Blind for God’s Glory

John 9:1-3 1 As Jesus was walking along, He saw a man who had been blind from birth. 2 “Rabbi,” His disciples asked him, “why was this man born blind? Was it because of his own sins or his parents’ sins?” 3 “It was not because of his sins or his parents’ sins,” Jesus answered. “This happened so the power of God could be seen in him.

I have often heard the doctrine that says if you are taken ill, it is probably because you have some sin in your life. I have also heard the doctrines that say when we aren’t healed, it is because we lack faith. In these verses we read that the disciples asked Jesus whose sin caused the man in the story to be born blind. Jesus responded that it was neither his or his parents’ sin, but so that God’s power and glory might be revealed. It isn’t to say that the man was innocent, for we are all sinners and have come short of the glory of God. But his blindness was specifically for the purpose of revealing God’s love to the world. The same man was called a sinner and asked to leave the temple by the pharisees. He was unworthy in the eyes of the religious. Jesus healed him and revealed Himself to him. The one who was rejected by the world, was accepted by God. The one who was unworthy to be in the company of those who called themselves representatives of God , was brought into the very presence of God Himself, incarnate. Jesus told these same pharisees that though they could see, they were blind. He was basically telling them that they needed Him, that they needed salvation, that they needed freedom. His words, though seemingly harsh, were words of compassion and love, even for those who thought themselves above Him.

I have often wondered over the years why Elena was born with cystic fibrosis. Was it because of my sin? Was it because God was trying to get my attention? Was it because I lacked faith? I don’t really know the answers to those questions, for I am indeed a sinner. I admit to often forgetting the power and omnipotence of the Living God we serve and find myself always in need of turning my attentions toward Him again and again. However, in pondering these verses, I am certain that one thing is sure: God will be glorified through Elena’s disease. His love for the untouchables, the imperfect, those who are broken physcially, emotionally, spiritually, will be revealed because of it. These whom God is seeking to come into His Kingdom are not rejected by God because of their sin. Instead, they are accepted and called by God because of His extraordinary love. It is because of their overwhelming neediness and weakness that He has come. It is because of OUR overwhelming neediness and weakness that He has come.

Jesus, may we see those who the world rejects as Your beautiful, lovely children. Give us compassion, Lord, for the untouchables, for the broken, the hurting, the lost, the very ones for whom your heart breaks over. Help us to never think of ourselves as being above another, but instead, help us to recognize our need for you through them. Forgive us for our lack of compassion, and put within us hearts that break with yours over the rejected ones of this world, hearts that are full of your love. May we see Your glory revealed through them and through us. Amen!