“It was not that this man sinned, or his parents, but that the works of God might be displayed in him.” John 9:3
The Pharisees and Sadducees of Jesus’ day held to the belief that any affliction or misfortune was the direct result of personal sin. There are some today that also hold to this belief. While we all can suffer the consequences of poor choices and unhealthy habits, that is not the same thing as God giving illness or disability as a direct punishment for sinful behaviour. God does not cause illness, disease or disability. It is not a punishment, but is a consequence of being part of a fallen world. Jesus also tells His disciples that this man’s blindness had been known before the creation of the world and that God was going to use it for His glory.
The man in question was blind from birth. Jesus made mud and put it over his eyes and told him to go and wash it off. When he did, he could see. His neighbours hardly recognised him, but when they finally did, they took him to the Pharisees. They didn’t believe that he had been born blind and so questioned his parents. You can sense the power and intimidation they wielded over society. His parents were so afraid of being excommunicated from the synagogue that they left their son to speak for himself.
When the man was interrogated a second time he repeated the facts. The Pharisees denounced Jesus as a sinner, claiming that they were the true followers of God, but this man challenged them with the truth that it is only a man sent from God who could open the eyes of one blind from birth. With that statement, they cast him out of the synagogue.
When Jesus met him, and revealed to him that He was the Son of Man; the Saviour, the man born blind believed and worshipped Him. What a contrast to the cripple in chapter 5. After being a cripple for 38 years, he wanted the respectability of belonging to the synagogue and the social standing this would give him. The man born blind wanted a Saviour. Jesus has power over sickness, but the greatest thing is His power over sin.
While good health and strength is a blessing, the greatest blessing of all time is the salvation that Jesus alone can offer. A healthy body can still be cast into hell, but a saved soul will be forever in the presence and comfort of God. Jesus is the one one who has power over sin.