QT 03/07/2026 Fri. John 9:1–12 Born Blind, Chosen for Glory 生来失明，蒙拣选得荣耀

QT 03/07/2026 Fri. John 9:1–12 Born Blind, Chosen for Glory
READ: https://www.esv.org/john9:1–12

What if your greatest struggle wasn't a punishment—but a platform for God's glory? In John 9, Jesus meets a man born blind and completely changes the way we think about suffering. Or “Why is this happening to me?" you may ask. Jesus answers that question in a surprising way. These verses may change how you view your own struggles. Let’s unpack them.

Scripture Focus
“It was not that this man sinned, or his parents, but that the works of God might be displayed in him.” (John 9:3, ESV)

Reflection
As Jesus and His disciples encountered a man who had been blind from birth, the disciples immediately asked a theological question: “Who sinned?” They assumed, like many in their culture, that suffering must be the direct result of personal or family sin.

Jesus rejected their assumption. He did not deny that sin has brought brokenness into the world, but He taught that not every hardship can be traced to a specific sin. Instead, He redirected their attention from blame to God's purpose: “That the works of God might be displayed in him.”

What a remarkable perspective. The man's blindness was not meaningless. Though he had lived for years in darkness, God had a greater purpose that would ultimately reveal His glory through Christ.

Many believers wrestle with the same questions today. Why illness? Why loss? Why unanswered prayers? Why suffering that seems undeserved? Jesus does not always explain the reason for our trials, but He assures us that God is at work even in circumstances we do not understand. The Lord can use suffering as a stage upon which His grace, power, mercy, and faithfulness are displayed.

Jesus then declared, “I am the light of the world.” (John 9:5)

The miracle that follows is more than a healing; it is a sign. The man receives physical sight, but John intends us to see a deeper reality. Jesus came to open spiritually blind eyes and bring people into the light of God's truth.

The method Jesus used was unusual. He made mud, placed it on the man's eyes, and instructed him to wash in the Pool of Siloam. The man could have objected or questioned the command. Instead, he obeyed. In simple faith, he went, washed, and came back seeing.

Faith often works this way. We may not understand what God is doing, but we are called to trust and obey His Word. God's methods may surprise us, but His purposes are always good.

The neighbours were astonished by the transformation. Some doubted it was the same man. Yet the formerly blind man simply testified: “I am the man.” (John 9:9)

He did not yet understand everything about Jesus, but he knew what Christ had done for him. Every believer has the same privilege. We may not have answers to every question, but we can testify to the grace and transforming power of Jesus in our lives.

Gospel Connection
The blind man represents every person apart from Christ. We are born spiritually blind and unable to see the glory of God. Jesus, the Light of the World, comes to us in our darkness, opens our eyes, and gives us new life. Salvation is not achieved through human effort but through the gracious work of Christ.

Application

(a) Do not assume that suffering is always the result of specific personal sin. Ask how God might glorify Himself through your circumstances.

(b) Trust God's purposes even when you do not understand them. His wisdom is greater than our perspective.

(c) Walk in obedience to Christ's commands. The blind man received his blessing through obedient faith.

(d) Share your testimony. Like the healed man, tell others what Jesus has done for you.

Prayer

Heavenly Father, thank You that You are at work even in the trials and hardships of life. Help me trust Your wise and loving purposes when I cannot see the whole picture. Open my eyes to behold the glory of Christ, the Light of the World. Use my life, including my struggles, to display Your grace and power. Give me courage to testify to what You have done for me, that others may come to know and worship Jesus. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

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QT 03/07/2026 星期五. 约翰福音9:1–12 生来失明，蒙拣选得荣耀
阅读 https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=john 9%3A1-12&version=CNVS

