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 9:6-7).

There is much discussion on the internet about why Jesus used spit and dirt to heal the blind man. There are many theories. I wonder if these same people would posit theories about the miracles of Moses or Elijah or Elisha. They also used somewhat eccentric and different methods to perform various miracles.

It is notable that we are not given any divine commentary with respect to the reason for one method over against another. In biblical history we learn that people tend to idolize the very things that were given to glorify God. I think of the bronze snake, which God told Moses to put on a pole for people to look upon and receive healing from poisonous snake bites (Numbers 21:8-9). Hundreds of years later we find the Israelites burning incense to it (2 Kings 18:4). The same happened with Gideon's golden ephod (Judges 8:27). Someone has commented that Jesus never used the same method of healing. If this is true, perhaps it was to avoid this very same danger of idolatry.

Today, we have a version of this kind of idolatry in certain charismatic circles, where special words and special acts are the focus of worship rather than the Word of God. When this happens, the method overshadows the message and the emphasis on power sidelines the emphasis on the Person of Christ. 

Jesus never emphasized His methods of healing, only faith in Him. So let us not stumble over the details of Jesus' methods of healing except to marvel at His sovereignty over them. He does as He pleases with whatever He pleases. He is God.

Jesus said to them, “If you were blind, you would have no sin; but since you say, ‘We see,’ your sin remains" (John 9:41).

In another occasion Jesus spoke of those with eyes yet could not see (cf. Mark 4:12). In other words, they were blind to the understanding of the truth. They were blind to their true condition in sin. They were blind to their need of a Savior. They were blind to the sign of the Messiah.

Yet, if they would only acknowledge their blindness, confess their need, and receive Jesus, their sin would be removed. But because they persisted in holding on to their self-righteousness, their sin remained.

Friends, this account teaches me to always remain humble, confessing my sins and shortcomings and unreservedly declaring my hope of salvation and my ongoing need for deliverance in Christ. This confession extends beyond moral shortcomings to doctrinal ones. I pray that I am always open to correction. It is God's truth that sancitifies me (cf. Johh 7:17).

I pray that you also will have this same spirit, so that you will not be blinded by the arrogance and short-sightedness of position and reputation. Pastors, teachers and those in authority suffer the greatest risk here. If we do not see our own blindness, how can we help others. But if we acknowledge it, then we can point others to the very same Savior, who is able to give sight to both us and them. 

So a second time they called the man who had been blind, and said to him, “Give glory to God; we know that this man is a sinner" (John 9:24).

Talk about leading the witness, you don't find more leading than what the Pharisees tried to do to this man. They wanted the man, who had just been healed of a lifetime of blindness, to disavow what Jesus did in an instant and agree with them that Jesus was a sinner. As if this were not enough, they all but told him that if he did not agree with their perspective, he was not glorifying God. 

Consider this. The Pharisees had the witness of the blind man's neighbors, who likely lived near him all their lives. They had the witness of strangers, who simply passed by him every day while he was begging on the streets. They had the witness of his mother and father, who had no predisposition to support Jesus for fear of being thrown out of their synagogue, who simply stated the facts about their son. They, of course, had the witness of the man himself, who repeatedly gave the same miraculous account, and who was clearly changed instantly into a believer.

Their only hangup? Jesus healed on the Sabbath, which was no violation of the Law of Moses, but it was of their practice and tradition. For this they ignored the overwhelming eye-witness testimonies before them. They ignored the tremendous possibility that Jesus was the promised Messiah, who was prophesied to give sight to the blind. Now, since there was divided opinion among the religious leaders (cf. John 9:16), clearly not all of them ignored this possibility. But as the account unfolds, clearly the majority and the top leadership were against this acknowledgement. 

Friends, in view of the sheer volume of miraculous signs by Jesus, which are all documented by many eye-witness testimonies, including the Pharisees themselves, they could not deny the validty of them; however, they would deny its source. They would attribute the miracles of Jesus to the devil. This is what Jesus called the unpardonable sin, for which there was no forgiveness. They were rejecting the very signs that were given specifically to the Jews in keeping with the Messianic prophesies of the Old Testament for them to believe. Jesus never faulted anyone for trying to validate His miraculous signs; however, He declared, "You have seen me and you still do not believe" (John 6:36)

Even after Jesus had performed so many signs in their presence, they still would not believe in him (John 12:37).

If I had not done among them the works no one else did, they would not be guilty of sin. As it is, they have seen, and yet they have hated both me and my Father (John 15:24).

They were guilty because they hated him without reason (cf. John 15:25). They could not disprove the veracity of His miracles, which authenticated His person, namely, that He was the One sent by the Father to deliver them from their sins. 

Now, we know that they did not believe because they were not Jesus' sheep. The Father had not drawn them to Himself. He had not given them the faith to believe. Instead, the Father would use their unbelief to bring about salvation through the cross (cf. Acts 4:27-28; Acts 2:22-23). 

Friends, it is the same today. People come to faith not because of what they see faith healers do but because of the regeneratng work of the Holy Spirit, working through God's Word, in people's hearts to produce saving faith.

