February 29
Bible Reading: John 9:24-34
John 9:24-27, “So for the second time they called the man who had been blind and said to him, ‘Give glory to God. We know that this man is a sinner.’ He answered, ‘Whether he is a sinner I do not know. One thing I do know, that though I was blind, now I see.’ They said to him, ‘What did he do to you? How did he open your eyes?’ He answered them, ‘I have told you already, and you would not listen.’”
It is not always easy to share the truth about Jesus with others. There’s the distress that we might not know exactly what to say, combined with the fear associated with what others might think. It’s not surprising that Paul had to remind Timothy to not “be ashamed of the testimony about our Lord” (2 Timothy 1:8).
Be encouraged by the example of the man born blind. He knew very little about the One who had worked to restore his sight, except that He did it. His interrogation was at the hands of powerful men, men who could even cast folks out of the synagogue anyone who confessed Jesus to be the Christ (John 9:22). Their animosity towards Jesus was no doubt palpable!
There are two things in his example which can prove helpful. His testimony was relatively simple. He had been blind until Jesus intervened and worked to restore his sight. I’ve heard a lot of testimonies over the years, but at the heart of them is a very simple truth. The realization and confession of one’s need for salvation leading to Jesus’ intervention and the subsequent changes that took place. As the hymn puts it: “I once was lost, but now am found; was blind, but now I see.”
His testimony was simple, and he refused to be dissuaded. By this point in the account, the religious leaders had already interrogated him once. Then they questioned his parents. Then they argued against his experience using every possible weapon in their arsenal. But the man could not be moved. He knew that what Jesus had done for him was real—he could see it with his own eyes! Instead of wilting before such harsh interrogation, he was emboldened, declaring in the end: “Never since the world began has it been heard that anyone opened the eyes of a man born blind. If this man were not from God, he could do nothing” (John 9:32-33). Then they angrily cast him out!
Having been saved by Jesus, you’ve a testimony to share. Be not “ashamed of the gospel for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes” (Romans 1:16). God can give you the words to say and the power to say them well!
“A man with an experience is never at the mercy of a man with only an argument!” – Brian Bell
I WAS BLIND BUT NOW I SEE
There was a blind man, in a distant land, who did not understand God’s saving plan
Til Jesus saw him, had mercy on him, told him to wash and his eyes were opened
He washed the clay away, his night was turned to day
Then he heard a scoffer say, “you can’t be healed this way”
Could you explain to us who is this Jesus? Is he the least of us? What can you tell us?
And this is what he said:
(Chorus:)
Though I don’t understand, I still will stand on this promise I’ve received
And I don’t need to know how he made me whole to know I was blind, but now I see.
I was a blind man in a distant land. I did not understand god’s saving plan
Til Jesus found me, put his arms around me, said he’d gone to calvary just to prove he loved me
He washed my sins away, my night was turned to day
Then I heard a scoffer say, “you can’t be saved this way”
Could you explain and tell how you’ve been saved from hell?
And how that all is well? Sounds like a fairy tale.
So this is what I said:
(Tag:)
Though I don’t understand I still will stand on this promise I’ve received
And I don’t need to know how he made me whole to know I was blind but now I see
And I don’t need to know how he made me whole to know i was blind but not I see
I was blind but now I see.
LookingtoJesus 