“This happened so that the works of God might be displayed in him.” John 9:3
“One thing I do know. I was blind but now I see!” John 9:25
“The Pharisees asked him, ‘What did he do to you? How did he open your eyes?’” John 9:26
“Jesus said, ‘You have now seen [the Son of Man]; in fact, he is the one speaking with you.’ Then the man said, ‘Lord, I believe,’ and he worshiped him.” John 9:37-38
The eighth chapter of John records one of Jesus’ “I am” statements revealing his divinity to the people. He spoke to the crowd saying, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness but will have the light of life” (John 8:12). This truth is immediately challenged by the Jewish leaders who associated Light with God. From the Genesis creation story to the pillar of fire in Exodus to the dedication of the Temple, light represents God’s glory. The Pharisees were blind to the truth of the Lord Jesus and rejected his testimony.
Jesus, the Light of the world, had an immediate answer for their unbelief. To display God’s glory, Jesus saw a blind man and restored him from physical blindness to sight and from spiritual blindness to faith.
Throughout this miraculous healing story recorded in John 9, we hear the simple testimony of the blind man grow. When given multiple times to testify to the light-giving miracle, his faith increases from simple fact-giving to worship.
He simply tells his story. I am the man who used to sit and beg, but the man they call Jesus put mud on my eyes and told me to go wash, so I washed, and now I see (vs. 9-11)! As the Pharisees continue to question the blind man even hurling insults at him, his story remains unchanged, and he speaks even deeper truths of Jesus. He testified saying Jesus is a prophet (vs. 17) and does the will of God (vs. 31). At this, he is rejected by the blind Pharisees.
Outside of the synagogue, Jesus found the man, and said to him, “Do you believe in the Son of Man?” Then, having seen Jesus with his own eyes, he believes and worships him.
Who is Jesus to you? What is the story of your encounter with Jesus? Do your eyes see Him from your tradition’s perspective or has your faith become sight? Does your faith grow as you recount the wonderful things he has done for you?
Prayer: Thank you Jesus for seeing me in my darkness and troubles. Thank you for loving me so much that you did not leave me spiritually blind but reached out and touched my eyes and gave me eyes of faith. May I tell of your wonderful acts and declare your Glory! In Jesus’ name, Amen.
