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Sin, Suffering, and Jesus


“Never since the world began
has it been heard that anyone opened
the eyes of a person born blind”
(from John 9:1-41).


Otto, a fish in the children’s book, A Fish Out of Water, is overfed even after careful feeding instructions.

"When you feed a fish, never feed him a lot. So much and no more! Never more than a spot, or something may happen! You never know what."

What happened was Otto outgrew every container until he finally became too large for the town swimming pool.

The man born blind story appears to have undergone similar development, as much of the discussion centers on the story of his healing.

This is a typical pattern in John. Jesus performs a miracle; people try finding the meaning and usually miss the mark.

In the parable, Jesus is asked, “Who sinned?”

The question comes from the ancient people’s belief that a sin was committed since there is suffering and sickness.

Jesus questions that kind of theological thinking creating a complex answer: “Neither this man nor his parents sinned.”

In other words, he may have been born blind due to an infection or some other natural causes.

Jesus heals the man, but the Pharisees miss don’t see God acting among them.

The healing from the suffering of blindness happened because of Jesus’ intervention.

Sin, suffering, and healing are all connected in the story, but it is Jesus’ actions that transform these realities.

This sin, suffering, and healing distinguishes our spiritual needs and physical ailments.

Jesus’ healing touch does more than address physical ailments.

Jesus also meets deeper spiritual needs, such as forgiveness.

When Jesus enters someone’s life, both physical issues and deeper spiritual needs are met which restores a relationship to God offering hope and peace.


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