Article August 12, 1916 Issue

"Go, wash"

WILLIAM LLOYD

THERE is a wonderful lesson to be learned in studying the ninth chapter of John's gospel, where we are told the story of the blind man who was healed by Jesus. Having "spat on the ground" and "made clay of the spittle," evidently to show symbolically his utter contempt for matter and material aids, the Master "anointed the eyes of the blind man with the clay" and said to him, "Go, wash;" and the record tells us that he went "and washed, and came seeing."

Upon examination, this short account is really filled with amazing information. The man was just as materially blind after the clay was placed on his eyes as before, but all the same the operation had opened his "spiritual discernment" (Science and Health, p. 586). His need of cleansing was now apparent, even to himself. Then came the command, "Go, wash." Jesus did not tell some sympathetic bystander to lead this poor man to the pool and wash his eyes, but the command was given to the man himself; it came sharp and incisive, and was followed by immediate obedience.

It does not require much imagination to picture this poor sufferer inquiring and groping his way to the pool of Siloam; but he achieved the task and his sight was restored. Christ Jesus had made the man's filthy condition apparent to himself, then followed the demand for obedience and self-purification. When one considers the man's mental condition, his instant obedience, his ready acceptance of the demand for purification, and, once having seen the Christ, his noble and unfaltering stand for Truth, is it any wonder that his healing was perfect? Is it any wonder that having gained "spiritual discernment," physical sight should follow?

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