Let There Be LightSample

Day 9 – Adrian Ford

(Calvary Sunshine Coast)

John Chapter 9

Title: Trusting in the Process

Scripture: John 9:1–3

As he passed by, he saw a man blind from birth. And his disciples asked him, “Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?” Jesus answered, “It was not that this man sinned, or his parents, but that the works of God might be displayed in him.

Thought:

I find this to be an odd story. After these verses, Jesus spits in the dirt and wipes it on the face of the blind man! The blind man, who hadn’t asked to be healed, suddenly has a face full of spit and mud.

Then Jesus tells him to “Go! Wash yourself in the pool of Siloam.” So off he goes, if for no other reason than to get the mud off his face. We’ve read the rest of the story. The man goes, washes, and comes back with his sight restored.

The second stage of this miracle caught my attention: Jesus’ command that the blind man walk to the pool of Siloam. Why doesn’t Jesus just heal the blind man instantly? Jesus has already turned water to wine; He’s healed the official’s son with a word and multiplied the loaves and fish by praying over a basket. In these miracles, the recipients did very little to receive the miracle.

So why couldn’t Jesus wipe the mud from the blind man’s eyes? Or even easier, just lay His hands on the man’s eyes and heal him? Why the mud? Why the walk?

Application:

For me, this story speaks of two things. First, sometimes, there are things in our lives that look bad and seem messy, but they are actually just the lead-up to a miracle that Jesus will work. Second, sometimes Jesus asks us to walk in faith and believe His Word on the way to seeing a miracle fulfilled.

Prayer:

God, help me trust you in every season of my life. Help me trust that you are in control, even when it feels like I have mud on my eyes. I ask that you give me faith to walk out this journey with you, knowing you are in control, even when I can’t see it.