W I T H C H R I S T
they weren't to blame, what sin had condemned him
to a sightless existence? While he was yet unborn, had
his infant mind conceived of something so horrible
that God had stolen his sight away? Or, as some reli-
gions taught, had he so grievously transgressed in a
previous life that his condemnation carried over to the
present one? The disciples were puzzled and so asked,
"Who sinned? This man or his parents?"
he said, "but this happened so that the work of God
might be displayed in his life" (John 9:3). Then John's
gospel outlines how that happened.
until there was enough mud to spread across the
blind man's eyes. But that was not enough. Jesus
then sent this blind man to stumble a distance of
more than two miles across town to find a specific
pool where he was to wash. In all the gospels no one
had to go through what Jesus put this man through.
The man knew who Jesus was, but little else. Yet
that was enough for him to hope that these would
be the last blind steps he would take. Keep in mind
that up until this moment the blind man knew only
how to beg and that any journey, no matter how
long, was difficult and perilous. He went, and in
going and obeying, received his sight.