The Blind Man

“but that the works of God might be displayed in him. We must work the works of him who sent me while it is day; night is coming, when no one can work. As long as I am in the world, I am the light of the world.” – John 9:3-5. 

In the Gospel of John, we see a man begin to follow Jesus based on limited information. This man, who was born blind, said he only knew one main thing—and that one thing was enough to make him curious about who Jesus really was.

The blind man makes his way to his designated spot, the place where he stations himself daily and begs for money. He may even sleep in the same place where he spends his days. The sound of footsteps is heard by this blind beggar. And then he hears an even more encouraging clue—the footsteps cease, nearby.  He must overhear the conversation between Jesus and His disciples. “Who sinned, this man or his parents?” he hears one of the bystanders ask “the Rabbi.” I wonder if the blind man has ever asked himself this question.

Jesus says,  “It was not because of his sins or his parents’ sins,” Jesus answered. “This happened so the power of God could be seen in him. We must quickly carry out the tasks assigned us by the one who sent us. The night is coming, and then no one can work. But while I am here in the world, I am the light of the world.”

As Jesus utters these words, He begins drawing nearer to the blind beggar, and then He pauses beside him. Then the Rabbi spits and two “mud pies” are applied, one to each eye. The Man has placed the “clay” on his eyes then instructs the blind beggar to go to the pool named Siloam and to wash this mud from his eyes. He promises no miracle, and He says nothing to the crowd. Then, He and His disciples silently slip away.

The blind beggar makes his way to the pool of Siloam just as he has been instructed. Can you imagine this man’s amazement as he washes the mud from his eyes? He sees light. He sees people. Can you imagine him making his way home, pausing to take in the beauty of the world around him. 

Jesus has a mission, a mission to be the “light of the world.” This is a mission His disciples share with Him, and thus they must join Him in performing the Father’s deeds, one of which is to reach out to people and meet their needs.  This priority is in line with the two-fold command to (first) love God and then (second) to love our neighbor as ourselves?

The blind man would never again be the same. He has received more than physical sight. His spiritual eyes have been opened, so that he “sees.” His life will never be the same, now that he has “seen the light.”

The facts are clear. The testimonial of the man in question is crystal clear: “But I know this: I was blind, and now I can see!” and “If this man were not from God, he couldn’t have done it.”  

Discussion Questions:

1. Read John 9:24–25, where the formerly blind man focuses on the main thing—he could now see! How does what the man said remind you of something that happened in your own life? 
2. Think of a season of your life that was difficult through no fault of your own. You may be in one currently. Is there something about that season God used (or could use) to shape your faith. If so, what?