倘若你最大的挣扎并非一种惩罚，而是彰显神荣耀的舞台呢？在约翰福音第9章中，耶稣遇见了一位生来瞎眼的人，彻底改变了我们对苦难的看法。或许你会问：“为什么这事会发生在我身上？”耶稣以一种令人惊讶的方式回答了这个问题。这些经文可能会改变你看待自身挣扎的方式。让我们来深入探讨。

经文聚焦
“耶稣回答：“不是他犯了罪，也不是他的父母犯了罪，而是要在他身上彰显　神的作为。”（约翰福音 9:3）

反思
当耶稣和门徒遇到一位生来瞎眼的人时，门徒立刻提出了一个神学问题：“是谁犯了罪？”他们像当时许多文化背景中的人一样，认为苦难必定是个人或家庭罪孽的直接结果。

耶稣驳斥了他们的这种假设。祂并未否认罪已将破碎带入世界，但祂教导说，并非每一种苦难都能追溯到具体的罪。相反，祂将他们的注意力从归咎于人转向神的旨意：“为要显明神的作为。”

这是何等非凡的视角！那人的失明并非毫无意义。尽管他多年生活在黑暗中，但神有一个更宏大的旨意，最终要借着基督显明祂的荣耀。

如今，许多信徒都在为同样的问题而挣扎。为什么会有疾病？为什么会有失去？为什么祷告得不到回应？为什么会有看似不该承受的苦难？耶稣并不总是解释我们遭遇试炼的原因，但他向我们保证，即使在我们无法理解的情况下，神仍在做工。主能将苦难化作一个舞台，让他的恩典、能力、怜悯和信实在此彰显。

耶稣随即宣告：“我在世上的时候，是世界的光。” （约翰福音 9:5）

随后发生的奇迹不仅仅是一次医治，更是一个神迹。那人恢复了肉体的视力，但约翰要我们看见更深层的现实。耶稣来是要开启属灵上瞎眼的眼睛，将人带进上帝真理的光中。

耶稣所用的方法不同寻常。祂捏了泥，抹在那人的眼睛上，并吩咐他去西罗亚池里洗一洗。那人本可以抗拒或质疑这命令，但他却顺服了。凭着单纯的信心，他照做，去洗了脸，回来时便能看见了。

信心往往就是这样运作的。我们或许不明白神在做什么，但我们被呼召要信靠并顺服祂的话语。神的方法或许会让我们惊讶，但祂的旨意总是美好的。

邻居们对这番转变感到惊讶。有人怀疑这根本不是同一个人。然而，这位曾经失明的人只是作见证说：“是我。”（约翰福音9:9）

他虽然还不完全明白耶稣的一切，但他知道基督为他做了什么。每位信徒都享有同样的特权。我们或许无法解答每一个问题，但我们可以见证耶稣在我们生命中的恩典与改变生命的大能。

福音关联
那个瞎子代表了所有未信基督的人。我们生来在灵里是瞎眼的，无法看见神的荣耀。耶稣——世上的光——来到我们身处的黑暗中，开启我们的眼睛，赐给我们新生命。得救并非靠人的努力，而是靠基督恩典的工作。

应用

(a) 不要以为苦难总是源于特定的个人罪过。试着思考：神会如何借着你的处境来彰显祂的荣耀？

(b) 即使不明白，也要信靠神的旨意。祂的智慧远超我们的视野。

(c) 遵行基督的命令。那瞎子正是因着顺服的信心才蒙了祝福。

(d) 分享你的见证。像那位得医治的人一样，告诉别人耶稣为你所做的一切。

祷告

天父，感谢祢，即使在生活的试炼与艰难中，祢仍在做工。当我看不清全局时，求祢帮助我信靠祢那智慧且充满慈爱的旨意。求祢开启我的眼睛，使我得见基督——这世界之光——的荣耀。求祢使用我的生命，包括我的挣扎，来彰显祢的恩典与大能。求祢赐我勇气，为祢在我身上所做的一切作见证，使他人也能认识并敬拜耶稣。奉耶稣的名祷告，阿们。