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by Sandy Shaw
Nobody ever got into so much trouble for doing good as our Saviour and Lord, Jesus Christ. So frequently we see him ministering to someone in need and in real need, and all of a sudden, from some quarter, there comes a wave of opposition, or criticism or antagonism.
In John Chapter 9, we read of a man who has been born blind. Jesus noticed and observed this man’s predicament.
This blind man had never ever seen. He had never seen people. He had never seen the creation around him. He had never seen his own parents. This is a unique miracle, but the controversy that follows almost clouds out everything that is wonderful and lovely.
How true that can in our own lives and ministries. The disciples of Jesus, in verse 2, seem truly concerned with the problem of suffering.
Why is this man blind? Why do people suffer? Why does God allow suffering?
Their interest appears to be theoretical or academic or philosophical, and they want to debate and discuss the issue. They appear at this point to be more interested with the question, or with the problem, rather than with the person.
Jesus has to show them that they are wrong in their thinking that it has to be the person who has sinned, or even those near to the person who has sinned.
Jesus Christ has to teach them. This is not for discussion, but for action. We are not going to debate the problem. We are going to do something about it.
This is not a problem case, but a person with a problem. This is a man in need.
We all need Jesus Christ to act. We all need Jesus to do something in us, for us, to us.
Jesus is also teaching us here that we are not to speculate as to how the problem arose, but to see the situation as an opportunity for ministry. Leaders act!
Jesus gives a rather extraordinary answer. God has allowed this to happen in order to allow His Power to be seen. We have to be prepared for God’s extraordinary answers, and for His supernatural working.
Verse 4. What can I do when I have the opportunity to do something?
This is the way to exercise ministry. What needs to be done? Then, let me do it.
Here is a man in darkness, and Jesus has just been saying, “I am the light of the world”. I must do something for this man in darkness to give him light.
Jesus is setting the example and teaching us. Don’t just discuss it. Do it. Act! Don’t just talk about it, but minister!
The blind man so wanted to see. He is so co-operative. He does what Jesus tells him to do. Jesus spat on the ground. You have done something like this. You burn your finger or something like that and you spit on it.
Spittle can be used to heal or to hurt. When man spat it was to hurt Jesus. When Jesus spat it was to heal and give sight.
Jesus made a little clay – a little ointment of mud – and He anointed the eyes of the blind man.
Verse 7. Go wash in the pool of Siloam. Jesus is testing the man. Go down to the pool and wash in that water. Jesus is giving him something to do to demonstrate his co-operation, and to show his willingness to co-operate with Christ, and obey Jesus.
To co-operate with Jesus can heal you in all kinds of ways – physically – mentally – emotionally – spiritually. Co-operating with Jesus Christ in obedience to His word can produce a whole variety of remarkable and wonderful consequences.
Alexander 'Sandy' Shaw is pastor of Nairn Christian Fellowship in Nairn, Scotland. Nairn is 17 miles east of Inverness - on the Moray Firth Coast - not far from the Loch Ness Monster!
Gifted as a Biblical teacher, Sandy is firmly committed to making sure that his teachings are firmly grounded in the Word.
Sandy has a weekly radio talk which can be heard via the Internet on Saturday at 11:40am, New Orleans time, at wsho.com.
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