It really is one of the best dramas in all of Scripture. There are a number of characters in the mix . . . plots and sub-plots playing out . . . winners who appear to lose and losers who think they are winning . . . and it all culminates in one grand question and in an equally grand, life-changing answer.

It’s the story of the man blind from birth in John 9. A man chosen by God in eternity past “that the works of God might be displayed in him” (9:3b). This guy who has never set functioning eyes on anything has a “chance encounter” with One who created everything he’s never seen. Take a bit of dirt . . . add some saliva . . . shape into a mini mud pack . . . place it on the non-functioning eyes . . . go wash in the pool of Siloam . . . and BAM!!!! . . . this dude “came back seeing” (9:6-7).

Don’t know how old this guy was . . . but it says he was a man . . . an adult . . . an adult who had never processed anything through his optic nerve . . . but now, he’s in overload mode. Color . . . shapes . . . for the first time connecting smells he had long known with the objects that produced them . . . experiencing the wonder of attaching sounds he had heard for a lifetime with the sound-makers they came from. Once relegated to being a stationary beggar at the side of the road, to now independently navigating his way around town. And was it ever creating a stir around town. His story of the mud-maker named Jesus who touched his eyes and gave him sight was on all the local news outlets . . . and they end up bringing him to the Pharisees that they might provide insight was to what happened and who this Jesus was. Bad move!

It’s absolutely unbelievable . . . almost comical . . . the dialogue these “learned men of God” have with this once blind beggar of newly found sight. They were intent on denying the implications of such miracle . . . “this man is not from God” (9:16). They argue eye to eye with this blind man . . . they verify his identity . . . they confirm his reality, that he was born blind . . . and they still refuse his testimony.

But how do you argue with a blind man whose eyes peer into your own? How do you debate someone whose bottom line is “One thing I do know, that though I was blind, now I see?” (9:25) You don’t . . . you either concede the miracle and the implications it has for the miracle-producer . . . or, as was true in this case, you get rid of the evidence from before your eyes . . . you, in effect blind yourself . . . and so, the Pharisees cast out the man from their presence.

And that sets up this man’s second encounter with Jesus. Jesus looks not only for the blind . . . but also for the castaway. And so this time the man beholds the Savior as he talks to Him. The man recognizes the voice . . . he knows he is talking to the mud-slinger, to the one who gave him sight . . . and so he’s all ears . . . ready to learn from the One who is the proven blindness-breaker. And the Savior asks the man the question . . . the question asked at some point of all men and women . . . the eternity defining question, “Do you believe in the Son of Man?” (9:35). And in order to answer, the man asks one clarifying question of his own, “And who is he, sir, that I may believe in him?” (9:36)

Jesus said to him, “You have seen Him, and it is He who is speaking to you.” He said, “Lord, I believe,” and he worshiped Him.   (John 9:37-38 ESV)

Lord, I believe! That, my friends, is a life changing answer. It sets the course for eternity. It connects heaven and earth. It is the answer given by those who have eyes to see. Jesus is the Son of Man . . . He is the Son of God . . . He is the Giver of sight . . . He is the Light of the world . . . He is the Savior of all who believe!

And this man of recently received sight, now has his tongue loosed . . . and he worships. Talk about your two-fer!

The touch of the Master . . . a life-changing answer . . . and worship from those who were once blind. To Him be all glory! Amen?

Shackled by a heavy burden,
‘Neath a load of guilt and shame,
Then the hand of Jesus touched me,
And now I am no longer the same.

Since I’ve met this blessed savior,
Since He’s cleansed and made me whole,
I will never cease to praise Him,
I’ll shout it while eternity rolls.

He touched me! Oh! He touched me!
And O’ the joy that floods my soul!
Something happened, and now I know,
He touched me, and made me whole.    (He Touched Me – Bill & Gloria Gaither)