In the Jewish tradition, there were miracles that only the Messiah would accomplish; these were known as the Messianic Miracles. Isaiah 35:4-6 says, Say to the fearful of heart, be strong, do not fear! Here is your God, he comes with vindication; with divine recompense, he comes to save you. Then the eyes of the blind will see, and the ears of the deaf be opened; then the lame shall leap like a stag, and the mute tongue sing for joy.”
This prophecy made clear that when the Messiah came, miracles would follow. The Jewish Rabis outlined three miracles that only the Messiah could perform to identify the Messiah more clearly. The first was curing the leper, the second was casting out a demon so that the mute could speak, and the third was healing the man born blind. While at times people regained sight, there had never been an instance in which someone born blind could see.
The healing of the blind man was an extraordinary miracle because it pointed to his true identity as Jesus, the long-anticipated Messiah.
John 9:1-12 says, “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?” “Neither this man nor his parents sinned,” said Jesus, “but this happened so that the works of God might be displayed in him. As long as it is a day, we must do the work of the man who sent it to me. Night is coming, when no one can work. While I am in the world, I am the light of the world.” After saying this, he spat on the ground, made some mud with the saliva, and put it on the man’s eyes. “Go,” he told him, “wash in the Pool of Siloam” (this word means “Sent”). So the man went and washed, and came home seeing. His neighbors and those who had formerly seen him begging asked, “Isn’t this the same man who used to sit and beg?” Some claimed that he was. Others said, “No, he only looks like him.” But he himself insisted, “I am the man.” “How then were your eyes opened?” they asked. He replied, “The man they call Jesus made some mud and put it on my eyes. He told me to go to Siloam and wash. So I went and washed, and then I could see.” “Where is this man?” they asked him. “I don’t know,” he said.”
Here are some lessons we can learn from the blind man Jesus healed:
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1. We Learn His Disability Was Not a Punishment For Sin
The conversation between Jesus and his disciples about this man gives us much insight into God’s view of these difficult circumstances. The disciples ask whose sin led to this man’s disability. We often ask the same questions, looking to assign blame when things don’t quite go as we hoped, but Jesus’ answer is surprising!
Jesus tells them that this happened so God’s glory could be displayed! First, this shows God’s tremendous providential power. He had a plan for this man’s life that was put in motion when he was formed in his mother’s womb, and while this lack of sight would be a trial, it was a trial that God ordained so others might come to believe in Jesus. Interestingly, this disability was meant to be a gift. It gave this man an exceptional opportunity to be a witness to those who knew this man and to the many more who heard of this miraculous messianic healing.
God sees our stories, struggles, and needs differently than we do. As our good Father, he lets us struggle to stand, walk, and eventually run because he knows the struggle makes us stronger. He knows that our lives can be used for his glory, and sometimes, difficult circumstances draw us closest to Him and serve to show others what God’s power at work in us can be. God often sees what we may see as a burden as a divine opportunity.
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2. We Learn Jesus Responds to Our Faith
Jesus responds to our faith and invites us to participate in the miracle! Jesus gave this man some very specific instructions that might have been challenging for him to follow. He put mud on his eyes and told him to wash in the Pool of Siloam. Only after he followed Jesus' guidance did the man receive his healing. For a blind man, safely making it to the wash would take effort and some help. But following God’s way is always worth it, even when obedience is challenging.
We see Jesus invite the recipients of his healing to participate over and over throughout his ministry. His power is released when we take steps of faith! This is an excellent reminder that nothing will change when we walk through a trial if we only keep staring at our problem. But if we want to see God show up, we must cry out for his help and step out of our comfort zone towards Him. We have to ask by faith for him to move, and then he tells us that nothing is impossible (Matthew 17:20).
The man's obedience to Jesus required amazing faith because no one had ever been healed of blindness that had begun at birth. What he believed was truly impossible, and only the Messiah would be able to offer this kind of healing. The man recognized Jesus's divine nature, which is why he trusted him enough to obey his instructions.
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3. We Learn The Miracle Was for More than Just the Blind Man
In this account, we hear the response of those who had formerly known the blind beggar. They could not believe what they were seeing! How could this be the same man who was blind from birth, without sight?
They immediately asked about the one who offered this extraordinary healing. This miracle would have revealed Jesus’ identity as the Messiah for many. Jesus himself reports that this miracle was to be completed for God’s glory so that more would come to put their faith in Him. The miracle was for more than just the blind man. God often uses our stories for His glory.
I frequently consider this as I live as a witness to many miracles in my own home. Of course, seeing God bring healing and restoration to my children as a foster and adoptive parent encourages my heart and boosts my faith, but the story we get to be a part of is for others, too. He is working powerfully so others would see his great love for the brokenhearted, his power on display for those who need safe families, grace to form connections even when addiction has pulled families apart, and his ability to heal the sick. That’s the story he is telling through the miracles offered to us as grace gifts and navigating all the chaos that plagues this world.
What message is God trying to share with others through your life? And if you are unsure what step of faith God might be calling you to take, so his glory can be displayed through your life? Remember, God responds to our faith!
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4. We Learn Jesus Is the Messiah
Most importantly, this healing was intended to show the Jewish people and even us today that Jesus is the Messiah! He is the long-ago foretold Redeemer. Immanuel, so we might believe!
John 20:31 says, “But these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name.”
The story of Jesus, the healing of the blind man from birth, and the many other miracles Jesus performed were so that we would open our hearts and receive him as the gift he is. He came so none would perish and all would have eternal life (John 3:16).
God is so gracious to put on flesh so we would be able to recognize him, know him, and ultimately have a chance to join his forever family. This healing that made the impossible possible was a way to graciously point us toward the light, to offer us hope, and show us that we are deeply loved by the God of all Creation.
When you face doubts about who God is, this story and many others are reminders that our real God walked on Earth. He saw us, he knew the blind man, and he intended to heal Him so the world would be able to believe. Spend time going back to this passage and the Gospels so you can better know God and so you can have the faith of this blind man. Don’t miss the miracle that God intended to do through you for his glory because you are lacking the faith required to be obedient to his guidance for your life.
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Originally published Wednesday, 30 July 2025.