We must work the works

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 was born blind?' Jesus answered, 'It was not that this man sinned, or his parents, but that the works of God might be displayed in him. We must work the works of him who sent me while it is day; night is coming, when no one can work. (John 9:1-4)

This man was not blind 'just' so Jesus could show his power in healing him. He was blind so that he may make the journey of faith that he makes in John 9 from believing Jesus is 'The man called Jesus' (v.11) to a 'prophet' (v.17) to 'from God' (v.33) to 'Lord' who he worships (v.38). The work is not the miracle of healing but the miracle of faith.

It is also not just something that Jesus did. That is why 'we must work the works of him who sent me'.

Jesus promises we will do 'greater works' than the works he does (14:12). Jesus says the works which the Father does he does in him he does by 'the words that I say to you'. Therefore the 'greater works' are the preaching of the Gospel. That is not only why one man was born blind but why suffering continues even today.

We rightly want to see suffering end, but God allows it to continue because he is 'patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance' (2 Peter 3:9). But night is coming...