SO THAT
Erin Kranz
Today’s Scripture: “‘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, NIV)
Theme: Sometimes our pain was destined to be used for God’s purposes, even when we are completely unaware of His plans.
A HEALING, BUT PLANNED
I love this story. We get a few glances of different people’s stories in the Bible, and this unnamed blind man is one of them. The chapter starts with Jesus’ disciples asking him, “Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?” (v. 2). Jesus answered with today’s verse: “‘Neither this man nor his parents sinned,’ said Jesus, ‘but this happened so that the works of God might be displayed in him.’” And then Jesus heals him! It’s a miracle, but it also leaves us with a somewhat uncomfortable truth: God allowed this man to be born blind and to suffer the results of that so that one day His glory could be revealed.
There are probably a couple of reasons why this makes us uncomfortable. For one, some of us may have a hard time with the idea that God allows pain in this world. And secondly, how can God be “good” if He planned someone’s life to be this way?
A TESTIMONY
I think it’s important to look at the [ex] blind man’s reaction and what he does next. Does he look at Jesus and grumble saying, “If you could do this all along, why did you let me be born this way?” No! The man goes and tells all his neighbors and religious leaders what Jesus did for him and ultimately believes in Jesus as his Lord (v. 38). What a relief that being born blind was not his fault! For the person at a disadvantage, in poor health, or suffering, knowing that it’s not a punishment or shameful curse is good news! Imagine the double shame of being in pain and believing that, on some level, it is deserved. Jesus relieves that misunderstanding and offers a clearer picture that still instructs us to offer no judgement against the afflicted. God’s glory was revealed through this man’s life, and he chose to recognize the mighty power of God and be grateful.
In Jeremiah, God puts it to Israel this way: “Behold, like the clay in the potter's hand, so are you in my hand, O house of Israel,” (Jeremiah 18:6b, ESV). Going back to our Romans series, “Has the potter no right over the clay, to make out of the same lump one vessel for honorable use and another for dishonorable use?” (Romans 9:21, ESV). God alone is the one with ultimate control, and while pain or discomfort may last for a night, “but joy comes with the morning,” (Psalm 30:5b, ESV).
Make It Personal: How is your redemptive story unfolding? Are you in the middle of a painful circumstance, or has God given you perspective on a past hurt? It’s true that we don’t always get to know the “why” for something in this life, but have you allowed yourself to recognize God’s power and goodness even so? Let Him continue to reveal Himself to you; He is present even in your hurt.
Pray: Father God, thank You that we can trust that Your purposes are good. Help us in the midst of our pain and our struggles. Comfort us and wrap us in Your arms. Give us a glimpse of Your eternal victory. To You be the glory. Amen.
Read: John 9, Jeremiah 18:1-6, Romans 9:21, Psalm 30:5
Weekly Memory Verse: “For he makes his sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust.” Matthew 5:45b (ESV)