March 15, 2005 John 9:1-41
March 15, 2005 John 9:1-41
John 9:2-3 “His disciples asked him, "Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?" Jesus answered, "Neither this man nor his parents sinned; he was born blind so that God's works might be revealed in him.”
One of the most commonly asked questions in the face of adversity is; "What did I do to deserve this?" I know I've asked myself this very question a time of two in life. Usually, in the midst of despair and a situation that is totally out of my control.
Jesus was asked the same question when he cured the man born blind. He could have agreed with his questioners and said the man was blind due to his own sin - but he didn't. He could have agreed with the theory that the man was blind because his parent's sinned - but he didn't. Instead Christ identified the man's condition as an opportunity for God to be glorified before the many people present.
Do we make that same observation when we face calamity? Or do we try to find a way to place blame? How often when we hear that someone has cancer, is our first question; "Did they smoke?" When we hear of someone with a heart attack, stroke, or other ailment do we first ask, "What did they do to bring this on them self?"
We have all heard the expression; "Stuff Happens." In essence that is what Jesus says. Stuff happens not so we can point fingers and assign blame. Stuff happens so God can work in the situation and make His presence readily apparent to one and all. What stuff has happened in your life? What questions do you have to rethink? Can it be God with an opportunity for glory to be proclaimed in the midst of calamity? Perhaps we need to pause and rethink. God may be working to open our eyes to His glory in our midst.
Gracious Lord, whenever calamity happens, grant us the courage and patience to wait upon you and your work. Help us to recognize your glory in our midst; healing that which is hurting and bringing new life out of the greatest tragedy. This we ask in the name of Christ our Lord. Amen.
John 9:2-3 “His disciples asked him, "Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?" Jesus answered, "Neither this man nor his parents sinned; he was born blind so that God's works might be revealed in him.”
One of the most commonly asked questions in the face of adversity is; "What did I do to deserve this?" I know I've asked myself this very question a time of two in life. Usually, in the midst of despair and a situation that is totally out of my control.
Jesus was asked the same question when he cured the man born blind. He could have agreed with his questioners and said the man was blind due to his own sin - but he didn't. He could have agreed with the theory that the man was blind because his parent's sinned - but he didn't. Instead Christ identified the man's condition as an opportunity for God to be glorified before the many people present.
Do we make that same observation when we face calamity? Or do we try to find a way to place blame? How often when we hear that someone has cancer, is our first question; "Did they smoke?" When we hear of someone with a heart attack, stroke, or other ailment do we first ask, "What did they do to bring this on them self?"
We have all heard the expression; "Stuff Happens." In essence that is what Jesus says. Stuff happens not so we can point fingers and assign blame. Stuff happens so God can work in the situation and make His presence readily apparent to one and all. What stuff has happened in your life? What questions do you have to rethink? Can it be God with an opportunity for glory to be proclaimed in the midst of calamity? Perhaps we need to pause and rethink. God may be working to open our eyes to His glory in our midst.
Gracious Lord, whenever calamity happens, grant us the courage and patience to wait upon you and your work. Help us to recognize your glory in our midst; healing that which is hurting and bringing new life out of the greatest tragedy. This we ask in the name of Christ our Lord. Amen.
Contributed by Rev Andy O’Dowd
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