March 20 -- John 9:1-12

“Neither this man nor his parents sinned,” said Jesus, “but this happened so that the works of God might be displayed in him.” –John 9:3 (NIV)

When the disciples saw a man blind from birth, they asked Jesus, “Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?” (v. 2) The disciples asked this question out of curiosity because first-century Jews believed sickness and disability were punishments for sin. Jesus taught them two lessons in response. The first lesson is that neither the man’s sin nor his parents’ sin was the cause of his disability. Sickness and tragedy happen because we live in a broken world—a world that has been broken since the Fall, when Adam and Eve sinned. However, God can redeem. God chose to use this man’s blindness “that the works of God might be displayed in him” (v. 3), revealing Jesus’ identity and bringing glory to God.

The second lesson Jesus taught His disciples is that they must use every opportunity to help people. Jesus said, “As long as it is day, we must do the works of Him who sent Me” (v. 4, emphasis added). Jesus wanted His disciples to join Him in having compassion for people and helping them first and foremost. Theological questions needed to be saved for later. Compassion must come before curiosity.

It is interesting that Jesus put mud on the blind man’s eyes and told him to “go” and “wash” because usually Jesus healed by simply saying that it be so. This time, He didn’t even assure the man that healing would happen. Still, the blind man obeyed, and because he did, he regained his sight. There is a lesson here as well. Jesus was illustrating the principle He just taught in the temple courts (see John 8), and He repeats the same assertion He made there—that He is “the Light of the world” (John 8:12 and 9:5).

In the temple courts, Jesus expanded on this statement, saying those who “follow” (obey) Him “will never walk in darkness” (John 8:12) and those who “hold to [His] teaching…will know the truth, and the truth will set [them] free” (John 8:31-32). This means we are freed from darkness and come to know the truth through true belief, which is more than intellectual agreement. If we truly believe, we act on that belief, following and obeying Jesus. Then we will discover that what He says is true. Until then, we remain blind to spiritual reality. The blind man obeyed Jesus because he believed Jesus had the power to heal, and in that belief and obedience, the man gained his sight.

Read the passage again and imagine the scene in your mind. Hear the tones of the voices. Watch the man go and wash. Imagine his thoughts and feelings.

Consider: When tragedy strikes me or my family, do I look for God in the midst of it? Do I believe He can bring something good out of the brokenness of this world—even if I can’t readily see what that good could possibly be? In other words, do I believe God is good, and do I trust and obey, even when there is no promise of getting the outcome I desire?

Talk to Jesus today about whatever darkness might be weighing on your soul. Confess the ways you have been slow to believe and trust Him. Ask Him to increase your faith and help you to follow and obey, knowing He has the power to free you from darkness because He is the Light of the world.