You’ve probably heard the phrase, “Seeing is believing.” But sometimes those who see (like the Pharisees) don’t believe, and those who are blind (like the beggar) come to believe.

Optical illusions are a fun way to prove that just because you’re looking at something doesn’t mean you really see it. Our eyes can deceive us.

In John 9, Jesus confronts those who assume they’re seeing clearly, but are actually blind to the truth standing right in front of them.

And that kind of blindness isn’t just a first-century problem. It’s still here. We can be blind to the truth about Jesus. And we can be blind to the truth about ourselves — who we are without him.