A New Frame Of Reference - Jesus

As Jesus was walking along, he saw a man who had been blind from birth. “Rabbi,” his disciples asked him, “why was this man born blind? Was it because of his own sins or his parents’ sins?” “It was not because of his sins or his parents’ sins,” Jesus answered. “This happened so the power of God could be seen in him.”

John 9:1-3

Nothing shapes the way you think about God, life, love, or suffering quite like your own background and upbringing. Sometimes God changes your personal frame of reference so he can teach you more about himself and how he works through your circumstances.

Jesus’ disciples had all grown up in a culture where people believed that bad things happened to sinners. One day, when they saw a blind man in Jerusalem, they naturally assumed that either he or his parents had sinned and that his blindness was God’s punishment.

Jesus quickly corrected the disciples’ faulty thinking. He denied that this man’s blindness had come about because of anyone’s sin. Instead, this man came into the world blind so that he could one day bring the people’s attention to Jesus’ divine power and authority.

The disciples had never thought of that.

With the disciples looking on, Jesus spat on the ground, smeared some mud on the man’s eyes, and told him to wash his face in the pool of Siloam. When he obeyed, he was able to see for the first time in his life.

Before long, the news of his healing shook up the residents of Jerusalem, including the religious authorities. Some wondered if this could really be the man that they had seen begging near the Temple. The man kept insisting that it really was him and that someone named Jesus had healed him.

Jesus’ miracle glorified God that day, and it changed the disciples’ notions about God and how he works through human circumstances.

Sometimes your difficulties come as a result of your own sin and errors. At other times, God may use the troubles you face—sickness, family problems, financial difficulties—to demonstrate his power, goodness, mercy, and love. Are you willing to be used in that way, even if it costs you something?