Have you ever watched a stream of ants stretching between their anthill and a food source? The whole process is very organized and precise. Why are ants so good in their task? The reason is that each ant follows the other so closely. In this way, they provide an excellent lesson for us as Christians in our relationship with Jesus. As Christians, we are followers of Jesus. We are saved by faith in him to follow him closely in faith. That involves serving–doing his work, the work he wants us to do. John 9:1-7 has three ways that he wants us to serve him.

To testify means to give evidence about what you experienced. Following Jesus more closely involves doing just that–telling others about our experience with him. The more we tell others about him, the more we realize how good it is to know him, and the more we draw close to him. Think about it this way. How close are you to someone if you are unwilling to talk about your relationship with that person? When you love somebody, you let the whole world know! Well, John 9:8-23 has four ways how Jesus wants us to testify about him.

Life can be quite a challenge. Following Jesus more closely involves toughing out the tough stuff that comes our way as a result of being a Christian. The harder life gets, the greater the opportunity to draw close to God. John 9:24-34 describes three discouragements that all Christians experience at one time or another. We have all been there with these three. If we haven’t yet, we will be. So, it’s good to name them and lean into the Lord’s strength to persevere through them.

The people of the Hmar tribe of northeast India were once fierce headhunters known for their vicious slayings. But in 1910, Welsh missionary Watkin Roberts shared the Gospel with them and within two generations the entire tribe was evangelized. Mr. Roberts was saved by grace, and so he reached out with grace. Jesus showed him mercy, and so he wanted to spread the mercy of Christ. Watkin Roberts is a good example for us, and he followed the best example…Jesus. John 9:35-41 contains three descriptions of how Jesus reached out.