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Today's Little Lift
by Jim Bullington
“Now as Jesus passed by, He saw a man who was blind from birth. And His disciples asked Him, saying, 'Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?' Jesus answered, 'Neither this man nor his parents sinned, but that the works of God should be revealed in him. I must work the works of Him who sent Me while it is day; the night is coming when no one can work. As long as I am in the world, I am the light of the world." When He had said these things, He spat on the ground and made clay with the saliva; and He anointed the eyes of the blind man with the clay. And He said to him, 'Go, wash in the pool of Siloam' (which is translated, Sent). So he went and washed, and came back seeing. (John 9.1-7).
The passage which is our focus today is literally chocked full of gems of wisdom and spiritual delights. Our focus, due to the nature of this devotional space, will revolve around one and only one marvel in this text. I beg your attention and, in return, promise you a message of interest.
Verbs and adverbs give out language color and make it alive. We will note the verbs and their tenses in a small portion of the text quoted (above). When Jesus had said these things – this was a deed accomplished; He said them and that was that. Jesus spat on the ground, made clay, and anointed the eyes of the blind man with the clay. This was not a continuing and drawn out drama; it was a few deeds intended to draw attention to the malady of the man and to get his attention. There was no great fan fare or drum roll – just a quiet, deliberate, and extremely brief ceremony. Following these deeds, Jesus told the man, Go, wash in the pool of Siloam. Again, the man is instructed to do something that is to the point and without particular notoriety at all. Much like the Nike slogan that says, Just do it, Jesus said, Just go and wash like I tell you to do. This entire series of events with the directions that were given could only have taken a few minutes, perhaps even just a few moments! Nevertheless, the stage was set for a most remarkable outcome.
For emphasis sake, you are asked to reread the focus text from today's reading. Here is that exact biblical reference. So he [the blind man] went and washed, and came back seeing. He went, but he didn't keep going. He washed, but he didn't keep washing. He came back seeing, and he kept on seeing! These few words and abbreviated actions typify God's power and His methods of operation. God is a God of power beyond human imagination and a God whose words accomplish that for which they are intended.
Isaiah, speaking on behalf of God, said this truth succinctly when he wrote, “So shall My word be that goes forth from My mouth; It shall not return to Me void, But it shall accomplish what I please, And it shall prosper in the thing for which I sent it.” (Isaiah 55.11). This Divine trait is but one of many traits that separates God from man. Man may wish it to be so, he may even attempt to influence it to be so, but in the final analysis, man is frequently powerless to make it so! This is true in a multitude of human realms including health, fame, wealth, and length of life. What man cannot do is but for God to will it to be so – and so it is!
I wonder how many times the blind man's parents wished it had not been so. How often did the man himself wish that he could be sighted like his other friends and relatives? Did they offer prayers on his behalf – we know not. But one thing we know, when God willed it and the man cooperated with God, it was reality! That is our message for today – When God wills it and man cooperates, we will be blessed beyond measure and our wildest imagination!
Questions:
1. Why do you think that Jesus did not engage in some great showmanship stunt before the blind man was healed?
2. How hard do you think the blind man had to wash before his sight was received? Do you think it was a matter of how vigorously he washed? Why or why not?
3. What is God able to do by simply willing it to be so or by speaking the word? What is He not able to do?
4. If God wills it and I cooperate, what am I able to accomplish? Who is to receive the glory?
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