Blindness (John 9)

Today's scripture: John 9

Jesus performed miracle after miracle. We read of His healing—blindness, deafness, lameness. He raised people from the dead. He fed thousands with a handful of fish and some small loaves of bread. Sometimes a miracle happened in a single verse; sometimes it took several.

The miracle in today's verses ... It took an entire chapter to describe one healing. A man, blind from birth, was healed. Another miracle. Yet this chapter is so much more than a miracle of healing.

It's a lesson of faith. Many thought—and some still think today—that illness was a result of sin. Sin of the sick person. Sin of his parents. So, a logical question of Jesus' disciples was, "By whose sin is this man blind?"

Jesus used this particular healing to prove a couple of points.

First, He wanted them to know that illness or infirmity isn't necessarily a result of sin. Now certainly, a person could suffer because of something he did. Perhaps excessive drinking caused liver damage or a criminal was injured in the pursuit of a crime.

However, most of the time, people experience health issues because ... well, because we live in a sinful world, and part of that world includes sickness. I deal with chronic health issues, and I believe it's just the way it is. I also believe, though, that sometimes people experience health issues so that God can work miracles, just as He did in this chapter.

So many times, people who have been suffering with cancer or other chronic issues are miraculously healed so that God can be glorified. That's exactly what happened with the blind man.

The second point Jesus wanted to make was this: Some people are physically able to see, but are spiritually blind. Proof of Jesus through miracles and changed lives abounds, but like the Pharisees, they refuse to see. They're so focused on the letter of the law, they're blind to faith and truth.

I find great encouragement in John 9. I believe that my chronic health issues are mine just because of this fallen world. It's not lack of faith, nor a past sin (mine or others). And if God chooses to heal me to demonstrate His glory, I wouldn't argue, but if I experience healing only in eternity, that's okay.

But I also find it sad that, especially today, people remain so very blind to truth. The only thing we can do is do our best to help them with their spiritual blindness by sharing Jesus with them.