35 Jesus heard that they had thrown him out, and when he found him, he said, "Do you believe in the Son of Man?"
36 "Who is he, sir?" the man asked. "Tell me so that I may believe in him."
37 Jesus said, "You have now seen him; in fact, he is the one speaking with you."
38 Then the man said, "Lord, I believe," and he worshiped him.
I love the persistence of our Lord Jesus. This now healed blind man had been faithful to speak up for our Lord and his words had not gone unnoticed by our Savior. We see in our verses for today, Jesus lovingly taking the time and initiative to seek out His healed patient in order to bestow upon him comfort as well as strengthen and encourage him in the faith. Others may throw us out, but never Jesus.
“Frail children of dust, And feeble as frail, In Thee do we trust, Nor find Thee to fail. Thy mercies how tender! How firm to the end! Our Maker, Defender, Redeemer, and Friend! Robert Grant
Our protagonist had been both brave and bold to testify in defense of our Lord even being acutely aware of the unjust rejection that was certain to ensue. Sure to His Word, Jesus stood by His faithful witness as He does for all who will acknowledge Him and His Truth and ways. Scripture tells us:
8 "I tell you, whoever acknowledges me before men, the Son of Man will also acknowledge him before the angels of God. 9 But he who disowns me before men will be disowned before the angels of God. Luke 12:8-9 (NIV)
15 If anyone acknowledges that Jesus is the Son of God, God lives in him and he in God. 16 And so we know and rely on the love God has for us. 1 John 4:15-16 (NIV)
Jesus presents His healed patient with the question: "Do you believe in the Son of Man?" Our now sighted blind man responds in a manner which professes his readiness to embrace the Messiah: "Who is he, sir?" "Tell me so that I may believe in him."
“When a man begins to inquire about Christ, and ask who He is, it is always a hopeful symptom of his state of soul.” J. C. Ryle
I am reminded of Paul’s words in Romans:
14 How, then, can they call on the one they have not believed in? And how can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone preaching to them? 15 And how can they preach unless they are sent? As it is written, "How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!" Romans 10:14-15 (NIV)
Carrying God’s gracious offer of salvation - the very Good News - involves human beings whom God has brought to Himself and who subsequently become His heralds. They obediently, willingly and joyfully desire to share God’s message of salvation knowing our Lord Jesus will save everyone who calls on His Name. Bringing the Good News, their feet are indeed beautiful! In our verses today we see the Good News Himself bringing the Good News. Interestingly, in no other cases but this and the Samaritan woman at the well did our Lord so unreservedly declare His Divinity – announcing clearly that He was indeed the Messiah. A blind man and a social outcast with six husbands, Scripture relates, both receiving special favor from our Savior.
“The poor and despised and friendless among mankind are often those whom He favours with special revelations of His kindness and mercy.” J. C. Ryle
Sadly, Scripture teaches us that all too often the wise and learned and the wealthy and powerful remain so secure and satisfied in their own abilities, possessions and standings that they simply have “no room in the inn” for their Savior and remain blinded. Jesus tells us in Revelation:
17 You say, 'I am rich; I have acquired wealth and do not need a thing.' But you do not realize that you are wretched, pitiful, poor, blind and naked. 18 I counsel you to buy from me gold refined in the fire, so you can become rich; and white clothes to wear, so you can cover your shameful nakedness; and salve to put on your eyes, so you can see. Rev 3:17-18 (NIV)
Appropriately, our healed man verbally confirms his belief and worships our Lord. The word translated “worship” is from the Greek word “Proskyneo” meaning “to kiss, adore; to show respect, to fall or prostrate oneself before; the ancient Oriental mode of salutation to one who was considered vastly superior was to fall upon the knees and touch the forehead to the ground, often throwing kisses at the same time towards the superior.” Hebrew Greek Key Word Study Bible - New Testament Lexical Aids
“How few of those whom our Lord miraculously healed, worshipped Him as this man did.” Chrysostom