Who Sinned

“Neither this man nor his parents sinned,” said Jesus, “but this happened so that the work of God might be displayed in his life. John 9:3

When Jesus encountered a blind man, His disciples immediately began to discuss the reason for the man’s condition. They asked Jesus, ‘Was this man’s blindness the result of his own sins, or the sins of his parents?’ Jesus answered, ‘[He was born blind] so the power of God could be seen in him.’ Notice four things: 1) The disciples were eager to attribute the man’s problem to his sin. And Satan will try to convince you that because of your sin you’re disqualified from God’s grace, but you’re not! God doesn’t examine your past to decide your future. 2) When Jesus healed him, the neighbors were more interested in debating than celebrating—and not much has changed! They started asking, ‘“…Isn’t this the man who used to sit and beg?” Some said he was…others said, “No…”’ (vv 8-9). 3) His healing failed the ‘religiosity test’ because the Pharisees said, “…This man Jesus is not from God…working on the Sabbath…”’ (v 16). 4) Even the man’s parents weren’t free to praise God, because ‘…anyone saying Jesus was the Messiah would be expelled from the synagogue’ (v. 22). To the neighbors he was a misfit, to church leaders he was a topic of debate, to his parents he was a social stigma, so they ‘…threw him out’ (v 34). End of story? Thank God—no! ‘Jesus…went and found him…[and]…said, “I came…so that those who have never seen will see…”’ (vv 35, 39). So instead of rehashing your problem and listening to other people’s opinions, take it to the Lord in prayer. When you share it with others, the best you’ll get is sympathy, but when you share it with Jesus you’ll get a solution.

Prayer
Heavenly Father, forgive me when I look for “who sinned” rather than what You see in someone. In Jesus’ Name, Amen