Giving Sight

DEVOTION

THE GOSPEL OF JOHN

GIVING SIGHT

John 9:1-5

9:1 As he went along, he saw a man blind from birth. 2 His disciples asked him, "Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?" 3 "Neither this man nor his parents sinned," said Jesus, "but this happened so that the work of God might be displayed in his life. 4 As long as it is day, we must do the work of him who sent me. Night is coming, when no one can work. 5 While I am in the world, I am the light of the world." 

NIV

Why did his disciples assume that because a man was blind from birth that it was caused by sin, either his or his parents? This is interesting in that if the reason for this man being born blind was due to his sin, then he must have sinned in the womb. Could his disciples have that much insight into original sin? But does original sin cause us to be born with defects, or did his disciples think that it was due to personal sin, that this man or his parents did something so horrible against God that he was born blind? This would lead us down a path of God bringing physical defects, physical illness, harm to our bodies in some way because of sin. This would then lead us down a slippery slope of judging how severe a person’s sin is based on the severity of their defect or illness. All of that kind of thinking is flawed because Jesus put it to rest. “Neither this man or his parents sinned.” This man was blind so that Jesus could heal him, so that there was an opportunity not only for God to do a work in his life, but that it would be displayed in his life. That is others would see this work that God had done in giving sight to a man who had been blind from birth. This should give us some reason to pause when we see a person who has some defect or has been ill for many years, such as that woman with the issue of blood. If we were to follow the words of Jesus, we would see an opportunity within a person’s life who is suffering in some manner to have God do a work so that the power of God would be displayed in that person’s life. Yet it seems for the most part many believers first instinct when faced with some defect, or illness is to look to the medical profession, rather than God. It seems only when the medical professionals have given up hope these believers might turn to God. Yes, perhaps God has given us doctors, but when a doctor heals us, he gets the credit and we must pay for it, but when God heals us, his power is displayed in our lives and he gets all the glory, honor and praise, and the healing is freely given. Is the reason many believers do not look to God for a healing, is they believe Jesus has left the building? Is it because he said while he was here he was the light of the world, but he is no longer here so he cannot do the work of God? It is still light, the night has not come, Jesus is still in the business of doing the work of God, and healing people so that the power of God can be displayed in their lives. Perhaps more people than just this one man are blind from birth, but their blindness is of the spiritual nature. Jesus can give sight to the blind.