It was not that this man sinned ...

As he passed by, he saw a man blind from birth. And his disciples asked him, “Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?” Jesus answered, “It was not that this man sinned, or his parents, but that the works of God might be displayed in him. We must work the works of him who sent me while it is day; night is coming, when no one can work. As long as I am in the world, I am the light of the world.”

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The subtle theme of the book of Job is basically that bad things happen because of sin. When tragedy struck Job his friends accused him of sin while Job pleaded his innocence. Both operated from the idea that bad things happen to people because of the bad things that they have done. Some may even read this passage from John and think that this man's blindness was planned by God so that He could garner acclaim for himself. The problem with much of this thinking is the idea that somehow God is the author of sin and bad things.

Some might think that the works of God that Jesus speaks of are all of the healings and miracles done at his hands. For sure, it was God's will to heal this man of blindness but was that the work that the Lord was referencing? If so then it is amply obvious that the light of the world is not shining as brightly as it did back then. Yet perhaps the work of God is the utter internal transformation that the blind man would soon experience. Perhaps God's work then, and now, is bringing his light to those who walk in darkness and are spiritually blind?

Lord, please help my friends who are internally blind and walk in spiritual darkness.