“And if he that hath the issue spit upon him that is clean; then he shall wash his clothes, and bathe himself in water, and be unclean until the even.” Lev. 15:8.
Since the first biblical usage of the term “spit” in the verse above, it has been regarded as an unsanitary, disgusting, form of rejection. Jesus suffered this form of abuse among many others before His crucifixion, Isa. 50:6, Matt 26:67, Mark 14:65, Luke 18:32, etc.
A most interesting usage of spittle is that of the Divine. In the course of ministry, Jesus came into contact with a blind man. Jesus made an ointment of clay upon which He spat. He then anointed the eyes of the blind man with that, and He instructed him to go wash in the pool of Siloam. The man above legal age, who had been blind from birth, then came seeing and rejoicing.
Ironically, this very incident created great controversy among the legalist Pharisees because it was done on the Sabbath day. However they were pre-dispositional to everything about Jesus anyway. How wonderful then is the reply of the man who had gained sight upon being questioned.
“… one thing I know, that, whereas I was blind, now I see,” John 9:25
More than once the question has been posed: “Why did Jesus use such a disgusting method to bring such a blessing? He is God. Could He not have simply rebuked the blindness, and the man would have had sight?” The answer to the latter part of the question is an emphatic
“Yes.” But there are other things to learn here.
Since spittle is a global form of rejection, Jesus rejected the blindness using this form.
Ultimately all things wrong are attributable to sin, and in this instance Jesus rebuked and rejected the sin that deprived the man of sight, and had done so since birth.
All of us are afflicted with sin. That sin creates a lot of tragedy, and manifests itself in various ways, but Jesus is the conqueror of sin. He took the spittle of men, the awful, cruel mockery, beatings, and crucifixion in my place because of my sin. Jesus must reject, rebuke both the sin that condemns our never dying spirits, as well as the sin that makes its appearance in our lives in spite of all we can do to prevent it. But that rejection, rebuke, brings the cleanliness, joy, peace, and spiritual sight so desperately needed by all who would be His disciples.
In view of this wonderful truth, I pray for my Lord to spit on me, Not just on my eyes, but on my flesh, on my sin, on my lack of understanding. Rebuke it for the glory of God, and for the unparalleled peace and joy His cleansing brings. Would you stand still for that? Every person must or lose big time. Is there any doubt that the blind man would do that all over again?
FOR THOUGHT: What are your thoughts on Divine Expectoration being used to restore sight to the blind man? Do you understand and appreciate the symbolism of it? Why do you think anyone would reject such an application if it were available today? Do you think the blind man who was restored sight would do it again if he could see what Jesus was doing?
STEADFAST: AN IMPORTANT BIBLE “BE”
The pattern is set for the churches of the Lord Jesus Christ by the status and actions of the first one. It is interesting and comforting to note that in Acts 2:42, “And they continued stedfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers.”
They were steadfast in doctrine, in fellowship, in breaking of bread, and in prayers! Here then is a ready-made sermon outline, and a magnificent example for church folk throughout the age.
Think with me about steadfastness, an important Bible “BE” of discipleship.
The idea of steadfastness is underscored in warning. Hebrews 2:1-3 states, “Therefore we ought to give the more earnest heed to the things which we have heard, lest at any time we should let them slip. For if the word spoken by angels was steadfast, and every transgression and disobedience received a just recompense of reward; How shall we escape, if we neglect so great salvation; which at the first began to be spoken by the Lord, and was confirmed unto us by them that heard him;”
The warning continues in personal introspection as the apostle Peter writes in 2 Peter 3:17, “Ye therefore, beloved, seeing ye know these things before, beware lest ye also, being led away with the error of the wicked, fall from your own stedfastness.” The warning is emphasized due to the cunning craftiness of the devil himself. Thus he also said, “Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour: Whom resist stedfast in the faith, knowing that the same afflictions are accomplished in your brethren that are in the world.”
Perhaps the bottom line of encouragement in steadfastness is spoken by Paul in I Cor, 15:58, “ Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord.”
Folks who claim to be Christian, but do not attend their church worship services except now and then; who are too lazy or too carnal to read the Bible and pray are not being steadfast.
The time will definitely come when that will cost them much more than they can now imagine.
How much better it is for God’s people both now and hereafter that they should learn from the Bible pattern. In that first church, “They continued stedfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers.” Steadfast! It is an important Bible
“Be” of discipleship.
FOR THOUGHT: Temptations are multiplied, and they call repeatedly to everyone. Do you find it easy to yield to temptations not so much to overtly sin as to seek material and social status in a quest that demands all of your time and attention, leaving the Bible and church matters behind? How does that square with the idea of Christian Steadfastness?