Spit and Dust

As He passed by, He saw a man blind from birth. And His disciples asked Him, "Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he would be born blind?" 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. We must work the works of Him who sent Me as long as it is day; night is coming when no one can work. While I am in the world, I am the Light of the world." When He had said this, He spat on the ground, and made clay of the spittle, and applied the clay to his eyes, 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. (John 9:1-7)

Interesting story, to be sure. Interesting because of the whole "who sinned" question. Because, as everyone knows, the only reason bad things happen is as a judgment from God. But, apparently, Jesus disagrees. Interesting for the question of God actually having a man born blind. Because God doesn't do that. But, apparently, Jesus disagrees. Interesting for the whole "so that the works of God might be displayed in him" thing. Because it's a pointed answer to the whole "Why do bad things happen to good people?" question. That's one reason. But the interesting point that I'm getting at is this dirt and spit solution Jesus came up with. What's that all about?

We know Jesus didn't need to use methods like this. In one instance a woman touched His garment and was healed (Luke 8:43-44). In another a Gentile asked for healing of a paralyzed servant and told Jesus He could just command it (Matt 8:5-13). I mean, Jesus didn't need tools or gimmicks to do His works. But in this case, He spit on the ground and made clay. Commentators suggest (suggest because the text doesn't say so it's merely supposition) things like "Man was formed out of the clay, and moulded like the clay, and here Christ used the same materials to give sight to the body that at first he used to give being to it" (Matthew Henry) or that the Jews believed that spittle from a holy man could be effective, but clay would blind, so Jesus showed them wrong (John Gill) or other such things. I see something more basic. Jesus used ordinary, common, even lowly means to accomplish His purpose.

Now, remember, He didn't need to. I mean, this is the same Jesus of whom John wrote, "All things came into being through Him, and apart from Him nothing came into being that has come into being." (John 1:3) The One who spoke all things into existence and who sustains all things (Col 1:17) doesn't need means to accomplish His will. He just ... does. But God seems to be in the business of using ordinary means to accomplish the extraordinary. Perhaps it's the gospel, deemed "foolishness" by the world. Paul wrote, "God was well-pleased through the foolishness of the message preached to save those who believe." (1 Cor 1:21) Perhaps it's prayer. God doesn't need your requests to know what you need (Matt 6:8) and how to give it (Rom 8:26-27). But He uses that ordinary means. To me, perhaps the most astounding in terms of ordinary and lowly means He uses is us. Not much more than spit and dust, empowered by the Holy Spirit in us, He uses us to accomplish His extraordinary plans.

Perhaps there was some specific, pointed message in Jesus's unique method that day. I'm just amazed that He has chosen to use the basely common means to accomplish His glorious ends. And that would include me.