Brief Summary
This passage from John 9:1-2 introduces Jesus' encounter with a man blind from birth. The key points are:
- Jesus' actions are always intentional, even when they seem casual.
- Jesus sometimes helps people even when they don't ask for it.
- The disciples' question about whose sin caused the blindness reflects a common but often unhelpful tendency to seek blame instead of offering help.
Jesus Passes By
The passage begins with Jesus passing by a man blind from birth. Although it seems like a casual stroll, everything Jesus does is intentional and purposeful. Even if the passage doesn't specify his origin or destination, there's a reason behind his movement.
Jesus Saw Him
Jesus notices the blind man and initiates the interaction, unlike many other miracles where people reach out to him first. This highlights that God sometimes helps us even when we don't ask or pray, or even when we pray wrongly. Jesus took the initiative to help the blind man.
The Disciples' Question
The disciples ask Jesus whose sin caused the man's blindness, reflecting the common belief that suffering is a result of sin. This is similar to how Job's friends viewed his situation. Instead of helping, they try to find out whose fault it is. Determining the cause of the blindness won't heal the man. Sometimes, people face hardship not because of their own or their parents' wrongdoing, but simply because something has gone wrong in their lives.
