April 3, 2002
Reading
“He put clay on my
eyes, and I washed, and I see” (15)
There are occasions when, as we read the Word of God, the Holy Spirit speaks to us in such a way that it appears to be an extra special blessing - a recent reading of John 9 was an example. When I am discouraged, I like to read the actual words of Jesus, not the Old Testament or the epistles, but the words of Jesus. I actually turned to John 8 but kept reading through the next chapter. This is a wonderful account of a blind man receiving his sight because Jesus stopped and spoke to him. The act of healing was remarkable but it is the testimony of the man that blessed me.
The Pharisees asked him how he had received his sight. He responded, “He put clay on my eyes, and I washed, and I see.” This is the order of things, isn’t it? He could have washed in the pool of Siloam every day and would never have had his sight restored, but when Jesus put clay on his eyes and told him to wash, when he obeyed His sight was restored. How many hear the gospel (have clay put on their eyes) and are not saved? They remain unsaved because they do not obey the voice of God. They do not go to the pool and wash! Where there is no repentance, there is no salvation. God always initiates the process, but if man does not acknowledge his sin and need for forgiveness, he will not be saved.
When the Pharisees downplayed his miracle of sight, his testimony was simple: “One thing I know: that though I was blind, now I see” (25). “Jesus is a sinner,” proclaimed the Pharisees. “I can see” the blind man testified!! The church is full of hypocrites,” accuse the masses. “I am saved” we testify! We all have our understanding of doctrine – our differences have often divided believers – but we are united because Jesus Christ is our Savior. We have confessed our sin and asked Him for forgiveness. We have accepted Him as our Savior. We washed in the pool! What is the basis for our fellowship? Can premillenialists fellowship with amillenialists? Can ariminians fellowship with calvinists? If these or other doctrines are the basis for our fellowship, we are in deep trouble. Will all those who have washed in the pool stand up! Will all those who know Jesus as their Savior please rise! You are the ones with whom I can fellowship. You are the ones with whom I want to fellowship.
“We do not know where this fellow is from.” “I don’t care,” the man replied, “HE HAS OPENED MY EYES!!!” (30). “But he’s a postmillennialist!” I don’t care, I CAN SEE!” “But …but…but…” You can challenge my stand on various doctrines and you may be correct. If you challenge my salvation – you are wrong. We were born spiritually blind – we can now see. We were dead in our sins – now we live in Christ. We walked in darkness – we now walk in the light. We were outside of God – we are now in Christ. We were alienated from God – He is now our Father. Throw your darts of doubt and discouragement at me and I will stand firm in the knowledge that God loves me and gave Himself for me. Tell me I do not have a relationship with God and I will show you that He has adopted me into His family.
Listen to the man’s confession – “Lord, I believe.” See his response to the Savior’s work in His life – “And he worshipped Him” (38). Remember again when He put clay on your eyes and your testimony will be renewed and your worship refreshed. The indisputable evidence that I belong to God is, “THOUGH I WAS BLIND, NOW I SEE.”