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John 9:1-12 “Suffering and Sin”

Does suffering always come from sin?  Is suffering a result of sin?  Often, this notion is held for those in pain and suffering.  What does Jesus say about all this?

Exhibit A: Blind Man
Question: Who sinned to cause this man to lose his vision – himself or his parents? Jesus with the answer: Neither, “this happened so that the work of God might be displayed in his life” (verse 3).

How often do you assume that a friend who has just had something bad happen to him/her did something wrong to deserve it?  Have you ever sat back and wondered why good people suffer?  Did you think that God was unfair or silent when you went through pain and suffering?

Now think about it this way.  Christianity was begun on the basis of suffering with Jesus dying on the Cross.  Disciples were martyred for spreading their faith.  Christians were thrown in coliseums for lions or gladiators to tear apart.  Even the Hebrews suffered under the oppression of the Egyptians and were razed by the Assyrians and Babylonians.  And don’t forget about the tragic incidents of the Holocaust.  We’re talking God’s chosen people here!  Why?  Why would God allow this happen?

Can you take comfort in the words Jesus says here?  They echo throughout history.  Why do you suppose Christianity is the most populous religion?  Perhaps it is because people have a stronger faith in their God than this world.  Perhaps it’s because there’s something better that Christians live for.  Perhaps it is because we know Christ to be God and the Bible to be true.  Perhaps it is because through suffering our faith can grow, a faith in which we can find hope, and in a hope where we can find solace in.

In our suffering, we can either be a person who curses God for our pain or we can be a pillar a faith to bring others to Christ.  The quote “actions speak louder than words” rings true here.  Jesus healed the blind man, who later on said “I was blind but now I see.”  In our suffering, we have the opportunity to help the spiritually blind see.  

What will you do in your suffering?  What will you do when others suffer – will you question them or will you comfort them and explain to them how their suffering can be used to glorify God?

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