Sight Beyond Suffering

Introduction

I've only known a few people who were completely blind. One was John Covici, a man in our church. I remember visiting him one evening. As we talked, the room grew darker and darker. Finally, it dawned on me: John didn't notice. He lived in darkness, and it was normal to him. 'John,' I asked, 'can I turn on a light?' He apologized, and we lit the room. It was then I realized he probably lived without lights at night. Another blind man I knew, a former pastor, knew every inch of his massive church building, even the light switches. I can only imagine what it's like—a world of constant darkness. You can hear, feel, and smell but never see the sunrise, a loved one's face, or the beauty of creation. That was the reality for the man in John 9. And just like John lived in physical darkness, we all sometimes live in a kind of spiritual darkness, struggling to understand why we suffer, wondering if there's any purpose in our pain. But his story isn't just about physical sight, it's about a deeper kind of seeing. Our theme today is 'Sight Beyond Suffering,' and our purpose is to discover how...

Jesus can turn our 'blindness'—those struggles that leave us in the dark—into 'sight'—understanding and purpose.

In John 9, we see how Jesus, the light of the world, addresses the very real darkness of a man born blind. And that brings us to our first point: 'Seeing What Jesus Sees.'Let's turn to John 9, verses 1 through 3...

Seeing What Jesus Sees

(John 9:1-3)

John 9:1–3 KJV 1900

1 And as Jesus passed by, he saw a man which was blind from his birth. 2 And his disciples asked him, saying, Master, who did sin, this man, or his parents, that he was born blind? 3 Jesus answered, Neither hath this man sinned, nor his parents: but that the works of God should be made manifest in him.

Our theme today is "Sight Beyond Suffering"—how Jesus turns our blindness, those struggles that leave us in the dark, into sight, a place of understanding and purpose. Let’s dive into John 9 and see what Jesus sees in this blind man’s story.

Man’s Way: We Focus on Blame

We, as people, have a strong tendency to always see the negative.

The disciples see a man blind from birth, and their question cuts to an old, familiar ache:

John 9:2 KJV 1900

2 And his disciples asked him, saying, Master, who did sin, this man, or his parents, that he was born blind?

It’s a question we all ask when we are face with suffering and hurt—why me? Who’s at fault? They’re echoing a common belief of their day, shaped by their culture and some misunderstood Old Testament teachings, like Exodus 20:5, where God says

Exodus 20:5 KJV 1900

5 Thou shalt not bow down thyself to them, nor serve them: for I the Lord thy God am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children unto the third and fourth generation of them that hate me;

The Pharisees and Sadducees debated this, wondering if suffering always meant someone sinned.

But notice—it’s all about us. Their question isn’t really about the blind man; it’s about how suffering makes them feel. How come we have to hurt? Why does life seem unfair? Too often, we’re like them—stuck staring at our side of the story, missing God’s.

The Divine View: Jesus Sees Purpose

Now look at verse 1:

John 9:1 KJV 1900

1 And as Jesus passed by, he saw a man which was blind from his birth.

Jesus saw him. Not just a glance—He knew him, his condition, his years begging by the roadside.

John’s Gospel records this as one of seven miracles, each showing Jesus is God. How did the disciples know he was blind from birth? Maybe Jesus told them, maybe the man did—but the text doesn’t say. What it does say is clear: Jesus saw what others didn’t.

While the disciples debate blame, Jesus shifts the lens.

John 9:3 KJV 1900

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

This isn’t about denying sin’s role in the world—

Romans 3:23 KJV 1900

23 For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;

Genesis 3 shows the curse brings pain. But here, Jesus says..

This man’s blindness isn’t punishment—it’s a platform. Not sin, but God’s glory.

Where we see a problem, Jesus sees a purpose.

Our Response: Trust God to Reveal His Glory

So how does this help us today? Suffering hits us all—believer or not. And Jesus’ perspective changes everything.

If you are unbeliever you may be rejecting Him because, in your opinion, the pain feels like proof He doesn’t care—hear this: Jesus sees you. He knows your darkness, just like He knew this man’s.

Your suffering isn’t God ignoring you—it might be where you meet Him.

Ask yourself: “Could my pain be the doorway to the One who knows me fully?” Jesus offers you sight—spiritual freedom, eternal life.

And believers, we’re not immune. We over analyze too—“Who sinned?”—as if suffering’s all about us. But God allows it, sometimes from our sin, sometimes from the curse. Either way, it’s a chance for His glory. Picture a man losing his job, praying, “Lord, use this,” and finding others lean on his faith. That’s sight beyond suffering. So don’t just beg God to fix it—trust Him. Pray, “Lord, how can this glorify You?” He might heal you. He might help you endure. Either way, you become His witness.

Now that we’ve seen how Jesus shifts our perspective from blame to purpose in the blind man’s suffering, let’s explore how He doesn’t just stop at seeing—he acts, revealing God’s glory through compassionate intervention.

Responding with Jesus' Action

John 9:1–6 KJV 1900

1 And as Jesus passed by, he saw a man which was blind from his birth. 2 And his disciples asked him, saying, Master, who did sin, this man, or his parents, that he was born blind? 3 Jesus answered, Neither hath this man sinned, nor his parents: but that the works of God should be made manifest in him. 4 I must work the works of him that sent me, while it is day: the night cometh, when no man can work. 5 As long as I am in the world, I am the light of the world. 6 When he had thus spoken, he spat on the ground, and made clay of the spittle, and he anointed the eyes of the blind man with the clay,

God's Purpose Revealed

Scripture echoes one unshakable truth:

Everything—every moment, every struggle—exists to glorify God.

