Scripture in Action

Aneel Aranha is an author, preacher, and evangelist who has spoken to hundreds of thousands of people around the world. You can find a huge selection of his reflections, articles, sermons, songs and other resources on his app.

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Scripture in Action

John 9:6-7 — Unorthodox Healing

October 31, 2023 • Aneel Aranha • Season 2 • Episode 82

0:00 | 3:50

Jesus uses unconventional healing methods, challenging expectations and emphasizing faith, trust, and the profound metaphors behind his actions.

John 9:6-7 — Unorthodox Healing — Aneel Aranha

Hello and welcome to the Bite-Sized Gospel with Aneel Aranha. Today we will reflect on John 9:6-7. Listen.

After saying this, [Jesus] spit on the ground, made some mud with the saliva, and put it on the [blind] 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.

Jesus and his disciples come across a blind man. After an interesting conversation about what caused the man's blindness, Jesus spits on the ground, makes some mud with the saliva, and puts it on the man's eyes. He then instructs the man to go wash in a nearby pool.

At first glance, this method of healing seems peculiar, even bizarre. Why would Jesus, who could heal with just a word or touch, choose to use mud made from his saliva? This isn't the only instance of Jesus using unconventional methods. In Mark 7:31-35, Jesus heals a deaf and mute man by putting his fingers into his ears and spitting and touching his tongue.

So, why these unorthodox methods?

Firstly, it's essential to recognize that Jesus wasn't bound by a singular method. His ways were diverse, reflecting the vastness of his creativity and the individual needs of those he encountered. Each act of healing was tailored with a personal touch for the person in need.

Secondly, these methods required an act of faith. In the case of the blind man, he had to trust Jesus enough to let him put mud on his eyes and then wash in the Pool of Siloam. This journey to the pool, blind and with mud-covered eyes, was a walk of faith. It's a powerful reminder that our journey to healing sometimes requires steps of trust, even when we don't understand the process.

Furthermore, these unconventional methods serve as a profound metaphor. Just as Jesus used the very earth (mud) to restore sight, he uses our earthly experiences, no matter how messy, to bring about spiritual insight and transformation. The mud, symbolic of our human condition, becomes a tool for miraculous change when touched by the divine (Jesus' saliva).

Lastly, these methods challenge our expectations. The religious leaders of the day had their notions of propriety, and Jesus' methods often clashed with them. By healing in untraditional ways, Jesus was breaking the mold, showing that God's ways are not ours. It directly challenged the religious status quo, urging them to see beyond the external and recognize the heart of God's work.

In our lives, we often have set expectations of how God should work. But Jesus' unorthodox methods remind us to remain open, to trust even when the path seems messy, and to recognize that God's ways, though sometimes unexpected, are always purposeful.

God bless you.