When God’s methods don’t make sense
In Jesus’ day, when someone was born blind or had any other kind of disability, it was assumed that it must be their fault – was the disability a punishment for their sin? Or perhaps their parents’ sin? In John 9, the disciples actually ask this question out loud as they pass a blind man begging by the roadside.
Jesus replies saying, “Neither this man nor his parents sinned…but this happened so that the works of God might be displayed in him” (John 9:3). Then Jesus spits on the ground, makes mud with his saliva, and smears it on the man’s eyes. “Go,” he says, “wash in the pool of Siloam.” The man obeys and for the very first time in his life, he sees!
The Scripture
“He spat on the ground, made mud, and anointed the man’s eyes. “Go,” he told him, “wash in the Pool of Siloam” (this word means “Sent”). So the man went and washed, and came home seeing.”
John 9:6 (NIV)
What Does Story Mean for Us Today?
Why mud? Why spit? Jesus could have simply just spoken a word and the blind man would have been healed. Instead, he chose a method that was unusual. Let’s take a closer look at each part of this story and why it is so special.
In The Beginning…
All the way back in Genesis when God gave Adam life when He formed him from the dust of the earth. Now here’s Jesus, using the same earth to give a man a new life with full vision. Here Jesus is reminding us that He’s the one who gives life and brings light into the darkness.
A Faith That Moves
By putting the mud on the man’s eyes, Jesus gave him a choice. He told him, “Go wash in the Pool of Siloam“. For the blind man, that meant getting up, leaving the place that he knew, navigating his way through the city – still blind and now with mud on his face – all while trusting that something good would happen.
The blind man’s obedience was part of the miracle. He could have just stayed where he was and the miracle would have been lost. He would never have known a new life. Sometimes we don’t need to understand, we just need to take Jesus at His word.
Jesus Challenges “Religious” Thinking
If you read further through the story you will see that the miracle triggered a major debate among the religious leaders. The Pharasees were furious! They were neither impressed nor happy that the man had been healed. All they could focus on was the technicality that Jesus had “worked” on the Sabbath. They couldn’t even see the miracle that was right in front of them – they were the ones who were truly blind!
Faith in Action
Reflection Questions
Affirmation
Jesus, you are the Light of the World and I trust you to bring light to every dark place in my life.
Prayer for the Day
Jesus,
Thank you for seeking out the broken and overlooked in this world. Show me your compassion, even when I’m stuck in old habits and assumptions. Touch me in the depths of my need. Open my eyes – physically, emotionally, spiritually – so that I can see you working in my life. Help me to obey you even when your instructions are strange or ask me to pull myself out of my comfort zone. Help me to celebrate every miracle of sight you bring!
Amen.
