John 9:1-2 (WEL) As Jesus was passing by, he saw a man who was blind from birth. 2 His disciples asked him, saying, “Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?”
Chapter summary:
Joseph Benson:
In this chapter,
(1) Christ gives sight to a man born blind, by anointing his eyes with clay, and causing him to wash in the pool of Siloam, John 9:1-7.
(2) The man’s neighbors converse among themselves, and with him, concerning the cure, John 9:8-12.
(3) The Pharisees examine him and his parents; upbraid him for owning Christ, and excommunicate him, John 9:13-34.
(4) Christ meets with him, and directs him to believe in himself as the Son of God, John 9:35-38.
(5) Christ declares to the Pharisees that, while he enlightens some, he would leave them, who were so self-conceited, to perish in their ignorance, John 9:39-41.
V1 As Jesus was passing by, he saw a man who was blind from birth.
Evidently, this was someone who was well known in the area.
Principle: Jesus is situationally aware. He notices needs.
V2 His disciples asked him, saying, “Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?”
Are Sicknesses, Disasters, and Birth Defects Because of Sin or Lack of Faith?
Sin and/or lack of faith does not necessarily bring sickness, etc. King David did experience these things as punishment for his sins:
Psalms 32:3-5 When I kept silence, my bones grew old through my roaring all the day long. 4 For day and night your hand was heavy upon me: my moisture is turned into the drought of summer. Selah. 5 I acknowledged my sin unto you, and my iniquity have I not hid. I said, I will confess my transgressions unto the LORD; and you forgave the iniquity of my sin. Selah.
Psalms 39:8-11 Rescue me from all my rebellious acts. Do not disgrace me in front of godless fools. 9 I remained speechless. I did not open my mouth because you are the one who has done this. 10 Remove the sickness you laid upon me. My life is over because you struck me with your hand. 11 With stern warnings you discipline people for their crimes. Like a moth you eat away at what is dear to them. Certainly, everyone is like a whisper in the wind. Selah
Sometimes it is an action caused by satan (needing God’s permission, of course):
Job 1:9-12 Satan replied to the LORD, “Yes, but Job has good reason to fear God. 10 You have always put a wall of protection around him and his home and his property. You have made him prosper in everything he does. Look how rich he is! 11 But reach out and take away everything he has, and he will surely curse you to your face!” 12 “All right, you may test him,” the LORD said to Satan. “Do whatever you want with everything he possesses, but don’t harm him physically.” So Satan left the LORD’s presence.
Sometimes it is from personal choice:
Proverbs 23:29-35 Who has trouble? Who has misery? Who has quarrels? Who has a complaint? Who has wounds for no reason? Who has bloodshot eyes? 30 Those who drink glass after glass of wine and mix it with everything. 31 Do not look at wine because it is red, because it sparkles in the cup, because it goes down smoothly. 32 Later it bites like a snake and strikes like a poisonous snake. 33 Your eyes will see strange sights, and your mouth will say embarrassing things. 34 You will be like someone lying down in the middle of the sea or like someone lying down on top of a ship’s mast, saying, 35 “They strike me, but I feel no pain. They beat me, but I’m not aware of it. Whenever I wake up, I’m going to look for another drink.”
Sometimes it is from age or weakness.
David—1 Kings 1:1 King David had grown old, and although he was covered with blankets, he couldn’t get warm.
Ecclesiastes 12:1 Remember your Creator when you are young, before the days of trouble come and the years catch up with you. They will make you say, “I have found no pleasure in them.”
Sometimes it is for the glory of God:
Lazarus—John 11:3-4 So the sisters sent a messenger to tell Jesus, “Lord, your close friend is sick.” 4 When Jesus heard the message, he said, “His sickness won’t result in death. Instead, this sickness will bring glory to God so that the Son of God will receive glory through it.”
We learn:
- Disasters, birth defects, and situations do not necessarily mean that God is punishing someone or that there is a lack of faith.
- It is okay to ask Jesus questions.
Questions:
- Do you look down on those who have had disasters?
- Do you seek God’s wisdom and God’s answers?