“As he went along, he saw a man blind from birth. His disciples asked him, “Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?” “Neither this man nor his parents sinned,” said Jesus, “but this happened so that the work of God might be displayed in his life. ….”Go,” he told him, “wash in the Pool of Siloam” (this word means Sent). So the man went and washed, and came home seeing.” John 9:1-3, 7 (NIV)
I’ve heard people say that sometimes sickness is for God’s purpose. They usually quote the above passage of scripture to back it up. I want you to notice something from this passage. According to the NIV translation, it appears that Jesus is saying the man was born blind so the work of God might be displayed. If you believe this is an accurate translation, you still have to admit that the work of God is healing because that is what happened to the man. God’s work is not sickness! It’s Healing!
We also must understand the New Testament was originally written in Greek and was not separated by verses as we have today. I want you to read the same passage from another translation.
”As Jesus walked along, he saw a man who had been blind since birth. Jesus’ disciples asked, “Teacher, why was this man born blind? Was it because he or his parents sinned?”
“No, it wasn’t!” Jesus answered. “But because of his blindness, you will see God work a miracle for him… Then he said, “Go and wash off the mud in Siloam Pool.” The man went and washed in Siloam, which means “One Who Is Sent.” When he had washed off the mud, he could see.” John 9:1-3, 7 Contemporary English Version
This translation reads completely different from the NIV and I believe it is truer to the original meaning. Jesus was not saying the man was born blind so God’s work could be shown. He was saying because of the man’s blindness, there is an opportunity for the work of God to be displayed.
Every sickness, trouble or hardship we have is an opportunity for God’s work to be displayed! Glory!
“The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.” John 10:10
~ Tim Dumas
