Mud Eye -vs- Plank Eye

When Jesus healed a guy who had been born blind, he used a rather unusual method.

Not that there is some “usual” method of performing miracles, but still, this was pretty strange.

Jesus spit in the dust, made some mud with his saliva and dirt, then rubbed the concoction on the man’s eyes. The man was told to go wash his eyes in a local fresh water pool.

The man went and washed—and saw. Soon the town was buzzing. (John 9.7, 8 MSG)

And then all kinds of drama ensued.

People debated.

“That’s the blind man!”

And, “Oh no it isn’t. He just looks like him. This guy is the blind man’s doppelganger.”

Finally, the man spoke up for himself.

It’s me, the very one. (John 9.9 MSG)

OK, that settled it. Now everyone wants to know: WHO did this?

When he told them about Jesus, they took him to the Pharisees to report what happened.

The Pharisees grilled him like he was on trial.

Some of the Pharisees decided Jesus was a bad dude.

Obviously this man can’t be from God. He doesn’t keep the Sabbath. (John 9.16 MSG)

The arguments went on and on. They even brought the man’s parents in to be questioned.

They called the man back a second time.

“Give glory to God by telling the truth,” they said. “We know this man (Jesus) is a sinner.”He replied, “Whether he is a sinner or not, I don’t know. One thing I do know. I was blind but now I see!” (John 9.24, 25 NIV)

I have always loved that line. “I don’t know what you guys are talking about. I’m not interested in participating in your theological debates. Here’s what I know—I was blind, but now I see.”

Boom. Roasted. Drop the mic.

But the Pharisees weren’t done. They argued some more with the man, then cursed him and kicked him out of the synagogue.

They said, “You’re nothing but dirt!” and they threw him out in the street. (John 9.34 MSG)

Sheesh. Such a crazy day for this man who had been born blind. I feel like right about now, he needs a hug, a snack, and a nap after all that drama (that’s what I would need anyway).

After being kicked to the curb by the Pharisees, the man is approached by Jesus.

They talk back and forth for a few minutes…

Jesus then said, “I came into the world to bring everything into the clear light of day, making all the distinctions clear, so that those who have never seen will see, and those who have made a great pretense of seeing will be exposed as blind.” (John 9.39 MSG)

The Pharisees, lurking around the corner, come out to crash the party again.

Some Pharisees overheard him and said, “Does that mean you’re calling us blind?^” Jesus said, “If you were really blind, you would be blameless, but since you claim to see everything so well, you’re accountable for every fault and failure.” (John 9.40, 41 MSG)

And so, at the end of this drama-filled story, we have “mud eye” -vs- “plank eye.”

I know it’s a weird comparison.

Just roll with it. I’d rather be mud eye than plank eye…

One of those who knows they can’t see instead of one who thinks they see everything.

A self-admitted sinner in need of a savior instead of a self-righteous, self-appointed judge of everyone else.

And why do you look at the speck in your brother’s eye, but do not perceive the plank in your own eye? (Luke 6.41 NKJV)