DID GOD MAKE THE MAN BLIND FOR ALMOST HIS ENTIRE LIFE SIMPLY TO DISPLAY HIS GLORY?

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When the disciples of Jesus asked Him why the man in John chapter 9 verse 1 was born blind He told them it was so that the works of God might be manifested in him.

(John 9:3 KJV) Jesus answered, Neither hath this man sinned, nor his parents: but that the works of God should be made manifest in him.

(John 9:3 NIV) “Neither this man nor his parents sinned,” said Jesus, “but this happened so that the works of God might be displayed in him.

(John 9:3 NLT) “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.

This response by Jesus opened up several different interpretations from scholars who do not agree with the Bible translations above (and many similar translations) as it has serious implications. They say such translations go against the teaching of the scripture as it makes the man’s blindness intentionally brought upon by God, so that he could not see for the better part of his life, simply for the purpose of manifesting the power of God this day. They refer to the teachings of the scripture in Acts 10:38 and Luke 13:16 to show that Jesus ministry was to heal those oppressed by Satan and to destroy the works of the devil and that God the Father is not working in opposition of this ministry by causing men to be blind. A kingdom divided against itself cannot stand.

(Acts 10:38 KJV) How God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Ghost and with power: who went about doing good, and healing all that were oppressed of the devil; for God was with him.

(Luke 13:16 KJV) And ought not this woman, being a daughter of Abraham, whom Satan hath bound, lo, these eighteen years, be loosed from this bond on the sabbath day?

Due to this disagreement in the translations of this verse, some have come up with translations that best fit into their theology. Some of these translations are as follows:
  1. A number of scholars have stated that John 9:3 should be read as a command clause, “But let the works of God be revealed in him." rather than purpose clause, “But this happened so that the works of God might be displayed in him." This translation is inspired by the Greek verb, "hina" in Jesus' sentence which could indicate either purpose or command. A purpose clause indicates why something happened, it shows the intention behind the action. A command clause, on the other hand, issues an order or command. By accepting that it is the command clause that was used in that verse, it means Jesus did not answer the question of His disciples who wanted to know the reason the man was born blind.
  2. Other scholars believe that there should be a comma after verse 3 which connects verse 4 as follows: “Neither did this man sin, nor his parents. But in order that the works of God be revealed in him, we must work the works of him who sent me while it is day.” But this is highly unlikely, for verse 4 is more about working on Sabbath day and not that God's work is revealed only during the day. I will deal with this topic in my subsequent post.
  3. Others say when Jesus says in verse 3, “It was not that this man sinned, or his parents, but that the works of God might be displayed in him,” he means, the result of the blindness is that God was able to use the blindness to show his work, not that he planned the blindness in order to show his work.
In countering some of these objections/ disagreements, I will state that if we say that God did not plan/permit for the man to be blind from birth as stated in the above translations in KJV, NIV, NLT etc, it means we are denying God His sovereignty, omnisciency and declaration as seen in Exodus chapter 4 verse 11.

(Exodus 4:11 KJV) And the LORD said unto him, Who hath made man’s mouth? or who maketh the dumb, or deaf, or the seeing, or the blind? have not I the LORD?

If God foresees and permits a conception that He knows will produce blindness, He has reasons for this permission. Jesus told them that “It was not that this man sinned, or his parents.” rather this blindness came about “in order that that the works of God might be displayed in this man.” In this man's case there is a divine plan for him to be born blind so that the works of God might be displayed to the world in all generations through healing. It is specific to this man in that situation. Sometimes not every blindness is divinely planned that way. Some blindness/ sickness are not in the divine plan of God. Such blindness/ sickness are oppressions of Satan (i.e. those works of the Devil which Jesus came to destroy). Now, from the above, you can see that the divine plan of God the Father does not go contrary to the ministry of His son, Jesus. Not at all. Jesus came to destroy those works of Satan and to heal all that were oppressed of the Devil. He also came so that the works of God might be manifested according to the divine plan of God.

Notice that in this John chapter 9, healing was used to display the works of God to the world while "sustaining grace" was used to display the works of God in 2 Corinthians 12:9-10. In other words, healing, non-healing, suffering etc can all be used by God to display His glory to the world. The blindness is for the glory of God. The thorn in the flesh is for the glory of God.

(2 Corinthians 12:9-10 KJV) And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ’s sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong.

Meanwhile, we need to be careful not to overemphasize the power of Satan/ demons. Many sicknesses are simply caused by living in a dying world and living in the original (Adam's) sin; and there are many instances in the book of Mark of people being healed of diseases with no mention of a demonic influence.

(Mark 1:42, 44 KJV) And as soon as he had spoken, immediately the leprosy departed from him, and he was cleansed. Vs 44 And saith unto him, See thou say nothing to any man: but go thy way, shew thyself to the priest, and offer for thy cleansing those things which Moses commanded, for a testimony unto them.

Whilst it is true that Satan/ demons do inflict diseases and sicknesses, the Bible in Matthew 4:24 makes the distinction between disease and being possessed or oppressed by demons. Scripture distinguishes between ordinary cases of sickness, and other illnesses that are symptomatic of something else.

(Matthew 4:24 KJV) And his fame went throughout all Syria: and they brought unto him all sick people that were taken with divers diseases and torments, and those which were possessed with devils, and those which were lunatick, and those that had the palsy; and he healed them.

In the above verse, Jesus healed both those that were oppressed with devils and those in the divine plan of God to be healed. His ministry has always been in agreement with God's divine plan and this plan could be to manifest the works to God in healing, non healing, grace, favour etc of those born blind, sick, poor, rich, healthy etc.

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