At the beginning of John chapter 9, we see Jesus’s sixth miracle. This was the miracle where He healed a man who had been blind his entire life! Thirty-eight years to be exact. When reading this passage, I was surprised by the second verse and was not really sure how to understand it to be honest. After encountering the blind man, the disciples ask Jesus if it was the blind man’s sin that caused him to be blind or if it was his parent’s sin. I understand that the result of sin is death and any association with sin is going to have consequences for anyone, but it seems as if the disciple are asking which specific sin has caused the man’s blindness. I think they definitely were asking this, but after reading D.A. Carson and trying to work through the text, it seems that the disciples are simply attempting to work through the consequences of the fall here. While many would agree that it is possible for specific sins to cause a specific illness or experience, biblical evidence seems to deeply oppose the idea that this always happens . Jesus goes on to address the disciples question by saying that “it was neither this man that sinned, nor his parents”. He does not discount the disciples question, but answers that neither of their sins caused His blindness. Jesus goes on and says, “but it was so that the works of God might be displayed in Him”. Reading this line from Jesus puts me in awe and makes me realize how in control our God really is.
Finally, before healing the blind man, Jesus says, “we must work the works of Him who sent Me as long as it is day; night is coming when no one can work. While I am in the world, I am the Light of the world.” This verse is another that I am still trying to work through. I am unsure as to what the ‘night’ is that Jesus is referring to. It seems that opinions differ as to whether Jesus is referring to the period during His death or after He is resurrected and ascends into heaven. However, what does seem to be evident is that Jesus is speaking of urgency for God’s work to be done in the present time. What comes next is a beautiful picture of what has just been illustrated by Jesus. He gives sight to a man who has been blind for 38 years. He gives light both physically and spiritually to a man who has been trapped in both physical and spiritual darkness for his entire life. Thus, proving himself to be the only true light that can provide a way for people to come out of darkness.
This is the truth that we cling to as we serve and follow Christ. He is working through us to shine His light on a dark world and He is the only true light that can bring people out of darkness.
Journey With John 