New Year, New Challenge: Want Revival? Go deeper!

 Ezekiel 47

King James Version

47 Afterward he brought me again unto the door of the house; and, behold, waters issued out from under the threshold of the house eastward: for the forefront of the house stood toward the east, and the waters came down from under from the right side of the house, at the south side of the altar.

2 Then brought he me out of the way of the gate northward, and led me about the way without unto the utter gate by the way that looketh eastward; and, behold, there ran out waters on the right side.

3 And when the man that had the line in his hand went forth eastward, he measured a thousand cubits, and he brought me through the waters; the waters were to the ankles.

4 Again he measured a thousand, and brought me through the waters; the waters were to the knees. Again he measured a thousand, and brought me through; the waters were to the loins.

5 Afterward he measured a thousand; and it was a river that I could not pass over: for the waters were risen, waters to swim in, a river that could not be passed over.

Luke 5

King James Version

5 And it came to pass, that, as the people pressed upon him to hear the word of God, he stood by the lake of Gennesaret,

2 And saw two ships standing by the lake: but the fishermen were gone out of them, and were washing their nets.

3 And he entered into one of the ships, which was Simon's, and prayed him that he would thrust out a little from the land. And he sat down, and taught the people out of the ship.

4 Now when he had left speaking, he said unto Simon, Launch out into the deep, and let down your nets for a draught.

5 And Simon answering said unto him, Master, we have toiled all the night, and have taken nothing: nevertheless at thy word I will let down the net.

6 And when they had this done, they inclosed a great multitude of fishes: and their net brake.

7 And they beckoned unto their partners, which were in the other ship, that they should come and help them. And they came, and filled both the ships, so that they began to sink.

Psalm 42:7

Deep calleth unto deep at the noise of thy waterspouts: all thy waves and thy billows are gone over me.

For most of us in America, we think of revival as a series of meetings where we feel better, get a little closer to God, and go on about our lives. 

But, revival in scripture was an all encompassing and life changing event! 

Whole swathes of society were changed on a personal level in a very short period of time. Sinners became saints. Thieves became honest men. Idolators and adulterers became God fearing family loving people. In seconds, they were all born again and changed.

 Then, he did it again in Kansas and LA in the early 1900's. Again, it effected huge numbers of people and changed their whole world- literally.

But, over time, embers fade and revival was reduced to what we see today. 

My wife and I have been praying for revival. Real, book of Acts and Asuza street revival. For months now, we've asked, we've sought, and we've knocked. We've begged and we've pleaded. 

Last night, as I was praying and listening to scripture, Luke 5 jumped out at me. I could see Jesus on that boat. He looked the big, burly, and experienced fisherman in the eye, and basically said, "If you'll launch out into deep water, I'll give you such a huge catch that it'll nearly sink both your vessels."

From any other man, Simon would've scoffed and said he didn't know what he was talking about. 

But, from this man, Simon felt something different. Though he argued a bit, something in Simon said, "Ok. Why not? We'll give it a shot."

When they reached the deep waters, they dropped their nets and nearly lost their boat! and even though their own net broke, the fish, miraculously didn't leave the area! Their second boat arrived and they had better nets. They caught so many fish that their boats were barely floating under the weight! 

Simon threw himself at the feet Of Jesus and recognized how unworthy he himself was to even be in the presence of God almighty! 

When the vision in my minds eye cleared, I could almost hear the Lord whispering to me:

"If you really want real revival to take hold in your home, street, city, county, state, nation, world, then go deeper in me."

For further explanation (and I don't know all what he said to me entails, just a small portion), he took me to 2 more passages. Ezekiel 47 and Psalms 42.

 "3 And when the man that had the line in his hand went forth eastward, he measured a thousand cubits, and he brought me through the waters; the waters were to the ankles."

