Now I See

A couple of months ago, because of cataracts, I was legally blind in my right eye and had limited vision in my left eye.

After successful surgery and new lenses in my eyes, I now have 20/20 vision for the first time since I was 6 years old! What a miracle!

White is no longer a creamish color, the sun is really bright, and everything looks more alive! I was blind but now I see! Did I already say that it’s a miracle?

In John 9, on the Sabbath, Jesus and his disciples encounter a man born blind.

If you remember the story, the disciples ask if he or his parents had sinned that this happened to him. Jesus responds by saying,

“Neither this man nor his parents sinned,” said Jesus, “but this happened so that the works of God might be displayed in him.”

- John 9:3

Then Jesus spit on the ground and made some mud with his saliva and spread it on the blind man’s eyes. He told him to wash in the Pool of Siloam and his sight would be restored. Of course, Jesus was right and the man could see. When you’ve been blind and you suddenly can see, word gets around! The next thing you know, the Pharisees are there to investigate.

As the formerly blind man tells what happened, he says “the man called Jesus” put mud on him and after his sight was restored, verse 17 says: Then 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.”

Of course, now the Pharisees are even more upset. Who is this Jesus who heals on the Sabbath? They try to get the young man’s parents to explain and they send them right back to their son who is of age to answer for himself. Now comes my favorite part in verses 24 and 25:

A second time they summoned the man who had been blind. “Give glory to God by telling the truth,” 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: 24-25 (emphasis added)

I once was blind but now I see! The Pharisees threw the man out and Jesus found him shortly after:

Jesus heard that they had thrown him out, and when he found him, he said, “Do you believe in the Son of Man?” “Who is he, sir?” the man asked. “Tell me so that I may believe in him.” Jesus said, “You have now seen him; in fact, he is the one speaking with you.” Then the man said, “Lord, I believe,” and he worshiped him.

- John 9:35-38 (emphasis added)

There are a few observations from this passage I’d like us to think about. First, the formerly blind man calls Jesus a man. When questioned more intently by the Pharisees about what occurred, he calls him a Prophet. But after Jesus finds him later, he learns Jesus is the Son of Man and calls him Lord.

That same question is one we need to answer. Who is Jesus to you? A man, a prophet or the Lord? Your answer to that question will determine how you go through your day! My prayer is that you KNOW Jesus as Lord!

Pastor Pam

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