God's Works Revealed In Us

"Now as Jesus passed by, He saw a man who was blind from birth. ² And His disciples asked Him, saying, "Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?" ³ Jesus answered, "Neither this man nor his parents sinned, but that the works of God should be revealed in him."

John 9:1-3

As I was preparing the sermon for this week, I was drawn to consider this among many other passages of scripture.  Having been raised observing the Law of Moses, the disciples were well-versed on passages that warned of the consequences of sin--that God would bring disease and illness upon them for departing from obedience to His word.  It seemed obvious to the disciples, therefore, this man or his parents must have sinned in some fashion to deserve this permanent condition.  The answer of Jesus must have been surprising to them, and it is very good news for us as well.

The disciples had fallen into a common trap that they could by simple observation know the root cause of a problem--as if they were God.  Since Jesus is God and knew all about this man and his parents, He was able with authority to declare the truth:  neither the sin of the parents or the unborn child was the reason for his blindness.  It seems the religious leaders believed similarly to the disciples, for even after Jesus miraculously healed him they sneered, "You were completely born in sins, and are you teaching us?"  Jesus did not suggest the man blind from birth or his parents had lived their lives entirely without sin, yet it was not a particular sin that led to their son being born blind.  God had redemptive purposes in mind He would bring to pass in due time.

Jesus said, "Neither this man nor his parents sinned, but that the works of God should be revealed in him."  Here is the marvellous grace of God shown in an unexpected way.  The disciples looked upon the man's blindness as a curse, yet it was the means God would redeem for the works of God to be revealed in him.  What some call a disability was the way Jesus used to bring spiritual insight to the man he would boldly proclaim to others:  he once was blind, but because of Jesus he could see.  On the momentous day this man received physical sight he was thrown out of the synagogue, yet with his eyes he saw in-person the promised Messiah, Jesus Christ, and worshipped Him as LORD.  Getting kicked out the synagogue was overshadowed completely by being received into the kingdom of God by faith in Jesus.

Isn't it wonderful to consider the things which may prevent us from doing what others can physically do can be the vehicle for God to reveal His works in us?  We are often like the disciples, rushing to judgments based upon our assumptions without considering God's redemptive power, goodness and grace.  People with perfect eyesight can remain in the dark and blind to God's wonderful works He desires to reveal in us, and only with eyes of faith in Christ can we receive them gladly.  Having experienced redemption by the Gospel, we are now able to proclaim to others the goodness, mercy and faithfulness of God to us--even if our eyesight fails.