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To Suffer

"Neither this man nor his parents sinned," said Jesus, "but this happened so that the work of God might be displayed in his life.
John 9:3

Some people never seem to get a break, and until Jesus came along this poor guy was one. When the disciples asked whether his blindness came from 'his own sins...or his parents?' Jesus answered: ''He was born blind so the power of God could be seen in him'' (v1-3). Now, it is one thing to glorify God through success, it is another to be selected for hardship. Notice: a) The disciples wanted to attribute this man's condition to his sin. Sound familiar? b) When Jesus healed him, the neighbors were more interested in debating than celebrating. 'They started asking, 'Is this...that beggar?' Some said he was...others said, 'No.'' (v8-9) c) His healing failed the 'religiosity test,' because the Pharisees said: 'This man Jesus is not from God...working on the Sabbath' (v16) d) Even the man's parents could not praise God, because 'anyone saying Jesus was the Messiah would be expelled from the synagogue' (v22).

To neighbors he was a misfit; to church leaders, a topic of debate; to his parents, a social stigma. So they 'threw him out'(v34). End of story? No, 'Jesus...went and found him...[and] said, 'I came...so that those who have never seen will see, and those who have made a great pretense...will be exposed'' (v35 & 39). Wow! Jesus came to comfort the afflicted and afflict the comfortable!

Today the same Jesus who sought, found, and gave sight to this blind man, wants to change your life too - if only you will let Him!

Prayer
Heavenly Father, help me see and understand that in any suffering, you work good through it. In Jesus’ Name, Amen