John 9:3

New International Version

“Neither this man nor his parents sinned,” said Jesus, “but this happened so that the works of God might be displayed in him.

For Meditation

He sat by the roadside, expecting charity from any passersby who felt for him. This poor man did not know what was coming to him. He was oblivious to the heavenly decree that had positioned him for the display of God’s power in his life—the revealing of the glory of Jesus—the Son of God. So, he sat and waited for a few coins to drop in his outstretched hand.

Why did he matter to the disciples if they had no money for him? How come they found his condition a debatable topic as they passed by with their Master? 

Isn’t it so human? Our curious eyes, ears, and mind—how they travel so fast on the accusatory road. What happened? Who did it, or whose fault is it? To a fallen race, everything has a villain. There must be something wrong with the suffering person for Satan to have done this to them—we impugn.

 “Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?”

Is it not interesting how quickly we apportion blame with no idea of the reality? Ask Job, and he will instruct you well, or maybe you have your own story to tell.

“Neither this man nor his parents sinned,” said Jesus, “but this happened so that the works of God might be displayed in him,” Jesus said.

Disciples, eat your heart out! You lost the bet. Many have lost betting on you, and they will lose again before the end of 2021.

God had a divine purpose for this man’s blindness, and He had decreed it for manifestation on that day—the display of His power to reveal His Son to a doubting nation. The disciples also did not know they were God’s chosen to kick-start the manifestation, just as your detractors are oblivious to what God is using them to do in your life. 

We know nothing about the causes of the terrible things that happen in our lives. We can lament and blame everything on everybody, typically the devil or an older woman in our family. If only we would stop to reflect and check with our Creator and Savior what His purpose is in every situation – what He is up to in our suffering—we may be less distressed.

Things are not always what we think they are. There is more to everything than the naked eyes see. God has a plan and purpose for everything, and even your detractors are part of the plan of God to start something in your life. 

As the year 2021 draws to a close, thank God for your handicap and misfortune and ask Him to use it for His intended purpose—His glory to display in your life. It is a divine privilege you may not know until Jesus comes by. 

Shalom