Episode 407
Mud in the Eye | John 9:1-7 | 2 Minute Disciple Podcast Ep. 203
July 29th, 2026
8 mins 56 secs
Season 5
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About this Episode
In Episode 203, we explore John 9:1-7 and Jesus' surprising healing of a man born blind. As Jesus walks along, He sees a man who has been blind from birth. The disciples immediately ask a theological question: "Who sinned—this man or his parents?" They want to assign blame. They want to explain the suffering. They want to fit it into a neat theological category. But Jesus doesn't answer their question. He reframes it entirely: "This happened so the power of God could be seen in him." The blindness isn't punishment. It's not the result of sin. It's an opportunity—not for the man's shame, but for God's glory. Through guided meditation, discover what Jesus does next. He spits on the ground, makes mud with His saliva, and spreads it on the man's eyes. Then He gives a simple command: "Go wash yourself in the pool of Siloam." No explanation. No guarantee. No description of what will happen when he gets there. Just mud on his eyes and a direction to follow. And the man goes. He doesn't argue. He doesn't ask for a sign. He doesn't demand to understand the method. He doesn't wait until it makes sense. He just obeys. And he comes back seeing. This episode explores the profound principle at the heart of this miracle: This is how Jesus often works. Not in the way we expect. Not with a method we would choose. Not with a clear explanation that satisfies our questions. But with a simple invitation to trust and obey—and the sight comes after the step, not before it. Learn what it means to have mud on your eyes—something uncomfortable, something strange, something you don't understand—that Jesus is using to open your sight. Discover why Jesus reframes suffering not as punishment but as opportunity for God's glory to be revealed. Explore how the disciples' question reveals our tendency to explain suffering rather than look for what God might be doing in it. Find practical steps for identifying what Jesus has been asking you to do that you've been hesitating on—the conversation you've been avoiding, the step of generosity you've been putting off, the habit He's been calling you to break, the practice He's been calling you to start. Discover why you don't need to understand the method before you obey. The blind man didn't understand why Jesus used mud. He just went and washed. And he came back seeing. You may not see clearly before you go. But you will come back seeing.
Support 2 Minute Disciple | Daily Faith Journey for Spiritual GrowthTranscript
Episode 203 — John 9:1-7 — Mud in the Eye
Hey everybody, welcome to the podcast, I’m Nick and it’s awesome to be here with you today. Today is July 29. Each day, we follow a simple rhythm: Slow Down, Read, Notice, Reread, Meditate, Respond, and Exercise. Let’s begin.
Slow Down Jesus is here. He’s sitting in your favorite spot, waiting for you to join Him. You have a million things on your mind that need your attention, but right now it’s time to be with Jesus. Set those things aside, relax, and calm your body. Close your eyes. Take a deep breath in, then slowly release it. As you inhale, whisper: "Jesus, you are the Light of the world." As you exhale, pray: “Open my eyes to see." Do this three times, then rest in His presence.
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Read As Jesus was walking along, he saw a man who had been blind from birth. “Rabbi,” his disciples asked him, “why was this man born blind? Was it because of his own sins or his parents’ sins?” “It was not because of his sins or his parents’ sins,” Jesus answered. “This happened so the power of God could be seen in him. We must quickly carry out the tasks assigned us by the one who sent us. The night is coming, and then no one can work. But while I am here in the world, I am the light of the world.” Then he spit on the ground, made mud with the saliva, and spread the mud over the blind man’s eyes. He told him, “Go wash yourself in the pool of Siloam” (Siloam means “sent”). So the man went and washed and came back seeing! (John 9:1–7, NLT)
Notice What stands out to you in this passage? Is there a word or phrase that catches your attention? Hold it in your heart for a moment.
Reread Close your eyes and imagine the scene as you hear this passage again. Meditate Jesus reframes everything. The disciples see a blind man and immediately ask a theological question: "Who sinned?" They want to assign blame. They want to explain the suffering. But Jesus doesn't answer their question. He reframes it entirely: "This happened so the power of God could be seen in him." The blindness isn't punishment. It's an opportunity. Not for the man's shame — but for God's glory. And then Jesus does something strange. He spits on the ground, makes mud, and spreads it on the man's eyes. Then He gives a simple command: "Go wash in the pool of Siloam." No explanation. No guarantee. Just mud on his eyes and a direction to follow. And the man goes. He doesn't argue. He doesn't ask for a sign. He doesn't demand to understand the method. He just obeys. And he comes back seeing. This is how Jesus often works. Not in the way we expect. Not with a method we would choose. But with a simple invitation to trust and obey — and the sight comes after the step, not before it.
Take a few moments to reflect on this question: Is there mud on my eyes right now — something uncomfortable, something I don't understand — that Jesus is using to open my sight? And am I willing to go wash?
Respond Jesus, You are the light of the world. Open my eyes. I don't always understand Your methods. I don't always like the mud. But I trust You. I'm going to wash. Give me the sight that only comes through obedience.
Exercise The rush of life will meet you again when you leave this sacred place—but you can carry this moment into your day by forming new habits. Habit: Do What He Says Today's habit is an act of simple obedience: identify one thing Jesus has been asking you to do that you've been hesitating on. It might be a conversation you've been avoiding. It might be a step of generosity you've been putting off. It might be a habit He's been calling you to break or a practice He's been calling you to start. It might be something that feels strange or inconvenient — mud on your eyes, a pool far away. Write it down. Be specific. Then ask yourself honestly: Why am I hesitating? Is it fear? Doubt? Does the method not make sense to me? Am I waiting until I understand more before I obey? The blind man didn't understand why Jesus used mud. He didn't ask for an explanation. He just went and washed. And he came back seeing. Sight came after the step — not before it. Bring your hesitation to Jesus and pray: "Jesus, I know You've been asking me to _________________. I've been hesitating because _________________. But I trust You. I don't need to understand the method. I just need to obey.
I'm going to wash. Open my eyes." Then take the step. Make the call. Have the conversation. Start the practice. Give the gift. Do what He says. You may not see clearly before you go. But you will come back seeing.
I have one ask of you before you go, would you please consider supporting this podcast? Click the support the podcast link and give a simple gift. That’s your two minutes with Jesus for today. Now, take what you’ve heard…share it and live it. Until next time, keep slowing down, keep listening, and keep walking with Jesus