Remember "he that believeth on me as the scriptures hath said, out of their belly shall flow RIVERS OF LIVING WATER (but this spake he of the Holy Ghost...}" (John 7:38)

As these waters begin to flow in our lives, they rise up to our ankles. We enjoy the feeling of the cool waters washing over our dry and parched feet. It cools our aching feet, soothes the sore bones, washes away the muck and the mire we've been standing or walking in.

But it's only ankle deep. It truly doesn't affect the way we walk. The shallow waters lack the power to counteract the muscles in our body that still respond to the commands our brains give about where to go. We still have control- though we feel somewhat better.

 "4 Again he measured a thousand, and brought me through the waters; the waters were to the knees."

Now, the waters are a bit deeper. It has the power to somewhat touch our prayers. Some intercession can begin. There's a little more force to the flow, but we are still pretty much in control of ourselves. We still choose what we do and where we go.

"Again he measured a thousand, and brought me through; the waters were to the loins."

At this point, the force of the waters has the power to affect how we walk. It's power reaches our baser instincts. It begins to effect our fleshly appetites. It brings some repentance and self control into our lives. We still have control, but we're much more willing to give some of that control over to our master.

5 Afterward he measured a thousand; and it was a river that I could not pass over: for the waters were risen, waters to swim in, a river that could not be passed over.

It's at this point that we have a choice.

Do we stay where we are and enjoy the change and living in the cool waters more powerful than we've know current, but still retain some control of our lives?

Or, do we "launch out into the deep?" Do we dive into the river of the Holy Ghost in total abandon? Do we give ourselves over completely to the control of the river? It's here that we experience there true power of the river. It's here that lives are changed. It's here that miracles, signs, and wonders occur. It's here that massive revival breaks out! 

Why? Because we gave God all the control. We let go of our agenda's and pet peeves. We hand every part of our lives over the the master and HE guides our steps. HE guides us to the destination that HE wants us to find. HE works through us and draws them to HIMSELF and the new birth! 

If we will do that, then HE will bring back book of Acts and Asuza street level revivals! 

But, we must give up control. We must give up our own status/reputations. We must give over our rights and die to ourselves- every day. 

If we will do that, then the harvest of souls that he brings in will not be able to be contained! We'll have to search for others to help us to contain and work with the massive harvest he wants to bring in! 

Cause it's not about us, it's about him! It's not about an organization, it's about him. 

It's not about us, it's about the souls he wants to bring into his kingdom!

It's not about who we are, but its's about who he is! 

Deep calleth unto deep at the noise of thy waterspouts: all thy waves and thy billows are gone over me. (Psalms 42:7)

The word for deep here means "an Abyss (as a surging mass of water)..." and comes from  a root word that means "...to make an uproar or agitrate greatly."

Remember the flood?

The land was all in one piece. The waters had been separated from the land and there was one massive continent. When the waters from above combined with the waters down below it was a catastrophic and world changing event! 

Land masses were reshaped and beaten into place. New mountain chains and valleys were formed. The climate was dramatically changed! Nothing was as it was before. Everything was brand new.

The waters of God want to make an uproar and greatly agitate our lives. He wants to flow over, in, and around us and totally change our whole world! He wants to change how we think, act, dress, speak, what we do, where we go.....

But, for that kind of shaking to happen, we have to relinquish all control and allow him to have all control. 

So, WE have to go deep so that HIS deep can call to us. If we stay shallow, we can't hear his call.

Just as whales can communicate with whale song ONLY UNDER WATER, we can only truly hear God's call if we dive into his waters in total and complete surrender. Let him reshape us. Let him remold us. And let his water flow take us wherever HE wants to take us. 

Incidentally, the word for "calleth" here means "to call by name." 

He has a specific job for each and every one of us to do. I can't do your job. You can't do mine. But if we will all surrender to his life giving flow, HE will remake and remold on a massive, earth shaping scale! 

Souls will be saved on a massive scale. Diseases will be healed on a massive scale. People will be delivered from drugs, alcohol, porn, false religions, etc on a massive scale! 

Watch his pattern though. 

