John 9 finds us in Jerusalem. It's the Sabbath, but we don't know any more exactly than that when the events of the chapter unfold. Today's section goes forward in three stages...

i Suffering

In v1-2, the disciples see a man who had been born blind. In keeping with the thinking of the day, they ask the Lord whether the man sinned in the womb, or whether his parents sinned while his mother was pregnant. They haven't got a handle on the Bible's teaching about suffering at all.

There is a general connection between sin and suffering. If men and women had not fallen into sin, there would be no suffering or death; see Genesis 3:17-19. There can also be a direct link between sin and suffering in the case of an individual, as in 1 Corinthians 11:29-30, for example. But there doesn't have to be, as Luke 12:1-3 shows. Simply by living in a fallen world we participate in suffering. We should have little time for those who preach that Christians should never suffer.

In v3, however, the Lord takes the spotlight off the man and the cause of his blindness, and he puts it firmly on God and his purposes for the man in his blindness. The man's affliction gives God scope to work in his life. Similarly, our afflictions and problems and disasters give God scope to work in our lives.

That's not to say that God will always work so as to deliver us from our trials. But he will always work so as to deliver us in our trials. Paul is an example of that in 2 Corinthians 12:7-9. The Lord did not deliver him from his thorn in the flesh. But he gave him so much grace that he could cope with it. He did not deliver him from his affliction, but he did deliver him in his affliction.

This gives purpose to our sufferings. They give God scope to work in us. He might sort our troubles out. Or he might pour out his grace. We need, therefore, to tear our eyes off ourselves, and to place them on him.

In v4-5, our Lord expresses his determination to work for his heavenly Father. He is about to do so by dispelling the physical - and spiritual - darkness of the man born blind.

ii Sovereignty

In v6-7, the Lord gives sight to the blind man. He uses mud, spit and water to accomplish this great miracle.

This instructs us about the Lord's sovereignty. Mud, spit and water become mighty in His hands! He can use anything to accomplish his purposes. There are many other examples in the Bible of God using unusual servants such as a donkey, a big fish and a boy's packed lunch, to bring his will to pass.

That's encouraging. Our Lord is able to arrange all the atoms which make up the universe into such an order that they all work for our good! He even uses those times when it all seems to go wrong for our blessing.

It's also encouraging because, if the Lord could use mud, spit and water, he can certainly use us! Unfortunately, the majority in churches today don't seem to believe that. Could it be that one reason why we don't see the Lord doing more today is that we don't really expect him to?

iii Surprise

It's extraordinary that we can read passages like John 9:1-12 without batting an eyelid. We get over-familiar with the miracles which the Lord Jesus Christ worked, and they cease to stir us as they should.

But for now, for the first time, this man can see. He sees the road to his house for the first time. He sees his house for the first time. He sees his neighbours for the first time. Can you imagine it? Even if we're not surprised, the man's neighbours are. We see their reaction in v8-12. They are full of questions. "Is it him?" "How's it happened?" "Where is this man, Jesus?"

The thing we need to appreciate is that it all happened because of Christ. Nothing is too hard for Him. He can give sight to the blind. He can unravel the knottiest problem. He can give life to the spiritually dead. He can surprise us!

Do you believe in the Lord Jesus Christ? John 9:1-12 shows us something of his power. Even today he has the power to save all who trust in him.