Today’s Reading: John 9; 2 Kings 20
“Why, that’s very strange!” the man replied. “He healed my eyes, and yet you don’t know where he comes from? We know that God doesn’t listen to sinners, but he is ready to hear those who worship him and do his will. Ever since the world began, no one has been able to open the eyes of someone born blind. If this man were not from God, he couldn’t have done it.” – John 9:30-33
These were the words of a man who was born blind. But today Jesus and his disciples had walked by him and his life would never be the same. The disciples had asked Jesus if the man was blind because of his own sin or because of the sin of his parents. Right before Jesus spit on the ground, made mud from the saliva and placed it on the man’s eyes, he said these words to his disciples:
“It was not because of his sins or his parents’ sins,” Jesus answered. “This happened so the power of God could be seen in him. We must quickly carry out the tasks assigned us by the one who sent us. The night is coming, and then no one can work. But while I am here in the world, I am the light of the world.” – John 9:3-5
Jesus, the light of the world, stopped in front of the man who had never known anything but darkness. Jesus was present and available to do something miraculous in his life, but it required action on the blind man’s part. First, the man had to be still and allow this stranger to place mud over his eyes. Next, he was faced with the decision of whether or not to obey the instructions Jesus gave him. Jesus said to go, and the blind man went.
He told him, “Go wash yourself in the pool of Siloam” (Siloam means “sent”). So the man went and washed and came back seeing! – John 9:7
THIS IS WHAT IT LOOKS LIKE TO BE SENT.
The man followed the instructions of Jesus before he was healed. Nothing had changed yet; he was still blind. But Jesus said to go and he went. Jesus sent him to the pool of Siloam, requiring an action of faith on the man’s part. The gift of healing was made available to the blind man, but he had to cooperate with the gift giver in order to receive the gift.
The pool of Siloam was built by King Hezekiah, another man who knew what it was to obey the Lord’s instructions in the midst of a fatal illness. After praying for the Lord to see him in the midst of his terminal condition, God sent this message to Hezekiah through the prophet Isaiah.
“Go back to Hezekiah, the leader of my people. Tell him, ‘This is what the Lord, the God of your ancestor David, says: I have heard your prayer and seen your tears. I will heal you, and three days from now you will get out of bed and go to the Temple of the Lord. I will add fifteen years to your life, and I will rescue you and this city from the king of Assyria. I will defend this city for my own honor and for the sake of my servant David.’” – 2 Kings 20:5-6
THIS IS WHAT IT LOOKS LIKE TO BE SEEN AND HEARD.
In his distress, Hezekiah had cried out to the Lord, asking Him to remember him. He had been faithful to the Lord, consistently doing what would please God, and so Hezekiah prayed to be seen. The healing was not in this moment of asking, but rather three days later. Hezekiah had to sit in the promise of his healing, waiting for God to do what He said he would do. He had to choose between inpatient bitterness or faith. The servants were sent by Isaiah to make an ointment for Hezekiah, and Hezekiah had to cooperate with the Lord’s plan. Hezekiah was patient and he experienced divine healing, and God added fifteen years to his life.
King Hezekiah had a pool built inside the city of Jerusalem, but it did not fill with water until he also had a tunnel built. This tunnel connected the fresh water supply to the pool, which Hezekiah named the Pool of Siloam, which means “sent”. To be sent means someone or something has caused you to go or to be taken to another location — to cause movement or to arrange for delivery. The fresh water the people needed was provided by God but it had to be SENT to the pool, just as the blind man was SENT to the pool to receive the healing that he needed.
THIS IS WHAT IT LOOKS LIKE TO BE FOUND.
When Jesus heard what had happened, he found the man and asked, “Do you believe in the Son of Man?”
The man answered, “Who is he, sir? I want to believe in him.”
“You have seen him,” Jesus said, “and he is speaking to you!”
“Yes, Lord, I believe!” the man said. And he worshiped Jesus.
Then Jesus told him, “I entered this world to render judgment—to give sight to the blind and to show those who think they see that they are blind.” – John 9:35-39
Have you followed the last instructions you received from the Lord? Obey and experience what happens when we cooperate with the Gift Giver. My friend, you have been sent. What are you waiting for?
Are you facing a situation that has you longing for God’s attention? Cry out to the Lord and experience what it feels like to be heard and seen by the God of compassion. Jesus told us to ask, seek and knock (Matthew 7:7). Make your request to the Lord and then wait patiently for His response, trusting His answer no matter what it is.
Do you recognize the impact of God’s prevenient grace in your life? He has been actively involved in your life since before you were born. He found you in your sin and offered you the gift of salvation. Jesus was SENT by God and now He is calling you to step into your day as a SENT follower of Christ.
My friend, this is what it feels like to be found and this is what it looks like to be SENT. Now we must quickly carry out the tasks assigned to us by the one who sent us — the Light of the World who wants to shine through us so that the blind can see and the lost can be found.