by Marilynn Chadwick
One thing I do know. I was blind, but now I see! John 9:25 (NIV)
The man had been born blind. Just imagine. He had never seen daylight, his own hands, or his parents' faces. We can tell from today's reading of John 9 that the man had never even heard of Jesus. And yet, he was about to experience a dramatic encounter with this controversial Rabbi.
When they first noticed the blind man, Jesus's disciples asked this question: “Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?" “Neither this man nor his parents sinned,” answered Jesus, “but this happened so that the works of God might be displayed in him" (John 9:1-3).
When life hits hard, we may wonder if our pain is payback for some unknown sin. We've agonized in prayer, but for whatever reason, the answers just haven’t come...yet. Jesus assures his listeners in these verses that it wasn’t the man or his parents' sin that caused the blindness. Rather, it happened, “so that the work of God might be displayed in his life." Jesus healed the man—an astounding miracle that resulted in yet another demonstration of God’s mighty power to the incredulous onlookers.
Once again, the Pharisees were eager to accuse Jesus. "This man is not from God, for he does not keep the Sabbath” (John 9:16). They aggressively interrogated the previously blind man, intent on coercing him to discredit Jesus.
The man's short but powerful comeback is one of the most eloquent testimonies in Scripture and my watchword for today. "Whether he is a sinner or not, I don't know. One thing I do know. I was blind but now I see!" (John 9:25). His response got him kicked out of the synagogue. But guess what? His time of testing became his testimony. Courage compelled the man to take a stand for Jesus and for truth. A fitting challenge for us in a turbulent world that often feels like it has lost its way.
Friend, maybe you’re just a beginner in your faith. You may not know all there is to know about Jesus. You may not even know how to answer your critics. But if you have experienced the saving, healing mercy of Jesus, you know the One you have encountered. You know that you were "blind" but now you "see." And you know his Word is true. Perhaps your time of testing can also become your testimony.
Would you dare to pray now and ask God if there is someone in your life today who is spiritually blind and needs to hear your story? And don't forget to be alert and watchful so you'll be ready to speak the truth when your opportunity knocks!