In him
by Pastor Reid Matthias
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‘Neither this man nor his parents sinned,’ said Jesus, ‘but this happened so that the works of God might be displayed in him’ (John 9:3).
Read John 9:1–41
To be completely fair, the disciples’ question to Jesus about why things happen is spoken not from a judgemental standpoint but from one of tradition. ‘Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents?’
That world of action/reaction and deed/consequence is one that a human mind can understand. If you do something wrong, you’re punished; if you do something right, you’re rewarded. Certainly, from the disciples’ perspective, the man’s blindness would make sense if he had done something wrong.
Punishments make sense.
Imagine the freedom the man felt, not simply being healed of blindness but released from the chains of traditional judgement. No longer would he, or his parents, be impugned for supposed sins. No longer would he, or his parents, have to suffer the finger-pointing and the whispering, the long night of condescension and isolation. For this man to hear Jesus’ words, ‘Neither this man nor his parents sinned, but this happened so that the works of God might be displayed in him’, was the ultimate freedom. And not only to see with his eyes but hear with his ears.
‘That the works of God might be displayed in him.’
In him.
The one everyone thought was a sinner or the son of sinners. The one who sat on the side of the road and begged. The one who was considered unworthy. Imagine his total relief to hear that God’s works might be displayed in him.
Perhaps you feel like this man. Are you the one who feels the constant external judgements and hurled insults? You’re not good enough. Someone with your past? Forget about it. You don’t have the answers? You must not have large enough faith.
But the gospel of this Scripture is for you. Even if your journey with Jesus is new and wonderful or confusing. Even if your life has not turned out as you wanted. Even if you can’t quite seem to get a handle on everything. This Scripture is for you. God loves you without reservation, and whatever your past, God’s good works can be displayed in you. You are free in Jesus.
Heavenly Father, in the midst of struggles and pain, help me to hear the good news of your Son, Jesus, so that your good works can be displayed in me. Amen.
Reid Matthias is the school pastor at St Andrews Lutheran College in Tallebudgera, Queensland. Reid is married to Christine, who is part of the Grow Ministries team. Together, they have raised three incredible daughters, Elsa, Josephine and Greta. Dedicated to the written word, Reid has recently published his fourth novel, Blank Spaces, maintains the blog ireid.blogspot.com and regularly contributes to The Lutheran magazine.
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