“As he passed by, he saw a man blind from birth. 2 And his disciples asked him, “Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?” 3 Jesus answered, “It was not that this man sinned, or his parents, but that the works of God might be displayed in him.” John 9:1-3
Can you imagine the pain and anguish of this parent as they welcomed their little bundle of joy and realized he was blind? The questions that would have swirled their minds, and the blame games that would have ensued. In Jewish society in those days, it was believed that such occurrences were because of someone’s sin – either the father’s or the mother’s. This is evident from the disciples’ question to Jesus, “Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind.” The response of the Jews, as you continue to read the passage, confirm this thought process, “they answered him, “You were born in utter sin, and would you teach us?” In their minds, the fact that he was born blind meant he was born in sin (see John 9:34).
Undoubtedly, the parent and this little boy, who is now a man, had lived their entire life under a cloud of suspicion and ostracism. From the beginning, his place in society would have been decided by events he had no control over; that’s a tough life to be born into.
It is, however, the response of Jesus that provides comfort, not only to this man and his parent but each of us who have lived some part of our lives undergoing suffering and trials of various kinds. In response to the disciples’ question, Jesus answered, “It was not that this man sinned, or his parents, but that the works of God might be displayed in him.”
My initial reaction as I read that verse was a mixture of protest and confusion. So, through no fault of his, this man lives most of his life in suffering, so that the glory of God might be seen? I’m not sure how old he was when he met Jesus. Perhaps, he was even older than Jesus at the time. This means before Jesus was even born, this man had been born blind so that Jesus would meet him 30 plus years later to display the glory of God. That is mind-blowing! It means there is nothing greater than the glory of God. He would do anything for the glory of his name.
God’s glory is so preeminent that a man being born blind so that it can be displayed is no big deal, even though our small finite minds would scream, unfair! The story of Job is often used to teach Christians how to suffer well, but as I read the story of this blind man, I’m humbled and, like Job, exclaim, “Behold, I am of small account; what shall I answer you? I lay my hand on my mouth” (Job 40:4)
As a Christian, I’m sure you’ve had your own share of suffering and afflictions. It was a promise from Jesus that all who would come after him must take up their cross and follow him (Mark 8:34). In case you have not experienced suffering or currently not undergoing suffering, you must prepare yourself because it’sonly a matter of time. When those days come, and indeed, they will; the story of this blind man should be a source of comfort and encouragement.
To think that God would find your life a worthy instrument through which he would display his glory should be a blessed thought, whether under suffering or at ease. It was this truth that led the apostle Paul to write, “it is my eager expectation and hope that I will not be at all ashamed, but that with full courage now as always Christ will be honored in my body, whether by life or by death” (Philippians 1:20). According to Paul, that would be a life well lived, as he wrote to the Romans, “for if we live, we live to the Lord, and if we die, we die to the Lord. So then, whether we live or whether we die, we are the Lord’s” (Romans 14:8).
What suffering or affliction are you going through now, my Christian friend? Perhaps, it is that chronic sickness that would not shake off; or the recurring financial difficulties; or the fear of being single for the rest of your life; or the infertility; or the joblessness? Whatever it is, take heart because God may be at work even in your situation for his glory.
Unfortunately, many false prophets in our churches today place extra burdens on poor, wearied and suffering souls. Some pastors blame afflicted Christians, concluding that their suffering is because of their lack of faith or not giving or praying enough. These hired hands have no business calling themselves pastors because they are no shepherds. A shepherd doesn’t bruise the wounded sheep; he binds and comforts them. That’s why it’s so important to join a healthy church where the pastors are true under-shepherds of Christ, not professionals working for pay.
It is true that as a loving Father, God can use suffering as a disciplinary tool to bring us back to the narrow path, but stories like that of this blind man teach us that we need to be slow in drawing direct correlations between suffering and sin. Our initial response toward afflicted and suffering brothers and sisters in Christ should be one of compassion, and seeking ways to mediate the love and care of the Lord than pronouncing judgments on their situation. When it was all said and done, God told the three friends of Job, “to Eliphaz the Temanite: “My anger burns against you and against your two friends, for you have not spoken of me what is right.” In their haste to adjudicate and apportion blame, they incurred God’s displeasure; Job’s suffering was not because of his sin but so that the glory of God might be displayed. That should be a lesson for all of us.
Regardless of your situation, the only question you should ask as a Christian is; is God with me? If you know he is, then you can take heart. You should be encouraged by Peter’s exhortation to exiled Christians in 1 Peter 5:12-16, “Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery trial when it comes upon you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you. But rejoice in so far as you share Christ’s sufferings, that you may also rejoice and be glad when his glory is revealed. If you are insulted for the name of Christ, you are blessed, because the Spirit of glory and of God rests upon you. But let none of you suffer as a murderer or a thief or an evildoer or as a meddler. Yet if anyone suffers as a Christian, let him not be ashamed, but let him glorify God in that name.”
