I’m The One

SCRIPTURE:
John 9:8-9 CSB - His neighbors and those who had seen him before as a beggar said, "Isn't this the one who used to sit begging? " Some said, "He's the one." Others were saying, "No, but he looks like him." He kept saying, "I'm the one."

OBSERVATION:
In John chapter 9, we read the account of the man born blind who regains his sight. Once again, Jesus was breaking the “traditions” of man and astounding the doubters with His power to change a man who, in their minds, was blind because of sin.

John 9:2 CSB - His disciples asked him, "Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?"

Jesus’ reply is so full of grace and love—it should cause us to rejoice. He can do the impossible. Nothing is impossible with Him—not even blindness considered incurable.

John 9:3 CSB - "Neither this man nor his parents sinned," Jesus answered. "This came about so that God's works might be displayed in him.

Oh, to be trophies of God’s grace! What an amazing thing. We tend to forget that when Jesus saved us, it was to display God's works in us.

The restoration of this man’s sight was so dramatic, so amazing, that even those who knew him questioned whether it was really him. That is what you call a transformation. Only the grace of God can do that!

It was such a transformation that he had to tell those who knew him, “It's me!”

John 9:8-9 CSB - His neighbors and those who had seen him before as a beggar said, "Isn't this the one who used to sit begging? " Some said, "He's the one." Others were saying, "No, but he looks like him." He kept saying, "I'm the one."

When our family, friends, coworkers, and even those who knew us at our worst ask, “Is this him?” we can boldly say, “I’m the one!”

Of course, there will always be the naysayers—the ones who can’t accept that God would work in such a wretch in such a way. Like the religious leaders, they could only focus on the fact that it was the Sabbath.

Jesus once again shows that He is Lord of the Sabbath—that it was intended for rest, both spiritual and physical.

At the end of this account, the religious leaders summoned the blind man to question him again about this miracle.

John 9:24-27 CSB - So a second time they summoned the man who had been blind and told him, "Give glory to God. We know that this man is a sinner." He answered, "Whether or not he's a sinner, I don't know. One thing I do know: I was blind, and now I can see! " Then they asked him, "What did he do to you? How did he open your eyes? "I already told you," he said, "and you didn't listen. Why do you want to hear it again? You don't want to become his disciples too, do you?"

APPLICATION:
We can learn two things from these verses:
 
1) I Was Blind, but Now I See - Let this be our worship song on repeat—to everyone we meet! "I was (past), but now (present)."
 
2) Do You Want to Hear It Again?  When people scratch their heads in unbelief and want to know again what has happened, tell them with excitement and joy, "I once was blind, but now I can see!"

When the skeptic or the doubter tries to tell you something different, respond as this man did:

John 9:30-33 CSB - "This is an amazing thing! " the man told them. "You don't know where he is from, and yet he opened my eyes. "We know that God doesn't listen to sinners, but if anyone is God-fearing and does his will, he listens to him. "Throughout history no one has ever heard of someone opening the eyes of a person born blind. "If this man were not from God, he wouldn't be able to do anything."

I once was… but now am.

PRAYER:
Amazing grace! Jesus, You have rescued me, redeemed me, and given sight to this blind man. Thank You for Your grace that I truly don’t deserve. May I always be a champion and trophy of Your grace. As my life reflects the work of grace, may others see that: I once was blind, but now I see.