John 9
The Man Born Blind
John 9:1-7
(ESV)
As he passed by, he saw a man blind from birth.
And his disciples asked him, “Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that
he was born blind?” Jesus answered, “It was not that this man sinned, or his
parents, but that the works of God might be displayed in him. We must work the
works of him who sent me while it is day; night is coming, when no one can
work. As long as I am in the world, I am the light of the world.” Having said
these things, he spit on the ground and made mud with the saliva. Then he
anointed the man's eyes with the mud and said to him, “Go, wash in the pool of
Siloam” (which means Sent). So he went and washed and came back seeing.
This story has been a
fascination of mine for some time…well, for almost seven years now.
Watch the beginning, how
the Holy Spirit chooses to lead you into this story…
The disciples ask Jesus
whose sin has caused this man’s blindness, his disability. Were his parents
diehard trespassers who were punished by a physically hindered son, as opposed
to a healthy, seeing son…?
Did he do some wrong to bring this predicament upon himself…?
“Who sinned…?”
Reminds me of Job’s
friends… Job knew he was clean and guiltless before his God; but his buddies
couldn’t comprehend such tragedy coming by any other vehicle than that of the
consequences of sin. The Bible says that Job held to his integrity. Pretty
intense.
“Who sinned…?”
I said this passage has
fascinated me for some six or seven years now…
I have a niece who was
born with some hindrances, some restraints. She was diagnosed in the womb with
Down syndrome, as well as esophageal atresia… That’s a fancy word for when the
esophagus and stomach do not meet. Pretty intense.
“Who sinned…?”
I remember praying for
that sassy girl with such intensity, such fervor, pleading, crying out for God
to work a miracle.
“Who sinned…?”
…reminding God how as a
family, we stood blameless – not perfect
mind you – but faithful to all God had called us to. We were trusting Him to do
what He does for good people… at least, that’s what I was trusting Him to do.
You see where I’m going
with this…
Good things happen to
good people. Bad things happen to bad sinners. God works miracles for us good
kids. He saves the tragedy, the heartache, the disabilities and birth defects
for the wicked.
That’s how we think,
isn’t it…?
Oh my, we wouldn’t dare
say it aloud, but deep down in our heart of hearts, that’s exactly what we
think.
“Who sinned…?”
It’s shocking really.
Jesus’ answer is really rather earth-shattering, life-altering. It rocks
traditional thinking to its very foundation. Typical Jesus.
Much to the dismay of
Job’s friends, Job stands blameless
before them. In the end, they get the real scolding.
Much to the astonishment
of the disciples, nobody’s sin has caused this blindness; nobody’s sin has
deserved this punishment.
Then why?
Why is this man blind?
Why was he born blind?
Why does Job lose
everything?
Why does he sit in a
garbage heap, scraping his sores?
Why does my niece have
Down’s syndrome?
Why does she wear scars
from too many surgeries?
“Who sinned…?”
“No, guys,” says Jesus. “This one isn’t
about sin. This one isn’t about punishment. This isn’t a public display of
judgment.”
Then what…why!
“This
is about glory, God’s glory. His mighty acts and deeds. His glory. No one will
miss God’s glory today.”
I’m not sure if I picture
Jesus with a slight smile, a glimmer in His eye, and a “watch-this” glow on His
face; or if He’s wearing that determined-to-praise-my-Father-on-the-Sabbath-rebel’s
jut in his jaw. (Jesus is totally awesome.)
At this point, Jesus does
something very spiritual…NOT.
He totally spits in the
mud! I cannot even imagine what the blind guy is thinking. I mean seriously.
Ewww.
You know Jesus couldn’t
have done it this way if this had been a blind GIRL. We would have been like, “No thanks, Jesus. I’ll pass on the
spit/mud remedy.”
Hilarious. (You know
Jesus thought it was funny.)
Jesus heals him. To God
be the glory. No other explanation.
You know, Job got
possessions bestowed upon him a double portion. He even had more children and
then grandchildren…and more. The Bible even says that his daughters were the
prettiest in the land. But, nonetheless, he suffered like no other…outside of
the perfect Lamb of God upon that rugged cross; no one knew unwarranted suffering
like Job.
The wonderful doctors at
Vanderbilt have repaired my niece’s esophagus. She can put away some chips and
salsa. Oh that girl. But, she still wakes up every morning with Down’s
syndrome.
Why?
I’ve asked that question
a bazillion times…
The Answer is always the
same…
Glory. God will get His
glory today, and everyone will see it.
Praise be to His name.
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