⏱ 7 min read

• Ever since the days of Adam and Eve, human beings have sought to apportion blame for every predicament that we find ourselves or others in.
• “So this issue right now, na who cause am?” (“who caused this issue?”)
• Let’s glean some insights from the words of Jesus in John 9.

Now as Jesus passed by, He saw a man who was blind from birth. And His disciples asked Him, saying, “Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?”
Jesus answered, “Neither this man nor his parents sinned, but that the works of God should be revealed in him. I must work the works of Him who sent Me while it is day; the night is coming when no one can work. As long as I am in the world, I am the light of the world.” (John 9:1-5).

• It seems the common belief that was held about people who were born with a disability was that they had sinned (either in a pre-existing life or in the womb) or their parents had sinned.
• Aren’t we glad Jesus answered some of these tough questions for us? Jesus said Neither!
• This means personal sin or parental sin is not necessarily involved in the imperfections associated with reproduction.

You see, all our physical, mental, and moral failings are caused by the fall and sin of mankind (Romans 5:12), by Satanic powers (Luke 13:16, Ephesians 2:1-2, Acts 10:38), by continued sin and depravities, by imperfect and undeveloped cells, by accidents, stress, and violation of natural laws amongst others.

Then should not this woman, a daughter of Abraham, whom Satan has kept bound for eighteen long years, be set free on the Sabbath day from what bound her?” (Luke 13:16)

As for you, you were dead in your transgressions and sins, in which you used to live when you followed the ways of this world and of the ruler of the kingdom of the air, the spirit who is now at work in those who are disobedient (Ephesians 2:1-2).

• “but that the works of God should be revealed in him.” Please note that this verse does not in any way mean this was the cause of the man’s condition.
• Jesus is saying that regardless of the cause, these situations present an opportunity for the works of God (in this case healing) to be made manifest.
• And He explained that this is why “I must the works of Him who sent Me while it is day…” Jesus was saying: “I have to go round and correct all these failings.“

• So even though Jesus did not state the cause, we know for certain that God was not the cause; God was the healer or the restorer.
• And Satan has been the cause in many other situations (Matthew 12:22, Acts 10:38, John 10:10, 1 John 3:8).

Then they brought him a demon-possessed man who was blind and mute, and Jesus healed him, so that he could both talk and see (Matthew 12:22).

He who sins is of the devil, for the devil has sinned from the beginning. For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that He might destroy the works of the devil (1 John 3:8).

• One other lesson Jesus suggests to us is that we refrain from quickly apportioning blame and rather seek to work at finding a solution to the problem.
• Jesus is saying that He, as the light of the world, has to work the works of God to overturn the works of the enemy.
• Dear Christian, if we are now the light of the world (Matthew 5:14-16), then it is our duty to work the works of God.

“The Spirit of the Lord is upon Me, because He has anointed Me
To preach the gospel to the poor; He has sent Me to heal the brokenhearted,
To proclaim liberty to the captives And recovery of sight to the blind,
To set at liberty those who are oppressed; (Luke 4:18).

“Most assuredly, I say to you, he who believes in Me, the works that I do he will do also; and greater works than these he will do, because I go to My Father (John 14:12).

• Dear friend, let’s work to spread the good news of the Gospel to the ends of the world, for night is coming when no man can work.
• Let’s work to bring healing to the sick and brokenhearted and liberty to the oppressed!
• This is not for ministers of God (unless your Bible is different); this is for you and I to do.

From today, preach the word, pray for the sick and set the captives free by the power of the Holy Spirit! We don’t have to postpone anything we have to do for God… Don’t say you’ll start later; what you want to do, do it now… Time is not on our side!

We can actually start with the witnessing example of the blind man (after he was healed). The Bible is filled with accounts of people telling what God has done for them; it is our turn now.

"One thing I know: that though I was blind, now I see.” ~ John 9:25

• I call it the radical change story. After repeated questioning by sceptical religious people, the man could only say, “One thing I know: that though I was blind, now I see.”
• Dear friend, the power of the Holy Spirit in Acts 1:8 is to turn us into witnesses (someone who has knowledge of something from observation or experience).
• This also means if we do not become witnesses, then probably we do not have the Holy Spirit nor the power He comes with.

But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.”

• If you had approximately 6-12 words to express what Christ has done for you and can do for others, what would you say?
• I’ll start with just one of mine (yeah, God saved this one from a lot): “I was a porn-addict; now I’m free and saving souls for Jesus!”

May the power of the Holy Spirit be activated in our lives to be witnesses for Jesus in our Jerusalems (eg. Home), Judea (eg. School, hostel, roommates and friends), Samaria (eg. Work) and to the ends of the earth! (eg. social media). Heyy… you’re blessed!