John Chapter 9
“Who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?”
While this passage provides little details on the purpose and intent behind the disciple’s question; whether it is a question arising from a genuine concern of the disciple, a question arising out of one’s curiosity to understand or a fault finding question raised with the intent to point finger and pin blame on someone.
We shall also not speculate or read too much into the question, but to reflect on the answer that Jesus gave in response to the question.
“Jesus answered, “Neither this man nor his parents sinned, but that the works of God should be revealed in him.”
While, typically, in a question where we are asked A or B, we will answer with one of the options or we simply say “I don’t know”. Here, however, we see that neither of the options formed the answer. This reminds us if our questions are wrongly framed, we will never arrive at the right answer. That the correct answer can only be obtained when we broaden our perspective and be receptive to answers that may lie beyond the question, that we need to have the correct understanding and knowledge of the will and nature of God. God’s love is manifested in His interest in us, that though we are a fallen race, He continues to have hope in us, continually doing good to us so that we return back into His fold.
“I must work the works of Him who sent Me while it is day; the night is coming when no one can work.”
We are also reminded that our focus and energy should be directed towards ways to edify, to build and restore as well as to give the due glory to God. Rather than focusing on “who is to blame”, on fault finding, seeking for answers by looking at root causes. Can we not sense the urgency in Jesus’ statement? Do we not recognize where the priority lies.
For My thoughts are not your thoughts, Nor are your ways My ways,” says the Lord. (Isa 55:8)
Through this, we are also once again reminded that we often rationalized based on causal effects. That the only reason that something happens is because of certain pre-defined causes. As such, we may struggle with other doubt inducing questions such as “if God is good, why does He allow suffering?” or “Why does bad things happen to good people?” We fail to realize that we only see and know in part, that we form (or rather jump to) conclusions based on what we perceive in that short window of time that we based our observation on. Let’s see things from God’s perspective.
“This Man is not from God, because He does not [e]keep the Sabbath.”
“Give God the glory! We know that this Man is a sinner.”
“If you were blind, you would have no sin; but now you say, ‘We see.’ Therefore your sin remains.”
The words that Jesus levied against the Pharisees should be a stark warning to us as well. Do we fail to understand the work of God, do we hinder instead of support, do we fail to praise and honour God. Have we formed our own set of values, expectations and norms, not recognizing that they are contrary to God.
May the Lord have mercy on us.
