Blind people

When it comes to accessing published material, blind people have never had it so good - I know: I’m blind. This is especially so for those who are tech-savvy but even those of us who are less digitally tuned-in are better catered for than in earlier decades. When putting out written information, many organisations and publishers offer a choice of ‘accessible formats’ to meet the individual’s need. These are braille, large print and audio.

When we stop to consider, we all know that good visual perception is a wonderful thing and ought to be treasured whilst we have it. Picking up on this, Jesus applies it to our inner (spiritual) lives, by warning that there are none as blind as those who think they can see when in fact they can’t! He says that, by nature, men and women are born spiritually blind, unable to see the true God. As with physically blind people, the term ‘blind’ doesn’t necessarily mean no sight whatsoever, but severely incomplete, distorted or very inadequate vision.

When it comes to seeing God, people look for ‘accessible formats’. These may include seeing God in creation, in religion, in a specific denomination or in a particular teaching.

I have no doubt that creation portrays the wisdom and power of God, and that a few religions show something of the holiness or ‘otherness’ of God. Denominations and specific teachings can emphasise a particular aspect about God which can be helpful (though there is the danger of developing tunnel vision here). However, none of these ‘accessible formats’ are adequate in themselves for us to see the true God as he desires us to see him. So God sent Jesus to introduce us to himself.

Jesus Christ stands at the centre of history and declares himself to be our sole access to the true God. “I am the gate; the way; the truth. I and the Father are one. No one comes to the Father except through me.” Jesus was not a syncretist; he did not teach that alternative religions were simply complementary ways of meeting God. He said that concerning God there is for us only one ‘accessible format’ and that he is it. This is the challenge that Jesus faces us with: to believe him or not.