One Thing I Do Know

PETE CORAK

"One thing I do know, that though I was blind, now I see."
- John 9:25

I like good debates. I admire those who can build an argument well. I appreciate the skill it takes to joust over ideas, to verbally spar with others as they state their point and respond to rebuttal with a counterpoint. But what really impresses me are those who, at some point in the debate, in response to their opponent's assertions or arguments, leave their prepared notes and the memorized script and transition into a "real-time" spontaneity. It takes a lot of mental dexterity to take researched and retained data and retrieve it as a cohesive, compelling argument on the spot.

John chapter 9 holds one of my all-time favorite debates in Scripture.

In one corner are the Pharisees. The crème de la crème of Jewish religious thought and understanding. Learned men. Men trained in the things of God and the traditions of their forefathers. Smart and powerful men.

In the other corner stands a seeing blind man - a man born without sight and never able to learn at the feet of the greats because a good portion of his life was spent begging at the feet of anyone who might throw him some spare change. In all likelihood, there were very few people who took the time to engage him in stimulating conversation. Beyond talking to his parents, he probably didn't have much opportunity to sharpen his verbal skills.

Here was a man born blind, not because of his sin, nor because of his parents' sin, but born blind so that, in God’s timing, he would see. Born blind so that God’s power would be displayed in him. A man born blind, readied for an encounter of the divine kind with the Light of the world.

So the debate is set. The seeing blind guy across the table from the religious elite, his eyes staring into theirs, their eyes staring into his. And the question being debated is this: "Is Jesus a sinner?" Let the debate begin.

“You say that Jesus told you to clean spit-mud off your unseeing eyes? That's work,” they said.

“He told you to do that on the Sabbath? That's sin,” they said.

“That you are a seeing blind man looking us in the eye? Doesn't matter,” they said.

“Your argument that ever since the world began, no one has been able to open the eyes of someone born blind? Don't want to hear it,” they said.

“Your conclusion that only if Jesus were a man sent from God could he do such a miracle?
You're outta here! Excommunicated!” they said.

How do you win that debate? What argument can be presented to refute such stiff-necked thinking? What point, counterpoint, or rebuttal can chip away at such pride-infused, sin-darkened, irrational reasoning?

There may have been a lot this man born blind didn't know. There were theological “i’s” he couldn't dot and prophetic “t’s” he didn't know how to cross. But with eyes made to see by a compassionate Savior, he looks into eyes blinded by a prideful self, and with unwavering conviction he takes aim at the limiting power of unbelief.

So, for the second time they called the man who had been blind and said to him, "Give glory to God. We know that this man is a sinner." He answered, "Whether he is a sinner I do not know. One thing I do know, that though I was blind, now I see."

“One thing I do know,” says the seeing blind guy. “Look into my eyes and see them staring into your soul.” Say what you will. Rationalize all you want. Go ahead and protect your position with your convoluted reasoning. But know this: you are toe-to-toe with a blind man seeing.

So, who is this Man exactly? “I don't know . . . at least not yet! But one thing I do know: though I was blind, now I see."

Game! Set! Match!

There are many things I, Pete Corak, don't know. High and lofty things I don't really understand. There are details still to be worked out and insights still to be gained. But one thing I do know, though I was blind, now I see.

Though I once was dead in trespasses and sin, I've been born again.

Though my sin was once a death sentence, the price has been paid in full by another, and I am a possessor of eternal life. Though I once walked in darkness, now I live in the light. Though my flesh once ruled, by God's grace it is losing power day by day as the Spirit's leading increasingly prevails.

I might not be the most articulate of debaters. I may not have all the answers. I’m not even sure I know all the questions. There’s a lot I still don't know. But this one thing I do know.

Only by his grace. Ever for his glory.