Washing the mud off

I can only imagine what the onlookers thought during the healing of the man born blind in John Chapter 9.

“But Lord, that’s disgusting!”

“Saliva mixed with mud. What kind of healing remedy is this?”

“Did He not say this man was born blind so that the glory of the Lord may be seen? Ain’t no glory in getting a mud mask like that one!”

I’ve done a mud mask before at home, using bentonite clay, and trust me, even smiling is hard! Immediately the mud dries, you don’t want to be moving any facial muscles. It would definitely need some extra effort since your skin feels Taita (tighter) than Taveta. 😀 (Joke trademark owned by MueniMuliâ„¢).

Anyway, before we talk about this miraculous healing, let us consider the question the disciples asked Jesus.

As he went along, he saw a man blind from birth. His disciples asked Him, “Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?” John 9:1-2(NIV)

What a funny question. Can you imagine what the blind man was thinking at that time?

“Thanks for rubbing it in…. and by the way, who asked you guys?”

He hadn’t really called for the attention and here were strangers already digging deep into the reason behind what or who placed before him what seemed to be his greatest life hurdle.

I think that’s how I feel a lot of times when people see something in my life that isn’t right. They see a picture that’s a tad bit too crooked on the wall and they suddenly get busy; itching fingers to put it straight or curious minds to wonder why it’s crooked…

(Please note; When I say people, I’m referring to myself most of the times, so let me rephrase that.)

…I think that’s how I feel a lot of times when I see something in my life that isn’t right. My itchy fingers try to fix it all or I play blame game on whose fault it was that it happened. Most times, the fault usually falls on the three musketeers; Me, Myself & I. This realization demoralizes me so much and I become my own enemy.

Me, myself and I is quite the tough one to face. She knows a whole lot about me; my weaknesses and strengths are listed on flashcards she reads every day. Her criticism cuts deep. Why? Because she knows me too well. She knows those habits that have me hiding chains under my princess dress. She knows the pain of these pinching shoes that I wear because I wanted my Cinderella moment prematurely and wasn’t willing to wait for the right shoe to be given me at His timing. She knows that on this crown I wear are jewels stolen from other girls; I was too jealous to let them shine.

I totally relate with what Paul says in chapter 7 of his letter to the Romans;

^17-20 But I need something more! For if I know the law but still can’t keep it, and if the power of sin within me keeps sabotaging my best intentions, I obviously need help! I realize that I don’t have what it takes. I can will it, but I can’t do it. I decide to do good, but I don’t really do it; I decide not to do bad, but then I do it anyway. My decisions, such as they are, don’t result in actions. Something has gone wrong deep within me and gets the better of me every time.

^21-23 It happens so regularly that it’s predictable. The moment I decide to do good, sin is there to trip me up. I truly delight in God’s commands, but it’s pretty obvious that not all of me joins in that delight. Parts of me covertly rebel, and just when I least expect it, they take charge.

^24 I’ve tried everything and nothing helps. I’m at the end of my rope. Is there no one who can do anything for me? Isn’t that the real question?

^25 The answer, thank God, is that Jesus Christ can and does. He acted to set things right in this life of contradictions where I want to serve God with all my heart and mind, but am pulled by the influence of sin to do something totally different.

I bet that as the blind man walked to the pool of Siloam he had questions and doubts about whether he would finally be able to see. But with each step of the way, his faith-filled self succeeded despite his raging doubts. He reaches his destination; his trembling, cupped hands raise water to wash the already drying mixture of mud and saliva off his eyes. His eyelids open and his sight is restored. The sweet fruits of obedience and surrender.

How about us? Are these sweet fruits a reality or is the fruit salad too costly a price to pay for?  Why lose my pride and ego… are they really worth the sacrifice of the long walk to Siloam? Are there times God has sent you to the pool at Siloam and you don’t go because you need to save yourself the embarrassment of being seen with mud on your eyes? Or better yet, me myself and I has convinced you of the reason for your blindness and since it’s ‘‘how He made you’’ anyway, you no longer need to change the status quo. Besides, you can live with your sinful self. “Once a sinner always a sinner right? What a wretched man I am! 

We cannot leave the message of salvation at how wretched a people we are, for we shall be making mockery of the Messiah, who came with grace and truth. The Lord, with His Light can lead us back. He can open the eyes of our hearts so that we see more of who He is and in that glorious sight, have our anxious hearts stilled and purified.

As I read and imagined this miracle, I could not help but remember the lyrics to a song by Morgan Harper Nichols: Break down every wall that I’ve been building for a kingdom without truth. Tear down every lie that I’ve believed in, let me come alive in you. For this world will slip away but You will still remain. Lead me back to you.

God’s light is everywhere shining like sun at noonday-blazing, blinding light. If our eyes are continually focusing on our sin, we shall miss out on seeing the Son. He calls us to obey and go to the pool, regardless of what me, myself and I says; with the Holy Spirit as our guide.

The answer of the redeemed is obedience. Has that been your answer lately?

During the transformation, it will not be painless. There will be trials and challenges, but remember, in the storm, the waves and winds know His name.

I’m washing the mud off my eyes.

Solus Christus.