Another miracle… another sign… another lesson!
En route to somewhere, Jesus and His disciples encountered a blind man, most likely begging by the wayside. Nothing unusual in that but this encounter was a divine appointment. Jesus was always on the alert for an opportunity to glorify His Father.
So, perhaps in the hearing of the blind man, the disciples began to discuss his condition with Jesus. Was this blindness a consequence of someone’s sin, the man himself or his parents?
Typically, man’s way of thinking! How often even God’s own people think that their adversities are a punishment for sin. Yes, God does punish sin, has punished all sin through the death of His Son. No longer is every bad thing that happens to us punishment. This idea was an age-old way of explaining the reason for suffering. Think of Job’s friends who tried to convince Job that he had done something really bad to deserve his calamities!
Jesus brings a new perspective into the situation. “Look at it this way,” He says.
John 9:3-5 MSG
[3-5] “Jesus said, “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….”
What a way to view our troubles! Instead of a pessimistic resignation to suffering, Jesus saw an opportunity to put God’s glory on display. He recognised God’s love shining through the trials and hardships of this life. He looked at every situation through the eyes of faith and anticipation.
God is never happy to inflict suffering on His people. He uses whatever difficulties that come our way for a greater purpose. He wants us to see our adversities as opportunities to experience more of His covenant love (chesed) in our lives.
So, Jesus changed the outlook from, “There’s nothing we can do about it,” to “Let’s see what God can do.”
Blindness, for the disciples, especially from birth, was an irreversible condition. However, Jesus didn’t see it that way. He called the Father in to intervene. How does God work?
Psalms 107:20 NLT
[20] “He sent out his word and healed them, snatching them from the door of death.”
Matthew 8:8 NLT
[8] “But the officer said, “Lord, I am not worthy to have you come into my home. Just say the word from where you are, and my servant will be healed.”
How often in the Gospel records Jesus spoke and healing happened.
John 9:6-7 NLT
[6] “Then he spit on the ground, made mud with the saliva, and spread the mud over the blind man’s eyes. [7] He told him, “Go wash yourself in the pool of Siloam” (Siloam means “sent”). So the man went and washed and came back seeing!”
Why did Jesus put mud on the blind man’s eyes? There was no magic or healing in the mud. It was not even an agent through which healing happened. Perhaps muddy eyes forced the man to wash it off! In that act of obedience and necessity, he was healed.
Of course, this event sparked another furious debate with Jesus’ enemies, once again raging around Jesus ‘working’ on the Sabbath. However, for us now, the miracle itself points us to a way of dealing with impossible issues in a way far better and more rewarding than mere resignation.
When we are faced with seemingly insurmountable obstacles, let’s do what Jesus did. Let’s not look for a reason for our suffering. We may never find one, and anyway, the reason will not bring a solution. Instead, let’s see what God can do.
A perspective like this awakens faith and expectancy and gives God an open door to work on our behalf and, best of all, to reveal His glory once again.
The outcome of this miracle for the blind man was faith in Jesus, the Messiah and a changed life – a greater miracle of grace.
John 9:35-38 NLT
[35] “When Jesus heard what had happened, he found the man and asked, “Do you believe in the Son of Man?” [36] The man answered, “Who is he, sir? I want to believe in him.” [37] “You have seen him,” Jesus said, “and he is speaking to you!” [38] “Yes, Lord, I believe!” the man said. And he worshiped Jesus.”
For those who believe and love Jesus, “Let’s see what God can do,” changes the attitude from resignation to hope, the expectation from continual misery to a new life, and from self-pity to thanksgiving and praise to God.
1 Thessalonians 5:18 NLT
[18] “Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you who belong to Christ Jesus.”