Then the man said, “Lord, I believe,” and he worshipped him. (John 9:38)
Pretty simple words but oh so powerful.
“Lord, I believe.” Three words from the man’s heart lead from death to life.
The blind man has quite a progression in John 9. At the beginning of the chapter he is healed by Jesus but he is not sure who Jesus is. As the story unfolds and the now-healed blind man is questioned and re-questioned by the Pharisees, the man grows in his understanding of the identity of Jesus. Here is the progression of his thoughts about Jesus…
- He is the man they call Jesus (9:11)
- He is a prophet (9:17).
- He is from God (9:33).
- He is Lord (9:38).
Once he realizes who Jesus is, he exercises faith in Him. “Lord, I believe.” Those three words reflect the change in his mind and in his heart. Jesus is more than just a man. He is more than just a prophet. He is more than someone from God. He is Lord. That is who He is. And a person must either reject Him or submit to Him. This man believes and gains eternal life.
“And he worshipped Him.” If there is any doubt about who Jesus is, then this should remove it. The healed blind man falls on his face and worships before the Man Jesus. If Jesus is not God, then this is idolatry and blasphemy, the grossest violation of the first commandment. If Jesus is God, then this is the only proper response to Him.
Believe and worship. That is the heart of the gospel. I believe Jesus is who He said He is. I acknowledge Him as Lord. And I bow down in worship.
Lord, I believe and I worship You today.