Love is Blind

Can mud be beautiful?

I know mud can be fun. I remember some years back participating in a “mud run” with our youngest son, (and now site creative director) Kelly, in Milan, MI. This is where a bunch of people pay for the privilege of running or walking an obstacle course. It was a hot day, and the first “obstacle” was a huge mud pit that seemed to have no bottom. I still remember seeing a 55-gallon drum at the end of the run stacked with shoes people were just throwing away.

But can mud be used as medicine?

As recorded in John Chapter 9, Jesus saw a man blind from birth. After some debate with his disciples about who sinned to cause his condition, Jesus reminded them of his purpose and demonstrated it.

“While I am in the world, I am the light of the world.” After saying this, he spit 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.” John 9: 5-7.

What?

Just imagine a modern day doctor’s visit or, better yet, church service where the physician or Pastor broke out the dirt and started spitting. The news reports and podcasts would be endless.

Beyond “Jesus can do what He pleases,” why make and apply the mud? He certainly could have just said, “be healed!” or “eyes be opened!”

Jesus came to stir things up

Jesus healed the blind man on a Saturday, which on the Jewish calendar was the sabbath. The act of making the mixture was therefore considered work which was unlawful. The Pharisees (religious leaders) had to then try to reconcile with healing, a good act/miracle, being performed through unlawful means, making mud on what biblical law tells us is a day of rest. Seems kind of silly, but it really made people think. Also, ordinary means and methods were used to produce something extraordinary. In other words, Jesus got creative.

Lastly, the blind man was left with a choice, step out into the unknown and the possibility of sight or not wash and stay the same. His life was so radically changed that he was virtually unrecognizable to those that knew him.

Sound familiar?

Jesus finds us where we are

The Pharisees had to control the narrative of the healing. They grilled the ex-blind man: “Give glory to God by telling the truth,” they said. “We know this man is a sinner.” He replied, “Whether he is a sinner or not, I don’t know. One thing I do know. I was blind but now I see!” John 9:24-25. 

Life had changed significantly through dirt, spit, and water. Theology just didn’t seem to matter at the time in the face of what had just occurred.

Jesus initiated the contact with the blind man to display the “works of God.” After the man was thrown out of the synagogue, Jesus found him and revealed himself as Lord.

Sound familiar?

Yes, mud can be beautiful.

About the painting – Cindi and I attended a healing and deliverance training conference this past weekend hosted by Free People Church in Mount Orab, OH. I wanted to post on Friday as scheduled, but I couldn’t connect my thoughts on John 9 and decided instead on a special Monday release.

When registering on Saturday, I was drawn to the painting in the lobby, “Love is Blind,” created prophetically by Jessika Householder. I was told the piece was not for sale but meant as a gift to be given away. Below is the artist’s explanation of the inspiration for the piece.

The widely accepted meaning of “Love is Blind” means to be so in love you look past the red flags and choose to love that person anyway. I feel that, if you think about it, love really is blind! We don’t really know exactly what God looks or sounds like but we can know the extent of his love if we choose to blindly take his hand and let him lead our hearts to eternity. So I would say love truly is blind, but stops being so once we accept him. It’s absolutely beautiful if we can put our trust into Him and follow Him. He is calling us to blindly follow him so we can finally see (John 9:25). To see what he did for us is to know TRUE LOVE! He also chooses us and loves us even though sometimes we can be giant walking red flags. He offers us grace and the opportunity to repent and turn to him. This is true blind love!

This painting is the perfect expression of John Chapter 9.

I was given the painting by the artist during the Saturday training session.

After the Sunday service we had the privilege of meeting and speaking with Jessika. We are grateful for her gift and heart to serve.

Special thanks to Billie Jo Cockerham for shepherding this divine appointment.