That God’s Works Might Be Revealed

As fires erupted in Southern California this past January, the discourse was riddled (and largely still is) with questions swirling around who is at fault. Every time I went to the news or social media to find out information about what was going on, I encountered more vitriol and accusations than actual news, and I did not even achieve a modicum of understanding about what was happening. Unfortunately, that is the current climate of discourse, and many people are walking away from any engagement because they see too many voices caring more about scoring points for their side than the humanity across the table. The reality is that there were numerous victims of this horrible tragedy, and instead of looking upon them as points to score on their opponents, the church must view them as beloved children of God and seek to help them in their suffering. Even as the disciples were walking beside Jesus, they fell into the discourse trap and could not get out of their own heads as they struggled to understand Jesus’ purpose. Their thoughts went to how they could answer the theological questions rather than living out the life of faith as Jesus demonstrates. However, Jesus corrects them with words and actions, as Jesus brought healing and transformation of the body in this passage below. 

1 As he passed by, he saw a man blind from birth. 2 And his disciples asked him, “Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?” 3 Jesus answered, “It was not that this man sinned, or his parents, but that the works of God might be displayed in him. 4 We must work the works of him who sent me while it is day; night is coming, when no one can work. 5 As long as I am in the world, I am the light of the world.” 6 Having said these things, he spit on the ground and made mud with the saliva. Then he anointed the man’s eyes with the mud 7 and said to him, “Go, wash in the pool of Siloam” (which means Sent). So he went and washed and came back seeing. 8 The neighbors and those who had seen him before as a beggar were saying, “Is this not the man who used to sit and beg?” 9 Some said, “It is he.” Others said, “No, but he is like him.” He kept saying, “I am the man.” 10 So they said to him, “Then how were your eyes opened?” 11 He answered, “The man called Jesus made mud and anointed my eyes and said to me, ‘Go to Siloam and wash.’ So I went and washed and received my sight.” 12 They said to him, “Where is he?” He said, “I do not know.”

The Holy Bible: English Standard Version (Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles, 2016), John 9:1-12.

Ultimately, we need to learn to ask better questions of God. The initial question of the disciples, “Who did sin, this man, or his parents, that he was born blind?” is uncharitable, unnecessarily curious, and based on the assumption that suffering is always a punishment for sin. In the disciples’ inquiry, we find the reflection of a common belief spread by the teachers of the day. This is a misguided question, as sin before birth is incomprehensible, and why would this be the punishment for the sin of his parents? Further, the disciples had seen Jesus heal someone with paralysis. They must have been familiar with what caused the paralysis, as they knew of Christ’s earlier teachings and interactions with the sick. Therefore, instead of relying upon Jesus, the disciples engaged in popular theology. The way they asked the question brought Jesus’ attention to them, instead of them affixing their eyes upon Jesus’ caring response to suffering. They asked outward questions, looking at man as an object, while Jesus corrected their assumptions by directing them to the power of God that would be revealed at this moment. Instead of seeking answers to win the theological arguments, Jesus wants us to ask questions that will prompt us to act so that we might reveal God’s work in the church. Our questions should prompt action over discourse.

Jesus’ actions bring healing in an unorthodox manner, which is often a messy endeavor. The blind man was healed through unconventional methods, such as spitting on the ground to make clay and then anointing the man’s eyes. Applying mud to the eyes would seemingly make the man more blind. Thus, physical healing occurred in a way that no one would expect, but Jesus used this to highlight God’s work of sending and healing. Jesus directs the man to wash in the Pool of Siloam, which is interpreted as “Sent”. As Jesus sends the man, he ultimately directs the man to Himself as the one sent by God. Sending the blind man to wash in the pool of Siloam allowed the man to be obedient. The man does not question the method, but obeys the command. Healing often comes in ways that are contrary to our understanding. It may involve us getting dirty and working with our hands in an even counterintuitive way. However, when we participate in the healing God wants for our communities, it requires us to submit to the sending of Christ.

The world does not know what to do with the miraculous. After the man’s sight was restored, his neighbors immediately confronted him, who were astonished and even doubted his identity. However, when the man affirmed his identity, they pressed him to explain how his eyes had been opened. His simple account of Jesus’ actions and his obedience to wash in the pool of Siloam was met with further inquiry about the whereabouts of Jesus, whom the man could not identify. Their bewilderment was because they needed a rational explanation for an event that defied their understanding. Just as the neighbors had differing opinions, our ministry will likely be met with a spectrum of reactions, from disbelief and skepticism to curiosity and even acceptance. Not everyone will readily believe or understand the transformative power of God. We must be patient with those we share the Gospel with, as the miraculous nature of grace goes beyond normal comprehension and takes time to absorb. Even the healed man’s initial understanding of Jesus was limited. The best he could initially do was mention a man named Jesus, and it took him interactions with others to begin the comprehension of who Jesus is and the power of what he encountered directly. Similarly, it is crucial to recognize that those we minister to may not immediately grasp the complete identity and significance of Jesus. Growth in faith is a process, and we need to make that space available to those we share Jesus with.

As we contend with our friends and neighbors, we cannot view each other as allies and enemies, but rather co-laborers with Christ in sharing the Gospel in the world. Jesus didn’t go to the cross so that we might become more right than our neighbors, but rather His sacrifice was so that we could share that Good News with everyone. Therefore, as members of His body, we must sacrifice a debate victory to share with people that God loves them, wants to see them healed, and wants them to be victorious over sin. It may not always look the same or the way we think it should, but Christ’s intention for our community is to share the Good News. Therefore, as followers of Jesus, we must allow our hearts to be moved by people who need to hear Jesus’ proclamation about returning sight to the blind, breaking the bonds of injustice, and fighting for the marginalized people. The church’s work doesn’t stop with sharing the Gospel, because the world will not understand God’s intentions for creation. Jesus calls us to walk beside those who find transformation and healing in the Gospel and continue to carry out God’s care for them. It isn’t about accumulating numbers, but rather it is about walking with and caring for people, because that is what God calls the church to do in all circumstances. God’s work in and through us comes so that God’s works might be revealed.