While He was passing by, He noticed a man [who had been] blind from birth. 2 His disciples asked Him, “Rabbi (Teacher), who [a]sinned, this man or his parents, that he would be born blind?” 3 Jesus answered, “Neither this man nor his parents sinned, but it was so that the works of God might be displayed and illustrated in him. 4 We must work the works of Him who sent Me while it is day; night is coming when no one can work. 5 As long as I am in the world, I am the Light of the world [giving guidance through My word and works].” 6 When He had said this, He spat on the ground and made mud with His saliva, and He spread the mud [like an ointment] on the man’s eyes. 7 And He said to him, “Go, wash in the pool of [b]Siloam” (which is translated, Sent). So he went away and washed, and came back seeing. 8 So the neighbors, and those who used to know him as a beggar, said, “Is not this the man who used to sit and beg?” 9 Some said, “It is he.” Still others said, “No, but he looks like him.” But he kept saying, “I am the man.” 10 So they said to him, “How were your eyes opened?” 11 He replied, “The Man called Jesus made mud and smeared it on my eyes and told me, ‘Go to Siloam and wash.’ So I went and washed, and I received my sight!” 12 They asked him, “Where is He?” He said, “I do not know.”
Hopefully you have read the previous 2 posts on this topic, and if you have you may be saying to yourself that the title didn’t fit neither of those posts. You would probably be right, but like all great series, there is a buildup to the close where all questions are answered, and hopefully you get that with part 3. The blind man has been healed, so he is no longer blind, though he is still identified as the blind man by the people of the town. The people are questioning whether this is the same man that they had passed by for years, and if so, how did he get healed. Isn’t it interesting that people will know and identify you by your ailment, condition, or past rather than who you actually are. I’m sure the man has a name, but he is only identified as the blind man. His own neighbors and people that had seen him regularly doubted his identity because he was healed. Have you ever had people question the authenticity of your story, healing, joy, or blessings because they refuse to see you as anything other than how they previously saw you? The people in the passage couldn’t even appreciate that the man had been given sight/vision because they were too busy questioning the authenticity of his healing, and the one (Jesus) who had healed him. It is important to understand AND remember that when people strongly refute/oppose your healing/deliverance/testimony it is less about you and more of their resistance to Jesus. What do you do when the evidence of your healing/deliverance isn’t enough for the onlookers? Donnie McClurkin’s famous song “Stand” reminds us that when you’ve done everything you can, you just stand, which is what this man did as the people, Pharisees, and even his parents questioned him on how he received his sight. You should read John 9:1-34 to get the full story, but even though the people refused to accept/believe his testimony, he unwaveringly stood on the fact that he was once blind, but now he could see. Sometimes you won’t be able to defend or explain your healing/deliverance with articulate words, peaceful talks, or even showing the evidence. During those times you would be wise to mirror the actions of the healed man from this passage, stand on what you know to be true, and steer others questions and attention to Jesus.
Reflection Time
Who healed you? What answers have you given for you healing/deliverance? Are you prepared to deal with others doubt and/or rejection of your healing/deliverance? What do you need to improve your walk or ability to stand on God’s word and promises.
