We quickly ask "why me?!" when bad things happen to us. And it makes sense, given our finiteness and limited perspective that we would wonder this. Often, we make assumptions about God and about suffering. In this story, Jesus' own disciples, when they happened upon a man who was born blind, asked, "why was this man born blind? Was it because of his own sin, or the sins of his parents?" Their question reveals their assumptions, but Jesus says "neither," and offers a third way. He says that his suffering had meaning and purpose, and that it was mean to "display the work of God in him."
Suffering and trials and hardships have purposes and meaning. What you are going through is not random or a mistake, but has a divine purpose.
ABOUT THIS SERIES: The Gospel of John was written "that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing in Him you may have life in His Name" (John 20.30). The Apostle John, as an eyewitness and close friend of Jesus', desires for us to behold His beauty, love, and glory, and believe in His power and willingness to being forgiveness and life. As we journey through the Gospel of John, we will behold the life, teachings, works, and ministry of Jesus, and will hear straight from Him who He said He is, so that we would more deeply put our hope and trust in the Man who is God.
