John Chapter 9 - Nathanael

John 9:6‭-‬7 - After saying this, he spit on the ground, made some mud with the saliva, and put it on the man's eyes. "Go," he told him, "wash in the Pool of Siloam" (this word means "Sent"). So the man went and washed, and came home seeing.
(NIV)

I think that it is interesting how Jesus does different things when healing different people.  Clearly he could have just spoken to this man and he would have been healed, he could have touched him, touched his eyes, but in this case he puts mud on his eyes.

Jesus is very intentional in what he does, so this action must have either been for the man or for those watching. Let's consider each.

Relating to those initially watching, in the narrative we mainly see the disciples who asked Jesus about why this man was blind (did he sin or did his parents sin).  Jesus then clarifies to them that his blindness was not caused by either: "Neither this man nor his parents sinned," said Jesus, "but this happened so that the works of God might be displayed in him" (verse 3).  This is quite an interesting insight, but it seems that it would still be as meaningful to the disciples if he had simply touched the man to heal him.

One group of people who later "watched" was the Pharisees.  He certainly did heal people intentionally on the Sabbath to incite a confrontation with the Pharisees about the Sabbath and their hypocrisy on the matter (Mark 3:1-6).  In this situation Jesus wasn't there when the discussion with the Pharisees happened so while this could be a reason, it is probably not the main reason.

Now looking at the man himself, we could ask why Jesus would have him wash mud from his eyes to be healed.  First, I would observe that this man didn't come to Jesus asking to be healed, so he wouldn't likely have faith that Jesus could heal him.  Secondly, by doing this, he is requiring the man to take some action and respond in faith/obedience to Jesus.  For instance, the man could have responded in several other ways - 1) become upset that he now had mud in his eyes 2) been like Namaan (2 Kings 5) and not wanted to go to Siloam but simply wash elsewhere that is closer, cleaner etc.  Thirdly, since the man was blind, he couldn't have seen or know what Jesus was doing as clearly.  This mud on his eyes was a very tactile, specific, memorable and directly tied to the healing so the man would know for sure that Jesus healed him and could plainly tell others about it.

So it seems to me that he put mud in his eyes for the sake of the man himself.  God seems to do such healing miracles to 1) point to himself as God 2) when there is a need 3) often in response to an expression of faith in God.  The mud in the eyes made points 1 and 3 be clarified and solidified.

Thank you Jesus for your love that you display in miracles!  I pray that you would reach out your hand and confirm your word through signs and wonders worked through us, your servants, as we speak about you and give you the glory and honor that is due you!