He therefore answered, “I don’t know if he is a sinner. One thing I do know: that though I was blind, now I see.” John 9:25 WEB
Man exists in a natural state of sinfulness. The bible tells us in Romans 3:23, “for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God. KJV” Of course, consequences follow sinful acts. For this reason, many religious people think that all of the negative circumstances of life result from transgressions against the laws of God.
Chapter nine of the Book of John opens with Jesus and his disciples encountering a man who had been blind since birth. In confusion, the disciples ask the Lord who sinned and caused the man’s blindness. They wanted to know, was it the man himself or his parents?
Jesus responded that neither he nor his parents sinned to cause his blindness. Instead, Christ asserted that the purpose of his blindness was to reveal the glory of God. He then healed the man. The Lord made a mud paste and placed it on the man’s eyes and instructed him to go and wash in the pool at Siloam. After washing, he could see.
When the man returned, his healing astonished his neighbors. They questioned him about the restoration of his sight and took him to the religious leaders of the day. The Pharisees interviewed the man divided as to what to think about the matter. Some asserted that Jesus was not a man of God because he violated the law by working on the Sabbath. Others wondered how a sinner could perform a miracle like this.
Though I Was Blind
Considering the healing a deception, the Pharisees questioned the man’s parents who affirmed that he was born blind. Baffled, the religious leaders interrogated the man a second time, continuing to call Jesus a sinner. In response to their questions, the man gives his famous testimony, “I don’t know if he is a sinner. One thing I do know: that though I was blind, now I see. WEB”
The light of the world, Jesus Christ, opened the man’s eyes. Light is a metaphor for the goodness and mercy of God. The story demonstrates the life changing moment of an individual encounter with Christ. Since that day, everyone transformed by the gospel message testifies to the overwhelming and eye-opening impact of Jesus in their lives.
Prayer: “Father God, thank you for your mercy. Thank you for the testimony of your holy word. You’ve opened my eyes to the truth. Now I see. Help me to endure the difficulties of this world and to clearly see the glory of your holy kingdom. In Jesus’ name – Amen.”
Yesterday’s Devotional: Have Faith in God
