THE EVOLUTION OF FAITH

One of my favorite chapters in all of the Bible is John Chapter Nine. In many ways, it is the story of each of us who believe that Jesus is Lord. We are told that Jesus saw a blind man. We don't know who he was, but Jesus gave much attention to him. When asked, Jesus told His disciples that his blindness was not due to his sin, because he was born blind. He also tells them that God wasn't punishing the man's parents for their sin, but that the man was born blind for a special purpose. God, knowing that His Son would one day heal him, and that in so doing, provide evidence to support His Son's identity, determined that he should be born blind. This sounds like a very cruel thing to do, but in all honesty, most of us would be willing to suffer and even die to be used of God for His glory.

After Jesus healed him, all those who knew him and knew that he was born blind, were faced with a decision. They would have to acknowledge that Jesus had healed him, or that it was a false miracle in order to fool them. While they debated his true identity, the man testified that he had been blind, but that a man named Jesus had healed him. Later, when asked by the Pharisees who had healed him, he responded by calling Jesus a prophet. The religious leaders, not being satisfied with his answer, summoned his parents to verify his identity. Apparently the parents, and perhaps by this time the man himself, knew He was the long awaited Messiah, the Christ, but none of them dared to say it. When asked again, the man questions them as to whether they, too, wanted to be His disciples. Finally, he tells them that only a man of God could work such a miracle.

When Jesus heard that the religious leaders had cast him out, He went to the man and asked him if he believed on the Son of God. Not knowing that it was Jesus, he said, "Who is He, Lord, that I might believe on Him ?" When Jesus identified Himself, the man worshiped Him. Jesus had gone from being just a man, to being a prophet, to being the Christ, and now, the man knew Jesus was God, for only God was to be worshiped (Exodus 20:2-5; Matthew 4:10).

At what stage of awareness are you? Can you remember when Jesus was just the name of a historical man to you? I have heard many non-Christians and even Muslims call Him a prophet. But to Christians, He is the promised Messiah of Israel, the Savior of the world. We know Him as Lord. He is the Son of God. He is God. And as such, He is worthy of our obedience and worship. It is my prayer that everyone who reads this will acknowledge Him for Who He is: Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, the Everlasting Father, and the Prince of Peace. God bless you all.