John 9:1-5 - Lesson #94

The Feast of Tabernacles had come to an end and the debate between Jesus and the Jews was growing. As Jesus made His claims more clear, the opposition by the Jews became more fierce; "Then they took up stones to throw at Him" (John 8:59). But Jesus was on a mission of truth which would not be stopped.

John 9:1-5
"Now as Jesus passed by, He saw a man who was blind from birth. And His disciples asked Him, saying, 'Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?' Jesus answered, 'Neither this man nor his parents sinned, but that the works of God should be revealed in him. I must work the works of Him who sent Me while it is day; the night is coming when no one can work. As long as I am in the world, I am the light of the world.'"

We are not told how the disciples knew this man was born blind, but notice how they turned this man and his suffering into a theological question. The pursuit of truth is a worthy endeavor, but not when it comes at the expense of the greater truths of compassion, kindness and love. I often think how Satan must rejoice over the majority of our theological debates today.

A common belief during the time of Jesus was that trials were a result of sin and prosperity was a reward for right living. Unfortunately, this is still a common teaching today. The fact that the man was blind from birth must have meant the parents had sinned or the man sinned before he was born - either while in the womb or in a preexistent state. This shows how bad assumptions can lead to absurd conclusions.

The truth is that all suffering is the result of sin, but not necessarily the sin of the individual. We live in a sinful world which has fallen far from the perfection of God's creation. My mom died from skin cancer when she was 43, and it had nothing to do with her sin. When sin first entered the world, ALL areas of the world were affected. And this means that bad things sometimes happen for reasons we cannot determine.

This man was born blind because of the world into which he was born. But in this particular case God chose to use the suffering of this man to declare His glory. Jesus would heal the man's eyes, giving him sight. The new light which the man received reminds us of the Spiritual light which only Jesus can provide: "I am the light of the world. He who follows Me shall not walk in darkness" (John 8:12).

There was a growing sense of urgency in the ministry of Jesus. He knew His time was short. His appointment with the cross was only a few months away, so He set out to work the works of God while there was still light. Do we live with this same sense of urgency? I know that nothing depends on our strength or ability; and yet, the time is short. The time is now, while we have the light and see the opportunity. While it is still day, let's pursue the risen Christ and intentionally share His greater truths.