“Jesus answered, ‘It was not that this man sinned, or his parents, but that the works of God might be displayed in him’” (John 9:3 ESV).

To see Jesus during our Lenten journey, we need to see ourselves as the man born blind in John, chapter 9.

As Jesus and His disciples were walking along, Jesus did not merely happen upon the man. Nor did the man come to Jesus. Jesus “saw a man blind from birth” (John 9:1b ESV). The blind man could not see Jesus, but Jesus certainly saw him and initiated this miraculous healing. Instead of focusing on whose fault it could have been that the man had been born blind, but Jesus remained intent on His divine purpose. This was not a matter of “Who sinned?” but of what Jesus would do, “that the works of God might be displayed in [the blind man]” (John 9:3b ESV).

The man who was physically blind from birth is the perfect depiction of every human being who is spiritually blind from physical birth. We cannot by our own reason, strength, or sight come to Jesus. He must come to and see us!

After proclaiming Himself “the light of the world” (John 9:5b ESV), Jesus then healed the blind man in a unique way. Instead of touching the man or speaking words to him, as in other healings, Jesus spit on the dirt and made clay with the saliva. The Greek word translated “mud” is commonly used for clay that is molded and shaped in pottery. This forming of clay also became an image of God’s making of man, as Job said: “Remember that you have made me like clay” (Job 10:9a ESV).

Once washed in the pool of Siloam, the blind man “came back seeing” (John 9:7b ESV), both physically and spiritually. Not only did his eyes behold Jesus, but his “eyes of faith” also believed in Him and confessed Him, as the rest of John 9 bears witness.

Our Lenten Lord Jesus Christ, crucified and risen, sees us in our spiritual blindness from birth and works “the works of God” in us. He recreates us as pieces of clay (see Gen. 2:7) through the washing of water and the Word (see Titus 3:4-7), so that we also may see and believe in Him. Then He sends us out, like the seeing blind man, to confess Him.

Almighty God, our heavenly Father, Your mercies are new every morning; and though we deserve only punishment, You receive us as Your children and provide for all our needs of body and soul. Grant that we may heartily acknowledge Your merciful goodness, give thanks for all Your benefits, and serve You in willing obedience; through Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen.

In Christ’s service,

Rev. Randy K. Asburry
Second Vice President, Missouri District