Abraham wasn't a great young man ready to rock his world. He was a nearly retired old man who'd never fathered a child. But God started a bloodline through him that led to Calvary and freed the world! 

He chose Israel, not because of how great and mighty they were, but because of how weak, small, and powerless they were.

He didn't go through the religious somebodies of the world to bring in his church. He chose a bunch of poor folk that the elites looked down upon to rock the church age! 

He didn't go through the religious somebodies to begin the Asuza outpourings a hundred years ago. He chose a bunch of nobodies that the somebodies wouldn't give the time of day to. 

His pattern hasn't changed! 

If we will really dive deep into his word and give ourselves wholly and completely to prayer and repentence, he will give yet another amazing and earth shattering revival! We're not somebody. But that means we're qualified in his eyes! 

Won't you join him? Won't you join us?

Wherever you are. Commit to study, prayer, and fasting. 

Dive deep. 

And watch him change the world!

God's power is not a lottery ticket. It's a necessity for our lives.

Mark 16:16-18

King James Version

16 He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned.

17 And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues;

18 They shall take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover.

Acts 2: 38 Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.

39 For the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call.

40 And with many other words did he testify and exhort, saying, Save yourselves from this untoward generation.

41 Then they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls.

42 And they continued stedfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers.

43 And fear came upon every soul: and many wonders and signs were done by the apostles.

I'm not the only one to notice this, but there's something missing in the church today. Jesus and the Apostles prayed for multitudes and they were healed, delivered, set free, changed immediately. In fact, the normal standard for the time was complete and immediate healing. 

Now there is a school of thought that says that the gifts of the spirit were for only the Apostles and those that they personally laid hands-on, but no further. The scriptures above disprove that theory. In Mark, it says, "these signs SHALL FOLLOW THEM THAT BELIEVE." That's everybody that believes. It doesn't say the signs will follow "you and all you lay hands on and nobody else after that who believe." 

And to further destroy the argument, in Acts 2 the Apostles teach that the promise (what promise? The promise of the Holy Ghost! Acts 1: 4-8) is unto you (that generation), and to your children (next generation), and to all that are afar off (all following generations) even as many as the Lord our God shall call (until the Lord returns at the end)." So the infilling of the Holy Ghost and the gifts of the spirit that come along with it are supposed to be a part of the church until Jesus returns! 

That having been said, what's wrong with the church? We get together and we sing, clap, dance, praise, worship, hear fireball preaching, etc. But, it's very rare (in the western world) that we see the Lord "confirming the word with signs following." (Mark 16:20). 

Yes, there are examples of the Lord blessing people with healing, deliverance, finances, etc, in our services, but it's different. In scripture, nearly all healings and deliverance happened immediately- yes that means instantaneously. Rarely was it not immediate. 

Now, when it happens, it's usually a process of repeated prayer and time. Immediate healing is rare.  We go to church. Go through at least part of the service. Feel the spirit's moving. Go up for the preacher (and sometimes a few fellow saints) to pray for us. Feel the touch of the spirit. And go home believing for, but not seeing the healing we're needing. Our faith grows some because we felt the touch of God. We see some improvement over what it was. But, the problem persists. It can sometimes take weeks or months to be completely healed of the problem. BY then, if we testify of the healing to an unbeliever, they- in their minds- can say "it happened naturally over time. The prayers had little or nothing to do with it."

Yet, the same preacher that prayed for us, can go to a third world country that's full of abject poverty and see blinded eyes opened, limbs replaced, cancerous tumors disappear, demons cast out (they don't refer them to a psychiatrist to be given medicine for their mental issues), etc. 

Why? Why is there such a big difference in results between the affluent countries and the poor? 

THEY HAVE NO CHOICE BUT TO BELIEVE. We have doctors and medicines and psychiatrists. So, we treat God as a lottery ticket. We go up and buy our ticket: "I'll take a chance on prayer. If God heals me, great! If not, I can always go to the doctor." That's why we don't ask for prayer for a cold. We know we can buy Nyquil. Why ask for prayer when it's a simple medicinal fix? 

