Mercy in the Mud

I heard a sermon by Kris Vallotton a couple days ago and found it to be very insightful. He explored the healing of one of the blind men that had been blind his entire life. The disciples asked Jesus “Teacher, whose sin caused this guy’s blindness, his own, or the sin of his parents?” Jesus answered, “Neither. It happened to him so that you could watch him experience God’s miracle.”

Okay, so we know that the belief was that someone had sinned and because of the sin, this man was blind. Imagine growing up with this information in the back of your head and the reactions of those around you. This man likely endured a lot of pain growing up. Imagine him with his parents walking through out the streets and being judged by those around him due to his blindness. The bullying he may have endured. Children at play spitting on him because of his blindness. Adults shouting out shameful words and spitting in his face. I don’t think he could’ve grown up unscathed by this belief. Then, Jesus comes along, and what does he do? He spits on the ground and makes clay. Just the sound of Jesus spitting could have triggered some painful memories or fears in this man. Why didn’t Jesus just touch him like he had other blind men? Why didn’t he simply say “You are healed”?

This is the part I find so fascinating. Jesus knew, of course, of the pain that had built up in this mans heart due to the judgements and bullying of others. Jesus knew that it was not just his eyes that needed healing, but his heart as well. Jesus knew that he needed wholeness. So, he took something that was painful from this man’s past and he turned it into healing. I love this! I love it because Jesus continues to work in this way, He certainly has with me. He takes something damaging from my past, and he uses it to bring healing. He dives deep down into the heart of the matter and He transforms. Amazing!

“I met the man named Jesus! He rubbed clay on my eyes and said, ‘Go to the pool named Siloam and wash.’ So I went and while I was washing the clay from my eyes I began to see for the very first time ever!”

How many times have you felt blinded? Have you been unable to see the truth due to your past experiences or the judgments of others? Have the lies of the enemy blinded you so much that all you can do is sit with confusion? Let me assure you that the God of Heaven sees you. He is there to bring you to a place of sight and beauty. He wants you to get up and walk through the mud and see His mercy. He is there to take the pain and turn it into joy! WOW.

I have many examples of God walking me through experiences that I feel blinded in. I keep reaching out for the love and mercy of Jesus to heal me, and when that happens the pain from the past transforms me in a way that ministers to my heart and to the heart of others. It gives me the boldness and the power to speak truth about who Jesus is—the man that heals me. “I met the man named Jesus!” And, He had mercy on me.

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