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Read: John 9
Listen: John 9

“Neither this man nor his parents sinned,” said Jesus, “but this happened so that the works of God might be displayed in him.” John 9:3

Jesus is in the middle of his public ministry. He is teaching, healing and traveling from place to place. Crowds follow him closely, while the religious leaders oppose him and look for a reason to stop him. Along the way, Jesus meets a man who has been blind since birth. When the disciples see him, they ask a familiar question: whose fault is this? The question reflects a common belief of the time—suffering must always be the result of someone’s sin. Jesus gently corrects this thinking. He explains that this man’s blindness is not a punishment. Instead, God will reveal his mercy and power through this man’s life.

This story sounds modern. We still ask the same questions. Why did this happen? Who caused it? Where is God in the pain? We often look for explanations before we look to Jesus. But Jesus redirects our focus. Rather than assigning blame, he invites us to trust that God is present and at work, even in suffering we do not understand. Jesus shows us what God is like. God is not distant or cruel. He is compassionate, attentive and powerful to redeem what is broken. Even when the reason for pain is unclear, God’s purposes are not absent. He is working for our good and for his glory. This week, we will see that God can be trusted—especially in moments of confusion and hurt.

TODAY: Invite Jesus into whatever pain you are carrying. As you reflect, worship with Ada Bible Worship and listen to the song “I Speak Jesus,” allowing its words to remind you that Jesus is present and powerful in every circumstance.