Thoughts on Discipleship by Dr. W. A. Dillard - HTML preview

SPIT ON ME LORD

“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?