Now I See!

Once I was blind, but now I see. What a testimony the man who was formerly blind had before the religious leaders and the people of his day. The Pharisees did not realize that their real problem had to do with spiritual blindness, which certainly shows the irony of their actions toward this man.

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.
(John 9:24-29, King James Version)

Once I Was Blind

I marvel at the persistence of the Pharisees. They were unable to get the parents of the blind man to acknowledge that Jesus was a sinner, so now they are back with the man who was born blind, saying, Give God the praise: we know that this man is a sinner.

I love the response, Whether he be a sinner or no, I know not: one thing I know, that, whereas I was blind, now I see.

Still, the religious leaders persisted, asking him again how Jesus had opened his eyes. Now the man was becoming frustrated, and replied in jest, I have told you already, and ye did not hear: wherefore would ye hear it again? will ye also be his disciples?

The conclusion of the religious leaders was, We know that God spake unto Moses: as for this fellow, we know not from whence he is.

What a time for the people of that day! Even those who were healed by Jesus were immediately suspect. Again I am amazed at the blindness of the blind! Perhaps you have experienced the same thing when speaking to others about Christ.

I think it is worthy to note, that though Jesus often spoke harshly to the religious leaders of that day, he was ever so patient and gentle with the common people. It is a good lesson to us, to be patient with our friends and neighbors, and pray that our consistent testimony before them will draw them to the Savior.

It is also important to remember that our "success" as a Christian is not dependent upon the amount of people we "lead to Christ." Even in Jesus time, when people were in the very presence of the God Man, many remained in their blind stupor. Our success as a Christian is dependent upon our heart relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ.

I pray, today, that your testimony before the Lord is, "Once I Was Blind; Now I see!

To God, alone, be the glory!