Mud, Mission, and Miracles (John 9:1-12)

John 9:1–12 - 1 As He passed by, He saw a man blind from birth. 2 And His disciples asked Him, “Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he would be born blind?” 3 Jesus answered, “It was neither that this man sinned, nor his parents; but it was so that the works of God might be displayed in him. 4 “We must work the works of Him who sent Me as long as it is day; night is coming when no one can work. 5 “While I am in the world, I am the Light of the world.” 6 When He had said this, He spat on the ground, and made clay of the spittle, and applied the clay to his eyes, 7 and said to him, “Go, wash in the pool of Siloam” (which is translated, Sent). So he went away and washed, and came back seeing. 8 Therefore the neighbors, and those who previously saw him as a beggar, were saying, “Is not this the one who used to sit and beg?” 9 Others were saying, “This is he,” still others were saying, “No, but he is like him.” He kept saying, “I am the one.” 10 So they were saying to him, “How then were your eyes opened?” 11 He answered, “The man who is called Jesus made clay, and anointed my eyes, and said to me, ‘Go to Siloam and wash’; so I went away and washed, and I received sight.” 12 They said to him, “Where is He?” He said, “I do not know.” 

What does today’s passage say?

In today's passage, Jesus encountered a man who lived in total darkness from the day he was born. His followers asked if the condition resulted from his personal wrongdoing or his parents’ sins. Jesus explained that it was neither of those things but rather so that his circumstance could be used to reveal how powerfully God could work in people's lives (vv. 1-3). Jesus went on to speak about the importance of completing the work God gives us before the opportunity to do so passes. He made a paste of mud, put it on the man's face, and gave him directions to go clean up in a nearby pool. Following these steps exactly brought miraculous results and the man gained his sight back (vv. 4-7). People in the neighborhood were amazed at the change in him. Some refused to accept that he was the same person who used to beg for help. He kept describing what happened but could not point anyone to where his healer had gone (vv. 8-12).

How can I apply John 9:1-12 to my life?

In today’s passage, the disciples stumbled across a blind beggar, and their first response jumped straight to finding fault - "Who sinned?" But Jesus saw something completely different that day. Where others noticed only a problem, He spotted a divine appointment. This passage in John opens up some powerful truths about God's methods that often catch us off guard. He takes situations that look hopeless on the surface and transforms them into displays of His amazing power. The blind man had spent years in darkness, probably wondering if his life would ever change. Then Jesus showed up with mud and simple instructions that turned everything around. That man's story did not end with just receiving sight - it launched a chain reaction of testimony that forced his whole community to deal with who Jesus really was. Right now, you might be walking through your own dark valley. Perhaps it feels like nothing good could ever come from your situation. But God specializes in using our toughest moments as platforms to show others His power. When we grasp how He works through our difficulties and share what He has done, lives around us change. Here are some basic principles from this passage that we should apply to our lives:

1.     See God's Purpose Beyond Your Problems (vv. 1-3): The disciples wanted to find someone to blame for the man's blindness, but Jesus pointed them toward God's greater purpose. We often waste time trying to figure out who messed up or what went wrong when troubles hit us. God has something bigger in mind. Life knocks us down sometimes - maybe it is a health crisis that came out of nowhere, or a relationship that fell apart, or a job loss that blindsided us. These moments feel awful. Yet right in the middle of our worst days, God is up to something amazing. The blind man probably wondered countless times why he had to live in darkness, but his condition set the stage for Jesus to reveal God's glory in an incredible way. That is how God works - He takes our broken pieces and creates beautiful displays of His power. Sometimes the very thing that hurts us becomes the exact tool God uses to reach someone else. Our struggles are not random accidents or cruel twists of fate. Each challenge holds potential for God to work in ways we cannot see coming. The next time life hits hard, we need to stop asking why and start watching for what God will do. He specializes in turning our mess into His message. Those dark valleys we walk through - they are not dead ends; they are pathways where others can witness God's grace in action. When we lift our eyes above the problem to spot God's purpose, we become part of His plan to draw others to Himself through our circumstances (Romans 8:28; 2 Corinthians 12:9-10; 1 Peter 4:12-13).

Food for Thought: What current difficulty in your life might God want to use to show His power to others? How has your perspective on problems changed when you looked for God's purpose in them?

