How does John 9:7 connect to other biblical examples of healing through obedience? The Moment at Siloam “Then He told him, ‘Go, wash in the Pool of Siloam’ (which means ‘Sent’). So the man went and washed, and came back seeing.” (John 9:7) Obedience as the Avenue of Healing • Jesus applies mud, then issues a simple command. • Nothing in the water itself heals; the man’s faith-filled obedience becomes the channel for God’s power. • The sequence is clear and literal: command → action → miracle. Echoes of Obedience in the Old Testament • Naaman and the Jordan (2 Kings 5:10, 14) – “Go, wash seven times in the Jordan.” – He initially resists, then obeys and “his flesh was restored like the flesh of a little child.” • Bitter waters made sweet (Exodus 15:25) – Israel obeys Moses by casting a piece of wood into the waters; the waters are healed. • Bronze serpent in the wilderness (Numbers 21:8-9) – “Look at the bronze serpent and live.” Looking is an act of obedience that brings healing from deadly bites. Parallel Patterns in the Gospels • Ten lepers (Luke 17:14) – “Go, show yourselves to the priests.” “As they went, they were cleansed.” • Paralytic on the mat (Mark 2:11-12) – “Get up, pick up your mat, and go home.” Immediate obedience brings immediate strength. • Man with the withered hand (Matthew 12:13) – “Stretch out your hand.” The hand is restored as the man obeys. • Blind man at Bethsaida (Mark 8:23-25) – Led outside the village, he follows Jesus’ directives and receives sight in stages. • Lame beggar at the Beautiful Gate (Acts 3:6-8) – Peter commands, “In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, walk!” The man acts, “leaping and praising God.” Theological Threads Tied Together • God’s power is sovereign, yet He delights to involve human response. • Obedience does not earn healing; it positions the believer to receive what God freely gives. • Each account underscores that faith is demonstrated, not merely professed. • The physical act—washing, dipping, walking—becomes a tangible confession that God’s word is true. Living the Principle Today • Scripture still speaks literal, life-giving commands (James 5:14-15; Psalm 107:20). • Modern disciples display faith by acting on God’s revealed word, trusting Him for results only He can supply. |
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