John 9:6-10
 
John 9:6 (KJB)
When he had thus spoken, he spat on the ground, and made clay of the spittle, and he anointed the eyes of the blind man with the clay,
 
It is really not known why the Lord had healed this man by means of making a clay and then applying it to the man’s eyes. In some cultures, when a person dies, coins or other things are placed over the eyes to prevent the spirits from leaving because they believed that the eyes were the gate of the soul. Now this man was blind from birth so he would not have known what Jesus was doing at that time. Maybe the clay over the eyes was to symbolize the fact that the man was spiritually dead in his sins. Remember in the previous verse Jesus is stating that He is the light of the world and yet on this man, He seems to be darkening the already blind eyes. Jesus is setting up a faith situation. Since this was the Sabbath, Jesus may be showing that he is Lord of the Sabbath.
 
John 9:7 (KJB)
And said unto him, Go, wash in the pool of Siloam, (which is by interpretation, Sent.) He went his way therefore, and washed, and came seeing.
 
Now Jesus could have healed this man right there by just speaking the words, instead, Jesus has set up a situation of faith. This man did exactly as Jesus told him to and went and washed off the clay in the Pool of Siloam and the man’s act of faith caused him to see again. He could have complained like Naaman did when he was told to wash in the Jordan but the blind man didn’t, he obeyed without hesitation. Sometimes God will work a miracle in the life of one of His children in an instant but other times fulfillment requires an act of faith on behalf of the recipient. When Jesus cleansed the ten lepers, they were cleansed as they went. They could have stayed there and complained that no miracle was performed but the act of faith came when they went as they were commanded. When the Lord Jesus sends His children to do a ministry, the miracle of salvation will take place when the Christian goes as commanded. Those who do nothing are showing no faith and therefore will never see God work in their lives or the lives of others. It is unfortunate many Christians do not obey the command to be sent and never see God working in the lives of others and consider the Christian life a boring life and that is why they turn to the things of the world.
 
John 9:8 (KJB)
The neighbours therefore, and they which before had seen him that he was blind, said, Is not this he that sat and begged?
 
Now that they see this man with his eyesight, they are now wondering if it is the same person who sat and begged from the people? They were astonished and did not know what to make of it. This verse reminds me of how some people view those who are newly saved. Is not this the one who got drunk? Is not this the one who did drugs? Is not this the one who committed crimes? When we became saved initially those who knew us in the old life would wonder how long this religion thing will last. They will always claim that they knew us when. My answer to that is that, “my when, is still your now.” (1 Pet 4:4 KJV) Wherein they think it strange that ye run not with them to the same excess of riot, speaking evil of you: The old crowd will eventually fall away and they will then start speaking evil of you. When I first became saved, my drinking buddies stated that “I went off the deep end.” This will happen when people see the great difference between the old life and the new life in Christ.
 
John 9:9 (KJB)
Some said, This is he: others said, He is like him: but he said, I am he.
 
They continued to question as to whether it was really the man who begged or was it someone else? The man then confirms that it is indeed the same one who was blind but now he could see. (2 Cor 5:17 KJV) Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new. 2 Cor. 5:17 states that if anyone is in Christ, they are a new creature. Their outward body is still the same but they are transformed into a Christian making them a new creature in the old body. No longer do they obey the lusts of the flesh but the Spirit now controls the passions and guides them into all truth. (2 Cor 4:7 KJV) But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellency of the power may be of God, and not of us.
 
John 9:10 (KJB)
Therefore said they unto him, How were thine eyes opened?
 
Since he stated that he was definitely the man who was previously blind, the people around him wanted to know how his eyes were opened. The answer he gives them would also confirm the fact that he is the one who received the miracle. This statement is also a great spiritual lesson. When a person becomes saved and another inquires as to their salvation, they have the perfect opportunity to witness to the fact that Christ opens the eyes of the spiritually blind and saves them by giving them spiritual sight. Now that their eyes are opened, they will have the ability to understand the Bible so they may give answers and mature in the faith.

Back