I remember my mother reading Bible stories to me when I was a small child and I loved the stories and pictures. As I reflect on this, it was the beginning of my relationship with Jesus and is a spiritual journey that continues to this day. The Lord continues to teach me and allow me to experience different seasons of life. No year is the same and I wonder how does the Lord have so much patience with me along the way?
On this side of eternity, we will never achieve perfection because we are always a work in progress. Who has been instrumental in your spiritual journey? What is the Lord teaching you this year as you journey with Him?
The Journey of the Blind Man’s Relationship with Jesus
The blind man. in John chapter nine. was about to have an encounter with Jesus that would change his life and set him on a different path spiritually. The Lord opened his eyes through the questioning of others. The religious leaders confronted him about his healing and could not stop his testimony about Jesus. In fact, the more the Pharisees questioned this man who had received his sight, the stronger and clearer he became about Jesus.[1]
At first, the healed blind man named his healer “the man called Jesus.” John 9:11He told them, “The man they call Jesus made mud and spread it over my eyes and told me, ‘Go to the pool of Siloam and wash yourself.’ So I went and washed, and now I can see!” [2]
Then he named Jesus as “a prophet as he was further questioned by the Pharisees. John 9:17Then the Pharisees again questioned the man who had been blind and demanded, “What’s your opinion about this man who healed you?” The man replied, “I think he must be a prophet.”[3]
Then he saw Jesus as one who was “from God” and had performed a miracle never done before. John 9:32Ever since the world began, no one has been able to open the eyes of someone born blind. 33 If this man were not from God, he couldn’t have done it.” [4]
Then finally, when confronted by Jesus, he believed that Jesus is the “Son of Man” (the Messiah), worthy of worship. John 9:35When Jesus heard what had happened, he found the man and asked, “Do you believe in the Son of Man?” 36 The man answered, “Who is he, sir? I want to believe in him.” 37 “You have seen him,” Jesus said, “and he is speaking to you!” 38 “Yes, Lord, I believe!” the man said. And he worshiped Jesus. [5]
The Journey of our Relationship with Jesus
Like the man in our story, the Lord opens our spiritual eyes, but not all at once or it would overwhelm us. The blind man who was healed was just at the beginning of his journey with Jesus. How about you? How has the Lord continued to open your eyes to who he is?
Ephesians 1:18 Open the eyes of their hearts, and let the light of Your truth flood in. Shine Your light on the hope You are calling them to embrace. Reveal to them the glorious riches You are preparing as their inheritance.[6]
To hear more about the healing of the blind man, listen here: https://podpoint.com/light-of-christ-church-podcast/encountering-jesus-with-a-blind-man
[1] Barton, B. B. (1993). John (pp. 199–200). Wheaton, IL: Tyndale House.
[2-5] Tyndale House Publishers. (2015). Holy Bible: New Living Translation . Carol Stream, IL: Tyndale House Publishers.
[6] The Voice Bible Copyright © 2012 Thomas Nelson, Inc. The Voice™ translation © 2012 Ecclesia Bible Society All rights reserved.