Toward the pool of Siloam

This morning was no different from any other; after his usual morning chores, he was ready for yet another day. He picked up his backpack which consisted of his lunch, folding mat and radio set. As he headed out of his parents’ apartment he picked up his white cane and begging bowl that were strategically placed behind the main door. He found his way down the stairway and then across the street under the shade of a roadside tree. That had been his place for many years. Having spread out his mat, he tuned the radio to his favorite FM station and pulled out his begging bowl. He could hear the cries of the market place that gleefully promised to meet his expectations. Little did he know that this day would be like no other; for down that street was coming Jesus and his disciples.

Man’s response

The disciples of Jesus on being told by the grey haired man running the tea stall, that this blind man was born blind; wondered what could have brought about his unfortunate fate. The bestseller “Why do bad things happen to good people” was yet to hit the news stands of that time. So the disciples did some root-cause analysis and came to the conclusion that it was either his sin or his parents’ sin that had deprived him of sight. If we were in their shoes we would have shouted out a resounding “Amen”. How do I know that? Well, it is plain simple; we do the same thing even today! And then we would latch on to some biblical verse taken out of context to support our distorted claim. The disciples turned to Jesus seeking his stamp of approval, but they were in for a surprise.

God’s response

Where man saw a theological question, Jesus saw an opportunity to grant sight to this blind man. Jesus wanted this man to gain sight, to find a job and care for his aged parents. It would force him to his vocation; he would be involved in opening the eyes and minds of blind people. Where the disciples saw a lost case, Jesus saw a winning case. Where the disciples looked at a scapegoat, Jesus looked at a co-worker in His kingdom building project. Boy! Were they not surprised when Jesus said neither his sins nor those of his parents’ were responsible for his blindness; rather it was the master potter’s hands working upon his wheels.

Towards the Pool of Siloam

After Jesus had applied mud with saliva on his eyes He instructed him “Go and wash at the pool of Siloam”. By now a crowd had gathered. The blind man got up and headed towards the pool. Some curious people from the crowd followed the blind man even as Jesus and his disciples moved on. Someone suggested from the crowd “Return to your begging bowl; you don’t want to take such risks. Do you?” To which the blind man replied “A begging bowl can be found at any street corner, but such invitation is rare to come”. Someone else shouted “Don’t believe that Jesus!” By now a lot of advice was pouring in without any restraint. At last an elderly man stepped out of the crowd and put his arms over the blind man’s shoulders and said “Son, don’t take any hasty decision without consulting your parents or your church leadership”. But the blind man politely replied “Sir, I have lived too long meeting people’s expectations, but now I am taking a personal decision to take Jesus at this word”. Then he simply slipped his white cane into the elder’s hand and kept began walking. The crowd peeled away and only a couple of close friends accompanied the blind man directing his steps.

At The Pool

As he felt the wet grains of sand under his feet he knew he was close to the waters. He paused and told his friends “You have accompanied me so long, now I got to walk the rest by myself”. He removed his arms from their shoulders and began walking. In anticipation he moved ahead with his mouth open, eyes staring to the sky and tears running down his joyful face. In the stillness of the moment he could hear his heart pounding heavily. The soothing words “Go and wash at the pool of Siloam” grew louder in his ears. He could no longer wait so he gave out a cry and run frantically downward to embrace the waters. However he tripped over and fell face downward with the upper portion of his body in knee deep waters. As he grasped for breathe and got hold of himself his sight was restored and for the first time he saw water, the country side and his friends who came cheering behind him. He cried out “I see, I see, I see Wow I see”. He embraced his friends and ran along the edge of the pool like a boy who found his long lost toy. He inquired about Jesus from his friends, but they did not know where he could be found. But he knew one thing – he was blind and now he can see.

Our walk towards Siloam

It is good for our soul to venture on one such journey amid discouraging and contrasting opinions. While the world system screams at us to return to our present lifestyle; it would be to our own peril if we hearken to the world. The prince of this world whispers “take it easy, avoid risks and ridicule”. But Jesus points us toward the pool and we need to go carrying absolutely nothing but His word to accompany us along that lonely beaten down path. It is only at the pool that we find our master eagerly waiting with open arms to heal us.

Prayer: Lord, forgive me for refusing to go when you have asked me to go. Let me not let discouragement or fear cloud my path; rather give me a fearless spirit to walk until I find you at the set destination and embrace freedom and joy. In Jesus’ name Amen.