Questions on suffering can never be fully answered with only words. By reading and meditating on God's revelation in the Bible, we can but try to alleviate our pain and that of others around us.
Suffering came into this world as a result of man's sin. In that sense, all the suffering that we see is a result of sin. However, the question is usually person specific - of why one person is suffering more than another person, leading to a false dichotomy: 'Either the suffering is because of sin, and the person concerned deserved it because it is their fault, OR the suffering is not because of sin, and the person concerned didn't deserve it, in that case, it is God's fault'. Thus, often the question of suffering is not general and philosophical, but anecdotal and specific to the life of one person. If we are considering it anecdotally, let us see the entire anecdote carefully. In ancient Israel, it was commonly believed in the time of Jesus that any suffering is due to that person's sin. With that assumption, the disciples ask this question to Jesus. Let's read the conversation.
John 9: 1-7, 36-41 Now as Jesus was passing by, He saw a man blind from birth, and His disciples asked Him, “Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?” Jesus answered, “Neither this man nor his parents sinned, but this happened so that the works of God would be displayed in him. While it is daytime, 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.” When Jesus had said this, He spit on the ground, made some mud, and applied it to the man’s eyes. Then He told him, “Go, wash in the Pool of Siloam” (which means “Sent”). So the man went and washed, and came back seeing.
Let us analyze the situation of the blind man, a little.
The blind man is sitting in a place where people pass by. He is on display. He is a beggar. He is dependant on others for most of his life. He probably was taunted, insulted, and abused on a regular basis. People don't know his personality, they don't even seem to remember his face, even after passing by him regularly.
He had to listen to the cruel discussion of the disciples of why he was born blind. People who had no idea about his life had no problem judging him, and suggesting that he could have been BORN blind because of his sin. What were they thinking!?
If you read the rest of the chapter, it is clear that his parents don't seem too thrilled with his healing, and they even abandon him at the first sight of a problem.
If reincarnation was true and effective, and if in the previous birth this guy was a Hitler, then maybe this was well deserved. We do not believe in reincarnations, and Jesus clearly states that this blindness is not because of his sin. In that case, some may feel that it is cruel for God to have forced this much suffering on that man. They might feel that God stripped his life of any joy and comfort, personality and purpose, and love from family and society. If all this is just for the works of God to be displayed, what sort of a God is He? Let us continue reading.
When Jesus heard that they had thrown him out, He found the man and said, “Do you believe in the Son of Man?” “Who is He, Sir?” he replied. “Tell me so that I may believe in Him.” “You have already seen Him,” Jesus answered. “He is the One speaking with you.” “Lord, I believe,” he said. And he worshiped Jesus. Then Jesus declared, “For judgment I have come into this world, so that the blind may see and those who see may become blind.” Some of the Pharisees who were with Him heard this, and they asked Him, “Are we blind too?” “If you were blind,” Jesus replied, “you would not be guilty of sin. But since you claim you can see, your guilt remains.” (link to the whole chapter)
Let us set aside for a while, the thought that the suffering was huge, and whether it was undeserved, or uncompassionate. Now let us analyze the situation in terms of what Jesus did:
When no one seemed to have bothered, Jesus saw him. In many other miracles, it is those who need healing who call out to Jesus. In this case, Jesus sees Him.
One of his biggest problems probably was that the whole society he belonged to, condemned him as a sinner, and his curse as generational. Jesus strikes those judgments away. Jesus, the eternal Judge, the Rabbi whom everyone revered, had declared, that his blindness was not because of sin. It doesn't really matter now what society thinks.
We fail to remember that eyesight is of no use in the darkness, no use of it without light. Jesus declares that He is the light.
Jesus heals him!
Even after the healing, Jesus continues to care about what happened to him. When his parents ran away, when he was left alone to fend for himself, Jesus cared.
After the altercation with the Pharisees, Jesus goes and finds him. Remember here, Jesus, the King of Kings, the Lord of all, is going in search of a beggar, to talk to him.
Jesus reveals Himself to him. How many of us would love to have God reveal Himself on such a personal basis to us. The Lord who walked in the garden of Eden in the cool of the day, the Lord who wants to commune with us, walked that day just to see and talk to this guy. Oh, what blessing!
And, for this blind guy, Jesus chose to suffer humiliation, carry the cross, bleed to death, and resurrect on the third day. Jesus saves him.
All this did require the step of faith and obedience by this guy. And, his eyes were truly opened. Did you notice, after all the fuss we make of 'that suffering being cruel' or such, the moment that guy knew who Jesus was, all he did was bow down and worship? Funny, that many of us quote his suffering and question God.
I am sure this article doesn't give clear answers to the question of suffering. These are just thoughts to think about if the questioner is open to it. If the question is truly an honest, and open question to God (like in the case of disciples), I am sure He will answer, in His time. He will unveil our eyes and our blindness with regard to His sovereignty and His love. But, if we claim to know the answer, if we sit on judgment of God, and if we have already made up our mind that God is at fault, read again his reply to the Pharisees.
Link to the previous article: Why have You brought me to this?
Link to the next article: God, why do You target me?
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