I'm not against doctors in principle. Luke in scripture was a doctor. But, you don't hear of Luke taking his bag to sick folks homes and only calling in Paul to pray if his medicines didn't work. I believe it had to be the other way around! Luke started following Paul and his God precisely because when Paul preached, 

"3 And I was with you in weakness, and in fear, and in much trembling.

4 And my speech and my preaching was not with enticing words of man's wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power:

5 That your faith should not stand in the wisdom of men, but in the power of God."

(1 Corinthians 2:3-5)

Luke, the man of science, was converted to Jesus because he saw diseases and afflictions he had battled for years being healed with a prayer! 

There were many that confused people with their eloquent, educated and enticing words, but Paul challenged them with this: 

18 Now some are puffed up, as though I would not come to you.

19 But I will come to you shortly, if the Lord will, and will know, not the speech of them which are puffed up, but the power.

20 For the kingdom of God is not in word, but in power. (1 Corinthians 4:18-20)

Basically, Paul was saying, you might speak well, but have you got the power? We shall see! 

But, not only have we stopped relying on God, we've truly stopped following him like they did. I believe there's another reason for our lack of power. 

12 Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us,

2 Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God. (Hebrews 12:1-2)

The people of the early church spent nearly every day in a state of prayer. Yes, they had chores and jobs to do, but, they truly relied on God for everything, They believed that it is in God that:

"28 For in him we live, and move, and have our being; as certain also of your own poets have said, For we are also his offspring. " (Acts 17:28)

God is who allows us to work. God allows us to breath. God allows us to walk. God allows us to think. God truly is in control. 

So, why do we spend so little time with him? Hebrews 12 tells us to lay aside every weight AND the sin that so easily besets us. We know sin separates us from God, but do we understand that there are habits and practices in our lives that are not sinful- but they are thieves of time? We are only given so much time. 

Twenty Four hours a day is all we get. If we spend that time playing games, scrolling Facebook, watching youtube, etc, how much time have we used up that could have been spent with God? How much praying could we have done? How much reading and studying the scriptures could we have done? 

How much time did the Apostles spend with God after they got the Holy Ghost? 

Acts 6: And in those days, when the number of the disciples was multiplied, there arose a murmuring of the Grecians against the Hebrews, because their widows were neglected in the daily ministration.

2 Then the twelve called the multitude of the disciples unto them, and said, It is not reason that we should leave the word of God, and serve tables.

Yes, ministers are to be servants to the people, but the congregation had grown to the point that it was interfering with the more important job of studying the Word and praying. The apostles were going from house to house daily teaching and preaching and praying. God was adding new born again believers every day. God was healing people every day. They had to study and pray for hours every day in order to recharge their spiritual batteries for the next home service.

Contrary to many folks teaching, being filled with the Holy Ghost is not a one-time thing. Three times in the first four chapters of Acts, the word records the Apostles (and those with them) being filled with the Holy Ghost. We, like a car, can only go so far before we need a refill. The early church had to pray and study every day to grow their faith.  

I love my wife dearly, but we didn't meet and get married. We met and liked each other. As our relationship grew we spent more and more time together talking- getting to know each other. The more we knew, the more we trusted each other. Finally, we ended up married- and we've grown from there. I trust my wife implicitly. I can trust her with my feelings, my thoughts, my past, my present, and my future. I have no need for any other women because she has my complete trust. I know she won't do anything to harm me and only wants my good. 

The more time we spend with God in his word and in prayer, the closer our relationship will become. The closer our relationship becomes, the more faith we develop in God. The deeper our relationship grows, the stronger our faith becomes. 

Now, the stronger our relationship becomes, and the deeper our faith becomes, the more we understand that he means what he says and says what he means. He has only our good in mind. When he says, "by (his) stripes we are healed," (1 Peter 2:24) he means it. 

So, why do we not see God moving in the "educated and enlightened" world we live in like he did back then and does now in "backwoods places (as many call them)?" 

