Practice a Single Obedience at a Time

Practice a Single Obedience at a Time

John 9:1-6

Without light there is darkness, and we cannot see. In ancient times, Jews believed that light came from within us which allowed us to see. Therefore it was also believed that someone who was born blind was being punished for either their parents' sins or for their own sins. In this passage, Jesus not only correctly identifies that our lives are to be opportunities to glorify God rather than opportunities to find fault, but also Jesus gives us instructions on how to know God.

When asked who was to blame for the blindman's condition, Jesus responds with two true revelations.

“Neither this man nor his parents sinned,” said Jesus, “but this happened so that the works of God might be displayed in him.
John 9: 3 NIV

Jesus is telling those who asked the question not to look to see who is at fault. He then turns around the blindman's misfortune and changes it into a work which will glorify God. Jesus is also telling us that we need to look more at what needs to be done instead of blaming others. Jesus also tells us l that there is much work to do and not much time.

As long as it is day, we must do the works of him who sent me. Night is coming, when no one can work. While I am in the world, I am the light of the world.”
John 9: 4-5 NIV

Jesus proceeds to smear mud on the blindman's face and tells him to bathe in Siloam. The instructions are simple and ordinary. These instructions don't require much of the blindman but to obey. If anything, the instructions might inspire doubt because they are so ordinary. Presumably many types of medicines had been administered, rituals had been performed and prayers had been petitioned with no healing and the blindness remaining. Bystanders and the blindman would have been expecting some obscure medicine, complicated instructions or esoteric ritual to perform. Jesus sets up a situation that will allow all the glory to go to God for the blindman's healing as well as allowing the blindman to perform an act of faith.

After news of the blindman's healing has gone through the village, many questioned the former blindman and how he was healed. The man relates what has happened and how he understands Jesus as who he is.

11 He replied, “The man they call Jesus made some mud and put it on my eyes. He told me to go to Siloam and wash. So I went and washed, and then I could see.”
John 9: 11 NIV

Interestingly given more time and questions, the blindman starts to have a better understanding of who Jesus is and God's purpose. We read this when the Pharisees are questioning the man who was once blind.

Therefore the Pharisees also asked him how he had received his sight. “He put mud on my eyes,” the man replied, “and I washed, and now I see.”

Some of the Pharisees said, “This man is not from God, for he does not keep the Sabbath.” But others asked, “How can a sinner perform such signs?” So they were divided.

Then they turned again to the blind man, “What have you to say about him? It was your eyes he opened.”

The man replied, “He is a prophet.”

John 9: 15-17 NIV

Many of the Pharisees remained blind to God because they were too focused on laws. By strictly keeping the laws the Pharisees became more concerned about glorifying themselves than glorifying God. Unlike the former blindman, the Pharisees could not understand Jesus as a prophet.

The man who was once blind was healed by Jesus. The former blindman did not have to do anything spectacular or impossibly difficult to obtain his healing. In fact, the blindman's obedience to a simple command given by Jesus allowed him to know Jesus and God better. This is the true blessing we should strive for. 

May we humbly be obdient to God to gain the blessing of knowing Him.