John 9:11-14

11 He answered and said, “A Man called Jesus made clay and anointed my eyes and said to me, ‘Go to the pool of Siloam and wash.’ So I went and washed, and I received sight.”

12 Then they said to him, “Where is He?” He said, “I do not know.”

13 They brought him who formerly was blind to the Pharisees. 

14 Now it was a Sabbath when Jesus made the clay and opened his eyes.

“A Man Called Jesus Told Me…” 

The man who was formerly blind proceeds to answer the question posed to him in verse 10, “How were your eyes opened?” The man tells them exactly how it happened. It is a very simple explanation. He says, paraphrasing, “A Man named Jesus anointed my eyes with clay and told me to go wash in the pool of Siloam. I did what He told me to do, and now I can see.” Then the people want to know where Jesus was, and the man does not know. Jesus didn’t wait for the man to go to the pool or help him get to the pool. Jesus had places to go. He told the man what to do and went on his way. Now comes the fun part. They take the man to the Pharisees. Why do they take the man to the Pharisees? We see why in verse 14. It was the Sabbath when Jesus made the clay and healed the man. Making clay or mud was a violation of Jewish tradition, but not a violation of the law of Moses. Jesus had broken their made-up rules about what not to do on the Sabbath. This is the second time Jesus had healed on the Sabbath. (John 5:9) 

Now we see why Jesus made the clay. He was proving another point. The Pharisees tried to bind their traditions on people as if they were laws. Traditions should not have been enforced on people as if they were laws/commandments. This can carry over to the church today. We have traditions such as the order of worship. Do we have bible class and then worship, or vice versa? Do we have the sermon first and then the Lord’s Supper, or can we switch that? These are traditions. They don’t matter. Do we have a Sunday night service, or a second service earlier in the day? Do we have a second service at all? We have “worship, bible class, worship” at our congregation on Sunday morning, and we don’t have an evening service. Do we have a Wednesday night bible study, or can it be another night? Is Wednesday night a commandment or a tradition? Well…..

Wednesday night is a tradition, but if our hearts are right, and we are under the leadership of the elders who deem it necessary, then we should be there, right? I’m not arguing that. We should want to be there. And I love Wednesday night bible study. It recharges me for the rest of the work week. And I believe God wants us there, feeding ourselves with His Word, and being uplifted by our siblings in Christ, to help us throughout our week. At Smartt, we have it on Tuesday night during the week of Thanksgiving, as a convenience for people who are traveling and such. Are we wrong for changing it for the convenience of our members? No, not at all. Let’s not blur the lines of tradition and commandment. 

Now, let’s look back at the simplicity of the blind man’s answer in verse 11, and get the biggest takeaway from these verses. Wasn’t it simple how the man explained how he was healed? “A Man named Jesus put clay on my eyes and told me to go wash in the pool of Siloam. So I went and washed, and now I can see.” What if someone asked us how we are spiritually healed from sin? How were you saved/healed from your sins? Well, a Man named Jesus told me if I repented and was baptized (immersed in water), then I would be spiritually healed/saved. So… I repented of my past sins, and was baptized, and now I’m saved, spiritually healed, and free of sin. Doesn’t that sound simple? It really is that simple. Jesus told me what to do, and I did it. That is all we have to do, my friends. “A Man called Jesus told me…” Obeying His Word brings healing to our souls. Do we want to be truly healed?

God means for everyone to learn what the Bible teaches about being saved. It only takes an open heart for Jesus and a willingness to put away what we’ve been taught in the past, and truly read what God’s Word says for ourselves… and then accept what it says and obey it. If I can help you in any way, I would love to! Are you walking in the light? Are you in Christ? Are you saved? If you aren’t, or if you’re not sure if you are, I’d love to help you. Are you a member of the Lord’s church, but are struggling spiritually in your walk with Christ? If you are… believe me, I’ve been there many times, and I’d love to help you. If you have any questions, please reach out. 

I love God’s Word. It challenges me to be better… to do more in His service. It is interesting and keeps me on the edge of my seat, wondering what will happen next. It gives me confidence and builds me up, and it brings me to my knees when my soul needs convicting! Thank you, Father, for the wonderful gift of Your Word!

God’s Plan of Salvation

Below is the plan God has outlined in His Word for humankind to receive His grace, which leads to salvation and an eternity with God in heaven. This plan is straight from the Bible. 

We have to hear His word. (Romans 10:17) 

Upon hearing the message of Jesus, we believe it. (Mark 16:16) 

Then, we confess Jesus’ name before men. (Matthew 10:32) 

Next, we repent of our sins. (Acts 2:38, Acts 3:19) 

Finally, we are baptized into Christ for the remission of our sins.  (Acts 2:38, Matthew 28:18-20, Mark 16:16, Romans 6:3-4, Acts 22:16, 1 Corinthians 12:13, Galatians 3:26-27) After baptism, God adds us to His church. (Acts 2:47)