Jesus lived this truth, saying in verse 4, “I must work the works of him that sent me, while it is day: the night cometh, when no man can work.” He wasn’t just passing time—He was on a mission from the Father. Verse 5 drives it home: “As long as I am in the world, I am the light of the world.” From creation’s first light to the eternal Kingdom, God’s purpose unfolds, and at its heart is His glory.

But here’s where it gets real:

Jesus didn’t come to punish; He came to redeem.

Yes, God judges—sin’s curse from Genesis 3 plunged us into suffering. Yet, Christ steps into that darkness not to condemn us further, but to save what was lost. The blind man’s suffering, harsh as it was, had purpose. What purpose? As Jesus said in verse 3, “that the works of God should be made manifest in him.” This flips our view of pain upside down. It’s not just a problem—it’s a platform for God’s power. We need to shift our focus from “Why me?” to “What’s God doing here?”

Divine Intervention Initiated

Jesus didn’t just see the blind man and walk away. Look at verse 6: “He spat on the ground, and made clay of the spittle, and he anointed the eyes of the blind man with the clay.” The God who shaped man from dust now uses clay again, not just to create, but to heal. This is compassion in action—a Savior who steps into suffering with love and mercy. I think of Darlene, a wonderful lady here in our church and Melvins’ wife, who battled cancer. During her entire fight with cancer, she could’ve despaired. Instead, she used her suffering as an opportunity to be a great witness to others, pointing them to Jesus. Her pain became a light—and that’s God at work.

Scripture says it best:

Philippians 2:5–11 KJV 1900

5 Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: 6 Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: 7 But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: 8 And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross. 9 Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name: 10 That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; 11 And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

That’s my God! He didn’t stay distant, ignoring our plight. He came down, faced the cross, and turned our condemnation into rescue.

For unbelievers, this means your suffering isn’t the end—Jesus is reaching out, offering light. Trust Him today. For believers, it’s a call to act in faith, letting your trials shine His glory—like Darlene did. He’s already done the work; now He invites our response. And as we’ll see next, that response starts with a step of obedience.

Having seen Jesus act with compassion to initiate healing, we now turn to the blind man’s response—because God’s work invites our obedience, and that step transforms suffering into sight.

Stepping into Redemptive Sight

(John 9:7)

John 9:7 KJV 1900

7 And said unto him, Go, wash in the pool of Siloam, (which is by interpretation, Sent.) He went his way therefore, and washed, and came seeing.

This past Wednesday, we studied how God’s Word calls us to read, receive, and respond. The blind man’s healing shows this perfectly. Jesus, the Light of the World, made clay, anointed his eyes, then gave a command: “Go, wash in the pool of Siloam.” The man obeyed—no debate, no shortcuts. He went, washed, and came seeing.

Here’s the key:

Obedience unlocks change.

What if he’d grabbed a pail instead? He’d have stayed blind.

True redemption comes when we follow Christ’s way fully.

His journey—born blind, seen by Jesus, touched, instructed, obedient, healed—mirrors how God brings spiritual sight to us all.

We’re born sinners—Romans 5:12

Romans 5:12 KJV 1900

12 Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned:

Jesus sees us and acts—John 3:16

John 3:16 KJV 1900

16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

He instructs us—Romans 10:9

Romans 10:9 KJV 1900

9 That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.

Now, He waits for those who will obey!

I took that step years ago. I remember facing my sin, trusting Christ’s death and resurrection, obeying His call. It changed me—brought me here today. So let’s apply this to us all.

For Unbelievers: If you’re far from God, this is your Pool of Siloam moment. Jesus has done it all—died for your sins, risen to give you life. Your darkness isn’t the end; it’s where He’s calling you. Believe He’s your Savior, confess Him as Lord, and step into His light. Your own way won’t save—run to Him today. Ask: “What’s stopping me?” Fear? Pride? Bring it to Jesus. He’s ready to give you sight beyond suffering—new life, now and forever.

For Believers: You’ve begun, but Jesus keeps calling us to obey. Maybe it’s forgiving a hurt, tithing or sacrificially giving when things are financially tight, or sharing your faith despite fear. James 2:17 says, “faith without works is dead”—obedience keeps it alive, turning pain into purpose. Your sight’s a witness too—John 9:11 says the blind man told everyone what Jesus did. What’s your step today? Forgiving someone who has hurt you? Answer the call to serve within the local church? Be a vocal witness to someone on the job? Trust Him, then share how He’s worked in your struggles—it’s light for others.

Step out of the dark—sin’s shadow or suffering’s haze—into the redemptive sight of His purpose, love, and glory.

Will you obey today?

Conclusion

Friends, we started with a man in darkness—a blind beggar Jesus saw when others passed by. Like John Covici in a dim room, he didn’t even know what he was missing until light broke through. That’s our story too. We all stumble in some kind of blindness—sin’s shadow or suffering’s haze—until Jesus steps in. He sees us, as He did in John 9:1. He acts, with compassion that shaped clay and carried a cross. And He calls us, like the blind man, to obey—to wash, to trust, to follow.

Today, you’ve heard how this changes everything. If you’re still in the dark, Jesus offers you sight—not just to see the sunrise, but to see Him, the Light of the World, who gives eternal life. Take that step—don’t wait. And if you’re walking with Him, keep obeying, even when it’s hard. Your struggles aren’t the end; they’re a stage for His glory, a light for others to find Him.

So as you leave here, carry this truth: no suffering is beyond His sight, no darkness too deep for His redemption. Step into that light today—whether it’s your first step or your next—and let Jesus turn your blindness into sight that never fades. Let’s pray together, asking Him to lead us out of the dark into His marvelous light, now and always. Amen.