by Reading John 9, not all sickness is a result of sin. However, reading Psalm 32 we see that all sin affects the body. We should question our sickness as the disciples did in John 9. They were not rebuked by Jesus for considering this, but they got the direct answer from Jesus that, “Neither hath this man sinned, nor his parents: but that the works of God should be made manifest in him.” Yet, the blind man in John 9 was not initially saved, neither was he saved because he was physically healed. He trusted Jesus as His Savior as follows:
- The disciples questioned sin causing the man’s blindness (9:1-5)
- Jesus heals the man’s physical blindness (9:6-7)
- The man testified of Jesus to his friends (9:8-12)
- The man testified of Jesus to the Pharisees (9:13-17)
- The man testified of Jesus to his family (9:18-23)
- The man testified of Jesus to the doubters (9:23-34)
- Jesus heals the man’s spiritual blindness (9:35-38)
In spite of this man’s inspiring testimonies of physical healing, he was spiritually blind. He remained lost, until he came to a saving knowledge of Jesus as Savior. By the end of John 9, his blindness was transformed into spiritual sight. Then he could honestly and joyfully “Give God the praise” (9:24). A simple lesson, we can have an inspiring physical testimony with a life full of physical blessings and not be spiritually born-again.
Reading Psalm 32, as a believer David knew without question that he sinned. If we are honest with ourselves, we know when and how we sin against God. Like David, our sin must be dealt with and not covered, that we can “be glad in the Lord, and rejoice, ye righteous: and shout for joy, all ye that are upright in heart.” Then, as the sick man in John 9, we can joyfully “Give God the praise.”
