God’s Purpose

John 9:1-7

1 As he passed by, he saw a man blind from birth. 2 And his disciples asked him, “Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?”. 3 Jesus answered, “It was not that this man sinned, or his parents, but that the works of God might be displayed in him. 4 We must work the works of him who sent 2 me while it is day; night is coming, when no one can work. 5 As long as I am in the world, I am the light of the world”. 6 Having said these things, he spit on the ground and made mud with the saliva. Then he anointed the man's eyes with the mud 7 and said to him, “Go, wash in the pool of Siloam” (which means Sent). So he went and washed and came back seeing.

Notes

The fall of Adam in the garden brought sin, death, and sickness in the world. Sin caused the spiritual, emotional, mental, and physical sufferings in the world. Thus, one may say that in general, all sicknesses was due to sin. But in terms of specific sins and sicknesses, one must have the right perspective. Jesus healed a man who was born blind. Before healing the man, His disciples asked a question that revealed the perspective of their time. They asked who sinned, was it the parents or the man born blind. The answer of Jesus was neither. There are times that unwanted incidents happen to humans. The reasons for the incidents may vary. It could be one or a combination of the following: a fiery trial, a consequence of sin, a result of bad decisions, or to reveal the glory of God.

1. Who Sinned?

   The disciples asked Jesus about a man who was born blind. There seemed to be a prevailing belief that sickness is connected to personal sins. The wrong concept already existed for centuries. However, Jesus would correct this point of view.

   
   1 As he passed by, he saw a man blind from birth. 2 And his disciples asked him, “Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?” (John 9:1-2).

2. God’s Purpose

   Jesus explained that it was not the blind man’s sin; it was not his parents either. God’s purpose for the blindness was to reveal His works through the Messiah. Jesus implied concerning His limited time on earth. But as long as He was on the earth, He was the light.
   
   3 Jesus answered, “It was not that this man sinned, or his parents, but that the works of God might be displayed in him. 4 We must work the works of him who sent me while it is day; night is coming, when no one can work. 5 As long as I am in the world, I am the light of the world”.

3. Healing

   Jesus proceeded to do the work of God, which was to display His glory through Christ. Jesus spat on the ground, made mud, and put that mud on the blind man’s eyelids. Then Jesus sent the blind man to wash in the pool of Siloam.

   
   6 Having said these things, he spit on the ground and made mud with the saliva. Then he anointed the man's eyes with the mud 7 and said to him, “Go, wash in the pool of Siloam” (which means Sent). So he went and washed and came back seeing (John 9:6-7).

Application

1. Stop Speculating

   Small minds might think that a person who suffered did something evil, and such is just paying the consequence of their sin. Although sometimes it might be the case, but it is not proper to think in such a way. Let us remember that our finite minds could be wrong.

2. Reveal His Glory

   We must believe and know who Jesus is. He is greater than Abraham, Moses, Joshua, and David. Jesus is greater than all. In what way? Nothing was created without Him. Jesus is the Word who was with God and who was God. He existed before Abraham.

3. Do the Work

   Jesus fulfilled the work of Him who sent Him. The work included revealing who the Father, and who He was, and sacrificing His life for the salvation of all who would believe. Our work is to proclaim who Jesus is, and the purpose of the Father of sending Him. Our work is persuade people to believe.

Reflection & Discussion

1. Who sinned, parents or son? Why do you suppose the disciples asked this?

2. What was the purpose of the blindness?

3. What work was Christ referring to?