Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?
- John 9:2
At best it is a silly question. How could a man sin prior to being born? A vindictive kick or punch thrown while in the womb? But it's not merely a silly question. It is worse.
The man is blind. He has never experienced a color, seen a sunset or the face of his mother. And the disciples look for someone to blame. Why do I say it is worse than just a silly question? Because it is a reflection of the way they view God.
These guys have walked, talked, prayed and camped-out with Jesus. They have heard and seen things we can only imagine. Consider just the last few chapters: They have witnessed Jesus set free ("… truly free!") a woman condemned by her sin. They have just seen him become living water to a woman with a parched soul. They were right there when a guy who had never once walked in his 38 years got up and walked at Jesus' word. They basked daily in the glow of The Light of the World, yet their minds were still in a dark fog.
Bottom line: They didn't understand the heart of God.
Scholars call it Retribution Theology; and sadly, we all buy-in at some level. It holds, in short, that God repays us based on our actions. Rewards and punishments are doled out according to "how good" we are. That is damaging - and damning - enough, because it is ANTI-GRACE. To make matters worse, the practical result is that we attempt to jump through hoops to get God's attention and approval. "Look at me… I did so well." And when we fail - whether by tiring of the endless hoops, or just flat failing - an ill-tempered God is all too ready with immediate and direct punishment. The result? A relationship with God that is based on performance, failure and fear. (Not to mention the ugly cover-up of self-righteousness and comparison that results).
That is not the message of Christ. It is not the gospel of grace. It is not the heart of God.
I don't know why the guy was blind. What I do know is that after an application of spit-mud (who knows?) and a quick bath, the man could see! (And that's where the story really gets interesting). We seldom see in the gospel narrative the "after picture" (as in before/after) of the recipient of a Jesus' miracle. But Jesus tracks this formerly blind guy down. And the miracle is completed as the man's heart is changed every bit as much as his eyes.
God has a plan! We may not see it. Frankly, I don't think we could handle it if we were able to see more than a step or two down the path. God has a plan for you! And it is based on his grace and power, not on your performance. That is freeing!
I once heard that a great theologian closed his last lecture by answering a few questions. The final one came from a student who asked, "Dr. Barth, what is the greatest theological insight you've ever had?" The old man stepped toward the door, and reaching for the light switch he answered, "It is this, 'Jesus loves me, this I know. For the Bible tells me so…'" He turned out the lights and left the class in stunned silence… but not darkness.
God, where I am blind, open my eyes to the goodness of your heart.
For now...
D
