“Neither this man nor his parents sinned,” said Jesus,
“but this happened so that the work of God might be displayed in his life.”
John 9: 3 (NIV)
As Jesus and His disciples walked down a dusty road, they noticed a man blind from birth. His disciples asked, “Rabbi, who sinned: this man or his parents, causing him to be born blind?” This seemed like a valid question – if you buy into the belief that suffering is the direct cause of some sin that an individual committed. Many people still believe physical suffering is due to a sinful heart and a lack of faith. Job’s friends implied much the same. They believed God had afflicted Job because of unconfessed sin in his heart.
Yet Jesus corrected the disciples, saying, “You’re asking the wrong question. You’re looking for someone to blame. There is no such cause-effect here. Look instead for what God can do” (THE MESSAGE). Although original sin caused his blindness – the result of Adam and Eve eating the forbidden fruit – this man’s disability was not the direct cause of any specific sin on his part or his parents. In this particular case, God allowed this man to be born blind in anticipation of this glorious healing.
This is a game-changer for those of us who are in Christ; our trials, big and small, are evidence that God is working in us and through us. Though our definition of good may exclude pain and suffering, God’s definition of good includes every detail of our lives that He uses to strengthen our spiritual character and highlight His sovereign power.
Not because He doesn’t care. On the contrary. He loves us too much to settle for ordinary. He wants to use our lives as a canvas on which He can paint some of His best masterpieces.
Thought: “I can never say about a person, ‘he must be suffering because of some sin he committed.’ Jesus, who did not sin, also felt pain.” – Philip Yancey
For further reading:
- John 11:4
- Genesis 50:20
- 2 Corinthians 12:9
- Romans 8:28
Excerpt from my devotional, A Year in God’s Classroom
Discover more from Author Renee Vajko Srch
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