Who sinned?
1 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 9:2-3 (NKJV)
The disciples asked this question of Jesus because they lived within a paradigm that said good things were the result of good behaviour and bad things the result of bad behaviour. Is this how we think? Do we believe that someone must be at fault for this man’s blindness? Jesus answer refutes this way of thinking. Do we seek to understand or explain everything? Paul refutes this way of thinking.
22 For Jews request a sign, and Greeks seek after wisdom; 23 but we preach Christ crucified, to the Jews a stumbling block and to the Greeks foolishness, 24 but to those who are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God. 25 Because the foolishness of God is wiser than men, and the weakness of God is stronger than men. 1 Corinthians 1:22-25 (NKJV)
We have a cultural expression, “Life’s not fair.” We may rebel against that thought and think, shouldn’t it be fair for Christians, His children? Yes and no. From a human natural perspective it will never be fair in this life. Yet in spite of that we can nurture life if we embrace some truths from scripture. The first is the frequently quoted Romans 8:28.
28 And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose. Romans 8:28 (NKJV)
Notice there is both a qualifier in here tied to our intention and motivation and no promise that things will work together for our good from a natural perspective. Yet ultimately everything will come together. I believe Romans 8:28 so in difficult times it helps my heart to be at rest. The other thing I have is a deep confidence in His justice. Look at the scriptures below.
25 “Far be it from You to do such a thing as this, to slay the righteous with the wicked, so that the righteous should be as the wicked; far be it from You! Shall not the Judge of all the earth do right?” Genesis 18:25 (NKJV)
10 For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that each one may receive the things done in the body, according to what he has done, whether good or bad. 2 Corinthians 5:10 (NKJV)
I believe that when all is said and done the Judge of all the earth shall do right, He shall administer justice. I also know that no matter what happens in this life every single one of us will ultimately step from time into eternity and we will be required to give an account of our thoughts and actions before the Lord Jesus. When He is finished we will acknowledge Him as the just and fair judge, just as I know the blind man did at the end of his earthly journey, and our hearts will be at peace. His Shalom will be our companion.
