Growing In The Knowledge Of Jesus
John 9:1-41 (ESV)
2 Peter 3:18:
“But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.”
John records 7 I AM statements in his gospel by which Jesus identifies himself as the very God of the Old Testament. He is the Word-made flesh. In chapter 8 he declares, "I am the light of the world." Then, in chapter 9 we read about the healing of a man born blind which illustrates Jesus' point. Jesus is the light of the world because he removes spiritual blindness. He is the ultimate self-disclosure of God by whom and through whom the deepest mysteries of life can be discerned.
As the story progresses, the healed man grows more and more in his knowledge of Jesus, which ultimately results in him falling at his feet in worship. This is set in contrast to the skepticism and opposition of the Pharisees who remain in their ignorance, in darkness.
Therefore, the first variable in our formula for discipleship is knowledge. We become more and more like Jesus as we grow in our knowledge of him as revealed in his Word.
