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

“Neither this man nor his parents sinned,” said Jesus, “but this happened so that the works of God might be displayed in him. … While I am in the world, I am the light of the world.”
- from John 9:1-5

In today’s passage, Jesus’ disciples wrestle with the suffering that parades across their eyes everyday. They see it, but they don’t understand it.

Jesus’ disciples ask Jesus a question trying to get at the source of suffering. They’re asking, “Whose fault is it?” And they assume that suffering is caused by sin, either your own or someone close to you (cf. Exodus 34:7). Jesus challenges both their core assumption and their focus.

The disciples present a binary option: this man or his parents. But Jesus points out that there are other actors at play. God is at work in the world and Jesus is present in the midst of it. His presence and work allow us to consider other options.

Throughout the scriptures God seems much more interested in telling us what he’s going to do about suffering than he is to giving us a simple, coherent explanation for why suffering happens. He’s more interested in redeeming suffering than he is in explaining it.

The hardest part about suffering is the sense of meaninglessness that so often accompanies it. We could bear up under just about anything if we felt like it was for a good cause or like it had a purpose. This was true even for Jesus. “For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God” (Hebrews 12:2b).

When we encounter suffering we need to ask: “What is God going to do about this?” and “How is God going to redeem this?” These questions unlock hope, perseverance, compassion, faithfulness and joy in the midst of suffering.

Where are you currently experiencing or witnessing suffering? How would you answer the questions in the previous paragraph? How do your answers influence the way you experience suffering?