Encounter with Jesus (John chapter 9)
- Laurie Williams
- Feb 20
- 3 min read
“The Man called Jesus made mud and smeared it on my eyes and told me, ‘Go to Siloam and wash.’ So I went and washed, and I received my sight!”
(John 9:11, Amp)
In the 9th chapter of the book of John, a nameless, blind man encounters Jesus twice! It is recorded that this particular man was born blind. Can you imagine never seeing anything but darkness? Can you fathom never being able to experience color, shapes, the beauty of creation, or the faces of your loved ones? This man wandered around in total darkness his entire life until he had an encounter with Jesus. In verse 1, we see that Jesus noticed this man. In verse 5, Jesus states, "I am the Light of the world." In verse 6 we see that Jesus used His salvia to make mud from the earth's dirt to spread on the blind man's eyes, He then tells him what he must do. "And He said to him, "go, wash in the pool of Siloam." The man went as directed, washed and came back seeing for the first time! (v. 7) Obey - go - wash - receive sight were Jesus's directives. And the man did. Soon others begin to see him and question whether he was the same person, they didn't recognize him, something was very different about him. Wasn't he the beggar that was born blind? This man's encounter with Jesus became an opportunity for the works of Jesus to be displayed for others to take notice.
The man exclaimed with excitement " I obeyed, I received my sight!" (vs.11) He is now a living testimony of the power of Jesus in his life. His physical sight now becomes his spiritual sight as well. He now saw things he'd never seen before; A whole new world was in sight for him. Much like what happens when Jesus heals our spiritual blindness. We will see things from a spiritual perspective through the eyes of Christ.
This once blind man has an opportunity to share his story with others as they questioned this miraculous change in him (vv. 13-15). He faces controversy from unbelievers, but we see in verses 35-38, this man had a second encounter with Jesus. He spent time with Jesus and had conversation. We see that Jesus: knew this man, He heard this man, He saw this man, He found this man, and He asked him if he believed in who He was. This once blind man exclaimed, "I believe in You and Your word!" We can then see that he then worshipped Jesus with reverence and awe.
Have you had an encounter with Jesus? How did He change you? Were your eyes opened for the first time from your spiritual blindness? Do you share your excitement with others about your encounter with Jesus? It can not only change your life, but the lives of others.
If you have never had an encounter with Jesus, pray and ask Him for one today. Obey - go - wash clean. Let Jesus change your life. Others will see a difference and begin to question what's different about you. That will be your opportunity to share your encounter with Jesus, your personal testimony of how Jesus restored your sight.
Encounter Jesus today, don't wait. Then share your excitement as you see the Light for the first time! With Christ, we have a fresh, bright start to a new life in Him. The second encounter will be much more awesome than the first, for we will be in His very presence to worship Him with true awe! Let us look forward to our second encounter with Christ.
Jesus, smear Your mud on our eyes to heal our spiritual blindness. May our eyes be opened for the first time to You and our new life in You. May we clearly see that You are the Light of our world. Praises to You for Your works and guidance in our lives. May we reflect Your Light for others to see the way to You for their encounter. In Your holy name, Amen.
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