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 works of God might be displayed in him.” John 9:1–3
When my son Cory was just a baby he had a horribly high fever. My husband, John, and I were questioning whether or not to take him to the emergency room, when John said, “We should pray.”
John put his large hand on Cory’s forehead and prayed for healing. Then his eyes grew wide. I reached up and touched Cory’s forehead and it was cool. The fever was gone! John and I have prayed for many things over the years. Not every prayer was answered in such a miraculous way, but the fact that one was urged us to continue to bring our requests before Jesus.
In the Bible, Jesus performed many miracles, and through them many got a glimpse of who Jesus was. It took a storm for the disciples to see that Jesus had power to calm even the winds and the waves. It took a famished crowd for the disciples to realize that little is much in the hands of their Lord. It took broken bodies for Jesus to be called “Healer.” Diseased minds allowed Jesus to be labeled “Deliverer.” And renewed hope in empty, hurting souls let those around Jesus see Him as “Lord.”
It’s only because of the darkness that we can see the light. It’s only through pain and suffering that we can receive Jesus’ comfort. Sometimes we may question why we have to go through what we do. First, because we live in a sinful world marked by struggle, but also because Jesus has more of Himself to reveal to us. His power, His love, His provision that we can’t discover any other way.
Faith Step: Do you have a sick friend? Visit that person and pray, expecting Jesus will meet you as you join together with heads bowed.
