lesson in Sunday School: John chapter 9. It's about Christ healing a blind man. It's a great chapter and is full of lots of great little tidbits and insights into the Savior and how we can apply his teachings into our own lives.

The man who was healed was blind from birth. Christ saw the man as he was walking past him and stopped. In those days it was assumed that if someone had a disability that his or her parents must have done something wrong to have deserved the punishment of a child born with the disability. Christ's disciples asked Him if the blind man or the blind man's parents had sinned in order for the man to be blind. Christ answered them and told them that the disability was not given because of any sin that was committed. What I found interesting, and what was pointed out in today's recounting of this story, was that Christ healed the man, but the man had no idea that he was going to be healed.

Verse 6 and 7 say, "When he had thus spoken he spat on the ground, and made clay of the spittle, and he anointed the eyes of the blind man with the clay, And said unto him, Go, wash in the pool of Siloam...He went his way therefore, and washed, and came seeing."

All that Christ told the man to do was to go wash the clay off in the river. He didn't say, "Go wash and after you do you'll get your sight back." I found this particular point very interesting. Oftentimes it is not until after we have shown our obedience to a principle or commandment that we are given a blessing. We don't know what the blessing is going to be, or even if there is going to be one, but having faith and showing Heavenly Father our willingness to obey makes us worthy to receive whatever blessing He chooses to bestow.

The man goes on to tell people about what happened to him, bearing his testimony about Christ. The more he bears his testimony, the stronger it grows. Verse 25, "He answered and said, Whether he be a sinner or no, I know not: one thing I know, that, whereas I was blind, now I see."

As I was sitting in Sunday School today, reading through this chapter again, I couldn't help but think of my favorite song: Amazing Grace. That song never fails to bring me to tears whenever I hear or sing it and echoes my own testimony of the Savior. I know Christ lives. I know he came and performed miracles like restoring sight to the blind man. But more than physical sight he is able to bring spiritual sight if you are willing to accept Him. I know that after our obedience blessings come. When we act in faith, Christ's light takes away the darkness of uncertainty. I am grateful for my Savior and for the atoning sacrifice he made on my behalf. I know he died and was resurrected so that we can overcome physical and spiritual death.

Amazing Grace

Amazing Grace, how sweet the sound,
That saved a wretch like me.
I once was lost but now am found,
Was blind, but now I see.

T'was Grace that taught my heart to fear.
And Grace, my fears relieved.
How precious did that Grace appear
The hour I first believed.

Through many dangers, toils and snares
I have already come;
'Tis Grace that brought me safe thus far
and Grace will lead me home.

The Lord has promised good to me.
His word my hope secures.
He will my shield and portion be,
As long as life endures.

Yea, when this flesh and heart shall fail,
And mortal life shall cease,
I shall possess within the veil,
A life of joy and peace.

When we've been here ten thousand years
Bright shining as the sun.
We've no less days to sing God's praise
Than when we've first begun.

Amazing Grace, how sweet the sound,
That saved a wretch like me.
I once was lost but now am found,
Was blind, but now I see.