WHAT HAPPENED?

John 9: 1 – 12
why is it that whenever we hear of a friends illness, or misfortune, the first thing we do is say; “What happened?, When was this?, or How could God allow this?”.
1 As he went along, he saw a man blind from birth.
2 His disciples asked him, "Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?"
3 "Neither this man nor his parents sinned," said Jesus, "but this happened so that the work of God might be displayed in his life.
It is rare that the first words we is are; “What can I do to help?” We always seem to have the same kind of pop quiz for people as the disciples had for Jesus about the blind guy. We focus on the catastrophe and not the person. Thankfully, Jesus modeled a compassionate response. Rather than speculation and condemnation, He marshaled His resources to help, which in this case meant complete healing. He made it clear that the man’s blindness was intended to provide a moment for God to be magnified through Jesus’ compassionate touch.
4 As long as it is day, we must do the work of him who sent me. Night is coming, when no-one can work.
5 While I am in the world, I am the light of the world."
6 Having said this, he spat on the ground, made some mud with the saliva, and put it on the man’s eyes.
7 "Go," he told him, "wash in the Pool of Siloam" (this word means Sent). So the man went and washed, and came home seeing.
The first response Jesus had to this, or any other persons malady was to act, to heal the problem, not to question why it had happened. If we are to imitate Jesus in our lives, then we must also act and not question why. There will be time for that later when the person we help gives their testimony.
8 His neighbors and those who had formerly seen him begging asked, "Isn’t this the same man who used to sit and beg?"
9 Some claimed that he was. Others said, "No, he only looks like him." But he himself insisted, "I am the man."
10 "How then were your eyes opened?" they demanded.
11 He replied, "The man they call Jesus made some mud and put it on my eyes. He told me to go to Siloam and wash. So I went and washed, and then I could see."
12 "Where is this man?" they asked him. "I don’t know," he said.
Feeling curious about somebody’s problem? Shift into Jesus’ mode and move past the point of curiosity to his or her point of need. Reach out and touch someone’s pain.

Show the compassionate love of Jesus in action.