We've made God unnecessary in our daily lives. Our faith is small because we do not allow him room in our lives to prove himself. If we would lay aside the weights that tie us down and spend time with him in prayer and his word, we'd be amazed at what he'd do. If we would understand that his love is everlasting and that he truly is ALMIGHTY, then we would be awed by the works that he would begin to do among us once again.

There are some among us that he uses in this manner even now. But, we treat them as if they are just odd prophets that swoop in and do things for us and leave. But, scripture doesn't say it's only for a select few. Scripture says, "these signs shall follow them that believe." 

People like to sing about the "old-time religion," but the real old-time religion had God confirming his word with signs and wonders. 

We have a faith problem and we have a relationship problem. 

We need to turn off the TV and the Computer and go into prayer. We need to put down our hobbies and books and start spending time in prayer with him.

God has not changed. What he did then, he will do now. What he does overseas, he will do here. God's power is not a lottery ticket that might bless our lives. He is a necessity to carry us through this life and into eternity. 

Slow and steady wins the race.

Most of us know the story of the tortoise and the hare.

We all know that a race was ran between the two. But, the hare, obviously the faster one, lost the race. Why? Because of his pride and lack of work ethic. He new he was faster than the tortoise. Therefore, he took naps and got sidetracked exploring things. He new he had plenty of time because the tortoise was so slow.

The Tortoise, on the other hand, set his mind and body to the task at hand. He ignored his desire to nap, He didn't turn to the side to explore the wonders around him. His goal was simple: to follow the path of the race and finish his race. He wasn't concerned about what the hare was doing. He had no control over that. All he had control over was his own actions. He didn't let his environment influence him. He didn't let his lack of talent influence him. He didn't let his opponents obvious advantage hinder him. He just set about his task and finished the race.

When the terrain became rough, he kept going. When the path led up a steep hill, he didn't stop. When the path was wet and slippery, he slowed and made his steps sure- but he continued. Everybody was amazed that the tortoise won the race: except the tortoise.

The Bible is replete with people who imitated the hare. They were flashy. People were in awe of them. But their end was not like the beginning.

Samson's strength didn't win him a prize. Sure he defeated thousands of Israels enemies, but he still ignored God's instructions for his life (Num. 6:1-8, Judges 13:4-5). He lost his hair, his strength, his family, and ultimately, his life. Many say he died right with God because God gave him back his strength. Yet, his prayer to God was anything but repentant. He wanted his strength back to kill his enemies and take vengeance. There was no reaching out to God.

Solomon started out extremely well. He asked for wisdom from God, instead of riches and power. He built the great temple of God in Jerusalem. His wisdom became world renowned. He even expanded Israels territory all the way to the border of Egypt. He knew peace all his early days. But, he failed to follow the instructions for Kings that God had given to Moses (Dt 17:14-20, 1 Kings 10:14- 11:43). And when God judged him and pointed out his replacement (for 10 of the tribes, at least), rather than repent, he tried to kill his replacement. No repentance there.

Judas started out as a devout and chosen disciple of Jesus, but he ended up being a thief and a betrayer. He hung himself and died. No repentance there.

There were others, though, that were more like the tortoise. They may have come from humble beginnings, but they finished well.

Abraham was 75 years old before he began to follow the Lord. Though he stumbled some along the way, he still remained faithful to God and finished his life still looking for a city who's builder and maker was God. God called him the father of faith. He finished well.

Paul was at first called Saul. He persecuted the fledgling church and was responsible for the torture and death of many, many Christians. But, when the Lord got ahold of him, he left behind his former life and titles and became the greatest evangelist of all time and was used by God to write 2/3 of the New Testament. He finished well.

John Mark started well, but buckled under the pressure. It was a dispute over him that caused Paul and Barnabus to stop traveling and preaching together. Yet, he must have changed his attitude. For Paul, in a later letter, asks that he be sent to him as a help in the ministry: And the Lord used him to write the book of Mark in the New Testament. He finished well.

