Progress comes in all forms. As a teacher, it was delightful to see my young students grow from non-readers to fluent readers.

Today, let’s follow the progression of belief of a man born blind.

The story occurs as Jesus travels near Jerusalem. After Jesus heals the man, others who had witnessed the man’s blindness demanded an explanation.

“He replied, ‘The man they call Jesus made some mud and put it on my eyes. He told me to go to Siloam and wash. So I went and washed, and then I could see’” (John 9:11). At that point, the healed man knew Jesus only as a man.

Next, the man born blind was brought to religious leaders for questioning. “’What have you to say about [Jesus]?’ . . . The man replied, ‘He is a prophet.’” (John 9:17)

Perhaps coming to terms with his miracle, the man gave Jesus the highest designation he could imagine, a prophet.

Later, the religious leaders grill the man born blind again, demanding details. The man innocently answered, “Do you want to become his disciples, too?” (John 9:27). By now, the man perhaps assumed Jesus was a teacher or rabbi with disciples and/or he decided he would also be a disciple or follower.

The man’s reasoning progressed, and he testified that Jesus must be from God since he could now see. (John 9:33)

Later, the man saw Jesus again and Jesus clarified that He was the “Son of Man”, a Messianic title. “Then the man said, ‘Lord, I believe,’ and he worshiped him” (John 9:38).

That’s the best progression ever! From being blind to seeing clearly, both physically and spiritually, from unbelief to belief! The best part is, when we come to belief in Jesus, the transformation process begins!