Key Verse: “After he said these things he spit on the ground, made some mud from the saliva, and spread the mud on his eyes. “Go,” he told him, “wash in the pool of Siloam” (which means “Sent”). So he left, washed, and came back seeing.” (John 9:6-7 CSB)
When Jesus and His disciples encountered a man who had been blind from birth, He did something very unusual. “He spit on the ground, made some mud from the saliva, and spread the mud on his eyes” (v.6). Then He told the blind man to go down to the pool of Siloam and wash the mud off his eyes.
What would have been going through the mind of the man as he made his way down to the pool? What was with Jesus spitting on the ground? Was it going to work? Would this be the day when he could finally see? Sure enough, when he washed the mud from his eyes in the pool exactly as Jesus had told him, he “came back seeing” (v.7). Imagine how amazing that would have been for him to see for the very first time!
The whole incident caused some confusion for the man’s neighbours when he returned from the pool. Wasn’t this the blind man who would sit begging? Did they have the right guy? How exactly was this man who had been blind from birth suddenly able to see? All the man knew was that it was Jesus who had healed him.
One of the signs that points to Jesus’ true identity as the promised Messiah was His healing of blindness. The prophet Isaiah spoke about how “the eyes of the blind will be opened, and the ears of the deaf unstopped” (Isaiah 35:5). But it isn’t simply physical blindness that Jesus has the power to heal. He also can remove spiritual blindness. Even though “the god of this age has blinded the minds of the unbelievers to keep them from seeing the light of the gospel” (2 Corinthians 4:4), Jesus can instantly remove the veil and bring true spiritual sight.
In the book of Acts, Saul was initially one of the most ardant enemies of those who followed Jesus, terrorizing them for their faith. But as Saul traveled along the road to Damascus, a light from heaven flashed around him, and “though his eyes were open, he could see nothing” (Acts 9:8). Later when Ananias came to him and placed his hands on Saul, Saul was filled with the Holy Spirit, and “at once something like scales fell from his eyes, and his regained his sight. Then he got up and was baptized” (Acts 9:18). In that moment, Saul was healed not only of his physical blindness, but also of his spiritual blindness. He could see Jesus clearly!
This is an experience that every person needs to have. Like clay in the hands of a potter (Isaiah 64:8), we all need God to touch the eyes of our heart so that we can clearly see who Jesus is and experience all that He has done for us. We need God to remove our spiritual blindness and give us the ability to see the Light of the world!
Who do you know right now who is experiencing spiritual blindness and is unable to see Jesus clearly? Pray specifically for them today. With faith, ask God to touch their hearts and cause the spiritual scales of blindness to fall from their eyes so that they can truly see with faith in Him.
Prayer: Jesus, only through you can those who are spiritually blind truly see! Thank you for opening my eyes to who you are. I pray today for those in my life who have not yet truly seen you. Touch their eyes today and remove the veil of blindness. Show your power and glory again today! Amen.
Author: Jonathan Miller has served in pastoral roles for more than 13 years in churches in Barrie, Oakville and Burlington, Ontario. He currently serves as the Chief Operating Officer at Prison Fellowship Canada, a ministry that mobilizes and equips local churches to engage in the restorative work of prisoners, ex-prisoners, their families, and victims across Canada. Jon holds degrees from McMaster University and Trinity Evangelical Divinity School. He and his wife Adrienne have been married since 2004, and live in Burlington, Ontario with their 4 children. Jon’s greatest passion is to know Jesus and to see lives transformed by Him and for Him.
