Jesus healed a man born blind. He sat at the temple begging. All he looked forward to was someone giving him money. Then Jesus came by. He spat on the ground, gathered up some mud and put it on the man’s eyes. He told him to go to the pool of Siloam and wash. When he did the blindness washed away too.
John 9: 24 Then again called they the man that was blind, and said unto him, Give God the praise: we know that this man is a sinner. 25 He answered and said, Whether he be a sinner or no, I know not: one thing I know, that, whereas I was blind, now I see. 26 Then said they to him again, What did he to thee? how opened he thine eyes? 27 He answered them, I have told you already, and ye did not hear: wherefore would ye hear it again? will ye also be his disciples? 28 Then they reviled him, and said, Thou art his disciple; but we are Moses’ disciples. 29 We know that God spake unto Moses: as for this fellow, we know not from whence he is. 30 The man answered and said unto them, Why herein is a marvellous thing, that ye know not from whence he is, and yet he hath opened mine eyes. 31 Now we know that God heareth not sinners: but if any man be a worshipper of God, and doeth his will, him he heareth. 32 Since the world began was it not heard that any man opened the eyes of one that was born blind. 33 If this man were not of God, he could do nothing. 34 They answered and said unto him, Thou wast altogether born in sins, and dost thou teach us? And they cast him out. 35 Jesus heard that they had cast him out; and when he had found him, he said unto him, Dost thou believe on the Son of God? 36 He answered and said, Who is he, Lord, that I might believe on him? 37 And Jesus said unto him, Thou hast both seen him, and it is he that talketh with thee. 38 And he said, Lord, I believe. And he worshipped him.
This man made a statement. This is a marvellous thing, that ye know not from whence he is, and yet he hath opened mine eyes. This man’s problems didn’t end when he met Jesus. His blindness was gone. It was the first time he saw what people of sight take for granted. The best he could do was being a beggar. We once were blinded by sin and our human nature. The man said he went to the pool blind and came back seeing. When Jesus did what he did, the man obeyed and received his sight. We can relate. One-time children of darkness, we are now in the light. Jesus came for this man. He could have done the same for everyone healing them of a greater blindness if they had but believed.
When the people asked this man about what happened, he spoke the truth. He wanted them to know Jesus too. I’m glad someone won me to the Lord. Our testimony shouldn’t be less than this man’s. The people said ‘is this really that old beggar? It looks like him but something is different.’ They noticed more than just his eyesight. He had seen someone who changed him inside out. His sight was opened both inside and out.
How many times has the Lord protected? How many times has he guided us when all other advice was no good? I’m glad our Savior doesn’t need a teleprompter to know what to say and do. We shouldn’t need one either to tell what he’s done. Use what you know. Don’t be ashamed of what he’s done. This man could see how pretty everything was. We once were blind but now we see. The blessing of God’s grace and being a child of God is all we need to get through.
Nobody knew what to do. They were perplexed. He was enjoying the blessing of a sighted life. We should be thankful every day we live that it’s a day of sight. Elisha’s servant saw the armies of heaven after his eyes were opened to see what he couldn’t see at first. Even in these days of fear and darkness we don’t have to be afraid. Be faithful to the Light.
The man was just beginning to enjoy this when others started sailing into him about what happened. Don’t put a lid on it and hide what God has done. Turn up the heat; get the pot boiling. God has given us a testimony that can move things. The devil tells us we’ve messed up by getting saved. The first time I did something right was accepting Jesus. If our life doesn’t make the devil mad there is something lacking in our relationship with God. How many of us were on the verge of giving up until Jesus came by? The others were against Jesus. He was still around the temple. He’s still here for us. He’ll be around tomorrow. Don’t focus on the burdens. Focus on Jesus. The man didn’t have all the answers but he said he knew one thing for sure. He once was blind but now he could see.
The Pharisees got puffed up asking again. He said I have told you already, and ye did not hear: wherefore would ye hear it again? will ye also be his disciples? They didn’t listen the first time. Did they need to hear it again? Did they want more, maybe to be his disciples too? He was willing to help them find Jesus. We need that kind of courage. The Pharisees bragged they were disciples of Moses not this man. Today people will follow anything fake and reject the truth. All religion offers can’t compare to what Jesus gives. If someone turns up their nose because you follow Jesus, take it as a compliment.
The man knew Jesus came from God. He had done a marvelous thing. He stood his ground because he knew he could see now. Since the world began was it not heard that any man opened the eyes of one that was born blind. If this man were not of God, he could do nothing. In his mind common sense should have told them this man was from God. Are you convinced that Jesus is the son of God? He’s proven himself time and again. This made the Pharisees mad and they cast him out of the temple. Jesus found him. If the world and society kicks us out, so what? A real, genuine follower of Christ is looked at like he or she is crazy. Don’t worry. Jesus will find you.
Jesus asked him if he believed on the son of God. The man said who is he, Lord, that I might believe on him? Jesus said, thou hast both seen him, and it is he that talketh with thee. And he said, Lord, I believe. And he worshipped him. It doesn’t matter what others say or think. Remember when you’re outcast, Jesus will find you. I’d rather be at his feet any day. Jesus is at his position at the right hand of the Father. Nothing has to stop us from continuing on in our sight. Once blind. Now we see. He shines the light to show us the way to glory.
Let this once-blind man’s testimony be yours. I once was blind but now I see.
Adwolfe Freewill Baptist Church 