Know Love Like This: 21 Days of Discovering God's Heart for YouSampel

The Wrong Question

By Jeremy Meister

Walking down the street, Jesus saw a man blind from birth. His disciples asked, “Rabbi, who sinned: this man or his parents, causing him to be born blind?” Jesus said, “You’re asking the wrong question. You’re looking for someone to blame. There is no such cause-effect here. Look instead for what God can do.” –John 9:1–3 (MSG)

The ninth chapter of John tells us the story of a blind man who encountered Jesus. Spoiler alert: Jesus heals the blind man. But what follows in the rest of the chapter are some of the most hilarious interactions and conversations in all of the Bible. I highly recommend reading the whole chapter if you need a good laugh. But today, I want to focus on the first three verses. They provide the setting for the story.

I love stories. Stories give us a frame of reference, a context for our own lives and the lives of those around us. Stories connect us to each other. We all have a story. Whenever I sit down with someone for coffee or meet someone new in the church lobby or while I’m out and about, often my first request is, “Tell me your story.” I want to know who they are, what makes them tick, and what God is doing in their lives.

The blind man in John 9 also had a story, although the details are sparse. We know he was blind from birth. We know from verse 8 that he was a beggar and had neighbors. We know from verse 22 that he had parents who didn’t support him because they feared being kicked out of the synagogue. But what else do we know about his story? I wonder what his life was like. What was his childhood like? Was he teased growing up? How was his relationship with his parents? Where did he live? Was he married? Did he have children? Did he have any friends?

When the disciples saw the beggar, they didn’t approach him with curiosity or compassion. Instead, they approached him as a theological problem. You see, the religious leaders of Jesus’ day taught that all suffering was punishment for sin of one kind or another. There is always someone to blame. Someone is at fault. And they asked Jesus to help solve their theological problem, “Rabbi, who sinned: this man or his parents, causing him to be born blind?”

While we may not be able to relate to the blind man’s exact circumstances, we have all faced pain, loss, heartache, wounding, betrayal, sickness, or disappointment in our own stories. Maybe we’ve experienced physical, emotional, or mental disabilities. And often, we respond to our stories like the disciples did: How did things get this way? How did this happen? Why am I dealing with this issue? What is going on? Is it because I’m so messed up? Is it because of my family background? We either look for someone to blame or we blame ourselves.

But Jesus doesn’t seem to be concerned with solving the disciples’ theological dilemma. Instead, He comes in with all His goodness and kindness and says, “You’re asking the wrong question. You’re looking for someone to blame. There is no cause-and-effect here. Look instead for what God can do.” Another translation says, “But this happened so that the works of God might be displayed in him.” Jesus changes their paradigm, their way of looking at things.

Today, Jesus is still saying to us, “This happened so that the works of God might be displayed in you.” According to Luke 4:18, He wants to mend your broken heart, set you free from oppression, and heal you physically and emotionally. But He also wants to change your perspective. Don’t look to solve the theological dilemma of your circumstances or search for someone to blame. Look instead for God’s good works to be displayed in your story.

Jesus changed how the blind man saw things. And in changing the way the blind man sees, He also changes how we all see.

Prayer

Lord, thank You for Your work in my life and family. I ask that my life would be a display of Your goodness and power. Reveal those places in me where You want to change my perspective. Continue to work in me and help me surrender every aspect of my life to You. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

For Further Reflection

• Jesus wants to change how you see your circumstances. Ask Him to give you His perspective and write down what He says.
• Where do you need healing—physically, emotionally, or spiritually? Thank Jesus today that He is your healer.

Holy Spirit, what are you saying to me?