John 9

“As He was passing by He saw a man blind from birth.  His disciples questioned Him: ‘Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?’  ‘Neither this man nor his parents sinned,’ Jesus answered.  ‘This came about so that God’s works might be displayed in him.’”  John 9:1-3 (HCSB)

Imagine Jesus, if you will, as a Master artist.  It’s not much of a stretch; He authored Creation, after all!  So, this Master artist and His protégés are strolling through His studio one day, and they pass by a work of art that doesn’t look quite right.  One of the Master’s students asks what was wrong with the clay that the sculpture would appear so odd.

The Master replies, “Nothing is wrong with the clay.  I left this piece unfinished so you can observe the Master’s work.”  That’s pretty much the scenario of today’s passage.

“We must do the works of Him Who sent Me while it is day.  Night is coming when no one can work.  As long as I am in the world, I am the light of the world.”  John 9:4-5 (HCSB)

By choosing the word “WE,” Jesus intimated that His disciples would have an active Spirit-directed role in completing the Father’s “works,” as well.  That same “limited participation” in the salvation/discipleship of men is a role extended to us, even today.

It helps to remember that Jesus created humanity by breathing the life of His Spirit into the “dust of the earth.”  Notice the contrast to His writing names of unbelievers in the dirt in Chapter 8.  Here in Chapter 9, Jesus demonstrates that “water/saliva” flowing from His mouth transforms dirt into an agent of healing!  

Ponder that idea for a moment: From the mouth of the Lord comes the Spirit-filled Word of the Lord.  When God’s Word and His Spirit are applied to a person’s unbelief, healing takes place!  That healing brings “sight,” i.e., understanding of the things of God.

“After He said these things, He spat on the ground, made some mud from the saliva, and spread the mud on his eyes.  ‘Go,’ He told him, ‘Wash in the pool of Siloam’ (which means “Sent”).  So he left, washed, and came back seeing.”  John 9:6-7 (HCSB)

Before healing was established, Jesus SENT the man on a mission.  Healing was dependent on the man’s response to God’s call.  People are not saved by hearing the Gospel only but by faithfully responding to it.  

The Hebrew word “Siloam” means “sent.”  The term “apostle” also means “to be sent on a mission.”  We are healed so that we may do Kingdom work.  Once he received healing from his blindness, this man began the work of restoring sight to others by exposing their spiritual and Scriptural “blindness” and testifying of Jesus’ power to heal all who would receive Him.