29 August 2019 – John 9:1-3 (NIV)
Scripture
As he went along, he saw a man blind from birth. 2 His disciples asked him, “Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?”
3 “Neither this man nor his parents sinned,” said Jesus, “but this happened so that the works of God might be displayed in him.
Reflection
Based on the following 3 verses the author is pointing out 2 points. First, the blindness of the man is not only physical, but it’s also a reference to his spiritual blindness from birth. Second, the disciples were faced with a theological dilemma. They believed sin directly caused all suffering (including being blind), so if this man was born with a handicap, who is to blame? Therefore, either this man sinned in his mother’s womb (Ezek. 18:4) or his parents sinned (Ex. 20:5). Jesus answers, by saying neither this man nor his parents sinned. These words do not contradict the universal sinfulness of man (cf. Rom. 3:9–20, 23). Instead Jesus meant that this man’s blindness was not caused by some specific sin. Instead the problem existed so that God could display His glory in the midst of a seemingly tragedy (cf. Ex. 4:11; 2 Cor. 12:9).
Don’t always assume when something goes wrong or when something bad happened, it’s because of something you did (or sin) and now God is punishing you. It might just be so that God could display His glory.
Thoughts for the day
- What does this passage tell you about God or Jesus?
- What does this passage tell you about humanity?
- What do you feel God is telling you through this passage?
- How can you apply this message in an area of your life that needs transformation?
- Is there anyone you think should hear or will benefit from this message? Go and tell them.
Prayer
When challenges come, we can so easily forget where our identity comes from. Today take time to pause and be reminded of God’s love for you.