In John 9, we read the account of Jesus healing the blind man by putting mud in his eye then telling him to go wash in the pool of Siloam. Follow me as I think about how it must have been for this man.
First, he is used as an example. Those with Jesus asked, “Rabbi, who sinned: this man or his parents, causing him to be born blind?”
Have you ever had people talk about you, right in front of your face, like you weren’t there? Jesus stopped them immediately telling them, “You’re asking the wrong question. You’re looking for someone to blame. There is no such cause-effect here. Look instead for what God can do.
Don’t you think Jesus had the blind mans attention at this point? All of the sudden the blind man is feeling something cold, thick and wet smeared all over his eyes. WHAT? I’m sure he wasn’t just sitting still letting this happen. I imagine he was moving around, trying to get Jesus off of him. He didn’t know it was Jesus at that point and he surely didn’t know what was going on. Then if getting mud in his eyes wasn’t enough, Jesus tells him “go wash in the pool of Saloam.” Even though this wasn’t an easy task, he did it. I’m sure hope had begun to rise in his heart, he didn’t know exactly what was happening but he had to sense that God was working.
He either stumbled around, feeling his way to the pool or made his way to a friend and asked for help, either way he made the effort and he got there. As the cool water ran over his sightless eyes, light began to pierce the darkness and for the first time this man who was born blind was able to see the world.
Glory to God! Jesus is still the same today. He is not looking at people, shaking his finger, explaining how we deserve darkness. Oh no, he is still saying, “Look instead for what God can do.” There’s not one thing that we face that God doesn’t want to get involved in. He wants to make His goodness and mercy known. Will we let Him work?
It will always take humility and a willing heart to receive the miracle God has for our lives. This blind man could have settled down in bitterness or been embarrassed or complained about how difficult the situation was for him but instead he gave his all. He surrendered to the Lord, let Jesus work in his life and then obeyed when the Lord instructed him.
Has Jesus been able to work in your life lately or have you been shooing him away wondering “what good will this do?”? Has he asked you to go…forgive, repent, make things right, give, speak or act? Have you run to obey His command or sat there wondering if change could really come from your obedience?
I encourage you; don’t sit there embracing your need. Allow the Lord to minister life to you. It may not happen the way you think it should but trust Him. Then, when He gives you an instruction, be quick to do it no matter how difficult it may seem at the moment. Your obedience could just open up a whole new for you!
Need to pray? Father you see my situation. I will not sit around asking “why?” Instead I ask you to get involved. Bring Glory to yourself though my life. I will be quick to obey when you instruct me. I will make sure to rejoice and give you praise! Thank you for loving me. Thank you for setting me free and bringing life and light to every area of my life. In Jesus name! Amen!