A Day in the Life of Jesus
Scripture: John 9:35–41
“Do you believe in the Messiah?”
“Who is he, sir? I want to.”
“You have seen him, and he is speaking to you.”
“Yes, Lord, I believe!” And he worshiped Jesus.
Walking Through the Story
There’s something breathtaking about the way Jesus pursues people. In John 9, we meet a man who had been blind from birth. Jesus heals him, giving him physical sight for the first time in his life. But the real story unfolds after the miracle, when the man is rejected by religious leaders for daring to testify about the One who made him whole. Jesus hears what has happened—and He finds the man. That detail alone grips me. Jesus doesn’t heal and walk away. He seeks out those who have been cast aside, and He offers them something greater than a miracle—He offers Himself.
When Jesus asks the man, “Do you believe in the Messiah?” it’s not an academic question. It’s the question that confronts every one of us. And the man’s answer, “Who is he, sir, for I want to,” shows a heart that is open and ready. Jesus replies, “You have seen him… he is speaking to you!” The man’s response is both simple and staggering: “Yes, Lord, I believe!” And then—he worshiped.
That moment reminds me that faith is not just intellectual assent. It’s worship. It’s the recognition that Jesus is more than a healer or teacher; He is Lord. And when we see Him clearly, worship is the only natural response.
The Danger of Blindness
But Jesus doesn’t end the conversation there. He uses this encounter to teach about spiritual blindness: “I have come into the world to give sight to those who are spiritually blind and to show those who think they see that they are blind.” That statement unsettled the Pharisees, who quickly asked, “Are you saying we are blind?”
Jesus’ reply is piercing: “If you were blind, you wouldn’t be guilty. But your guilt remains because you claim to know what you are doing.” In other words, those who acknowledge their need are ready to receive healing, but those who insist they already see remain trapped in their guilt.
That truth is as relevant today as it was then. People lose a vital ability when they can no longer see their own sinfulness. The results are everywhere: broken relationships, leaders misusing authority, indifference to the needy, and hearts that forget God. Spiritual blindness is not merely an unfortunate condition—it’s a matter of life and death. As C. S. Lewis once wrote, “When a man is getting better he understands more and more clearly the evil that is still left in him… when a man is getting worse he understands his own badness less and less.” The Pharisees thought they could see clearly, but in reality, they were blind to their deepest need.
Growing in Sight
What strikes me in this story is the progression in the man’s understanding of Jesus. At first, he describes Him as “the man called Jesus” (John 9:11). Later, he declares that He must be “a prophet” (John 9:17). And finally, when confronted by Jesus Himself, he calls Him “Lord” and worships Him (John 9:38). His physical sight was restored in an instant, but his spiritual sight unfolded step by step.
Isn’t that how our discipleship often works? The longer we walk with Jesus, the more clearly we see who He really is. Peter captures this beautifully in his letter: “Grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ” (2 Peter 3:18). Our relationship with Jesus is not static. It’s a journey of deepening sight. With every season, every trial, and every answered prayer, we come to recognize Him more fully—not just as a good teacher, but as Lord of all.
I think back to when I first came to faith. At the time, Jesus was mostly my Savior—the one who rescued me. As the years passed, I began to see Him also as Teacher, guiding me in truth. Later still, I came to know Him as Lord, worthy of all authority in my life. Each stage has opened my eyes a little wider, and each stage has led me to deeper worship.
Seeing Clearly in Our Own Lives
Spiritual blindness can sneak up on any of us. We begin to assume we “see” well enough—leaning on our own wisdom, our own experience, our own moral compass. Yet Jesus’ words caution us: true sight only comes when we admit our blindness and let Him be our vision.
In my pastoral ministry, I have seen this play out in counseling sessions, hospital visits, and conversations over coffee. The person who admits, “I don’t have it all together, and I need Christ,” finds the door wide open to healing and growth. The one who insists, “I’m fine; I’ve got this under control,” often remains stuck.
John Newton, the author of Amazing Grace, said it simply: “I once was lost, but now am found, was blind, but now I see.” That’s not just poetry. It’s the testimony of every believer who has encountered Jesus. Sight is not something we achieve—it is something He gives.
Getting to Know Him
The man in John 9 not only gained sight, he gained a relationship. As his vision cleared, so did his understanding of Jesus’ identity. And the longer he walked in this new reality, the more confident he became. That’s true for us too. The longer we walk with Christ, the more our sight sharpens. What began with a step of faith grows into a lifetime of recognition and worship.
To know Jesus more deeply, we don’t need secret formulas or hidden wisdom. We need to keep walking with Him. Every day of discipleship is another day of seeing Him more clearly. Every prayer whispered in weakness, every scripture read with an open heart, every act of obedience—even the small ones—becomes a lens through which His glory comes into focus.
The great preacher Charles Spurgeon once said, “There will be no crown-wearers in heaven who were not cross-bearers here below.” In other words, to know Him is to follow Him, to walk with Him even when it costs something. But the reward is greater sight, greater intimacy, and greater joy in His presence.
As you go about your day, may you have eyes to see Jesus more clearly. May you recognize Him not only as Savior but as Lord, not only as Teacher but as the One worthy of worship. And may you walk with Him step by step, allowing your spiritual sight to sharpen with every passing day.
Engagement
For further reflection on spiritual sight, read Desiring God’s article on seeing Jesus clearly.
FEEL FREE TO COMMENT AND SHARE