2.     Act Now to Accomplish God's Work (vv. 4-7): Jesus stressed the urgency of doing God's work while there was still time. Life rushes past us at lightning speed, and opportunities to serve God slip away faster than we notice. Every morning brings fresh chances to make an impact for God's kingdom, but those chances do not last forever. Sometimes we stand at the edge of action, waiting for the perfect moment or better circumstances before we step out in faith. We tell ourselves we will share the gospel tomorrow, help that person next week, or start serving after things settle down. Yet the reality stands clear - our time to work for God has limits. Night comes for everyone. Health changes, life shifts, and open doors close without warning. God places specific tasks in front of each of us, custom-made opportunities that fit our gifts and position. These assignments might look different from what we expected - they often do. The blind man needed mud and washing - unusual methods that demanded trust and obedience. God's directions to us might seem strange too, but His ways produce results that we cannot predict. When God points to a task, the time to act is right now. Delayed obedience often becomes disobedience, and missed opportunities rarely return. The world needs light while darkness grows deeper, and that light must shine through God's people. People around us hurt and search for hope in all the wrong places. Our neighborhoods, workplaces, and families need to see God's love in action through our lives. Small steps of faith today create ripple effects that touch lives tomorrow, sometimes in ways we never see. The missions we accomplish or miss today will matter for eternity. Fear holds many believers back from acting, but God promises His presence and power for every task He assigns. Taking that first step often proves the hardest part, but God honors our willingness to move when He calls (Ephesians 5:15-16; James 4:13-17; Galatians 6:9-10).

Food for Thought: What God-given task have you been putting off that needs your immediate attention? How can you better use your current season of life to accomplish God's work?

3.     Tell Others What Jesus Has Done (vv. 8-12): The healed man told his story to everyone who asked about his transformation. A powerful story sits ready in the heart of every person Jesus touches. Many stay silent about their faith because they think their experiences sound too ordinary or feel anxious about speaking up. Yet God designs each person's story with exact purpose, knowing which people need to hear those specific details. The blind man stuck to plain facts - no fancy words, no Bible quotes, just the simple truth about meeting Jesus and walking away with sight. His neighbors spotted the change first. Yesterday he sat begging, today he walked tall with clear vision. That visible transformation sparked questions, and those questions opened doors. The same pattern works now. Physical healing catches attention, but so does freedom from addiction, peace during hard times, strength to forgive, or steady faith through ordinary days. Most people will not pick up a Bible, but they stop to listen when someone's life proves Jesus is real. Speaking up takes courage. Nobody enjoys rejection or awkward moments. The blind man probably felt nervous too - he had just met Jesus hours ago! But he spoke anyway, and his basic testimony spread news about Jesus across town. People do not need polished presentations or a complete understanding of theology. They need to hear honest words about what Jesus does in real lives. Some conversations plant seeds that grow years later. Others spark immediate interest in Jesus. Every story matters because each one might shake someone's darkness and point them toward God's light. The results belong to God - the speaking up belongs to us (Matthew 10:32-33; Acts 4:19-20; 1 Peter 3:15-16).

Food for Thought: What stops you from telling others about what Jesus has done in your life? How could sharing your story of faith help someone else believe in Jesus?

Physical blindness kept this man in darkness for years, but his story shines bright with truth for believers today. His encounter with Jesus went far beyond receiving physical sight - it became a powerful picture of how God works in all our lives. Through simple mud, basic instructions, and one man's willingness to obey, God displayed His power in ways that touched an entire community. This passage challenges us to look at our own situations differently. Every difficulty holds potential for displaying God's glory. Each day offers opportunities that need our immediate response. Our personal stories of God's work carry power to open spiritual eyes around us. The blind man probably never guessed that his dark circumstances would lead to such light. He did not know his simple testimony would end up in Scripture, still changing lives thousands of years later. His story stands as proof that God uses ordinary people in unexpected ways. When we trust Him with our problems, act on His instructions, and speak up about His work in our lives, He turns our experiences into pathways that lead others to faith in Jesus Christ.

Prayer

Dear Heavenly Father,

I pray that You would help me see beyond the surface of my struggles today. Sometimes life’s challenges hit me like waves, and I get stuck asking "why me?" instead of looking for Your purpose. I pray that You would break through my shortsightedness and show me how You want to use even my toughest battles to reveal Your power to others.

I pray that You would help me to not waste precious moments waiting for perfect conditions while opportunities fade away. I pray that You would light a fire in my heart to act now - to share Your love, to help that person who keeps coming to mind, to take those steps of faith You have placed before me. Help me to stop putting off what You want me to do today.

Father, I know You have given me a testimony of Your work in my life but too often I stay quiet, thinking my experiences do not matter much. I pray that You would give me the courage to speak up about all that You have done in my life - both the big miracles and the quiet daily graces. Help me tell my story with honesty and simplicity. Use my words, however awkward or plain, to show others that You are real and at work in this world.

I pray these things in the most precious name of Jesus, Amen.

John 9:4 - “We must work the works of Him who sent Me as long as it is day; night is coming when no one can work.”

With His Blessings,

Pastor Corby