21 Day Experiment-Day 9

Blind. The man had been born blind. Just imagine.  He had never seen daylight. Never looked at his own hands. Never gazed upon his parents’ faces.

We can tell from the account in today’s reading of John 9 that the man had never even heard of Jesus.  And yet, he would soon have a dramatic encounter with this controversial Rabbi.

When they saw the blind man, Jesus’ disciples asked a probing question: “Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?” “Neither this man nor his parents sinned,” said 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 whether our pain is payback for some sin. Maybe we’ve agonized in prayer. But for whatever reason, the answer just hasn’t come…at least not yet.

Jesus assured His followers 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 then healed the man—an astounding miracle that resulted in a show of God’s mighty power to the onlookers! Once again, the Pharisees were furious and eager to accuse Jesus. “This man is not from God, for He does not keep the Sabbath.”

They repeatedly interrogated the blind man, pressuring him to discredit Jesus. The man’s short but powerful answer 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).

The man’s response got him kicked out of the synagogue. But his time of testing became his “testimony.” Courage compelled him to take a stand for Jesus.

Maybe you’re like this man. You may not know everything 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.

Dare to pray now and ask God if there is someone in your life who needs to hear your story? Don’t forget to be alert and ready to speak the truth when your opportunity knocks!