As we read through the books of Matthew, Mark, Luke and John, we often imagine what it must have been like to be there when all of those events were transpiring. What would it have been like to see that water transformed into grape juice? To see that man infirmed for 38 years to stand up, pick up his bed and walk? To see the five loaves and two fish multiply and multiply and multiply to feed 5,000 men (plus women and children), and to see the disciples collect twelve baskets of leftovers? To see that blind man behold the beauties of God’s power and creation for the first time in his life?
Imagine being there. Imagine seeing all of these things. Then, imagine someone coming to you and saying, “Do you see what I see?” “Of course, I see what you see! What do you mean, ‘Do I see what you see?’ How could I possibly not see what you see? Everybody is seeing this, aren’t they?”
Sadly, there are some who “seeing they do not see” (Matt. 13:13). As God told Isaiah regarding these kind of people, “Go, and tell this people: ‘Keep on hearing, but do not understand; Keep on seeing, but do not perceive’” (Isa. 6:9). They have willfully chosen to close their eyes and not see. They have willfully chosen to blind themselves to the truth.
Even a matter that may be clearly seen to one person may be obscured to another. It has nothing to do with the validity of the matter under observation; it has everything to do with the hearts of the observers. At the end of John 9, Jesus spoke to some Pharisees, who had clearly seen the blind man receive sight and repeatedly heard his plain testimony of what had transpired. Yet, Jesus declared that these individuals were actually blind, for they had adamantly rejected Jesus’ teachings and signs. The Pharisees still insisted, “We see” (John 9:39-41). But, seeing they did not see!
Think about this in relationship to us today. Is it possible that we, too, can actually think that “we see” the truth but be blind? Jesus indicated that such would be perpetually possible, when He asked, “But why do you call Me ‘Lord, Lord,’ and do not do the things which I say?” (Luke 6:46). To verbally call Jesus “Lord” or “Savior” (as if one sees Him) but to disregard or disobey His commands (as if one does not see Him) is to be blind spiritually.
Here is an interesting test. Read some simple verses about baptism’s place in God’s plan salvation (like Mark 16:16; Acts 2:38; Acts 22:16; Galatians 3:27; 1 Peter 3:21). Read them as if seeing them for the first time. Then, imagine Jesus coming to you and saying, “Do you see what I see?”