I don't know about you, but I'm tired of seeing flash in the pan Christians go by the wayside. "The next hot young preacher" more often than not, fails and disappears in the long run.

I'm also tired of knowing that I have failed God too many times. I used to be one of those "next hot young preachers" in some folks eyes. But, I faltered and went chasing down too many rabbit (hare) holes.

However, God tells me I don't have to end my life that way. Like John Mark, I can change my attitude (and I have). I can become like the tortoise and simply follow the path the Lord has lain out before me. It's not a matter of being well known. It's about finishing the race. It's not about seeing the Lord move large crowds through "my ministry." That would be nice, but I've learned something simple and profound:

IT'S NOT MY MINISTRY. IT'S HIS MINISTRY. I'm just a vessel for him to use at his will.

My job is to continue the race, at the pace that's needed, and just be an available vessel for his use.
I may never again preach to a large crowd. That's ok. I may never again sing and see people moved in the Holy Ghost. That's alright, too. I may never write another word. It's not up to me. Because I learned that he's in charge and slow and steady wins the race. Hard times are here and will get worse, but as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord. I want to finish well.

As long as I am available for God to use, he will use me for whatever purpose he chooses, when he chooses and how he chooses. He's the potter and I'm the clay. I have no right to demand anything of him. My job is to walk on, to fight on, to pray on, to speak when he says, and shut up when he doesn't- until he calls me home and tells me "Well done, my good and faithful servant."

When my days are over, I want to be able to say:

2 Timothy 4:6-8King James Version (KJV)

6 For I am now ready to be offered, and the time of my departure is at hand.

7 I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith:

8 Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing.

Or, in other words: Slow and steady wins the race.

So, here I go. Wanna race?

On your mark.
Get set.
Go!

When God (seemingly) disrespects us.

John 9 King James Version (KJV)

9 And as Jesus passed by, he saw a man which was blind from his birth.

2 And his disciples asked him, saying, Master, who did sin, this man, or his parents, that he was born blind?

3 Jesus answered, Neither hath this man sinned, nor his parents: but that the works of God should be made manifest in him.

4 I must work the works of him that sent me, while it is day: the night cometh, when no man can work.

5 As long as I am in the world, I am the light of the world.

6 When he had thus spoken, he spat on the ground, and made clay of the spittle, and he anointed the eyes of the blind man with the clay,

7 And said unto him, Go, wash in the pool of Siloam, (which is by interpretation, Sent.) He went his way therefore, and washed, and came seeing.

Imagine that you were born blind. Imagine that you lived in New Testament times and were born blind. Then, this could be your story. 

Verse 1 states that Jesus came upon a man that was born blind. Aren't we all born blind? No, you say? Jesus said in John 3 that unless we are born again we cannot see the kingdom of God. Ahh, you say. We are all born spiritually blind. 

So, what hope do we have of a good life? Certainly, the blind man in our passage today had no hope of a good life. There were no social programs to help him learn a trade. There were no government checks and government housing to aid his living. There were no trained seeing eye dogs available  to him. He probably didn't even have a salvation army type bell to use to draw attention to his plight. (A bell would require money to make. Money that he didn't have.) All he could do was sit (or stand) by the wayside of the street and beg for whatever money that a merciful traveler might be inclined to throw his way.

His plight becomes even more unbearable by the question of the disciples of Jesus in verse 2. "Who sinned, this man, or his parents, that he was born blind?" There was (and still is) this false belief in the world that all sickness and disabilities are a direct result of direct sin. While it is true, that sickness and disability are in the world because of man's fallen nature, a persons sickness or disability are not necessarily caused by that person's (or their family's) direct sin. 

Think about the ludicrousness of the disciples question. Their question assumes the possibility that the blind man's own sin could have caused him to be born blind. How in the world can a baby in the womb (who's doing nothing but growing there) commit a sin? While it is a possibility that the parent's sin (drinking, or drugs, or physically fighting and causing a problem in the womb) could cause a problem with the baby. More than likely, it was simple genetics (something that the disciples- and still many today- didn't understand). 

