I am frequently asked about the story in John, chapter 9, concerning Jesus’ response to the man born blind.
Now as Jesus passed by, He saw a man who was blind from birth. And His disciples asked Him, saying, “Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?” Jesus answered, “Neither this man nor his parents sinned, but that the works of God should be revealed in him. “I must work the works of Him who sent Me while it is day; the night is coming when no one can work.” (John 9:2-4)
This passage can be confusing if we aren’t well grounded in the subject of healing and where sickness came from. Was Jesus saying that God caused this man to be born blind so that Jesus could later heal him? I don’t believe so.
Physical sicknesses, birth defects and deformities are not the work of God, but rather the results of the power of sin in the human race. Death, sickness and physical limitations were not a part of God’s creation. They are a result of sin in the earth. Not necessarily personal sin, but simply the impact of sin within the genetic makeup of men which is passed down through generations.
If blindness and sickness bring glory to God, why was no one glorifying God for this man’s blindness, or for the sicknesses and diseases that were rampant in Israel in Jesus’ day? Why did Jesus heal all who came to Him without exception if these sicknesses were the will of God for His glory? Was Jesus diminishing God’s glory by healing the sick? Or, is it obvious that God was being glorified when healings took place?
Jesus declared that this blindness was not the result of a personal sin or the sin of his parents. Nevertheless, it was an opportunity for the works of God. The work of God was this man’s sight, not his blindness. God was glorified when healing took place, not before.
Every malady in the human race is an opportunity for the works of God. Every manifestation of sin, darkness, corruption, and suffering is a chance to bring healing and deliverance. Rather than assigning blame, Jesus did the work of God.
While it is still day (while grace and faith are available through the body of Christ), we should be about the business of doing the works of God.
Barry, a graduate of Christ for the Nations Institute in Dallas, Texas, has been serving the Lord since 1972. He and his wife, Betty Kay, have served on the mission field in Mexico, Guatemala, and Chile, where they spent almost 12 years before returning to Texas in 2001.
While attending a large Spanish-speaking congregation in Carrollton, Texas, Barry was the director and principal teacher at a Spanish language Bible institute, Instituto Avance, where he served for five years. The Bennetts also spent two and a half years ministering to Cambodian refugees in Dallas, and they have ministered in home groups, churches, and on short-term mission teams.
Barry came to Andrew Wommack Ministries in 2007 and worked in the Phone Center as a prayer minister before accepting a position answering the scriptural and doctrinal questions that would come to AWMI via mail and email. He later became the Dean of Students and is now the Dean of Instructors. Barry is also an instructor at Charis Bible College in Colorado and teaches at domestic and international CBC satellite campuses.
