Suffering for the Glory of God

John 9:1–5 ESV

As he passed by, he saw a man blind from 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 displayed in him. We must work the works of him who sent me while it is day; night is coming, when no one can work. As long as I am in the world, I am the light of the world.”

Jesus Saw

The Suffering

John 9:1 ESV

As he passed by, he saw a man blind from birth.

blind from birth—a man, perhaps 20, 30, 40; never able to see; what would that be like?

-Illustration of blind man in Peru reading Braille Bible

Other kinds of suffering:

Heart conditions

Back pain

Kidney failure

Blood clots

Diabetes

Broken bones

Cancer or tumors

Broken relationships

Losing a job

Many, many other kinds of suffering that we experience personally, or we see or hear of others going through. Suffering is a universal problem.

The Wrong Question

John 9:2 ESV

And his disciples asked him, “Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?”

What is the cause of this suffering?

Suffering in general is related to sin in general (Genesis 3), though not every instance of suffering is related to a particular sin.

focus on blame/wrongdoing of others or ourselves

This was the error of Job’s friends too. They said that his suffering was because of a particular sin that he committed.

The Right Question

John 9:3 ESV

Jesus answered, “It was not that this man sinned, or his parents, but that the works of God might be displayed in him.

What is the purpose of this suffering?

Focus on God’s good goals and purposes for us as his children

God gets glory through our suffering (John 11:3-4)

John 11:3–4 ESV

So the sisters sent to him, saying, “Lord, he whom you love is ill.” But when Jesus heard it he said, “This illness does not lead to death. It is for the glory of God, so that the Son of God may be glorified through it.”

God grows our faith through our suffering (John 11:15)

John 11:15 ESV

and for your sake I am glad that I was not there, so that you may believe. But let us go to him.”

God teaches us to humble ourselves and rely on him through our suffering (2 Corinthians 12:9-10)

2 Corinthians 12:9–10 ESV

But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me. For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong.

God gets our attention through our suffering (Job 36:15, Psalm 119:67 & 71)

Job 36:15 ESV

He delivers the afflicted by their affliction and opens their ear by adversity.

Psalm 119:67 ESV

Before I was afflicted I went astray, but now I keep your word.

Psalm 119:71 ESV

It is good for me that I was afflicted, that I might learn your statutes.

God makes us more like Christ (makes us holy) through our suffering (Hebrews 12:10-11)

Hebrews 12:10–11 ESV

For they disciplined us for a short time as it seemed best to them, but he disciplines us for our good, that we may share his holiness. For the moment all discipline seems painful rather than pleasant, but later it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it.

God demonstrates his love for us through our suffering (Hebrews 12:6-8)

Hebrews 12:6–8 ESV

For the Lord disciplines the one he loves, and chastises every son whom he receives.” It is for discipline that you have to endure. God is treating you as sons. For what son is there whom his father does not discipline? If you are left without discipline, in which all have participated, then you are illegitimate children and not sons.

John 11:5–6 ESV

Now Jesus loved Martha and her sister and Lazarus. So, when he heard that Lazarus was ill, he stayed two days longer in the place where he was.

One other purpose God has in our suffering is to cause our hearts to long for the day when he will make all things new

Revelation 21:1–5 ESV

Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and the sea was no more. And I saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Behold, the dwelling place of God is with man. He will dwell with them, and they will be his people, and God himself will be with them as their God. He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away.” And he who was seated on the throne said, “Behold, I am making all things new.” Also he said, “Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true.”

God reminds us of Christ’s suffering on the cross for us (John 9:4; Isaiah 53:4-6)

Our hope for a future pain-free, suffering-free world is only because Jesus suffered in our place.

John 9:4 ESV

We must work the works of him who sent me while it is day; night is coming, when no one can work.

At the death of Christ, people also assumed it was because of his own sins

Isaiah 53:4 ESV

Surely he has borne our griefs and carried our sorrows; yet we esteemed him stricken, smitten by God, and afflicted.

But Jesus suffered for our sins, not his own (he had none!)

Isaiah 53:5 ESV

But he was pierced for our transgressions; he was crushed for our iniquities; upon him was the chastisement that brought us peace, and with his wounds we are healed.

The only one who never deserved to suffer, suffered in our place so that we could be healed — body, soul, and spirit, forever.

Our Suffering and the Suffering of Others

(especially children)

Covid pandemic (disease, death, hospitalizations, lockdowns, masks, canceled flights, vaccinations, political corruption and unrest)

-Focus not on the cause but on God’s purpose (God is in control and has good purposes)

-not who or what is to blame, but what good is God bringing out of this?

Our family’s (2+ week) sickness

God sometimes removes suffering (John 9); other times he doesn’t (Paul’s thorn in 2 Cor. 12)

The best thing God can do in our suffering is not to remove it, but to draw our attention to him, to help us to trust him and worship him even in the midst of our suffering.

In this case, Jesus did remove this man’s suffering—but he did something even better than giving him physical sight; he gave him spiritual sight as well, and this man worshiped Jesus (John 9:38)

John 9:38 ESV

He said, “Lord, I believe,” and he worshiped him.

Application:

· ‌Trust that God has good purposes in your suffering.

· ‌Ask the right question about your suffering and the suffering of others

· ‌Remember Christ’s suffering for you on the cross

· Thank God for the hope you have of perfect health and wellbeing in his presence forever because of Christ.