Since I read for the first time, when Jesus cured the blind man by mixing his spit with clay, I’ve wondered why he used his spit. I have always been repulsed by spit, mostly from when I was little and my brother would torture me by pinning me to the ground and yo-yo his spit in my face until I would scream. After reading more of the Bible I believe that Jesus did this to show us that He is the Great Potter and we are his creation.
The first aspect of this is that we are all created for a purpose. That purpose may conflict with our expectations or desires. This conflict can cause such emotions as regret, anger, depression, and envy. Gratitude is completely lacking in these situations. Who are we to tell God that we are unhappy with how he created us? Or to say that what we are going through shouldn’t be? This disobedience usually leads to a spiraling effect where one thing happens after another. “And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a reprobate mind, to do those things which are not convenient;” Romans 1:28 KJV. I believe in these times God is telling us “if you thinks it’s that bad then I can show you worse”. Not necessarily in a punishing manner but to show us how much he can pull us through if we are walking with Him. “For whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth, And scourgeth every son whom he receiveth.” Hebrews 12:6 KJV.
Acceptance of how and why we were created leads to true joy in life. The acceptance of this can causes a severe humbling to our ego. “Hath not the potter power over the clay, of the same lump to make one vessel unto honour, and another unto dishonour?” Romans 9:21 KJV. To submit to God as a lump of clay and allow His Spirit to guide you to your true purpose will bring fulfillment in life. “Whosoever shall seek to save his life shall lose it; and whosoever shall lose his life shall preserve it.” Luke 17:33 KJV. This is a tough pill to swallow but it can heal any broken life.
Both prior aspects are similar in the aspect that one’s current situation is conflicting with expectations. Now let’s say one’s life is going as “expected”. However, expectations are continuing to be pushed and the finish line for fulfillment is constantly moving. Pottery’s purpose is determined upon creation. A vase is used as a vase and a bowl as a bowl. Trying to constantly mold to a new purpose causes cracks and breaks in the vessel. One purpose of a man is provider, but the requirements of providing for a growing appetite, of self or family, expand and expand causing the vessel to expand until its unsustainable, vessel succumbs to stress and explodes. This can result in frustration, irritability, break downs, depression and more negative potentially worse consequences. This is only one example of countless scenarios where the lack of true fulfillment causes endless striving.
Another aspect is when some ask if there is a God, then why are people born with disabilities such as being born blind? In this case the man was born blind “And his disciples asked him, saying, Master, who did sin, this man, or his parents, that he was born blind?” John 9:2 KJV. “Jesus answered, Neither hath this man sinned, nor his parents: but that the works of God should be made manifest in him.” John 9:3 KJV. This shows that even what some see as weaknesses can be used for the glory of God. How often we see people with “disabilities” but are able to accomplish amazing feats. This is only possible when those who are born “different” accept that fact and chose to find its purpose.
So why does Jesus use his spit and clay to heal the blind? To show us that we are his creation, his pottery. That with just a little of him he can mend any broken pot and make us a new creation. “And no man putteth new wine into old bottles; else the new wine will burst the bottles, and be spilled, and the bottles shall perish. But new wine must be put into new bottles; and both are preserved.” Luke 5:37-38 KJV. Allow Jesus to heal you, even if it doesn’t seem in a way you might accept, and use you for His purpose, which will bring true joy and fulfillment.
What God does won’t always make sense to us. Why would I go through such an experience from my brother like the yo-yo spit game? Regardless of my brothers motives, through that experience God used it to attract me to this verse and gave me a better understanding through it. “And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.” Romans 8:28 KJV. Glory be to God.
33 and a Third 