Tuesday 18th June
Read John 9:1-5
“As he went along, he saw a man blind from birth. 2 His disciples asked him, ‘Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?’
3 ‘Neither this man nor his parents sinned,’ said Jesus, ‘but this happened so that the works of God might be displayed in him. 4 As long as it is day, we must do the works of him who sent me. Night is coming, when no one can work. 5 While I am in the world, I am the light of the world.’” (NIVUK)
It seems such an abrupt question, and even slightly rude. Given the beliefs at the time though it is likely neither. Jews believed that sickness followed from sin, (despite the evidence of Job), and hence if one fell ill or was afflicted in some way, then some sin must lie behind it. The mystery of the man born blind is hence a significant one. Is it possible to sin in the womb and hence be struck blind? Or did the man’s parents commit such an unforgivable sin that God struck down the unborn child?
We should not immediately jump to the conclusion that there is no link between sickness and sin. There are many places, in both Old and New Testaments, where just such a link is made. For example, Paul links the sinful behaviour of some in the Corinthian congregation to their deaths (cf 1 Corinthians 11:27-32). And David and Bathsheba’s first son died because of their adulterous and murderous sin (cf 2 Samuel 12). No, Jesus’ response does not disavow this general link but does disavow the specific link in this particular case. Job’s miserable comforters testify to the foolishness of identifying such links ourselves with our limited insight!
What are we to make of this man’s blindness? Jesus tells us plainly. His blindness is so that the works of God, soon to be performed by Jesus, will testify to who Jesus is. The miracle of restoring sight to one born blind both witnesses to the light that has come into the world in Him and presages the darkness that will fall on those who refuse to see what is plainly before their very eyes. They squeeze their eyes shut to create a ‘night’ that Jesus’ very presence and mission is to gloriously reveal! This blind man will force everyone to decide. It is why John wrote his gospel.
