“Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?” Jesus answered, “It was not that this man sinned, or his parents, but that the works of God might be made manifest in him.”
Jesus of Nazareth
The Works of God
Theme: Adversity
As he passed by, he saw a man blind from his birth. And his disciples asked him, “Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?” Jesus answered, “It was not that this man sinned, or his parents, but that the works of God might be made manifest in him.”… As he said this, he spat on the ground and made clay of the spittle and anointed the man’s eyes with the clay, saying to him, “Go, wash in the pool of Siloam.” So he went and washed and came back seeing.
Jesus of Nazareth is a cornerstone of spiritual thought, a figure whose influence transcends the boundaries of religious affiliation. Born around 4 BCE in Bethlehem, he is primarily known as the foundational figure of Christianity but also holds a significant role in Islam as a prophet. His life journey, from his humble birth to his baptism by John the Baptist, was marked by a public ministry that centered around themes of love, compassion, forgiveness, and justice. These teachings were accompanied by miraculous events, garnering a community of followers and disciples. His message aimed to shake the foundations of existing religious practices that were rigid and exclusive, offering instead a path rooted in compassion and inclusivity.
The Universal Christ concept enriches our understanding of who Jesus was and is. Especially emphasized in Franciscan traditions and mystical Christianity, this idea posits Jesus as a unique but not isolated manifestation of God's ongoing presence and action in the world. Through this lens, Jesus isn't just a figure confined to a particular time and space; he becomes an enduring representation of divine love and compassion. He serves as a window through which we can understand how God interacts with the world, offering a model for a potential divine-human union that respects the dignity and sacredness of all life forms.
In harmonizing these perspectives, we recognize Jesus both as a historical figure and as a transcendent representation of divine compassion. Whether viewed through the lens of traditional faith narratives or the broader scope of the Universal Christ, Jesus emerges as a teacher who calls us to enact love and compassion in our lives. His teachings, whether seen as divine or profoundly humane, offer a framework for community and interconnectedness that continues to be relevant across different cultures and religious beliefs. In a world often fractured by division and lack of understanding, the multi-faceted legacy of Jesus offers a timeless lesson in the transformative power of compassion.
The Book of John
Wilson, Andrew, editor. World Scripture - a Comparative Anthology of Sacred Texts. Paragon House, 1991, p. 503, [The Book of John 9.1-7].
Jesus of Nazareth
Theme: Adversity
About This Jesus of Nazareth (the Book of John) Quotation [Commentary]
In the passage from the Gospel of John, Jesus of Nazareth addresses a profound question about the nature of adversity and its role in human life. His disciples ask, “Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?” Jesus’ response, “It was not that this man sinned, or his parents, but that the works of God might be made manifest in him,” challenges the prevailing belief that suffering is always a direct result of personal sin. Instead, Jesus reframes adversity, not as a punishment, but as an opportunity for divine work to be revealed. This perspective invites us to see challenges and suffering as occasions for demonstrating faith and experiencing God’s presence.
The context of this passage further illuminates Jesus’ teaching. Upon encountering the blind man, Jesus’ compassionate action—making clay with his saliva, anointing the man’s eyes, and instructing him to wash in the pool of Siloam—culminates in the man’s healing. This miraculous event underscores Jesus’ message that adversity, in this case, blindness from birth, serves a higher purpose. It is through such trials that the transformative power of God can be manifested, showcasing divine love and grace. Jesus emphasizes the importance of viewing life not through the lens of blame and sin, but through a perspective that seeks to understand and reveal God’s loving presence and purpose.
Jesus’ response to his disciples’ query is a powerful reminder that adversity is an inherent part of the human experience. It is not necessarily a result of one’s own or one’s ancestors’ wrongdoing but can be a platform for spiritual growth and the revelation of God’s works. This teaching encourages us to look beyond the surface of our struggles, recognizing them as potential avenues for expressing and experiencing deeper faith, compassion, and divine intervention. Jesus’ actions and words invite us to adopt a viewpoint of love and purpose, seeing adversities as opportunities to manifest God’s work in our lives and the lives of others.
The Book of John 9.1-7
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