Several years ago I was outside in the night when a storm approached with all of the usual thunder and lightning. I came to a fence and was about to cross when suddenly a bright streak of lightning blazed to the ground right in front of me. For a few seconds—which seemed more like lengthy and terrifying hours—I could see nothing. The blinding white light had darkened my world—until my eyes had time to refocus and adjust, and I gave thanks for my sight!
One day Jesus met a man who was truly blind and had been from birth. After making some mud by spitting in the dirt, Jesus placed the mud on the man’s eyes and told him to go and wash in the pool of Siloam. The man did, and, in what is surely one of Christ’s most wonderful and beautiful miracles, the man received his sight.
From darkness to light.
Maybe even from blindness to boldness.
No doubt, the man was from that day a different person. The crowd had a hard time believing their own eyes. This beggar was the same man, but he was different. Much more had changed than his vision! Suddenly he found himself defending his healer.
“How were your eyes opened?” came the question.
And he answered, “The man they call Jesus . . .”
Jesus. How could one man bring about such a change?
If you listen you can still hear the murmurs of the crowd today these many years later.
You’ve met Jesus.
You’ve been changed.
You’re different.
And your friends and co-workers wonder why.
No matter how loud the murmur or how fierce the pressure, the newly-sighted man in John 9 knew exactly who was responsible and didn’t hesitate to point him out and praise him for his healing.
How has Jesus healed you? Praise him for it!