His disciples asked him, “Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he
was born blind?” “Neither this man nor his parents sinned,” said Jesus, “but
this happened so that the works of God might be displayed in him. As long as
it is day, we must do the works of him who sent me. Night is coming, when
no one can work. While I am in the world, I am the light of the world.”
(John 9: 2-5)
The two things that seem to be most evident in this verse are first, the question of whose sin is to blame for the man’s blindness, and Jesus answers, “Neither,” but his affliction allows the “works of God to be displayed in him.” Don’t we all look for someone or something to blame in times of strife? It seems to make the “bad” things that happen to us easier to bear. Maybe I need to try to see how God is using me to show His works through me even in times of strife.
The second thought I gathered from this scripture is that we should use our “day” to do God’s works. I believe this means that the “day” is actually our life and we should be working for God our whole life long. Then, at the end of our life (in the evening), we will no longer be able to work and can rest.
This reminds me of one of my favorite prayers in The Book of Common Prayer:
O Lord, support us all the day long, until the shadows lengthen, and the evening comes, and the busy work is hushed, and the fever of life is over, and our work is done. Then in thy mercy, grant us a safe lodging, a holy rest, and peace at the last. Amen.
Jeanne Pool-Coppage
(John 9: 2-5)
The two things that seem to be most evident in this verse are first, the question of whose sin is to blame for the man’s blindness, and Jesus answers, “Neither,” but his affliction allows the “works of God to be displayed in him.” Don’t we all look for someone or something to blame in times of strife? It seems to make the “bad” things that happen to us easier to bear. Maybe I need to try to see how God is using me to show His works through me even in times of strife.
The second thought I gathered from this scripture is that we should use our “day” to do God’s works. I believe this means that the “day” is actually our life and we should be working for God our whole life long. Then, at the end of our life (in the evening), we will no longer be able to work and can rest.
This reminds me of one of my favorite prayers in The Book of Common Prayer:
O Lord, support us all the day long, until the shadows lengthen, and the evening comes, and the busy work is hushed, and the fever of life is over, and our work is done. Then in thy mercy, grant us a safe lodging, a holy rest, and peace at the last. Amen.
Jeanne Pool-Coppage
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