John 9:2-3

“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.’” (John‬ ‭9‬:‭2‬-‭3‬)

For so many reasons, this is one of my favorite stories in the Bible. Today, my focus is on the meaning of suffering. In general, we see suffering as a bad thing, and no one wants to suffer.

In this story of the man born blind, we recognize, to some degree, the hardships that his blindness would bring…to the man. However, I think most readers never think about the broader effects beyond the man. His circumstances surely affected his immediate family. Extra time and attention are just some of the broader effects of his blindness. Many family decisions must surely have taken into account his circumstances.

The broader implications of his blindness are where my thoughts go in this story. Not because I don’t care or want to minimize the man’s personal suffering. Rather, I think a broader consideration of the suffering adds weight to what Jesus said.

Here’s the setup: Upon seeing a man born blind, his disciples asked Jesus why he was born this way. Misunderstanding the situation, they offered Jesus the option of blaming him or his parents for the blindness. Jesus chose neither A nor B.

John writes in verse 3, “Jesus answered, ‘It was not that this man sinned, or his parents, but that the works of God might be displayed in him.’” Did you catch Jesus’ explanation of why he was born blind? That the works of God might be displayed in him! What? All of the years of blindness-related challenges he and his family experienced so that the works of God might be displayed in him? In other words, God appointed this man’s suffering for God’s glory. That hits hard for those who seek to avoid every hardship in life. And for those who have a very narrow and finite view of God.

This matter of suffering is often the stated reason people deconstruct or abandon their evangelical faith. The existence of suffering just doesn’t square with their view of God. Incredulously, they (we) demand to know, “How could or why would God use suffering for His glory?” Let’s not forget that the Father appointed that His own Son would endure immeasurable suffering for our good and His glory.

This is not to suggest we should attempt to increase human suffering rather than reduce it. We should see any relief in suffering as God’s grace and a foretaste of glory where all tears will be wiped away, and all things will be made right (Revelation 21). We should also seek to recognize God’s glory in all circumstances (1 Thessalonians 5:18), which might be demonstrated exactly in how well we suffer, hoping in the promise of God. We might also recognize God’s glory through God’s servants who selflessly minister to those who suffer.

The world is broken, but let’s not let its brokenness turn our hearts away from God. Rather, in the midst of brokenness, let’s look for His glory being displayed.

Father, help me to suffer well and to effectively encourage those who are suffering…for my good and your glory. Amen.