As Joseph and Mary made their way from Nazareth to Bethlehem, they would have encountered many people. Among them might have been the blind man-then a little boy-whom Jesus encountered years later. Of him the disciples asked, "Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents?" This question may have haunted the blind man and his parents for years. If they attributed a sin to either the blind man or his parents, they would be wrong.
Only Jesus would answer it correctly: "Neither," He said, ... but this happened so that the glory of God might be displayed in his life." He then placed some mud on the blind man's eyes and commanded he go and wash in the pool of Siloam. He washed, and he could see! He could see and the glory of the Lord was revealed!
Not every one who asks, "What did I do to deserve this?" will be answered with a command to do something and then experience a miracle. But all people can know the assurance that God loves them and sees them as precious. Their bodies may not be healed, but that does not indicate a separation from God.
It was for restoration that Jesus came into the world. He saw the ugly consequence of a world out of harmony. He knew the result of giving in to the temptation of the devil. He saw what giving into one's sinful flesh could do. He knew the consequence for all of this. He knew this was all the evidence of sin. It would not be the punishment for a particular sin.
The punishment would be experienced on the cross. It was for this man born blind. It was for us.
THE PRAYER: O Advent Lord, we are so grateful we need not bear the punishment for our sin, and overwhelmed that You did. Bless us with faith to see in this baby, our Savior! Amen.
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