In John 9 we have the story of Jesus’ personal ministry to a man who was born blind. Jesus reached out to this man and gave him his sight. For the first time in his life, he was able to see and experience life in beautiful images and color. Jesus gave this man access to a world he had never known before!
The man was obviously thrilled about his healing. In addition, all his family, friends and neighbors were amazed. This was a different man! They wanted to know how this miracle happened. The man told them that Jesus had done this for him.
When the Pharisees (the religious leaders of the day) heard that the man was giving glory, honor and credit to Jesus, they became quite concerned. They didn’t want anything to diminish or undermine their role and prestige in the minds of people. These small-minded, ritual-oriented men began interrogating the man who had been healed by the Lord. Instead of celebrating his healing, their goal was to discredit Jesus. Strangely, instead of rejoicing in a man’s new found life, they were only interested in protecting their own image and religious turf.
As a part of their questioning, they asked the man how he had received his sight. He once again pointed to Jesus as the miracle worker. The response of the Pharisees was to accuse Jesus of being a sinner because He performed this miracle on the Sabbath.
After continued discussion and debate about this miracle, these religious leaders eventually asked the man his opinion about Jesus. The man’s response was wise, powerful and applicable to us. Take a look at this portion of the story:
“Finally they turned again to the blind man, ‘What have you to say about him? It was your eyes he opened.’ The man replied, ‘He is a prophet.’ The Jews still did not believe that he had been blind and had received his sight until they sent for the man’s parents. ’Is this your son?’ they asked. ’Is this the one you say was born blind? How is it that now he can see?’ ’We know he is our son,’ the parents answered, ‘and we know he was born blind. But how he can see now, or who opened his eyes, we don’t know. Ask him. He is of age; he will speak for himself.’ His parents said this because they were afraid of the Jews, for already the Jews had decided that anyone who acknowledged that Jesus was the Christ would be put out of the synagogue … A second time they summoned the man who had been blind. ’Give glory to God,’ they said. ’We know this man is a sinner.’ He replied, ‘Whether he is a sinner or not, I don’t know. One thing I do know. I was blind but now I see!’” – John 9:17-25
In the face of all the commotion and protest about his healing, the man cut to the bottom line. There were many things he did not know, but there was one thing he was absolutely sure of. Once he was blind and now he was able to see, and the One who made this possible was Jesus!
What is the application of this passage for us? There are many, but let’s look at 2 key thoughts:
- Jesus wants to do something in each of us that opens our eyes to a world we have never known before!
- The most effective testimony of Jesus’ power we can communicate to others is a changed life!
Ask Jesus to open your spiritual eyes to a new world you have never known before — the beautiful world of His Word and will. Let Him change your life in such a wonderful way that your transformation will be a unmistakable testimony to His greatness and power!
Pastor Dale
I was recently reviewing an old devotional book that I read from time to time. The author made a brief reference to a passage of Scripture where the Apostle Paul mentioned three of his ministry helpers, Aristarchus, Mark and Justus. Look at what he said about them:
