who is that man?

Transformation is at the heart of the Gospel, and nowhere is this more evident than in the lives of men who encounter Jesus. When a man encounters Christ, the change is often so profound that many who knew him before may no longer recognize him. This theme of transformation is vividly illustrated in Scripture, particularly in John 9:1-12 and 2 Corinthians 5:17.

A Blind Man Sees and a New Man Is Born

In John 9, Jesus encounters a man who has been blind since birth. After anointing his eyes with mud and sending him to wash in the pool of Siloam, the man’s sight is miraculously restored. What follows is fascinating: those who had known this man as a beggar were in disbelief. Some questioned, "Isn't this the man who used to sit and beg?" Others insisted, "No, he only looks like him." The man himself confirmed, "I am the man."

"I AM THAT MAN!"

This story is not only about physical healing but also spiritual transformation. When Jesus changes a man, the result can be so dramatic that even those who are familiar with him can’t comprehend the new person standing before them. The new identity of the healed man was so deeply tied to the work Jesus did in his life that people couldn’t reconcile the past with the present.

The New Creation in Christ

This radical shift is echoed in 2 Corinthians 5:17, where Paul writes, "Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!" This is the essence of Jesus' transformative power. A man who encounters Jesus doesn’t just receive a minor change—he is made entirely new. His values, behaviors, and very identity are altered in a way that reflects the nature of Christ.

He begins to embody the fruits of the Spirit: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control (Galatians 5:22-23). The change is so profound that it will evoke a response in those around you. This response can be either good or it may come in the form of push-back or a challenge by those who are used to the status quo. Maybe they are uncomfortable with the 'new' you or maybe they are waiting to see if you will be consistent. They may struggle to understand how someone they once knew could be so different, but this is precisely the testimony of Christ’s power.

Why People May Not Recognize the Transformed Man

The reason people may fail to recognize someone after they've encountered Jesus is simple: the world doesn’t understand spiritual transformation. Culture often reduces people to their past mistakes and failures. But Jesus sees beyond that. He sees a man’s potential, his God-given purpose, and His power to restore and renew. In fact, in Isaiah 52:14 the Bible describes Jesus as being, "unrecognizable as a man."

"He became unrecognizable as a man so that we could be recognized as men!"

In Christ, a man’s past no longer defines him. Instead, he is defined by who he is in Jesus—a child of God, forgiven, redeemed, and made new. This is why others may struggle to recognize him, because they are seeing only what he was, not who he has become in Christ.

The Impact of Transformation

This kind of transformation isn't only for the individual but is also a witness to those around him. Like the formerly blind man, those in his community were confronted with undeniable evidence of Jesus’ power. Some were confused, some were skeptical, but all were forced to reckon with the reality of a transformed life.

The same is true today. When Jesus transforms a man, it disrupts the expectations of those around him. People are forced to ask, "What happened?" and this opens the door for the Gospel to be proclaimed. The transformation of one man can lead to the transformation of many others, as they seek to understand the source of such a profound change.

Recognizing the Power of Jesus

The power of Jesus to transform men is undeniable. Whether it’s giving sight to the blind or making a man a new creation, Jesus specializes in radical transformation. As followers of Christ, we must remember that this kind of change is what we should expect—both in ourselves and in others. When Jesus transforms a man, those who knew him before may not recognize him, but the truth remains: he is no longer the same, for he has been made new in Christ.

As 2 Corinthians 5:17 reminds us, "The old has gone, the new is here!" And that newness is something the world cannot deny!