That His Works Might be Displayed in our LIves

September 7, 2009

Dear Fellow Travelers,

There is a passage in John’s gospel that has long-intrigued me: “And as He passed by, He saw a man blind from birth. And His disciples asked Him, saying, ‘Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he should be born blind?’ Jesus answered, ‘It was neither that this man sinned, nor his parents; but it was in order that the works of God might be displayed in him’” (John 9:1-3 NASB).
Now, take a minute to think this through: this man was born blind SO THAT the works of God might be displayed in him. In other words, God chose for this particular man to be born without eyesight—blind as a bat—and for this good reason: that His works might be evidenced (displayed) in his life. Sadly, when Jesus’ disciples saw him, they reacted out of their Jewish roots—“Rabbi, who sinned this man or his parents, that he should be born blind?”—apparently completely oblivious to the true reason for the man’s blindness. Religious people still think this way!
Admittedly, this passage is a bit difficult, especially in light of Jesus’ answer to their question: “It was neither that this man sinned, nor his parents; but it was in order that the works of God might be displayed in him.” In other words, this man’s blindness had no connection to anyone’s sin, not even the blind man’s; instead, it was the direct result of God’s own hedonistic choice (If you can read anything other than that into this, I would like to hear about it.).
In my opinion, most of us have the tendency to forget that God does, as God pleases [“But our God is in the heavens; He does whatever He pleases (Psalm 115:3 NASB)]. without regard for our feelings, nor consideration of our opinions. Whether we like it or not, this is the fact: God is not only free to cause a baby to be born blind, He is also free to do so for whatever reason that pleases Him. In this case, it was that His works might me put on dis-play in this man’s life. God caused this man to be born blind, so that He, in His time, could heal him, and, thereby, display His works.
But was that really the works He wanted to display? I think not. That was merely His attention-getter. The works that He wanted to display were these: His ability to forgive sins and to give sight to the spiritually blind. “Jesus heard that they (the Pharisees) had put him out; and finding him, He said, ‘Do you believe in the Son of Man?’ He answered and said, ‘Who is He, Lord, that I may believe in Him?’ Jesus said to him, ‘You have both seen Him, and He is the one who is talking with you.’ And he said, ‘Lord, I believe.’ And he worshipped Him’ (John 9:35-38 NASB; parenthesis, mine).
Looking back, I feel sure that this man was incredibly thankful for God’s hedonistic choice, but I wonder how he would have voted, if he had been given the opportunity in advance, knowing only that through his blindness, God would display His works in his life.
By the way, God will demonstrate His works in your life and mine, even if it means that He makes another hedonistic choice.