Imagine yourself there amidst the scene described in the ninth chapter of John’s Gospel.
It’s a mild October, sabbath day as you walk with the Nazarene rabbi, navigating the heavy crowds thronging about Jesus as you near the temple gates. Sukkot, the beloved seven-day Festival of Tabernacles, has recently wrapped up.
As you’re passing by a man blind from birth, one of your friends asks the Rabbi, “Who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?” Jesus’ answer, “neither,” is stunning but not as astonishing as what the Nazarene does next: He “… [spits] on the ground and [makes] mud with the saliva. Then he [anoints] the man’s eyes with the mud” (John 9:6, ESV).
As you mentally process Jesus’ “ministry” of mud, some of the religious are murmuring that the act of clay making represents a sabbath violation. But you’re thinking of something more fundamental: Why did Jesus muddy this poor man’s eyes?! … If a man is blind, the last thing he needs is mud in his eyes.
Mud doesn’t clear things up, mud makes things, well, muddy.
So, when you watch and gasp as Jesus rubs saliva-saturated dirt into a poor, sightless beggar’s eyes, you wonder: What’s the deeper meaning of this? There’s no magic in mud. Jesus has healed plenty of people with just a word. He doesn’t need a concoction of clay. What is His point?
When Jesus tells the mud-slathered man to “Go, wash in the pool of Siloam” (John 9:7), you join the crowd who follows the beggar to the watering hole fed by the ancient Gihon Spring—the place where the priest had filled his pitcher on the last day of the Feast. You remember it well, how Jesus promised living water to all who come to Him.
When the blind man washes and sees for the first time in his life, you join in the corporate gasp and watch the man’s eyes light up, literally, for joy. As you revel in the wonder of the miracle, the thought occurs to you, Maybe the healing of this man’s sight is like the restoration of spiritual vision—it’s a process. Maybe the path to spiritual sight starts when life gets even more confusing or painful. Sometimes, in God’s providence, things feel worse before they get better.
Every day, I watched and watered amidst a searing early North Carolina July drought. When we went to the mountains for vacation, I called in a favor from a neighbor. Because we shut the water off to the house for safety while away, I filled up three garbage cans with water and cut the top off a gallon milk jug that my neighbor could use as a water scooper.
I worried about them while I was away.
Upon our return, I was pleased to see that my plants were flowering and there were little green tomatoes emerging. I was so excited about them, I almost named the baby fruit. I wanted to bless them: “Sally, you’re going to grow into a beautiful red Roma. Bert, you’re going to be a hearty, Beefsteak….”
It was harder and more work than I thought it would be. But the 20 hours and $60 invested so far would be more than worth it when, soon, I would walk out to my own garden, pluck a tomato ripened on the vine, and slap a slice on top of a fresh salad.
I guess if something is savory enough, we’ll make significant lifestyle changes just for a taste of it.
Next week I’ll tell you everything you never wanted to know about blossom-end rot and green tomato hornworms.
After so many years of apprenticing with Jesus, I’ve come to understand how something utterly free (like spiritual fruit) can also come at great personal cost. Fruit is, by definition, a product of a healthy plant. But any gardener knows the fruit comes via costly cultivation.
More next time about the rhythms of life that foster spiritual fruit and the costs therein, but, for today, just remember “there’s nothing like picking your own tomato….”
Just remember, there’s nothing like living in the love of Christ. There’s nothing like abiding in the peace that passes understanding. There’s nothing like being strengthened by the very joy of Jesus.
Such sweet Holy Spirit fruit is worth all the digging, weeding, and watering that goes with it.
THE SEEING AS JESUS SEES BUNDLE
Pastor Alan's groundbreaking new book will empower you to discover the wonder and beauty you've been missing and clear away needless frustrations and misunderstandings. If you long to live with greater joy, victory, and wonder, let Pastor Alan Wright lead you through the Scriptures to the Savior's side to see everything from His perspective. You're going to love the view! When you donate to AWM this month, you'll receive a copy of Seeing as Jesus Sees and complimentary companion content to enhance your journey!
When You Donate You'll Receive:
• A Copy of Seeing As Jesus Sees
• Access to the Seeing as Jesus Sees Video Companion Series
• 6-week Seeing as Jesus Sees Reading Plan
• The Seeing as Jesus Sees Companion Study Guide
LEARN MORE >
English