One of my favorite Bible stories happens to be a very cliché one. Yeah, I know, but it is what it is. I love the story of Jesus healing the blind man.
John 9:25, is probably my favorite of the whole chapter. I love it for a lot of reasons. It makes me smile every time I read it because I picture this guy in front of the Pharisees, just completely exasperated with them. At this point after being questioned so much, he is probably wanting to say, “Listen, I don’t know all the answers about this guy but I do know he gave me sight, and seeing is a lot better than not seeing.”
I just love this man’s honesty and candor (and sometimes sarcasm) all through the story. He doesn’t try to make up anything to appease the Pharisees, he just gives them the facts and nothing more. At that point in the story, he has his sight but he actually hasn’t laid eyes on Jesus. He simply has faith in this person who has saved him.
So often I am guilty of trying to word things in a way that is pleasing to others. Maybe I water down the truth thinking it will be better received or say a lot of big words in hopes my point will come across bolder. Sometimes I find myself feeling responsible to open people’s eyes and hearts to the truth. That just isn’t possible. I don’t have to know all the answers in order to share Christ and His love. And I certainly can’t open someone’s heart to receive this truth. That is the job of the Holy Spirit. My job is to make sure others know about Jesus and trust that God will use it to open the heart of that person.
Henry Blackaby says this about the disciple, Andrew:
There is no record of Andrew ever preaching a sermon, performing a miracle, or writing a book of Scripture. He is remembered for those whom he brought to Jesus. Andrew is a good role model for us. Our job is not to transform people into Christians nor to convict them of their sin. It is not our responsibility to make people do what they ought to do. Our task is to bring them to Jesus, and He will perform His divine work in their lives.
It is important people understand how Christ has changed my life. I want to make sure it is known that He is the light of the world and without Him we are blind (John 9:5). I hope I can simplify this in the same way the blind man exhibited such humbleness. I was blind and without hope. I am a sinner in need of a Savior. Jesus died a death I should have died and rose again in order for me to live. Life with Him is a lot better than life without Him.
Rhonda N. Smith 