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.

Have a Great Day!

Steve Troxel
God's Daily Word Ministries

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Scripture references: The New King James Version.
Copyright 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by Permission.

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