Who sinned? (John 9:1-23) 210307
When I was reading today’s passage over again, I can’t help, but be drawn to this question asked by Jesus’ disciples, "Who sinned, this man of his parents, that he should be born blind?" (v2) To me, this is a very tough question to answer.
Yesterday, we were discussing about the theology of God in class, and we were challenged as theological student to really think for ourselves, who is God to us, when we are in suffering and in pain. My heart was overwhelmed with pain and tears welled up, just short of rolling down my cheeks. When ever this issue of pain and suffering is raised up, my memories will be automatically searched and played back the moment my wife and I lost our first child while still in pregnancy. I remembered as much as I put up a front to comfort my wife, and rationalize that we can still have more children in the future, my heart was crying out badly. I remembered that evening when I when home, I could not help but kneel before God and confessed all my sins, all known and unknown sins. I asked God, was it my sins that has took my child away? Who sinned? I wanted an answer! I was very upset with God! I had just quited my job, put aside my career, and entered into full-time serving God, why this thing have to happen to me and my wife?
I still have no answer, but I have to trust God. He is sovereign. All I know is that I have become more compassionate to people who have lost their love ones, I have become more able to empathize with people who are in suffering, and I understand my weakness more before God. Maybe this is what God has for me, I don’t know, but God knows the best. I think this song gives a good summary of what is in my heart.
I don’t know about tomorrow,
I just live from day to day;
I don’t borrow from its sunshine,
For its sky may turn to gray;
I don’t worry o’er the future
For I know what Jesus said,
And today I’ll walk beside Him,
For He knows what is ahead.
Many things about tomorrow
I don’t seem to understand;
But I know who holds tomorrow,
And I know who holds my hand.
Every step is getting brighter
As the golden stairs I climb;
Every burden’s getting lighter,
Every cloud is silver lined.
There the sun is always shining,
There no tear will dim the eye;
At the ending of the rainbow,
Where the mountains touch the sky.
Many things about tomorrow
I don’t seem to understand;
But I know who holds tomorrow,
And I know who holds my hand.
I don’t know about tomorrow,
It may bring me poverty;
But the one who feeds the sparrow
Is the one who stands by me;
And the path that be my portion,
May be thru the flame or flood,
But His presence goes before me,
And I’m covered with His blood.
Many things about tomorrow
I don’t seem to understand;
But I know who holds tomorrow,
And I know who holds my hand.
Lord, indeed, we do not know about tomorrow, we do not know why we suffered, we don’t even know whose sins had cause suffering and pain in our life. We do not want to blame ourselves or others, but help us to know You who holds tomorrow and You who holds my hand to walk through all pains and suffering.
