Is there something about yourself you wish God would change?
Is there something that defines you? A thing that people know you by? Perhaps something about your physical appearance that stands out? Or a personal trait you’re known for?
In John 9 we read the story of a blind man. His name isn’t mentioned, nor anything else about him, except that he was born that way. His blindness defined him and made people wonder, “Did he sin, or his parents for him to deserve this?” (verse 3).
But Jesus rejects the blame game. Instead, He points to something far more profound:
‘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
Sometimes, the very things that we think define us—our struggles, our pain, our limitations—are the very places where something bigger can happen. What seems like a curse or an unchangeable part of someone’s life can become the canvas for a miracle.
And then, Jesus does something unexpected. Jesus could’ve healed this man with a word. A simple “Be healed!” and BOOM: vision.
Instead, “He spat on the ground, made mud with the saliva, and spread the mud over the blind man’s eyes” (verse 6). It’s messy. And very strange. It’s not how anyone would expect a miracle to happen.
Jesus asks the man to trust Him. And tells him to go and wash in the Pool of Siloam.
The man, despite the bizarre method, obeys. He could have questioned Jesus. He could have doubted. He could have stayed where he was, with mud still on his eyes, waiting for healing to come without obeying Jesus. But he listened. When he washed the mud from his eyes, his sight was restored.
What we see as our biggest limitation, can be the place where we find our greatest transformation. Trust Jesus that even when things seem to take a bizarre turn, He has a plan, and obey Him when He prompts you to act.
This text comes from the e-book Miracles in Motion. If you’d like to reflect on this story some more, please download the e-book for free. It has great lessons to draw from this miracle, as well as intriguing questions to reflect on. I highly recommend it!
