“God’s opportunity”
By Rev. Michael Stonhouse
Meditation – Thursday, January 4, 2024
John 9:1-12, 35-38 (Forward, p. 67) CEV p. 1113
Jesus’ disciples raise an age-old question, that of causation. Often it is one that we ask concerning world events, and here there is hardly ever a lack of suggestions, say, for instance, of the causes that triggered the present Hamas – Israeli war. Depending upon one’s point of view, one’s perspective, there will never be a shortage of answers to this question.
We also ask this question concerning those around us, as when we ask how such and such a person ever deteriorated to this state of affairs. And we also ask this about ourselves, as in ‘what did I do to bring this upon myself?’
Jesus is asked this kind of question concerning the blindman in today’s passage, “Teacher, why was this man born blind? Was it because he or his parents sinned?” (verse 2). Jesus denied that it was either, but then offers up another possibility. He says, “Because his blindness, you will see God work a miracle for him” (verse 3). So, He is saying that this tragic set of circumstances will provide an opportunity for God to show Himself at work.
This, then, puts a far different light on the problems of our world, and indeed the problems of our own lives and the lives of those around us. As tragic, horrible, and soul wrenching the worst of these might be, or as minor and merely irritating others might be, all of them provide an opportunity for God. Indeed, there is the possibility that God is already at work, already working miracles before our very eyes—if only we had the eyes to see them. This is exactly what happened with the blind man of today’s story. There were many around him who saw and experienced the change in him, but who were unable to see the hand of God in it or refused to acknowledge it. So, hopefully we will have the eye of faith that can see God’s opportunity in our circumstances and see Him at work in them. Maybe this should be our goal and objective for this new year.
Forward notes: “He answered, ‘And who is he, sir? Tell me, so that I may believe in him.’ Jesus said to him, ‘You have seen him, and the one speaking with you is he.’ He said, ‘Lord, I believe.’ And he worshipped him” (verses 36-38).
“Is there such a thing as spiritual blindness—unable to see God’s work and help even when it is right in front of you?
“You might have heard the story about a man stranded in a flood on his rooftop, waiting for God to come and save him. A boat comes by and offers rescue, and the man responds, ‘No, I am waiting on God to save me.’ A helicopter with a rope hovers. And he says, ‘No, I am waiting for God to save me.’ Eventually, the flood takes him over and he drowns. When the man sees God in heaven, he asks, “Lord, I believed in you, and I waited for you to come and save me. Why didn’t you come?’ God responds, ‘Oh my son, I sent you a boat and a helicopter!’
“When God reveals God’s work to us, let us be keen and ready to see and believe it. God works in mysterious ways—and blatantly obvious ways, too!”
Moving Forward: “Do you suffer from spiritual blindness? How can you open your eyes and more fully recognize God’s work in and around you?”