Jesus' answer makes it clear that not only was it genetic (and not caused by sin), but that it was (gasp) God's sovereign will that the man was born blind. Really? A loving God actually chose for this man to be born with a disability? Yes, according to Jesus in verse 3. 

Some of the situations we find ourselves in are not of our making, but (as hard as they are) they are the perfect will of a loving God for our lives. We may not like or want them, but God wants us there. Our job is to make the best of the situation and survive. 

The blind man here had already proven that he was a fighter. He could have lain down and died in his own pity party. He could've stayed at his parents home and demanded that they feed and cloth him. However, not only did he not do these things, he actually went out into the streets. He endured the public ridicule and scorn and tried to bring in as much of an income as his station in life allowed him to do. 

So what did Jesus do to this man? Did he hug him? No. Did he scream and holler and make a public show of healing him? No. What did he do? He did three things: He spat on the ground, made a mud ball and placed it in the man's eyes, and he sent him on a journey. 

In many places in the world, especially in the middle east, to spit on the ground in front of a person is a very disrespectful act. It signifies how utterly disdainful you find that person. Think about it. God, in human flesh, looked at this blind man and (seemingly) disrespected him. The man was blind. He was not deaf. Many of the religiously pious had surely spat on the ground near him in disgust. Here, Jesus seems to do the same thing! 

Worse yet, Jesus them makes mud out of the spit (so it had to be a fair amount of spittle he used) and rubs the mud into the blind man's eyes. How disrespectful is that? 

Then, Jesus didn't even explain to the man what he was doing. He simply told them man to go to the pool of Siloam and wash. Why did the man obey? Why did he not simply wipe off the mud and return to his begging? Why did he not explode at the insult of this supposed prophet? 

The answer, I believe, is found in a) Jesus' reputation as a good prophet (and against the religious elite) and b) the place he was sent. 

First, the word Siloam means "sent". So, the sent one (Messiah) was sending him. This was definitely a step up in the world for him. Noone ever asked him to go somewhere in a good way. Yet, the Messiah did. And, as a side note, another word that means sent is Apostle.        

Second, the location of the pool was by the wall adjoining the kings gardens (Nehemiah 3:15) and would therefore be in the middle of all the "somebodies" of the day. It was probably a forbidden place for beggars. Yet, on this day, at the behest of the messiah, a beggar in ratty clothes would not only go there, but he would bend over and wash the mud and spittle from his eyes. Oh, the shame! Oh, the shock of the elite! I can almost see the man's smile as he headed out to obey the master. 

The man didn't know he was going to be healed. Jesus hadn't told him that. He'd just told the man to go and wash. Surely the thought of a possible beating for obedience entered his mind, but he dismissed it. He'd been beat before. He'd been looked down on before. Why not obey this man who had done so much for people before this? There was nothing in the master's reputation that would cause the man to believe that Jesus intended him ill will. 

So, the blind man obeyed the master. Notice that neither Jesus, nor anyone else, lifted a finger to go and help the man do as he had been told. Notice also that the man didn't ask for help. He simply went and washed in this pool. 

Can you imagine the emotional reaction of the blind man as the mud was washed away? Suddenly, for the first time ever, he could see! I don't know about you, but I'd be shouting to high heaven and dancing a Pentecostal jig! 

What can we learn from this story? 

When God seemingly has turned his nose up at us, even disrespected us, we should obey anyway- trusting in the reputation of our loving Father. He may not seem to be offering us any help for the journey. He may not even tell us the reason for the journey. But, when we obey him and reach the end of our journey, the miracle that occurs is far better than anything we have ever imagined! 

It doesn't matter what others think. It only matters what God thinks. In spite of the appearance. In spite of the seeming disrespect. Regardless of the lack of help from others. Always obey the orders of the master. When we do, we will find healing, mercy, and joy.