He replied, “The man they call Jesus made some mud and put it on my eyes. He told me to go to Siloam and wash. So I went and washed, and then I could see.”
—John 9:11
When Jesus and His disciples encountered a man that was blind, the disciples were curious. So, they decided to ask Jesus an interesting question. They said, “Who sinned that this man was born blind? Was it his parents or him?”
Some well-meaning Christians believe that every illness or disability must be the direct result of sin in a person’s life or in the person’s family. But that is rarely the case. Often, no one has sinned or done anything wrong. Illness happens because we live in an imperfect world.
And sometimes, God allows suffering for His own purpose. This is what Jesus meant when He replied to His disciples: “Neither this man nor his parents sinned,” said Jesus, “but this happened so that the works of God might be displayed in him.” (John 9:3)
God can use any and every illness or disability to bring glory to His name. Sometimes, He does that through physical healing (as the man born blind) and sometimes He does that by giving you the strength to keep pressing on even when you’re living in a sick body.
God, let me rejoice in illness and in disability, for I know the plans You have for me are good. Use my brokenness to show the world how magnificent You are. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