What is more, why are faith healers so averse to having their purported miracles examined? Jesus had no such objections, and everything He did was so well verified that even His enemies had nothing to say. But today, the misguided charlatans that go around pretending to prophecy, heal, and perform all kinds of counterfeit miracles will certainly be judged by God for their arrogance, greed, and deception. Those that invite such people into their churches also share their guilt.

As Jesus taught, "But wisdom is proved right by her deeds" (Matthew 11:19).

Therefore, dear friends, test everything and hold fast to what is good (cf. 1 Thessalonians 5:21). We will not be judged by how we are led this way or that way by others. We will not be guiltless because some leaders took us in a wrong way. We will be judged by our own choices and actions. Therefore, let us choose and do wisely.

John 10
21 Others said, "These are not the words of one who is oppressed by a demon. Can a demon open the eyes of the blind?"
&
33 The Jews answered him, "It is not for a good work that we are going to stone you but for blasphemy, because you, being a man, make yourself God."
&
38 but if I do them, even though you do not believe me, believe the works, that you may know and understand that the Father is in me and I am in the Father."
&
41 And many came to him. And they said, "John did no sign, but everything that John said about this man was true." 42 And many believed in him there.

Signs are a way to distinguish a message. It is that much more that the signs must be distinguishable, since a message can be given by anyone, but a sign only from God. The closest anyone came to comparing to God's signs were the pharaoh's magicians. Consider what they were able to do:

Moses turned his rod to a snake. The magicians did the same by their secret art, an art similar to a Vegas show. Nothing supernatural about seeing a person throw a stick then see a snake. You can youtube such illusions (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9_UQVvp5Its).

Moses turned water to blood. The magicians did the same by their secret art. But because Moses did it no water could be found.

Moses summoned frogs. The same done by the magicians. Moses was called to remove them. At least the magicians didn't try to say they too had a part.

The gnats, the magicians tried but failed and they admitted "this is the finger of God." A good con-artist can tell you which is the real deal, or at least a better con.

Then flies, then dying livestock, then boils - and the magicians could not stand before Moses- and hail, the locust, then darkness!! Have you seen enough! Have you seen enough!

Regardless, the death angel, and the fiery pillar, and the swallowing waters!

You can mimick by trickery what God does, but it will not compare! You may relieve a headache, but how about raising the death, give vision, call fire from the sky, stop an invading army, how will you stand against such things.

The lord does work things for good. He does answer prayer often by improving or favoring for you existing systems (physical health, financial markets, political, etc) but when God wants to make his point he introduces a reversal to systems, the genesis of a new system, and even let's you test it - a dare to find fault.

We should not feel sluggish to challenge a suppose miracle, why is that offensive? Even Jesus offered his wounds to Thomas.

Signs are important and they are great to make a point. Not mild and easily over looked, which is why they are guilt accusing; you deny them and you show your blatant offense and blaspheme.

Jesus addresses the Pharisees as they question his authority and credibility - as the son of God. This parable is a bit difficult to discern at first glance, but in the larger context of Jesus teaching it appears to be a condemnation of the Pharisees legalism and hypocrisy.

(John 10:1-5)

"Very truly I tell you Pharisees, anyone who does not enter the sheep pen by the gate, but climbs in by some other way, is a thief and a robber. The one who enters by the gate is the shepherd of the sheep.The gatekeeper opens the gate for him, and the sheep listen to his voice. He calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. When he has brought out all his own, he goes on ahead of them, and his sheep follow him because they know his voice. But they will never follow a stranger; in fact, they will run away from him because they do not recognize a stranger’s voice"

Jesus describes himself as the shepherd who cares for his flock (he knows them by name). Jesus was telling the Pharisees that believers in Him will not follow a strangers voice - the Pharisees voice. True Believers will run away from the Pharisees teachings of the law and its legalism. Jesus says that those who try to enter the pen without going through the gate is a thief - the pen is likely a metaphor for Gods resting place (a place of care and protection). Later Jesus describes himself as the gate, thus he is telling the Pharisees that to reach the pen or Gods resting place they must enter through Him. The Jews cannot be eternally with God without going through the path set by Christ - the past of accepting Christ as your savior. Its interesting that Jesus says that those who try to enter without going through the gate (Jesus) are thieves. I take this as a reflection on the Pharisees false piety where they worshipped outwardly, but inwardly they were dishonest and hypocritical. Like thieves the Pharisees tried to steal their way into Gods kingdom with false worship and dishonesty.

It’s a fascinating parable because it was obviously not meant for the Pharisees - they clearly did not understand his message. Thus it was meant for others, believers in Christ (us) that we may see Gods heart is for those that know His voice. Those that worship in Truth and honest devotion to God.

Friends, one of the most comforting passages in Scripture is John 10:27-29,

My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me. And I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; neither shall anyone snatch them out of My hand. My Father, who has given them to Me, is greater than all; and no one is able to snatch them out of My Father’s hand. I and My Father are one.

