Are We Blind?

 Now as Jesus was passing by, he saw a man who had been blind from birth. ² His disciples asked him, “Rabbi, who committed the sin that caused him to be born blind, this man or his parents?” ³ Jesus answered, “Neither this man nor his parents sinned, but he was born blind so that the acts of God may be revealed through what happens to him. ⁴ We must perform the deeds of the one who sent me as long as it is daytime. Night is coming when no one can work. ⁵ As long as I am in the world, I am the light of the world.” ⁶ Having said this, he spat on the ground and made some mud with the saliva. He smeared the mud on the blind man’s eyes ⁷ and said to him, “Go wash in the pool of Siloam” (which is translated “sent”). So the blind man went away and washed, and came back seeing.

John 9:1-7 

 

Yes, I realize today's passage is a mite long, but well worth reading and making a few observations.  

 

First, notice that when Jesus was asked whose sin caused the man to be born blind, Jesus said "Neither this man nor his parents sinned."  This probably stunned the Disciples who had been taught, by the Pharisees, that such ailments were the result of sin.  

 

Second, Jesus knocked them for a real loop: "...but he was born blind so that the acts of God may be revealed through what happens to him."  Now, I can hear it now, "Well THAT'S not fair!"  To us, it doesn't seem "fair," however, God has a purpose for everything and everyone.  This man was born blind so that at this point in this particular moment in time Jesus would heal him, proving that God truly is the one in charge.  When we go through difficult times, God has a purpose for our situation and it's to prove who is truly in charge.

 

Third, notice how Jesus chose to heal the man. "He spat on the ground and made some mud with the saliva. He smeared the mud on the blind man’s eyes." Why did Jesus choose to spit in the dirt, make mud, and smear it on the mans eyes?  Wouldn't His touch be enough?  Wouldn't it be just as effective for Jesus to just tell the man to "Be Healed"?  Think about this: God uses unusual means to create miracles. (Remember the 5 biscuits and 2 sardines?).