“I don’t know whether he is a sinner,” the man replied. “But I know this: I was blind, and now I can see!”
JOHN 9:25
Jesus and His disciples were in Jerusalem for the feast. They’d just left the temple, and he knew they were talking about him and the cause of his blindness. “Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?” Suffering was thought to be a result of sin in their culture, but as the one born blind, he never thought this logic made sense. Many sinned, but not everyone was born blind as a result! Jesus’ answer surprised him. “It was not because of his sins or his parents’ sins. This happened so the power of God could be seen in him.”
What happened next astonished him more. He could sense someone moving toward him. He felt a warm sensation surround him. It was strangely peaceful. He sensed the person bending over and then heard a familiar sound. Ptuh. Spitting? He flinched a bit when he felt the hands begin to smear something cool and wet on both of his eyes. It smelled like dirt. Mud. He knew it was Jesus. “Go wash in the Pool of Siloam,” He told him. Not quite sure what to expect, the blind man obediently made his way south to the pool.
It took him a few minutes to get there. He begged on these streets and knew them well. On the way, he dared not hope. Jesus usually healed instantly. Could it be? Arriving at the ritual pool, he quickly took his clothes off and stepped in, each step down taking him deeper into the water. Cupping the water in his hands, he began washing the dried mud off his closed eyelids. Even before he opened his eyes, he could see the light. Slowly, ever so slowly, his squinting eyes grew accustomed to the bright sunlight reflecting off the water. Both arms shot up in wonder as he beheld his first view of the world outside of his imagination. I can see. Praise Jesus, I can really see! He ran to tell his neighbors the good news, how Jesus put mud on his eyes and restored his sight.
To his surprise, those who knew him before were skeptical. He had to convince them he really was the same blind man who sat and begged by the temple. “I am the man!” he insisted. And he told them about Jesus, the mud, and washing in the pool. Unconvinced, they brought him to the Pharisees, who demanded an explanation. He told them how Jesus healed him. “He is a prophet,” he said confidently. But the religious leaders insisted that Jesus could not be of God because He broke the law and healed on the Sabbath. Then they tried to discredit his claim of blindness by demanding the “real” truth from his parents. Fearing retaliation, his parents simply said, “He is of age; ask him.”
And again, they asked him. They even accused Jesus of being a sinner. Exasperated by their refusal to believe him, he insisted that only a man from God could heal the eyes of a blind man. He didn’t know any answers to the questions they asked. He didn’t need to know. He only knew one thing: “I was blind but now I see!” They hurled insults at him and argued about where Jesus came from. But he wasn’t afraid of them. And he got the last word. “God does not listen to sinners. He listens to the godly person who does his will. Nobody has ever heard of opening the eyes of a man born blind. If this man were not from God, he could do nothing.” And with that, they threw him out of the temple for good (John 9:1–34 NIV).
This man heard the same frustrating questions over and over. He didn’t understand why or even how he was healed, and he didn’t care. He just knew he was blind, but now he could see. And he knew the One to praise for his radically changed life, the One whose power could now be seen in him. He believed and worshipped Jesus (John 9:36–38).
In your own healing journey, people may be wondering why the world has been so unfair to you. They watch as you walk to your pool of Siloam, and they see you emerge from the pool with your life transformed. Regardless of your circumstances or the nature of your journey, God can use it to demonstrate His power and bring glory to His Son. And in the midst of all the questions, only one thing truly matters. Only His power can change your life forever.
Lord, I don’t understand all the reasons for my sickness or the methods and timing You use to heal and restore. But the one thing I DO know is that You have the power to change my life forever. You are Jesus, the Messiah, the One sent from heaven, my Redeemer. You alone have the power to save and heal. Lord, as I walk out my healing journey and emerge from my pool of Siloam, let Your grace and Your goodness be seen through me. I worship You, Lord!
Thank You for Your promise that everything works together for the good of those who love You (Romans 8:28). I believe in Your ability to heal and restore. Please, Lord, change me. Use my life for Your glory! Let Your mighty works be on display through me. Help me tell the world of Your radical life-changing power!