That The Power Of God Could Be Seen

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

THE DISCIPLES THOUGHT like we think —that suffering has to be somebody’s fault. They thought this blind man was being punished for sin —they just didn’t know whose. In fact, this assumption must be deeply ingrained in how we think as humans because it is exactly what Job’s friends thought —that Job’s suffering was Job’s fault, that he was being punished. And we get it, too, don’t we?

Did you think your miscarriage or your child’s disability was God punishing you for sin in your past? Have you lived in fear that something bad is going to happen in your family because you think that’s what you deserve? Is that how things work with God? Does God punish us for our sin with suffering in this life?

If you are united to Christ by faith, you should never think that God is punishing you for your sin. How can you be sure? Because someone has already been punished for your sin. The punishment for your bad choices —your utter apathy toward God; your outright rebellion; the ugliest, most shameful things you’ve said or done —has all been laid on Jesus. He was punished for your sin so you don’t have to be. Your loving Father will discipline you to make you more holy, but he will not punish you simply to make you pay.

In asking who was to blame for the man’s disability, the disciples were focused on finding the cause. But Jesus wanted to focus on the purpose for his suffering, which was to put the power of God on display. The larger miracle than restoring this man’s physical sight was opening his spiritual eyes to see who Jesus was. He was given faith to believe. This man went from wanting to get something from Jesus to meet what he saw as his greatest need, to worshiping Jesus for being everything he truly needed. Can you see that this is the miracle Jesus wants to accomplish in your family and in your heart?

Lord, we long for your power to be put on display in our lives. Give sight where we are blind. Give life where there is deadness. Put your power on display in ________’s life today by generating in her the fruit of your Holy Spirit.