Like all of the other signs, the one that Jesus did by healing the man born blind is amazing. I mean how could you not be in awe of the idea that Jesus simply mixed a little spit and a little dirt and made some healing mud that was able to take away that darkness that this man had lived in for his entire life. Now of course we know that it was not the mud that was able to restore the man’s vision, but instead it was Jesus who healed the man and who decided to portray this miracle in such a way. My last post was on this same passage, but I have come to understand it in a different light and wanted to take this opportunity to share.
Not long before this blind man received healing, Jesus’ disciples wondered who’s sin was responsible for the condition this man was born with. As I read through Encountering John, I was reminded of a perspective that is crucial to the life of any follower of Christ. When Jesus responds to the question from the disciples, He is sure to put to rest the notion that a specific sin might be the cause for this man’s blindness. Not only does He put this idea to rest, but he shifts the focus to the fact that God was using this man’s blindness for His glory in order to display His works.
A deep comforting truth can be found here.
Growing up, like many others, I was faced with issues such as my parents divorce and my father’s addictions. In the midst of the suffering it can be easy to wonder why? It almost seems automatic to question the reason for all of the tragedy that comes our way. Though, how often do we stop in the midst of tragedy and wonder, “how can God be glorified in the midst of my struggles?”. We get so wrapped up in our sufferings that this concept sometimes seems foreign, but how often do we simply trust that God is using our circumstances for His glory and ultimately for our good. Andreas Köstenberger offers the idea that it takes faith to believe that good can come out of evil and that this idea completely defies the world’s logic that bad is simply bad no matter what.
Going back to the disciples question of who’s sin was the cause for the man’s blindness. It seems that what one can take away from this passage is to recognize that contrast in perspectives between the disciples and Jesus. The disciples sought to understand the cause of this man’s sufferings and Jesus sought to glorify the father through what He knew the father wanted to do using the man born blind.
As we follow Christ and seek to be more like him, and as we continue to experience trials and sufferings, let us shift our mindset to one that is opposite of this world. Let us trust that we serve a God who is in control and who is using all things for the good of those who love him (Romans 8:28).
Journey With John 