SHINING
Play Audio
If you prefer listening to today’s Bible guide reading, play this audio file.
If the audio bar is not appearing, click here to play the audio.
Opening Prayer
Open your Word to me today, Lord; enable me to understand and apply in greater measure the grace and mercy you offer me.
Read JOHN 9:24–34
For additional translations of the passage, use this link to Bible Gateway.
24 A second time they summoned the man who had been blind. “Give glory to God by telling the truth,” they said. “We know this man is a sinner.”
25 He replied, “Whether he is a sinner or not, I don’t know. One thing I do know. I was blind but now I see!”
26 Then they asked him, “What did he do to you? How did he open your eyes?”
27 He answered, “I have told you already and you did not listen. Why do you want to hear it again? Do you want to become his disciples too?”
28 Then they hurled insults at him and said, “You are this fellow’s disciple! We are disciples of Moses! 29 We know that God spoke to Moses, but as for this fellow, we don’t even know where he comes from.”
30 The man answered, “Now that is remarkable! You don’t know where he comes from, yet he opened my eyes. 31 We know that God does not listen to sinners. He listens to the godly person who does his will. 32 Nobody has ever heard of opening the eyes of a man born blind. 33 If this man were not from God, he could do nothing.”
34 To this they replied, “You were steeped in sin at birth; how dare you lecture us!” And they threw him out.
New International Version (NIV)Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
Reflect
‘One thing I do know. I was blind but now I see!’ (v. 25). In what ways do you praise God for the wonder of this in your own life?
‘I am full of joy and happiness to be finally able to see and identify myself confidently as a Christian,’ said the email. ‘It is unimaginable that I would feel this a year or two ago.’ Indeed it is: I had long since abandoned hope that the spiritual eyes of this Japanese researcher would ever be opened. Is there anything more exhilarating than witnessing the Spirit’s miraculous intervention in a life?
Speaking of which, isn’t this now-sighted man a tonic? In contrast to his apprehensive parents, he speaks his mind. In fact, it feels as though he is so thrilled by what Jesus has done for him that he is quite unhinged. Amid the toxic debate with the religious leaders, he bounces around, repeating the facts they demand, poking at their balloon-like pomposity and exposing their closed minds. They respond with insults, refusing to believe him and iterating their devotion to Moses’ law. The unschooled man, excluded for a lifetime from temple worship, teaches them a biblical lesson about whose prayers God answers. He recognizes that he does not have all the answers—but he knows that he can see: the light has dawned in his darkened world. He stands as a radiant model of a life transformed. Even his neighbors struggle to recognize him.
My friend’s email continues, “My mum asked me to pray together with her since she does not know how to do it in a Christian way: I am a beginner too, but hope I am doing it correctly as I believe God has responded to me positively so far. I have been currently sharing a daily text message on ‘Reading the Bible Every Day’ with both my mum and dad, which is so blissful to me. It seems contagious.” Hallelujah! New believers are the best witnesses. Their stories are indeed delightful in our eyes.
Apply
When did you last hear the testimony of a new Christian? Recall it and enjoy God’s miraculous work of transformation.
Closing prayer
Father, as I think of new believers and thank you for them, I also look to you to protect them and increase their faith, enabling them to stand unwavering in their Savior.
Book and Author Intros
Extras
Click here to sign up to receive the EXTRAs via email each quarter.
© 2025 Scripture Union U.S.A. All rights reserved. Reproduction of the whole or any part of the contents without written permission is prohibited.
Encounter with God is published in the USA under license from Scripture Union England and Wales, Trinity House, Opal Court, Opal Drive, Fox Milne, Milton Keynes, MK15 0DF.