John 9:18-25

John 9:18-25 The Jews still did not believe that he had been blind and had received his sight until they sent for the man’s parents. “Is this your son?” they asked. “Is this the one you say was born blind? How is it that now he can see?” “We know he is our son,” the parents answered, “and we know he was born blind. But how he can see now, or who opened his eyes, we don’t know. Ask him. He is of age; he will speak for himself.” His parents said this because they were afraid of the Jews, for already the Jews had decided that anyone who acknowledged that Jesus was the Christ would be put out of the synagogue. That was why his parents said, “He is of age; ask him.” A second time they summoned the man who had been blind. “Give glory to God,” 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!”

One thing I do know. I was blind but now I see! This verse is one of the best known verses in the Bible. Metaphorically, it reveals the testimony of every Christian. When we were blinded by the darkness, unable to see or to find real life, Jesus, the light of heaven, shines upon our lives, touches us, and the scales drop from our eyes. When He comes to us, suddenly He heals us and makes all things new that we might see clearly and understand God's purposes for our lives. No longer captives to the dictates of this world, Christ sets us free to serve the Father, to take up the cross, to die to ourselves, and to live unto him. Our fleshly senses no longer determine meaning for our lives; we no longer live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God. (Matthew 4:4) No longer sightless pilgrims slogging along in the mud of futile self-righteousness, we stand as the blood-bought children of the most-high and only true God, wearing royal robes of righteousness, won for us on the cross of Calvary through the complete sacrifice of Christ our Redeemer, Lord, and King. As the newly born and recently alive children of God, we may not fully comprehend our inheritance; but we believe the Word and stand upon the promises of God because we know one thing: I was blind but now I see!

The unredeemed reject the testimony of a new Christian who tries to share a miracle. They disaffirm, isolate, and even mock the person with a vibrant faith in God. In radical non-Chrisitian countries, people who convert to Christianity or attempt to share their beliefs face imprisonment or death for their actions. But it is hard to suppress or to eradicate those who were blind and now can see. They are a stubborn and dedicated lot. They have radio programs, underground churches, and Bibles to pass from one person to another. Their voices of praise rise in unison across the face of this earth. New creatures in Christ are an infectious disease, bringing unstoppable molecules of light to every corner of darkness. With believers popping up here and there and praying everywhere, people cannot live their decadent and depraved lives without feeling pangs of guilt and the power of conviction. With Christians present, their sinful lifestyles are challenged by the law of contrasts. Believers need not say a word: their mere presence tells the world there is a better more excellent way to live because the presence of the Holy Spirit within them shines through and testifies of Christ. The world is hell bent on destruction, self-indulgence, and the exploitation of others. Dedicated Christians are fully committed to restoration, healing, and loving God and others. The world can talk about nothing other than the creatures' exploits. Christians speak of God's marvelous works. The world's story focuses on me first; while those who know God, say, "Christ in me is my hope of Glory!"

This is the gospel message: I was blind but now I see. Intellectually, we can say the words; we sing them to lovely lilting melodies that stir our hearts. Yet what happens when we leave the Sunday service or the Bible study? What happens when the kids are fussing because they are need a nap and instead of letting the Holy Spirit reap a harvest of love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control, we grab that overly tired child and give him a good shaking, saying, "Shape up or else!" What happens when we come home weary to a messy house and instead of working like a team with our loved ones to clean things up, we start yelling about how bad the family treats us and we angrily hide out in our bedrooms until the next day. Peter wrote,

Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect. (1 Peter 3:15) We need that answer for the world, and the world is everywhere we live: at home, at work, in the market, and on the street.

We were blind, hopelessly lost in darkness, and now we are found. Even the angels could not conceive of God's wondrous salvation plan. We were dead to God, now He calls us sons, daughters. Sing, dance, and shout with exceeding great joy before the God, who said, “Let light shine out of darkness,” made his light shine in our hearts to give us the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Christ. (2 Corinthian 4:6)