Lord’s Day, Vol. 7 No. 22

Whereas I Was Blind, Now I See

The blind man who has healed by Jesus gave this testimony, “…whereas I was blind, now I see.” (John 9:25b). This man was blind from his birth (John 9:1). What was the purpose for which he was healed? Jesus explains, “… that the works of God should be made manifest in him.” (John 9:3).

How was he healed? Jesus “… spat on the ground, and made clay of the spittle, and he anointed the eyes of the blind man with the clay.” (John 9:6). And Jesus said unto him, “Go, wash in the pool of Siloam… he went his way therefore, and washed, and came seeing.”The treatment that this man underwent seemed quite simple, but it was effectual. He received sight. His parents testified he was truly blind, “We know that is this our son, and that he was born blind.” (John 9:20). His neighbours and others who knew him also testified, “The neighbours therefore, and they which had seen him that he was blind said, Is not this he that sat and begged? Some said, This is he: others said, He is like him…” The man himself testified, “I am he.” (John 9:8-9). Jesus healed him. Jesus is indeed the Great Physician. The reason why Jesus could heal this man was that Jesus is God! What a privilege to meet Jesus and be healed by Him. “Since the world began was it not heard that any man opened the eyes of one that was born blind. If this man were not of God, he could do nothing.” (John 9:32-33). Jesus Himself testified, “Neither hath this man sinned, nor his parents: but that the works of God should be made manifest in him. I must work the works of Him that sent Me, while it is day, the night cometh, when no man can work. As long as I am in the world, I am the light of the world.” (John 9:3-4). Indeed, “in Him was life, and the life was the light of men. And the light shineth in darkness and the darkness comprehendeth it not … He was in the world, and the world was made by Him and the world knew Him not. But as many as received Him, to them gave He power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on His name.” (John 1:4-5; 10-12). Jesus is Creator. He is the One that imparts life to man. Therefore, He has the power to remake the withered eyes of this blind man. Jesus is indeed the Saviour of the world, He is God manifest in the flesh!

The Apostle Paul further testified in 1 Timothy 3:16 And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness: God was manifest in the flesh, justified in the Spirit, seen of angels, preached unto the Gentiles, believed on in the world, received up into glory.

Our Lord Jesus’ earthly ministry testified of His deity that He is indeed the God of heaven.

The Pharisees believed not this man’s testimony. They reviled him and said “Thou art His disciple, but we are Moses’ disciple. We know that God spake unto Moses: as for this fellow, we know not from whence he is.” This man gave the obvious answer to their unbelief, “Why herein is a marvellous thing, that ye know not from whence he is, and yet he hath opened mine eyes. Now we know that God hearth not sinners: but if any man be a worshipper of God, and doeth his will, him he heareth. Since the world began was it not heard that any man opened the eyes of one that was born blind. If this man was not of God, he could do nothing.” (John 9:30-33). They were offended by his clear explanation of who Jesus is. “They answered and said unto him, Thou wast altogether born in sins, and dost thou teach us? And they cast him out.” (John 9:34).

Jesus heard that they had cast him out: and when He had found him, He said unto him, “Doth thou believe on the Son of God?” (John 9:35).

He answered, and said, “Who is he, Lord, that I might believe on him?” (John 9:36). And Jesus said unto him, “Thou hast both seen Him, and it is He that talketh with thee.” John 9:37).

This man believed. And he said, “Lord, I believe.” And he worshipped Jesus. (John 9:38).

Dear friends, this account of the blind man’s healing and testimony clearly demonstrated that Jesus is God. It behoves us to worship Jesus as this man who was gloriously healed did!

May we not respond in unbelief like some of the Pharisees, “Are we blind also?” (John 9:40).

This was Jesus’ anticipated response to their unbelief, “For judgment I am come into this world, that they which see not might see; and that they which see might be made blind.” (John 9:39).

Indeed, “Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.” (Acts 4:12). For those who will not believe in the Name of Jesus, there is no other way of salvation offered by God to them, Jesus only saves!

For those who have read the account of this man’s healing and who believe, this is how to be saved:

Romans 10:8-13 But what saith it? The word is nigh thee, even in thy mouth, and in thy heart: that is, the word of faith, which we preach; 9 That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. 10 For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. 11 For the scripture saith, Whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed. 12 For there is no difference between the Jew and the Greek: for the same Lord over all is rich unto all that call upon him. 13 For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.

This man who was healed of his blindness, repenting of his sins confessed that Jesus is God. He was gloriously saved.

For, “… this is the record, that God hath given to us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. He that hath the Son hath life; and he that hath not the Son of God hath not life. These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life, and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God.”(1 John 5:11-13)Amen.

Yours lovingly,

Pastor Lek Aik Wee