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Today we find Jesus in Jerusalem where the Pharisees have been picking fights with Him, and losing. As usual. We find in John 9:1-3 where it says, “As He passed by, He saw a man blind from birth. And His disciples asked Him, “Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he would be born blind?” Jesus answered, “It was neither that this man sinned, nor his parents; but it was so that the works of God might be displayed in him.”
His disciples, you see, were only repeating the common thinking of the day, and certainly reenforced by the Pharisees: that suffering comes as a result of sin. It could be your sin, those of your parents or ancestors, or God punishing you in advance for some horrible sin you have yet to commit. Welcome to religion my friends!
Religion sees someone in need, someone suffering, and stigmatizes them, rejects them, makes up all sorts of excuses for isolating them. Religion elevates those whose lives appear prosperous and free of troubles, declaring THEY must be living RIGHT, right? And God has no choice but to bless them, RIGHT?
How WRONG the world thinks, my friend! In this passage Jesus says it is NOT about sin at all. Suffering and sin at the GOD level are not related. God doesn’t make sinners suffer. They are very good at doing that to themselves, and to others, without His help.
The penalty for sin is… death, not suffering. Ro 6:23. “in the day that you eat from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil you will surely die.” Gen 2:17. “The person who sins will die.” Eze 18:20. Understand?
So – what IS Jesus saying? In the Message bible it reads, “You’re asking the wrong question. You’re looking for someone to blame. There is no such cause-effect here. Look instead for what God can do.”
Here is suffering – and Jesus says “We must work the works of Him who sent Me….” The works of God, the will of God then, IS TO RELIEVE SUFFERING IN THIS WORLD, NOT CAUSE IT!
Jesus gave sight to this man born blind. A huge miracle. God desires to relieve suffering! He is certainly glorified in bringing relief to the suffering, not adding to their woes! And this blind man became a worshipper of Jesus. He ‘saw the Light’ both physically and spiritually!
Note Jesus said, “WE must work the works of God.” You, and me, and JESUS! Do you see someone suffering? Well, it’s not from God! Get clear thinking about this! Call on Jesus! Pray! Lay on those anointed hands of yours, for it’s His will that they be restored — and Come Alive!
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