As he went along, he saw a man blind from birth. His disciples asked him, “Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?” [John 9:1–2]

This story and interaction between Jesus and his disciples is quite intriguing. Something is not right. It’s broken. A person is blind. The disciples wanted to know whose fault it was. Was it his parents’ fault? Did they do something wrong or bad during the pregnancy that caused his blindness? Did the blind man do something to bring about this condition? Is God punishing him for something?

You get the sense that Jesus’ followers gave no thought to helping the blind man; they just wanted to know who is to blame for the situation. It is so easy and common to quickly assign blame but not take any responsibility, isn’t it? If we know who’s to blame, then we have no responsibility to help or solve the problem, right? It’s their fault. They broke it, they should pick up the pieces.

Jesus’ response takes us down a different road. “Neither this man nor his parents sinned,” said Jesus, “but this happened so that the works of God might be displayed in him.” Jesus didn’t want to talk about who was at fault. The circumstances that brought this unfortunate condition were irrelevant. