Joel M Bradshaw

1As he passed by, he saw a man blind from birth. 2And his disciples asked him, “Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?” 3Jesus answered, “It was not that this man sinned, or his parents, but that the works of God might be displayed in him. –John 9 (with emphasis)

Remember the famous biblical story of Job? His suffering was not linked directly to his sin, but his three friends sure thought so. They beat that theological drum for almost 40 chapters. Well, the Palestinian Jewish people of Jesus’ day were no different. Some even believed that if a pregnant woman committed a sin like worshipping in a pagan temple that her unborn baby would be considered as participating from within the womb. Let’s make a theological distinction.

1. UNIVERSAL. Universally speaking, sin and death are the result of sin. Adam and Eve sinned in Genesis 3 and suffering and death resulted. Romans 6 proclaims that the wages of sin is death. From a universal or general standpoint, sin is the original cause. Jesus doesn’t correct this point here.
2. INDIVIDUAL. This is where Job’s friends were in error. This is the point that Jesus corrects. Job’s suffering wasn’t directly linked to his sin. Neither was the suffering of this blind man. Though the man assuredly had sinned (Romans 3 guarantees it!), his blindness wasn’t seen by Jesus as the reason he suffered. People looking for someone to blame must ultimately consider God.

So why did that man suffer since birth? So that the work of God would be displayed in his life. For all those years, God was faithful to provide and protect. God prepared this man to be the recipient of a unique miracle. This blind man would physically see and therefore would theologically convict the Pharisees who were spiritually blind and refused to see. God’s glory was going to be shown in this man’s story.

The one who suffers finds purpose in such words. For over half of my life I have had MS. I got diagnosed in the physical prime of my life. I had also just been called to pursue pastoral ministry with the rest of my life. I recall a conversation with my dear pastor friend, Jerry, about our text’s tension. Was it because of my sin that I was suffering? Nobody else in my family had MS. Was God uniquely punishing me?

Jerry in his wisdom directed my heart to Hebrews 12. “Endure hardship as discipline…God disciplines us for our good, that we may share in his holiness.” Jerry invited me to take a step back from my situation and see what God was at work doing in my life. It would be the perspective that changed the way I thought about God. I lead so many people in their suffering to do the same thing today! God used my MS to teach me to daily trust Him. This trust grew my faith in amazing ways. No matter what I face in life I trust Jesus. He has always been faithful and I depend upon Him. He is God and what He is accomplishing in my life will end in good.

God had led that blind man to his big moment with Jesus. And he is forever remembered by millions of people in Scripture. His tension is lived and pondered by all who trust God even as they suffer. What is God teaching you through this difficult time? How is Jesus disciplining you as his follower during your suffering? Do you trust the very God who not only authored but uses your story for His glory?–JMB