Monday, April 3 John 9
The Power of Your Testimony
John’s Gospel tells us of four times Jesus traveled from His home area of Galilee to Jerusalem. The fourth and final visit resulted in His crucifixion and resurrection. John chapters 7-10 give details of His third visit. This was a three month stay lasting from the Feast of Tabernacles (John 7:2) in early October until the Feast of Dedication (John 10:22) in December. It was a crucial moment in Jesus’ relationship with the religious establishment – particularly the Pharisees.
One unknown man plays a significant role in this story. He was blind from birth, but Jesus gave Him sight! Of note, is the way this formerly blind man described his experience. The Pharisees descended upon him like the cynics of our day. They tried to “debunk” his miracle.
Initially, about all the man knew was “A man called Jesus made clay and anointed my eyes and said to me, ‘Go to the pool of Siloam and wash.’ So I went and washed and received sight” (John 9:11). SIMPLE!
A listening, questioning world wanted to know from this man of what happened to him. He was grilled with theological questions. He was investigated concerning his background. His character was examined.
Everything, however, boiled down to one salient point. The man said simply, “One thing I know: that though I was blind, now I see” (John 9:25).
There is nothing more powerful than your simple testimony – “I once was blind but now I see.”
Yes, there are times to discuss theology. Yes, there are instances in which attendant details should be verified. But, in the final analysis, nothing is more wonderful than your story of how Jesus changed you.
Retell your story today. “I once was blind but now I see.”