John 9:2

Jesus disciples are with him. Seeing the blind man as well, they ask, “Teacher, who’s sin made this man blind from birth—his own or his parents’ sins?”  John 9:2 EFP 

What an odd question! I can’t imagine many people who would ask such a question out loud. I can imagine someone asking, “What happened to him?” or How did this condition develop?” or even “Was this a genetic flaw or do you think something went wrong during pregnancy?” In today’s world it is common to blame the doctor for anything that goes wrong during pregnancy or delivery. But in those days it is God who is responsible for everything. According t their worldview, God gives blessings and metes out judgment based on a person’s behavior.

The rich, the healthy, the people of status and influence—these are the favored of God because they are good people. The opposite is also true. The poor, the sickly, the marginalized—these are cursed due to their questionable lineage or shady personal behavior. So it seems almost appropriate to ask such a question…to a degree.

After all, how do you blame a child for causing his condition? What sin could a child not yet born commit that would warrant such retribution that would condemn him to a life of misery and disdain? It seems so far-fetched even in those days. Yet, in moments of introspection, can I identify moments when I pass judgment on people who live on the fringes of society. I blame them for their condition. I judge them for not applying themselves to do something with their lives. Perhaps it might even be warranted in some cases, but I do not know, because I do not know the person. Perhaps I am not as sophisticated as I think. Lord, let me begin with compassion, not judgment when seeing people who are suffering situations that may or may not be of their own making!