The Pharisees were fuming. Jesus had just healed a blind man, and they were determined to prove that he hadn’t. First of all, they interviewed the man, and he confirmed that Jesus had given him back his sight. They were still unconvinced, so they interviewed the man’s parents. They duly confirmed that he had been born blind, but had no idea how he had received his sight. John adds that the parents were fearful of the Jewish leaders, who had announced that anyone who said Jesus was the Messiah would be expelled from the synagogue. The parents tried to brush off the Pharisees by encouraging them to have a word with their son. “He is old enough. Ask him,” they said (John 9:23).

The Pharisees were clearly starting to realise that the healing had indeed taken place. Because it had occurred on the Sabbath, according to their strict rules, it proved that Jesus was a sinner. No faithful Jew, and certainly no rabbi, would think of doing such work on the Sabbath. They asked the man for a second time about the healing. Wisely, he wasn’t willing to engage with them on exactly who Jesus was, but what he knew for sure was that he used to be blind and now he could see. Nothing in the world could persuade him to say otherwise.

I love this man’s simple, clear testimony. He didn’t want to get mixed up in the Pharisees’ religious battles. All he knew was that Jesus had transformed his life. He was a new man. If you have given your life to Jesus, you will have your account of what God has done in your life. You may be able to speak of the way that God has walked with you through difficult times, and given you his peace and security. You may not know how to answer tough theological questions, but you know what God has done for you and, like this man, you need to share it.

What would be your quick summary of what Jesus has done for you?

Lord Jesus, thank you for the way in which you have blessed my life. Help me to be ready to share my story, however questioning and dubious others might be. Amen