John 9:7

Jesus speaks to the man, “Go now and wash yourself in the Siloam Pool” (which means ‘sent’).  The man does what Jesus tells him to do. We walks to the pool. He washes when he gets there. And lo and behold, he comes back from the pool with his vision unimpaired. John 9:7 EFP

Jesus has just rubbed the muddy balm on the blind man’s eyes. I do not know what the blind man is thinking or what he expects as a result of the application of the slimy substance. I think I would have been expecting an on-the-spot miracle. From what I have heard about this mysterious healer, I am more than certain my expectations would have been high.

Instead of a miracle I get instructions. No promises. Just instructions. Go to the Pool of Siloam, a well-known pool used mostly for ceremonial bathing. Since I do not know where Jesus came across the blind man, I can only conclude the man has to find his way outside the city proper and then walk to the pool which was outside and south of the city walls. What goes through his mind as he is walking that distance, alone or with assistance? He has plenty of time to doubt or to question the need for all this?

But to the man’s credit, and certainly as a testament to his dire situation, he stays the course and does as he was instructed by Jesus. His reward, not so much for what he does, but for the faith he places in the healer, finds him returning with perfect vision to the place of the miracle seeking to find his benefactor.

Note to self: if Jesus tells me to do something, I should do exactly what he asks. Good things happen