John 9:1-7 (NLT)
As Jesus was walking along, he saw a man who had been blind from birth. 2 “Rabbi,”
his disciples asked him, “why was this man born blind? Was it because of his own sins
or his parents’ sins?”
3 “It was not because of his sins or his parents’ sins,” Jesus answered. “This happened
so the power of God could be seen in him. 4 We must quickly carry out the tasks
assigned us by the one who sent us.[a] The night is coming, and then no one can work.
5 But while I am here in the world, I am the light of the world.”
6 Then he spit on the ground, made mud with the saliva, and spread the mud over the
blind man’s eyes. 7 He told him, “Go wash yourself in the pool of Siloam” (Siloam
means “sent”). So the man went and washed and came back seeing!

Main Point 1: We often obsess over the origin of pain to avoid the reality of it.

As Jesus was walking along, he saw a man who had been blind from birth. “Rabbi,” his
disciples asked him, “why was this man born blind? Was it because of his own sins or
his parents’ sins?” John 9:1-2 (NLT)
Those who plant injustice will harvest disaster, and their reign of terror will come to an
end. Proverbs 22:8 (NLT)
Stop and think! Do the innocent die? When have the upright been destroyed? My
experience shows that those who plant trouble and cultivate evil will harvest the same.
Job 4:7-8 (NLT)

Main Point 2: Jesus replaces our explanations for suffering with His purpose in it.

“It was not because of his sins or his parents’ sins,” Jesus answered. “This happened so
the power of God could be seen in him.” John 9:3 (NLT)
You intended to harm me, but God intended it all for good. He brought me to this
position so I could save the lives of many people. Genesis 50:20 (NLT)
Then the Lord asked Moses, “Who makes a person’s mouth? Who decides whether
people speak or do not speak, hear or do not hear, see or do not see? Is it not I, the
Lord? Exodus 4:11 (NLT)

Main Point 3: Jesus invites us into the process before He reveals the outcome.

Then he spit on the ground, made mud with the saliva, and spread the mud over the
blind man’s eyes. He told him, “Go wash yourself in the pool of Siloam” (Siloam means
“sent”). So the man went and washed and came back seeing! John 9:6-7 (NLT)
He looked at them and said, “Go show yourselves to the priests.” And as they went,
they were cleansed of their leprosy. Luke 17:14 (NLT)

3 Traps
1. The “Fault” Trap
2. The “Fixer Trap
3. The “Fairness” Trap