John 9:1-7 Jesus is the answer to all suffering

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 would be born blind?” Jesus answered, “It was neither that this man sinned, nor his parents; but it was so that the works of God might be displayed in him. We must work the works of Him who sent Me as long as it is day; night is coming when no one can work. While I am in the world, I am the Light of the world.” When He had said this, He spat on the ground, and made clay of the spittle, and applied the clay to his eyes, and said to him, “Go, wash in the pool of Siloam” (which is translated, Sent). So he went away and washed, and came back seeing. John 9:1-7

Background

This episode explores an age-old question concerning retribution and suffering. Upon seeing the blind man, Jesus did not give a reason why people suffer, but He provided an answer to all suffering, which is found in Himself.

Observation

1.  “Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he would be born blind?” The disciples’ question concerning the cause of the man’s blindness was legitimate. It is logical to think that the actions of the parents do affect their children in many ways. However, Jesus by His answer implied that it was futile to answer the disciples’ question and that exercise would not help the blind man in anyway. Hence, there is no place in lamenting the man’s ill fortune for the time had come for him to be healed: “but it was so that the works of God might be displayed in him.” What Jesus was saying: do not waste time lamenting over one’s ill fortune, but to seek the One who is able to save.

2.  “We must work the works of Him who sent Me as long as it is day; night is coming when no one can work.” It is futile to lament over those who are suffering. Instead one should do the work of salvation while there is still opportunity. By slowing down and pondering over such questions would only delay the salvation of the world. When Jesus said, “I am the Light of the world”, He pointed to Himself as the Light and healing to those who are sick.

3.  Jesus after putting mud and spit on the blind man’s eyes instructed him to go to the pool of Siloam to wash it off. Having obeyed Jesus’ instructions, the man’s eyes were opened. The question: could Jesus have opened his eyes without the elaborate procedures? This was no more than a well thought out procedure to involve the man in the process of his own healing. Some of Jesus’ miracles seemed to involve human participation as an expression of faith.

Truth

In Christ, believers can put on the Spirit and overcome their problems today.

The days of lamenting while looking forward to God’s salvation are over. In the days before Jesus came, the people lamented with fasting while waiting for God’s Spirit to anoint them so that they could overcome suffering and live abundantly. Jesus declared, “The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe in the gospel.” Today, the Spirit of Christ has come to anoint and enable us to walk in His ways so that we can overcome the problems of life. He does not come to summarily make our problems disappear. He comes to enable us to walk the path of overcoming.

For born again Christians, problems are not a sign of God’s wrath and punishment, but an opportunity to experience the love and the power of God. For those who do not believe in God, problems may be a consequence of their ill decisions of life. But, for God’s children, all difficulties can be solved, for nothing is impossible with God. Hence, we must waste no time lamenting our misfortune but worship God for His promises are true.

The operations of God’s miracles must involve man’s responsibility and obedience.

Many people tried to convince God in their prayers to condone their sins and bless their ill decisions of life. The Spirit of Christ came to reveal the truth and to enable us to walk in it. God’s miracles must necessarily involve human participation. For a person who consistently walks in God’s will, His path will be laced with miracles and answered prayers. For those who follow after their own passions, it would first require them to repent and allow the Spirit to transform their hearts.

Application

1. Practice praising God as your first response whenever you face problems in your daily endeavors. Instead of asking God to solve your problems, praise God that the outcome would be positive. Then ask God to show what you could do to bring about a miracle.

2. Have high expectations of God and of yourself. Expect God to deliver beyond what you could imagine (see Ephesians 3:20). At the same time, prepare to stretch your potential and to do what you could not in your natural capacity.

Now to Him be the glory, who is able to do far more abundantly beyond all that we ask or think, according to the power that works within us. Ephesians 3:20

Dear Lord, I praise you that every problem that I am facing now is ordained by you, not to punish me but to give me an opportunity to grow and overcome. I thank you that my life would be very different a few years from now. I confess that every problem carries a divine solution that is found in your Spirit. I receive Your grace and I will walk in your ways to do the impossible. In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.