Title: To Give Sight and to Blind (a purpose of the Lord's First Coming)

Topic: First Coming

Summary: We look at a puzzling statement Jesus made about why he came into this world. Giving sight is a great goal, but what did he mean that he came that those who see may be made blind (John 9:39)?

Use the reference links below to follow along in the Bible as you watch.

References:
John 9:39, 5, 16, 21, 25, 38-39, 41
Genesis 19:11
Deuteronomy 28:28, 34, 67
2 Kings 6:17-18
Psalms 69:20-23; 146:8-9
Isaiah 6:9-10; 29:9; 43:8-11; 36:10
Zephaniah 1:17-18
Zechariah 12:4
Matthew 4:16; 15:10-14; 22:46; 23:16, 24, 26, 33, 37
John 3:3, 16, 18-21
Acts of the Apostles 9:9
1 John 5:20; 2:10-11

2326. 'And he rose up to meet them' means acknowledgement, and also a feeling of charity. This becomes clear from the fact that Lot acknowledged that they were angels the moment they arrived; but the men of Sodom did not do so - of whom it is recorded in verse 5, 'They cried out to Lot and said, Where are the men who came to you in the night? Bring them out to us-that we may know them'. In the internal sense the words of the present verse mean that those inside the Church with whom the good of charity exists acknowledge the Lord's Divine Human and His Holy proceeding meant by 'the two angels'; but those with whom the good of charity does not exist do not acknowledge them. That the same words also embody a feeling of charity is also clear from the fact that Lot, who represents those with whom the good of charity exists - indeed 'Lot' means good itself that stems from charity - invited the two angels into his house.