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August 29 - John 7-9
Now as Jesus passed by, He saw a man who was blind from birth. 2 And His disciples asked Him, saying, “Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?” 3 Jesus answered, “Neither this man nor his parents sinned, but that the works of God should be revealed in him. (John 9:1-3)
These verses remind us that the ultimate purpose of our lives is not merely our own comfort or success, but the glory of God.
The disciples viewed the blind man's condition through the lens of blame. They assumed that suffering must always be the direct result of someone's personal sin. This was a common belief in their day. Jesus corrected their misunderstanding. He did not deny that sin brought suffering into the world through the Fall, but He rejected the idea that every individual hardship can be traced to a specific personal sin. Instead, Jesus revealed a greater purpose. The man's blindness would become the stage upon which God's power and grace would be displayed.
This truth speaks powerfully to believers today. We often ask, "Why is this happening to me?" We search for explanations when illness, disappointment, or hardship enters our lives. While some suffering may result from poor choices, many trials have purposes known only to God. The Lord is always working toward His eternal plan, even when we cannot see it. Romans 8:28 reminds believers that "all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose."
The blind man had lived his entire life without sight. Humanly speaking, his condition seemed hopeless and meaningless. Yet every year of blindness prepared the way for an unforgettable demonstration of Christ's authority. Through his healing, many witnessed the power of God, and the formerly blind man himself came to faith in Jesus as the Son of God. His greatest blessing was not merely receiving physical sight but receiving spiritual sight.
As followers of Christ, we must remember that our purpose is greater than personal happiness. We exist to glorify God. Sometimes He is glorified through our victories, and sometimes He is glorified through our perseverance in suffering. Whether He delivers us from the trial or sustains us through it, His name deserves praise. Our circumstances may change, but God's purpose remains constant.
This passage encourages us to trust God's wisdom even when His plans are beyond our understanding. The Lord sees the entire picture while we see only the present moment. Every life surrendered to Christ becomes an opportunity for His works to be revealed. Therefore, instead of asking only, "Why am I experiencing this?" we should also ask, "How can God be glorified through this?" When that becomes our perspective, we discover that our purpose is inseparably connected to His glory. Living for His glory gives meaning to every season of life, whether joyful or difficult, because the God who created us is faithfully accomplishing His perfect will.