From Blindness to Glory: How Jesus Transforms Suffering into Divine Purpose
John 9:16
Some of the Pharisees said, "This man [Jesus] is not from God, for he does not keep the Sabbath." But others said, "How can a man who is a sinner do such signs?" And there was a division among them.
In John 9:16, the Pharisees are divided over Jesus’ identity because of their differing interpretations of his actions. Some focus on his apparent violation of Sabbath laws (healing on the Sabbath, seen as work), concluding therefore that he cannot be from God. Others are struck by the miraculous signs he performs, questioning how a sinner could wield such divine power. Jesus has healed the blind eyes of a man who was born blind. And the question is raised as to whether the affliction was caused by the man's sin or his parent's sin since he was born blind. The scripture tells us Jesus attributes the affliction to God having arranged the blindness for this moment and for his glory.
The Bible does not explicitly state that a fetus can commit personal sin. Sin, in Christian theology, is often understood as a willful act of disobedience against God’s law (1 John 3:4), it's rebellion. And yet there were rabbinic teachers who did claim that a child in the womb is able to commit sin. And at the same time there were Rabbinic teachers who taught the Platonic idea that the souls of people have their origins in a preexisting spirit state. And we see this teaching even now. Some esoteric or non-traditional Christian groups, as well as other religions, propose pre-existence or reincarnation. For instance, Mormon theology suggests spirits exist in a pre-mortal state before earthly life. As well as Hinduism and Buddhism which teach cycles of rebirth, where souls have prior existences. The idea of pre-existent spiritual beings could imply that our actions in a prior state could affect our current life (e.g., karma or pre-mortal sin). In John 9, the disciples ask if a man’s blindness is due to his own sin or his parents’ (John 9:2), possibly hinting at pre-existent sin (though Jesus rejects this cause-and-effect link). Jesus challenges such cause-and-effect assumptions, saying the man’s blindness was not due to sin but "so that the works of God might be displayed" (John 9:3). This suggests God’s purposes may transcend simplistic causal links between sin and suffering.
This idea that God has prearranged these events is troubling to many. They'll say things like, "my God isn’t going to cause a child to be born blind and have to suffer that fate just for this event to take place." That doesn't seem fair or right. How can a loving and caring God subject that person to such a difficult time from birth?
Reflecting on John chapter 9 and this miraculous healing of the blind man is prime for a multitude of revelations and introspective philosophical questions. A chapter like this one could yield many volumes of devotions about the things people believe about spiritual life. But I'm not interested in writing a study on all the various perspectives people have about the spirit realm. Instead, I'd rather focus on what Jesus focused on. In fact, I think the tendency is all too often to get lost in all the controversy surrounding these things. And I think the source of all those concerns is probably grounded in the Antichrist spirits. Confusion feeds their purposes. The more spiritual perspectives that get their fifteen minutes of fame, the happier Satan is.
So, are we purely physical beings given spiritual life by God, or do we carry a deeper, eternal essence?
I think the question is misdirected. We're looking to link our fleshy existence to the spirit realm, and to find a purpose in all of this. And we see the man’s years of blindness as unjust, but Jesus sees the eternal impact of his healing, both for the man and for those who witness it. I find it interesting that the man himself doesn’t express resentment; instead, he boldly testifies to Jesus’ power (John 9:25: "One thing I do know. I was blind but now I see!" ). He's not insisting upon having his born blind perspective become a purpose for holding a grudge against God or his parents. He's just happy that he met Jesus. And he's hardly concerned at all about how Jesus did what he did. He's just thankful for the healing he was given.
So, what was Jesus' perspective?
In John 9, Jesus doesn’t engage with speculative questions about pre-existent souls, reincarnation, or the origins of the man’s spirit. Instead, he focuses on the present reality: the man’s condition (blindness) and God’s power to transform it (healing). This suggests that Jesus is less concerned with metaphysical debates about our essence and more focused on our relationship with God in the here and now. John 10:10, shortly after this event, captures Jesus’ priority:
"I have come that they may have life and have it to the full."
Our essence, whether physical, spiritual, or both, finds its purpose in communion with God.
So how does this event express God giving life so that people will have an abundant life? How can suffering blindness from birth express that?
Well, I think Jesus answered that. And the apostles also understood this idea. In Ephesians 2:10 it says,
"We are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do."
Our "eternal essence" is less about where we came from and more about where God is leading us.
