I love the story of Jesus healing the man born blind in John 9. I think the once-blind man’s personality shines through as he defends Jesus’ actions to the angry Pharisees. They claim Jesus is a sinner, since he’s been healing on the Sabbath. The man is amazed and insists Jesus must be from God, since he can do such amazing things. This beggar has wisdom and sass as he stands up to powerful people, and it’s great.

When the Pharisees respond by throwing him out of the synagogue, Jesus comes to find the blind man again, asking if he believes in the Son of Man.

“Who is he, Sir, that I may believe in him?”

And Jesus answers: “You have seen him.”

You’ve seen him!

Here this man is, soaking in everything about this whole new sense in awe. Everything is new. People. Sheep. Flowers. Houses. Figs. Clothing. Dirt. Fingernails. Dirt under fingernails. Everything he has smelled and touched and heard and tasted his whole life suddenly has an entirely new dimension. And one of his first sights is the Messiah his people have been waiting for for generations.

What a wonder.

“I believe, Lord!” he said, and he worshiped him.

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