Cleansed By The Blood Of Jesus

What does it mean to be cleansed by the blood of Jesus? John 9 contains a very interesting story. It centered around a man physically blind whom Jesus healed.

In this chapter, the Lord indicated that the Pharisees were spiritually blind. Of course, these Jewish leaders were not amused by what Jesus said.

Some Pharisees who were standing nearby heard him and asked, “Are you saying we’re blind?”  John 9:40 

Let me summarize this story for you. As Jesus was walking along He noticed a man who from birth was blind. His disciples questioned the Lord about him.

“Rabbi,” his disciples asked him, “why was this man born blind? Was it because of his own sins or his parents’ sins?” John 9:2

The Lord said neither he nor his parents sinned. He went on to say, “This happened so the power of God could be seen in him.” Jesus went on to share with them a spiritual lesson.

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.  John 9:4

Jesus healed the man but not right on the spot. He put mud on his eyes and told him to wash it off in the pool of Siloam.”

The Pharisees Questioned the Healed Man

Later, those who knew the man were shocked that he could see. They took him to the Pharisees. When they heard about this man’s healing they were furious.

Then they took the man who had been blind to the Pharisees, because it was on the Sabbath that Jesus had made the mud and healed him. John 9:13-14

They interrogated this formerly blind man to find out who did such a thing on the Sabbath. Then these religious leaders began to argue among themselves.

Some of the Pharisees said, “This man Jesus is not from God, for he is working on the Sabbath.” Others said, “But how could an ordinary sinner do such miraculous signs?” So there was a deep division of opinion among them. John 9:16

Some of the Pharisees realized that no ordinary person could restore someone’s sight. I wonder if those same people eventually understood that they could become cleansed by the blood of Jesus?

The Pharisees didn’t like the direction of the conversation so they threw the man out of the temple. To find out why you can check out the complete story in John 9.

Jesus Conversed with the Former Blind Man

Keep in mind this man had never seen Jesus. He only knew the name of the man who healed him. Later the Lord had an opportunity to talk with him. He asked the man the following;

When Jesus heard what had happened, he found the man and asked, “Do you believe in the Son of Man?” The man answered, “Who is he, sir? I want to believe in him.” “You have seen him,” Jesus said, “and he is speaking to you!” John 9:35-37

I wonder what was going on inside of this man emotionally. He had never been able to see in his entire life. Finally, he stood face to face looking at the man who healed him.

He responded to Jesus with this; “Yes, Lord, I believe!” the man said. And he worshiped Jesus. John 4:38

As they talked, some Pharisees could hear them. Jesus concluded with a statement that triggered some anger from those religious leaders

Then Jesus told him, “I entered this world to render judgment—to give sight to the blind and to show those who think they see that they are blind.” John 4:39

It was at that point when they asked Jesus if He was saying they were blind.

Healing for Spiritual Blindness

What causes spiritual blindness? We can easily use the same metaphor of physical blindness and mud. A person experiences spiritual blindness when the mud of sin covers their spiritual eyes.

But because Jesus shed His blood, He made it possible for all lives to be cleansed from sin. Those who are spiritually blind, however, can’t see or understand that.

The Apostle Paul told us in 1 Corinthians about God’s plan for our redemption. He formulated His plan before the world began. Paul referred to it as the mystery of God.

The rulers of this world have not understood it; if they had, they would not have crucified our glorious Lord. 1 Corinthians 2:8

Spiritually blinded people remain in that state because of their choice. The mud of sin can be cleansed from their spiritual eyes because of the blood of Jesus. But Paul continued with this;

That is what the Scriptures mean when they say, “No eye has seen, no ear has heard, and no mind has imagined what God has prepared for those who love him.” 1 Corinthians 2:9

In other words, the scriptures mean we will never see spiritual things through our natural senses. No one could have ever imagined that sin would be cleansed through the blood of Jesus.

Are You Cleansed by the Blood of Jesus?

He is the only way and the only name we can call upon. Jesus died on the cross for you and by His blood, you are cleansed.

The reason we know that is because God has revealed it to us through His Holy Spirit.

And we have received God’s Spirit (not the world’s spirit), so we can know the wonderful things God has freely given us. 1 Corinthians 2:12

Lord, we accept and receive your Son into our lives. Through your Spirit, we know when Jesus died for us, His blood cleansed us from all our sins. Now we can have fellowship with you.

More posts on when we are cleansed by the blood of Jesus

• If We Confess Our Sins
• Jesus Is The Ultimate Sacrifice For All Eternity
• Why Is The New Covenant Better

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