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By Mike Caton

John 9:38, Then the man said, “Lord, I believe,” and he worshiped him.

Jesus has just told this once blind man that he was in fact the Son of Man, the Messiah, the Christ. This man’s response is worth noting. He told Jesus he believed. But what does it really mean to believe? The Greek word is most often translated as believe, but it also can mean to entrust, to have faith. The dictionary defines believe as to hold something as true, to feel sure of something. It is more than just a passing thought. We show this kind of trust every day a thousand times. We believe the chair we sit in is going to hold us. We believe our car is not only going to get us where we are going, but we believe it is going to get us back. We believe advice the doctor gives us and we believe the medicine is going to help. Sadly, all of those things have the possibility to fail us. Chairs collapse, cars break down, doctors are wrong. But God never fails.

And this man does something else in this verse. He worships Jesus. The Greek word is most often translated as worship, but it has the idea of bowing down to someone, especially God, to show them respect, honor and submission. The dictionary defines worship as the feeling or expression of reverence and adoration for a deity. This man recognizes the fact that Jesus is indeed God himself! And he expresses that knowledge to Jesus through his respect and submission to him. It is about admitting that Jesus is someone you are not, that he is far superior to you, that he is worthy of your respect, honor and obedience.

So, this morning, do you really believe Jesus is who he claims to be? And are you willing to worship him, to admit his superiority to you? This is not a once a week thing, where we go to church to worship. It is about a day to day acknowledgment of who Jesus is and who you are not. It is about a minute by minute realization that you need to have God in your life, and that you need to do things his way, as opposed to your own way.

Father, help me honor you in all I do. In Jesus’ name, amen.

Mike Caton is the preacher at Mount Olive Church of Christ in Belhaven. He volunteers at the Ponzer Fire Department and works part time with Hyde County EMS. If you would like to receive daily devotions in your inbox, email mikecaton@centurylink.net.

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