John 9:38
And he said, Lord, I believe. And he worshipped him.
John 9:38 (KJV)
Context
Jesus had healed a man who was born blind, sending him to wash in the pool of Siloam. When the man returned seeing, the Pharisees questioned him, but he could only say that Jesus had opened his eyes. Later, Jesus found him and asked, “Dost thou believe on the Son of God?” The man replied, “Lord, I believe,” and worshipped Him.
Meaning
The man’s confession, “Lord, I believe,” is more than an intellectual agreement. It is a personal acknowledgment that Jesus is Lord, the One who has authority over his life. The Greek word for worship used here, proskyneō, means to bow down or prostrate oneself in reverence. In the biblical context, such worship is reserved for God alone. By worshipping Jesus, the man recognized His divine nature and authority.
This moment is the climax of the man’s growing understanding. Earlier he called Jesus “a man called Jesus” (John 9:11), then a prophet (John 9:17). Now, after Jesus revealed Himself as the Son of God, the man responds with faith and worship. His journey from physical blindness to spiritual sight illustrates that true faith leads to worship.
Biblical connections
Jesus’ revelation of Himself as the Son of God (John 9:35-37) directly prompts the man’s confession and worship. This act of worship affirms Jesus’ deity, showing that He is worthy of the same honor given to God the Father. The contrast with the religious leaders, who remained blind to Jesus’ identity, highlights that spiritual sight comes through humble faith, not human knowledge.
Application
Genuine faith: The man’s confession teaches us that faith in Jesus is not merely intellectual belief but a surrender of our lives to His lordship.
Personal encounter: A real encounter with Jesus transforms us, leading to a confession of faith and a life of worship.
Worship as a response: Worship is the natural, heartfelt response to recognizing who Jesus is and what He has done for us.
Jesus’ deity: The man’s worship demonstrates that Jesus is not just a teacher or prophet but the Son of God, deserving of our worship.
Reflection
Like the man born blind, we are called to move from hearing about Jesus to knowing Him personally. When we truly see Him for who He is, our response will be both to confess Him as Lord and to worship Him with our whole being.
