A long time ago, a baby boy was born. His parents were devastated when they eventually realized that their son was born blind and could not see. In a time before technology and modern medicine, there was nothing that could be done for him. As the boy's parents began to wrap their heads around what life would be like with a son who would never be able to care for himself, their friends began to withdraw from their lives and became distant. Eventually, the boy's parents found themselves dealing with the struggles of a special needs child alone.
They believed that God must be punishing them for something horrible that they had done, but they didn't know what it could be. Their friends and neighbors became judgmental and harsh. What started as whispers gradually turned into rejection and hatred, and the boy's family had no choice but to endure the ridicule.
As the boy grew older, mistreatment and abuse became his normal way of life. Daily, he faced the judgement of people around him. What horrible things had he or his parents done for God to bestow such a punishment on him?
Since he couldn't work, the blind boy resorted to begging. As he grew older, he became a fixture on the roadside. Many walked by him without a second glance. He was alive, but lifeless as he endured the taunts and abuses of the townspeople and waited for a kind stranger to have pity on him.
One day, the now-grown boy was sitting in his usual place along the road. He listened to hurried conversations as people bustled to and fro, and he daydreamed about what it would be like to live a life without the curse of never-ending darkness. His daydreaming was interrupted when he heard a group of men nearby, and it sounded like they were talking about him.
"Is this man blind because of his own sins, or is it because of his parents' sins?" a man asked.
Another man answered, "It was not because of his sins or his parents' sins. This happened so the power of God could be seen in him. We must quickly carry out the tasks assigned us by the one who sent us. The night is coming, and then no one can work. But while I am here in the world, I am the light of the world." (John 9:3-5)
The blind man sat up a bit straighter. He thought to himself, "Who is the one who says He is the light of the world? Why is He saying neither I nor my parents have sinned? How can this be if I'm suffering such a punishment? What tasks are they talking about?"
As he was still deep in thought, the blind man felt someone putting mud on his eyes! At first he wanted to push whoever it was away, but something in his heart made him allow it. The man who had said He was the light of the world said, "Go wash yourself in the pool of Siloam." (John 9:7)
The blind man did what Jesus asked, and after a lifetime of living in darkness, received his sight.
Although we can only speculate what it was like to be the blind man in John 9, there are two lessons I have learned from this passage that I would like to share:
1. We don't know the heart conditions of others. To claim that we do is to put ourselves on the same level of authority as God.
Do not judge others, and you will not be judged. For you will be treated as you treat others. The standard you use in judging is the standard by which you will be judged. Matthew 7:1-2
The blind man and his family had been judged by others for years for sins they never committed. This is a prime illustration that just because we experience hardships in life does not mean we are being punished for our sins or the sins of our family. To assume that someone's suffering is a result of sin in their life is judgmental and theologically unsound. In this instance, the blind man wasn't blind as a punishment or consequence for sin, but as a way for Jesus to display the healing power of God.
However, suffering is a natural consequence that God may allow in our lives as a result of sin and poor choices. These sins or poor choices often cause a ripple affect upon others in our lives as well. Only you can search your own heart to determine if the cause of your suffering is a result of sin and poor choices of your doing. If it is, confess your sins and seek repentance from God. You may still have to face the consequences of your actions, but you will be able to do so with God by your side.
If we claim we have no sin, we are only fooling ourselves and not living in the truth. But if we confess our sins to Him, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all wickedness. 1 John 1:8-9
2. This life isn't about us. We like to think it is, but it isn't. It's about something far greater than we can ever imagine- glorifying God.
And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to His purpose for them. Romans 8:28
A man and his family endured hardship and suffering since his birth so that Jesus could heal him. He was born into darkness, ridicule, judgment, and despair. He lived there for years before Jesus healed him. And after he was healed? He was thrown out of the church for recognizing Jesus as the Son of God.
Here comes the hard truth- being used by God to further His kingdom and glorify His name is often difficult and painful. God is not concerned with our earthly comfort as much as He is concerned about our spiritual growth. Romans 8:28 says that God causes everything to work together for our good according to His purposes, not our own comforts and desires.
As I think about the blind man, forced to beg to stay alive, I can't imagine how dark his life must have been. Not only was he in physical darkness, but he had no knowledge of the saving power of Jesus Christ. In the eyes of others and most likely himself, he was the lowest of low, a sinner condemned to a lifetime of suffering. (John 9:34) How hopeless must his life had been! Yet within moments, his life completely changed. How magnificent must it have been to be healed by the Almighty! How much greater did the blind man value his sight after a lifetime of darkness!
After he was healed, the blind man never questioned Jesus. He never went back to Jesus and complained about how long he had waited, or whined about how much and how deep he had suffered. Instead, he told others about Jesus and defended Him to the Pharisees. He was filled with gratitude and joy, and he worshiped his Healer. (John 9:38)
If the blind man, who had no knowledge of Jesus until he was healed, could endure years of ridicule and suffering to fulfill God's purpose for him, how much better is it for those of us who know Jesus personally during our suffering? We have the help of the Holy Spirit and the assurance of our salvation. We have hope and confidence that our experiences here on earth are for something greater than our earthly existence.
I encourage you to think of the blind man the next time your are tempted to complain about your circumstances or question God's motives. He has a plan for your life, and it is glorious. Remember, this life is not about you- it's about something greater.
Therefore, since we have been made right in God's sight by faith, we have peace with God because of what Jesus Christ our Lord has done for us. Because of our faith, Christ has brought us into this place of undeserved privilege where we now stand, and we confidently and joyfully look forward to sharing God's glory. We can rejoice, too, when we run into problems and trials, for we know that they help us develop endurance. And endurance develops strength of character, and character strengthens our confident hope of salvation. And this hope will not lead to disappointment. For we know how dearly God loves us because He has given us the Holy Spirit to fill our hearts with His love. Romans 5:1-5