Seeing & Seeking Understanding

As Jesus was walking along, he saw a man who had been blind from birth.  “Rabbi,” his disciples asked him, “why was this man born blind? Was it because of his own sins or his parents’ sins?”

“It was not because of his sins or his parents’ sins,” Jesus answered. “This happened so the power of God could be seen in him.” John 9:1-3

I read a passage from a pastor offering two perspectives.  He noted a comment made by an African American author, James Baldwin, which said, “To be black and conscious in America is to be in a constant state of rage.”  He then followed up with scripture saying, “Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 4:7)  I was fascinated by this, and thus, circled back to him to ask what he was trying to say.  I’m sure he thought I was trying to start a fight, which I was not.  With that being said, he might not have understood what James Baldwin meant.  Baldwin spoke during a time of oppression, and today, many African Americans still feel some level of this.  This rage is not in the sense of lashing out or destructive.  It is the form of hurt, pain, and frustration with the struggles of inequality, and is often hidden.  Despite this, the overwhelming majority like me live fully productive lives with the inner peace Paul spoke of.  The two thus coexist.  It’s a perspective that if heard the right way can help one understand and grow further to help other brothers in Christ.

God often places us in circumstances so that we can grow in our faith.  I have read today’s verses multiple times.  I always focused on the miracle.  However, I recently read a different perspective on this.  The beauty of Jesus’s teaching here was twofold.  First, He wanted to show God’s work in the blind man.  This went beyond just giving him sight.  It also spoke to the man’s appreciation for what God did for him.  Second, it was for the disciples themselves to see the suffering of others as opportunities to help and grow in understanding Christ.  Jesus gave them the courage to believe they could truly do things that others would say couldn’t be done.  This would come to fruition after Christ ascended to Heaven.  Peter would later heal a lame man saying, “I don’t have any silver or gold for you. But I’ll give you what I have. In the name of Jesus Christ the Nazarene, get up and walk!” (Acts 3:6b)  As Christians, we should always seek understanding of others.  If we come solely from a place of condemnation, we run the risk of misinterpreting what one is saying.  Furthermore if we are too passive, we lose opportunity to share who Jesus Christ is all about.

Being a follower of Christ can be a balancing act.  We are to be strong advocates for Him and His word.  We are also to be compassionate and understanding showing grace as Christ showed us.  I spoke of the struggle we have with sin a week or so ago.  The struggle here is about discerning what is the right amount to apply of both scripture and understanding.  How much understanding must I show versus what word of God I must deliver?  Well, that is what spiritual growth is all about, isn’t it?  Let us be willing to endure the growing pains of learning to be more Christ-like not only to others but also within ourselves.  Whose perspective do you find difficult to understand?  What situations must you better balance God’s word with His heart?  My prayer is that like the blind man we can open our eyes to better see and like the disciples seek understanding.  Amen.