Life Above Reproach

Dr. David R. Ewart

March 25, 2015

John 9:25 says He answered and said, “Whether He is a sinner or not I do not know. One thing I do know: that though I was blind, now I see.”

The story that begins in John 9 is a delightful example of one man’s testimony.  Unlike blind Bartimaeus who received his sight immediately (Mark 10:46-52), the young blind man in the John9 had a different testimony. His story was full of drama and the workings of a “prophet,” named Jesus, who spat on the ground, made clay, and put it on the man’s blind eyes. The sightless man washed in a pool and “came back seeing” (John 9:6-7). What an incredible testimony this man had!

Jesus was not a new face in the crowd. That was not His first encounter.John 8 demonstrates that many people were upset with Jesus because He claimed His deity. They had even picked up stones to kill Him.In the very next chapter, He healed this young blind man on the Sabbath, which added to the irritation in the religious community. The Pharisees, who taught that all suffering (including blindness) was due to sin, had their share of questions concerning this miracle. They repeatedly asked, “How?” Yet as they examined and cross-examined the young man, his story never changed.

“I was blind. Now I see.”

The religious leaders questioned the young man, argued that no upright person would heal on the Sabbath, and probed for more details. Like many a witness under intense scrutiny and pressure, the young man was challenged as to the accuracy of his story. Trying to answer their continuous questions, the young man finally responded, “He is a prophet” (v. 17). He didn’t know much theology, but he knew what the Man said had come true. He had followed Jesus’ instructions to wash, and he could see. That didn’t satisfy the men who questioned his story.

Because of their discontent with his explanation, they found his parents, and interrogated them as well. The parents squirmed, their family would disowned fearing that they would be put out of the synagogue (v. 22), which meant they would lose their jobs, their place of worship, and themselves. They kept their comments to a minimum, admitting only, “we know that this is our son, and that he was born blind; but by what means he now sees we do not know, or who opened his eyes we do not know. He is of age; ask him. He will speak for himself” (vv. 20-21). They wanted their son to give his own testimony.

Our personal testimony is a powerful tool. It is the expression of what God has done, and is doing in our lives. Some say, “No, you don’t understand. My personal testimony isn’t dramatic at all. I was saved as a young child. I was never on drugs or anything. I grew up in the church. That’s about it.” Don’t underestimate how powerful that is to a lost person! If you were saved at a very young age, there was still a time you passed from death into life, and the world wants to know how to do that.

Not only is your personal testimony a powerful tool, but it will be challenged. Some “religious” people will be uncomfortable around you, and will try to catch you off guard. Family members might be embarrassed. Some people will want to debate. When this happens (and it will), you must stand firm. You don’t have to get into lengthy discussions. The young man in this scripture reference didn’t have a six-part dissertation. He replied, in layman’s terms, “He applied. I washed. I see.” The facts were undeniable, he could see. And so can you, spiritually, if you have received Christ.

Don’t lose heart if people respond negatively to your testimony. You will need to be faithful to give out the Word, but it’s the Holy Spirit who draws people to life in Christ. If you have been faithful to share your testimonyand people respond with a “No, thanks!” remember it is the Spirit’s job to convict of sin and save.

Paul told Timothy to “guard the treasure which has been entrusted to you” (2 Tim. 1:14 NASB). In context, the treasure was his testimony. It’s uniquely yours. Better than silver, and better than gold. No one else’s treasure is quite like yours.

Guard it. It’s a sacred trust from One who decided to let you be a bearer of His Good News. You need to guard your character, your conduct, and your conversation.

He could have used angels, you know.

However, He wants to use you. And will.

What a treasure! Yes, you are!