John 9:1-7

(1) And as Jesus passed by, he saw a man which was blind from his birth. (2) And his disciples asked him, saying, Master, who did sin, this man, or his parents, that he was born blind? (3) Jesus answered, Neither hath this man sinned, nor his parents: but that the works of God should be made manifest in him. (4) I must work the works of him that sent me, while it is day: the night cometh, when no man can work. (5) As long as I am in the world, I am the light of the world. (6) 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, (7) 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.

 This is a great story that can be used to help with all the bad things that we see around us. If you read this with out understanding who God is, you will not understand why Jesus says the things He says. Let’s start with when the disciples ask Jesus about the blind man who sinned, The blind man or his parents. Jesus answers neither, but the blind man is for God’s work to be manifest in him. See to understand Who God is, we must know that everything in this world we see, good or bad, is for God to be able to manifest Himself in our lives. As cruel as it may seem sometimes, especially when we see those with afflictions, we have to make sure we keep our eyes focused.  Psalm 119:71 It is good for me that I have been afflicted; That I might learn thy statutes. In this story we are dealing with a blind man, but this very much relates to us today. When learn more and grow closer to God when we are afflicted or around those who are. That is when we find our self usually in a desperation and earnestly seek after God. I can honestly say since Emma has been born with all the issues she had, I can definitely say I have relied upon God more the past few years than I ever have. I have prayed for her, cried for her, literally changed my whole life, and able to see how God has manifest Himself in her and more in my life.

 Jesus once again does something different for this miracle, He spits on the ground to make clay, and tells him to go wash in the pool of Siloam. Interesting here that the man now has a part to do for this miracle. You would figure that after Jesus anointed his eyes with the clay, "BOOM” healing done. But not so, Jesus gave specific instructions to the man to wash in a certain place. This goes against what many people think, "God’s going to do what God wants to do not matter what I do.” That is such an unfaithful statement. God has set a path for us. If we do not obey and adhere to it, God will have very little effect on our lives. I firmly believe if the man would not have done what Jesus told him to do, his sight would not have been restored.  

Proverbs 3:6  In all thy ways acknowledge him, And he shall direct thy paths.

Psalm 25:4 Shew me thy ways, O LORD; Teach me thy paths.

Psalm 119:105 Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, And a light unto my path.

 This is one of those stories that helps explain why we do see people born a certain way with many deformities, deaf, down syndrome, not fully developed. When we know the possibilities of the greatness of God, it is easier to understand these things. Often times God might be using such instances to reach more people than just the afflicted but those around them. Often you will see the people around them searching for answers, many grow closer to God by this, and possibly would never know God without being affected by these things. More often than not the ones who are born in these states have more of God I them than we do.  We have to put our trust in God in these situations. When you read further in the passages past verse 7, He does explain to those around him what happened.

Proverbs 3:5 Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; And lean not unto thine own understanding.

Psalm 73:28 But it is good for me to draw near to God: I have put my trust in the Lord GOD, That I may declare all thy works.