I heard a story one time about a group of bible students who were studying about God being like a silver refining smith. Inspired by
Malachi 3:3, which says,
"He will sit as a refiner and purifier of silver; he will purify the sons of Levi and refine them like gold and silver"
One of the students wanted to learn more about this idea of refining silver. So, she volunteered to visit a silversmith to learn about the refining process. She observed the silversmith sitting and holding silver in the hottest part of the fire to burn away impurities. Speaking with the silversmith she learned about why he must sit and watch the silver. He explained that he had to watch the silver constantly, as leaving it in the fire too long could destroy it. When she asked how he knew the silver was fully refined, he replied, "It’s done when I can see my image in it." The woman realized this reflected God’s character: He allows trials (the "fire" ) to purify us, carefully watching to ensure we’re not overwhelmed, until His image is reflected in us.
Do you think the man born blind, after his encounter with Jesus, would still regret his lifetime of blindness?
In John 9, the man born blind undergoes a profound transformation. Born blind, he likely faced a lifetime of hardships; social isolation, dependence on others, and possibly stigma, as the disciples’ question (John 9:2, "Who sinned, this man or his parents?" ) suggests people linked his condition to sin. Yet, after Jesus heals him by making mud, anointing his eyes, and sending him to wash in the Pool of Siloam (John 9:6–7), the man’s life changes dramatically. I wonder if he would still wish that he had a different childhood, a different young adulthood, and a different life now. Maybe. Maybe from his perspective he's incapable of letting go of that past life and all he suffered.
Think about the people that Jesus encountered. The Samaritan woman at the well who found new life and hope in the Messiah. Think about the tormented demon possessed man who was filled with a legion of demonic spirits. The man who spent his life harming himself and any who came near him. The Devils caused him to live alone in the mountains among the graves, and in torment. And yet, he went away professing the glory of God and telling everyone he could about the man Jesus who saved him. Do you think these people regret their past lives? Maybe.
Despite interrogation and expulsion by the Pharisees (John 9:34), the formerly blind man courageously defends Jesus, declaring, "One thing I do know. I was blind but now I see!" (John 9:25). His confidence reflects newfound purpose and conviction. He's whole, he's confident, and he's bold. He's not a victim of circumstance, he's a hero.
Jesus frames the man’s blindness as an opportunity for God’s works to be displayed (John 9:3), not as a punishment. The man’s suffering, while real, serves a divine purpose, leading to both physical restoration and eternal significance. His former blindness can be seen as the "fire", a lifelong trial that, under God’s sovereign care, shaped him for a moment of divine revelation.
If you knew that God was going to use your suffering in order to serve his higher purpose, would you voluntarily accept that suffering?
Think about that for a minute.
The man’s encounter with Jesus doesn’t just restore his sight; it gives him a new identity and purpose. His worship (John 9:38) indicates a relationship with God that transcends his physical healing.
Would having that relationship with God make it worth the trouble for you?
From an eternal perspective, his blindness led to an encounter with the Son of God, securing his faith and testimony. As Romans 8:18 suggests,
"Our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us."
Likely, the man's new life in Christ outweighed any regret, much like refined silver doesn’t "mourn" that the fire purified it.
Philippians 1:29 says,
"It has been granted to you on behalf of Christ not only to believe in him, but also to suffer for him,"
Suggesting suffering for God’s sake can be a privilege, not a cause for regret. The NOT blind man may have had moments of pain recalling his years of blindness, as suffering leaves real scars. Yet, Jesus’ personal engagement with him (John 9:35–38, seeking him out after his expulsion) shows God’s care for his emotional and spiritual needs. He's wiser now, more refined in his ability to cope and to appreciate the simple things. He's confident because he's not alone. He's bold because he's not alone. He's got the words of wisdom because he's not alone. For the man, "seeing" Jesus and reflecting His light through faith was the ultimate outcome. Everything else is history. What's important now is Jesus.
Back to the question:
Would the man born blind regret his lifetime of blindness after encountering Jesus?
Based on John 9 and the silversmith analogy, it’s unlikely he would dwell on regret. His physical healing, spiritual awakening, and role as a witness to God’s glory gave his suffering profound meaning, resulting in a life that reflected Jesus’ image through faith and testimony. The man’s transformation shows that God’s refining, though painful, is loving and purposeful, producing lives that reflect His glory.
Reflect on this:
Do you hold onto regret for past suffering, or can you see it as part of God’s refining process, like the man born blind?