Yesterday, in our city, a couple of churches held a benefit for a young man in our town. He had been paralyzed in a surfing accident, and was now in a wheelchair. Yesterday, hundreds in our small town gathered to contribute to his care, and hear his testimony. We heard worship music, and the testimonies of his family, and finally from him. It was amazing, enlightening, and both difficult and beautiful to be there.
Many common verses and passages were brought up, although I was very pleased someone used John 9:1-3:
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 would be born blind?” Jesus answered, “It was neither that this man sinned, nor his parents; but it was so that the works of God might be displayed in him.
John 9:1-3 NASB
While much was said about God allowing rather than causing such an injury, Zac also spoke of it being part of God’s plan. And this plan, as Zac understood it, was to glorify God. He had already witnessed how his injury had brought glory to God.
Clearly, this young man has a rough road ahead of him, and he has barely started on that journey. Regardless, at this point in that journey, he is convinced that this is part of God’s plan. If you continue to read the rest of John 9, you find this man-born-blind “schooling” the Pharisees, so confident in his perception of what God has done for him, they cannot shake him. In their frustration, the Pharisees put him out of the synagogue, and he is found by Jesus and worships Him.
In the end, the man-born-blind sees more clearly than those born with sight. It’s one of several rich ironies in the Gospel of John. And that irony is now part of Zac’s life. Please join me in praying for this young guy, and all those who will be touched by his testimony. There is a link below to the website about the event and in support of his care.
Knothole Theology 