John 9:1-7

John 9:1-7

And while departing He saw a man blind out of birth.  And His disciples asked Him while saying, “Rabbi, who sinned: this one or his parents, in order that he should be born blind?”  Jesus answered, “Neither this one sinned nor his parents, but in order that the works of God should be made fully known in him.  It is necessary for us to work the works of the one who sent me while it is day.  Night comes when no one is powerful enough to work.  At the time that I should be in the world, I am the light of the world.”  After saying these things He spit upon the ground and made clay out of the spit and smeared His clay upon the eyes.  And He said to him, “Go.  Wash in the pool of Siloam.”  (It is being translated as “The one who has been sent.”)  Therefore he went away and washed and came while seeing.

Thoughts for Today

First Thought:

This passage is incredibly profound with respect to the nature of humanity.  Human beings see things go wrong in their life and almost always jump to sin as an explanation.  People believe that children born with defects must come from a sinful family.  People believe that young adults who experience hardship need to get their life right with God.  People believe that children in school who are struggling must be focusing on sinful pursuits and not godly ones.  Don’t get me wrong.  Sometimes the events in our life are the consequences of our sin.  But it is not right to think that all the events in our life are the consequences of our sin.  Sometimes things happen to us and it isn’t punishment.  However, we as human beings don’t tolerate the ambiguity well.  We like to find the source for the unfortunate things so we can affix blame and if necessary fix the issue.

What in your life have you determined that it was some sort of punishment or consequence when it may not have been?  What is the danger in thinking that everything bad that happens in our life is a punishment?

Second Thought:

Notice that Jesus doesn’t affirm the connection between sin and effect in this passage.  Sometimes there is a correlation, but in some cases it is not.  Rather, Jesus focuses on God’s glory and God’s grace.  In the Gospel of John especially, miracles are primarily – if not completely – for the purpose of putting God’s power on display.  Jesus is clear that the man was blind so that God’s power could be put on display now.  This is actually a very challenging passage.  We often like to think of Jesus’ miracles as an event for our benefit (our healing, our restoration, our problem fixed).  We like to pray for ourselves.  But the challenge in this passage from Jesus is to see miracles as an opportunity to put God’s power on display first and foremost.

Why is it easy for us to become self-centered with respect to healings and miracles?  What does this tell us about the nature of humanity and our focus?  Why are we often more concerned with the personal benefit and not the glory for God?

Third Thought:

Jesus also teaches His disciples that He and His followers must do the work of God while it is day.  Jesus identifies Himself as the light of the world.  What Jesus is saying is that so long as He is in the world, the time for work is here.  However, He is also warning us that night is coming.  There will be a time in our life when it’s too late to work.  When we die, it’s too late.  When Christ comes back, it’ll be too late.  The time for doing the work of God is now.

What is the work of God that He has asked for you to do?  Are you ready to do it?  If so, is anything holding you back?  If you aren’t ready, what can get you ready?

Passage for Tomorrow: John 9:8-12