John 9:1-5

John 9:1-5 As he went along, he saw a man blind from birth. His disciples asked him, “Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?” “Neither this man nor his parents sinned,” said Jesus, “but this happened so that the work of God might be displayed in his life. As long as it is day, we must do the work of him who sent me. Night is coming, when no one can work. While I am in the world, I am the light of the world.”

Jesus saw a man blind from birth, a biological event of unknown origin. King Solomon might have viewed his status as a natural occurrence as described in Lamentations: Again I saw that under the sun the race is not to the swift, nor the battle to the strong, nor bread to the wise, nor riches to the intelligent, nor favor to the skillful; but time and chance happen to them all. But Jesus' disciples sought an explanation, wanting to know who had sinned to make the man blind. Jesus said, Neither this man nor his parents sinned. The affliction occurred so that the work of God might be displayed in his life. The story confirms God's desire to change lives regardless of the situation, in spite of the circumstances. Human beings often attach qualifications and requirements to our merciful acts; Jesus went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with him. (Acts 10:38) Jesus told the disciples that as long as it is day, we must be about our Father's business. We must lead people in hopeless conditions to life eternal with God. We must bring sight to the blind, healing to the deformed, peace to the brokenhearted, cleansing to the unclean, and food to the poor. We must work while there is time, for the NIGHT IS COMING WHEN NO ONE CAN WORK. This sense of urgency and the knowledge that the time will come when God will remove the Spirit and the work of God will cease from this planet should highly motivate every child of God to be about our Father's business, doing his works and not our own.

Most of us have been or are being affected right now by adverse, difficult, or trying circumstances. Our own sins or the sins others have committed against us may have derailed our lives. Natural calamities, unforeseen events, financial setbacks, and physical or emotional problems come knocking at our doors when we feel least able to deal with them. Jesus said all of these situations can be used for the glory of God in our lives if we are willing to put our lives in God's hands. He said, In the world you face persecution. But take courage; I have conquered the world! (John 16:33) The Holy Spirit tells us to arise, shine, and give God the glory: make lemonade out of those lemons! God can put Humpty Dumpty together again. He makes shattered lives whole again. Jesus dealt with people experiencing the dark side of life: sick, brokenhearted, neglected, poor, troubled, rejected, demon-oppressed outcasts and untouchable lepers found healing and freedom. When Jesus came upon the scene, He healed the sick, exorcised demons, gave life to the dead, made the lepers' bodies free from sores. Jesus came to those who needed a supernatural intervention in their lives. He did not come to the self-satisfied, to those who said, "Who is this man? How dare he call himself the son of God. I do not need a physician. I am a good person, and I do good things. Leave me alone." He came to set the captives free and to set at liberty those who were bound.

Life is often hard. Sometimes it gets harder. We need and seek God's intervention, for we are all sick with sin and have problems requiring the Great Physician. We need light in our lives and Christ's redeeming blood to cleanse us from all sin. As Christians, we have a message of hope for a hurting world. But the real hope we offer is that despite any problem such as chronic illness, rejections, and setbacks of any kind, we have confidence because Christ overcame the world, the flesh and the devil. We are more than conquerors because Christ won the victory when He rose again, defeating death and the grave. James wrote: My brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of any kind, consider it nothing but joy, because you know that the testing of your faith produces endurance; and let endurance have its full effect, so that you may be mature and complete, lacking in nothing. Paul said, We must always give thanks to God for you, brothers and sisters, as is right, because your faith is growing abundantly, and the love of everyone of you for one another is increasing. Therefore we ourselves boast of you among the churches of God for your steadfastness and faith during all your persecutions and the afflictions that you are enduring. (2 Thessalonians 1:3-4) Peter agreed, saying, In this [faith] you rejoice, even if now for a little while you have had to suffer various trials, so that the genuineness of your faith—being more precious than gold that, though perishable, is tested by fire—may be found to result in praise and glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed. (1 Peter 1:6-7) Countless scriptures repeat this message. We rejoice in Christ our Savior, take up the cross, and follow Jesus. When He touches our lives; we arise, walk, and live for him. Bless you today!