Reflecting on John 9:1-12“‘Neither this man nor his parents sinned,’ said Jesus, ‘but this happened so that the works of God might be displayed in him.'” (John 9:3)
This was the common belief: if something bad happens to you, you deserved it!
This was what Job’s friends said to Job too.
And it is how many people think today: we get what we deserve.
Jesus does not view human sin and suffering this way.
It is true that all suffering is somehow connected to sin.
But suffering is more complicated than that: many suffer without sinning.
Instead of focusing on blame, Jesus sees suffering as an opportunity.
It is an opportunity for God to show His goodness and mercy.
We have all sinned, but God does not treat us as our sins deserve.
Instead of blaming people when they struggle or suffer, bless them.
That struggling person is an opportunity to display the works of God.
This is how Jesus operated while He was in the world – a light in the darkness.
We are so quick to accuse and blame, rather than to accept and to bless.
This only makes the world darker, and suffering more unbearable.
While we are in this world of suffering, let’s be light like Jesus!
PRAYER
Lord Jesus, today I will meet people who struggle and suffer. Help me to see them as an opportunity for me to display the good and gracious work of God: to bless and not to blame!
Direct retribution is not God’s way.
In our suffering God provides ways that we can speak of God’s power at work in us and how others may be the hands and feet of Christ to us. In Christ we do not receive what we desire but receive the grace and power to be instruments of His peace, a light in the darkness for He is our daily strength.