“Rabbi,” His disciples asked, “why was this man born blind? Was it because of his own sins or his parents’ sins?” “It was not because of his sins or his parents’ sins,” Jesus answered. “This happened so the power of God could be seen in him.” — John 9:2–3 (NLT)
We all wrestle with the why questions—especially when life doesn’t make sense.
A child is born with a disability. A godly person gets cancer. You lose your job without warning. Your prayers seem to go unanswered.
And like the disciples, we often try to explain suffering by pointing fingers. “Whose fault is this? What did they do wrong? Why would God allow this?”
But Jesus offers a surprising—and deeply hopeful—answer.
“It was not because of his sins or his parents’ sins. This happened so the power of God could be seen in him.”
Not All Suffering Is Punishment
In ancient Jewish thinking, illness or disability was often linked to sin. Many people believed that if something bad happened, someone must have done something wrong. But Jesus refuses that narrative.
He tells us that this man’s blindness was not punishment. It wasn’t the result of personal failure or generational guilt.
Instead, it was an opportunity.
Suffering as a Stage for Glory
Jesus flips the script. The man’s lifelong blindness wasn’t a tragedy to be explained—it was a platform for God’s glory. Later in the chapter, Jesus heals the man, restoring his sight and changing his life forever.
But even before the healing, the man’s condition served a greater purpose: To display God’s mercy, His power, and His heart for the broken.
This doesn’t mean every difficulty ends with a miracle. Sometimes healing is physical. Sometimes it’s emotional or spiritual. Sometimes the “glory of God” is seen in our endurance, our peace in the storm, or our hope in the middle of pain.
When You’re Asking “Why?”
If you’re walking through something hard right now, and you find yourself asking, “Why is this happening?”—you’re not alone. Jesus’ disciples asked the same question.
But maybe a better question is: “How can God’s glory be seen in this?”
It could be through your faith. Through your compassion for others. Through a healing or restoration you never expected. Through your story becoming someone else’s source of strength.
The Blind Man’s Legacy
This man’s healing became one of the most powerful testimonies in the Gospels. Even when the religious leaders tried to discredit Jesus, the man simply said:
“One thing I do know. I was blind but now I see!” (John 9:25)
That’s the kind of testimony people can’t argue with.
Final Thoughts
Sometimes God lets us go through things not because He’s punishing us, but because He wants to reveal Himself to us—and through us.
What if the thing you’re facing is actually setting the stage for a miracle? Or a breakthrough? Or a deeper revelation of God’s love?
Let’s stop assuming that pain is always the result of sin, and start asking, “Lord, how can Your glory be seen in this?”
Because in Christ, no suffering is wasted. And even the darkest seasons can become a canvas for His light.
