Scripture Text: John 9:11
He answered, “The man called Jesus made mud and anointed my eyes and said to me, ‘Go to Siloam and wash.’ So I went and washed and received my sight.”
John 9:11
This particular miracle provides us with many valuable lessons. One, first hinted at here, is the simplicity of our testimony. The man speaking was born blind (John 9:1–2), but was miraculously granted sight by Jesus (John 9:6–7). When pressed about what happened to so drastically change his life, the man has a simple answer: Jesus put mud on my eyes and said to wash, so I did, and now I can see. This man will be interrogated by the Pharisees, and yet he will consistently give the same answer. In fact, when pressed to give a deeper explanation, he will respond with a classic statement: "One thing I do know, that though I was blind, now I see" (John 9:25). Another helpful perspective here is to consider what would have happened had the man refused Jesus' command. In this particular case, Jesus didn't instantly heal, He gave the man a task to perform. This is not an uncommon tactic by God, even when it comes to healing (2 Kings 5:1–14). Putting muddy clay on the man's eyes certainly gave him an incentive to wash, and God often uses "pressure" in our lives to encourage us in certain directions. But this man's blessing was effectively on hold until he acted in obedience. Not all of God's work in our lives is this way, and we certainly can't presume that God "owes" us when we do certain things. However, we should also recognize that God does not expect us to be passive (John 9:4; Matthew 5:16), and sometimes His commands are for our own benefit.
Reflect
1. How have you come to know Jesus?
2. What did He do to your life to make you obey him?
3. Will you now make Him known?
Remember
God does not expect us to have deep, advanced knowledge in order to be saved. Nor do we need to have extensive experience or a well-polished story in order to reach others for the sake of Christ. In most cases, our most potent tool is to give a simple explanation of what God has done for us (Mark 5:19). Not only is this personal and real, but it's undeniable: we know what we have experienced!
Read
Luke 17:11-19; John 1:40-45; Matthew 8:23-27; Matthew 9:6-8; Mark 8:22-26
Pray
Lord, thank You for You have been so loving and full of grace to me, that You have done mighty works for me by letting me see Your goodness and truths. Thank You for removing my blindness to Your works and words. I ask that You continuously give me the desire to share how You change my life. In Jesus' Name. Amen.
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