Born Blind

Jesus heals the blind man. He spits on the ground, he creates clay, wipes it over the blind man’s eyes and tells him to go and wash. How many times have I read or heard that story? How many times have I thought how cool is that, and how many times have I not let the story enter the depths of my heart?


Today I read the story again in John 9. I read the words, pondered the meaning, and let the story into my heart. Like most stories about Jesus, there is a depth beyond the simplicity. It is there for the blind to see, if they are willing to listen to Jesus with their heart.

So what was different for me in the story this time? I am struck by the blindness of those who have sight. Jesus refuted the common belief that the man was blind due to some kind of sin, as a form of punishment. Rather, his blindness would be used for good, to point to God. But the sight that was brought to the blind man revealed that blindness comes in many forms. Blindness of the heart, that is much harder to heal, much harder to see.

The story does not say that the man asked to be healed. Jesus put the clay on his eyes and told him to go wash. The man obeyed and thus was healed. If he had not listened or taken the action Jesus requested of him, he would still be blind and there would be no story. Those that knew the man started to question whether or not he was the blind beggar. They did not want to believe what they were seeing. It was easier for them to question what they could see right in front of them than to believe the miracle that had taken place. When the formerly blind man was brought before the Pharisees all that they would see was that it was the Sabbath day and surely one sent by God could not heal on the Sabbath. However, there were some present that wondered in their hearts if that wisdom was true. There were a few that saw with their eyes and believed with their heart. In their blindness and quest for answers that fit their expectations, the Pharisees brought in the blind man’s parents. Afraid for their place in the community and afraid of being thrown out of fellowship, the blind man’s parents, who could clearly see a miracle had happened, refused to give Jesus credit, but told the Pharisees to ask their son instead. They kept their place in the community and the synagogue, but they lost their sight.

The blind man who was no longer blind was brought again before the Pharisees. He refused to be silenced; he refused to hide behind tradition or expectations. His expectations for life had been shattered when the man called Jesus touched his eyes and told him to go wash. Life as he knew it would never be the same and he refused to be silent. He tells the Pharisees “Whether He is a sinner, I do not know; one thing I do know, that though I was blind, now I see.” When questioned again, he pointed out the fact that they would not listen to him, they would not see. Called to the carpet by one they deemed unworthy, the Pharisees wrapped themselves in their expectations and closed their ears, eyes, and hearts to reality.

Knowing his life had been forever altered by the touch of Jesus, the man did not care that he was kicked out of fellowship with his community. He only cared about the one who touched him. He knew who had healed him and he would not be silent. He refused to not tell the truth no matter the consequences.

My sense is that the man followed Jesus for the rest of his days. He knew the change that had been wrought by those hands and he would tell whoever listened. He was a living miracle and a living testament to the healing power of the almighty God.

The miracles that God brought to his life were life changing. I wonder about the miracles that God performs today. I know there have been times when I have not spoken for fear of losing something. In reading these words today, God is impressing on my heart to shout out the blindness he has healed in my heart. He is saying to me to refuse to be silent, refuse to keep the secrets, refuse to conform to expectations. He wants me to see the miracles he has wrought in my life and to share those miracles with whoever will listen. He wants me to spread his healing power and wipe the dust off my feet and move forward when someone refuses to see.

What does the story of Jesus healing the blind man say to you? How does it speak to your heart?