These verses assure believers that they cannot lose their salvation. Jesus says that believers will "never perish." He holds us in His hands, such that nothing can take us out. Furthermore, over Jesus' hands is the Father's hands, such that nothing will remove us from the double strength of the divine hands holding us. It is clear that our security is not from the strength of our faith but rather the strength of God's faithfulness to keep His promises to us.

Interestingly, the context of this passage on the believer's security arises out of a dialogue with the religious rulers, who wanted Jesus to affirm that He is the Christ. Jesus tells them that He has done so already, but they have not believed. Then Jesus makes an interesting statement. He says that they do not believe "because you are not of My sheep, as I said to you." This is consistent with what we learned from John 6, namely, that people cannot believe unless God has enabled them. Here in John 10 Jesus says the same thing in different words. People cannot believe unless God has chosen them to be in the sheepfold of Jesus. But since this choice depends on God alone and not man, it provides infinite and eternal security for the believer.

Jesus responds to the Jews that contest His claim to be the Son of God in John 10:33-36.

The Jews answered Him, "For a good work we do not stone You, but for blasphemy; and because You, being a man, make Yourself out to be God." Jesus answered them, "Has it not been written in your Law, 'I SAID, YOU ARE GODS'? "If he called them gods, to whom the word of God came (and the Scripture cannot be broken), do you say of Him, whom the Father sanctified and sent into the world, 'You are blaspheming,' because I said, 'I am the Son of God'?

What did Jesus mean by quoting Psalm 82:6? In the context of this psalm, the Jewish leaders ("great assembly", v. 1) are called "gods" (vv. 1, 5, 6), even "Sons of the Most High" (v. 6) because they are appointed representatives of God. Yet they are rebuked because of their unjust rule (vv. 2-5). And even though they are called "gods," they will "die like mere mortals" and "fall like every other ruler" (v. 7). The Psalmist, Asaph, awaits instead for the Messiah, who is addressed as "God" (v. 8), who will judge the earth justly (v. 8; cf. Isaiah 9:6-7) and inherit the nations (v. 8; cf. Psalm 2). So, Psalm 82 is a Messianic Psalm that condemns the injustice of the "sons of God" and awaits the true justice that will be ushered in by the "Son of God." Thus, it is a most appropriate passage to quote against the Jews in John 10.

In citing Psalm 82 Jesus both rebukes the Jews, who are like the unjust Jewish leaders condemned in the psalm, and affirms His Messianic identity as the Son of God. And Jesus turns the accusation of blasphemy against the Jews. Who is truly blaspheming? Is it Jesus, who by doing the works of the Father is confirming His identity in keeping with Scriptural prophecy? Or is it the Jews, who are rejecting the prophetic Scriptures (notice how Jesus emphasizes "and the Scripture cannot be broken" in John 10:35) that God gave them to follow and teach.

Consider this other occasion, where Jesus initiates the dialogue on the matter of the Messiah being the Son of God in Mark 9:35-37:

While Jesus was teaching in the temple courts, he asked, “Why do the teachers of the law say that the Messiah is the son of David? David himself, speaking by the Holy Spirit, declared:

   “‘The Lord said to my Lord:
   “Sit at my right hand
until I put your enemies
   under your feet.”’

 David himself calls him ‘Lord.’ How then can he be his son?”

Once again, Jesus quotes the Scriptures, here Psalm 110:1, to affirm that the Messiah is not merely a son of David but is in fact the Son of God, equal with God, since even David calls Him "Lord," a Hebrew title reserved for God.

Observe that Jesus does not merely answer the Jews by saying "I am the Son of God." He answers by citing the Scriptures and showing How His works are the very works that are prophesied for the Messiah (cf. John 10:24-25, 37-38). In the immediate context, Jesus opened the eyes of a man born blind. This was a uniquely Messianic miracle (cf. John 9:32-33; Luke 4:16-21 citing the LXX version of Isaiah 61:1-2; cf. Psalm 146:8). And interestingly, this miracle is done without any pretension or any ostentaious display (Jesus makes mudpies on the man's eyes), not even a crowd is present, the man does not even know who healed him until much later, and as far as we know, the blind man didn't even ask to be healed. Jesus certainly wanted to avoid undo attention, especially from the Jews, who wanted to kill Him. In fact, in the four instances where Jesus heals the blind, He does it a different way every time (cf. Matthew 9; Mark 8; Luke 18, and here, John 9). Isn't it interesting, when the Pharisees cannot refute the authenticity of the miracle (i.e., it is documented, unlike "so-called" miracles by faith healers today), they question the method and make baseless ad hominem attacks against Jesus.

People whose hearts are hardened (e.g. as the Jewish leaders of Jesus' day), because they have not been opened by the Holy Spirit, will not judge correctly the words and works of Jesus. They do not see or hear or believe because they remain in the darkness of their sinful condition (cf. Ephesians 2:1-3). But praise God, we, who see and hear and believe, have been chosen by God to be His sheep, and by His grace we are secure in our eternal inheritance.

But you do not believe because you are not of My sheep.  My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me; and I give eternal life to them, and they will never perish; and no one will snatch them out of My hand. My Father, who has given them to Me, is greater than all; and no one is able to snatch them out of the Father's hand. I and the Father are one." (John 10:26-30).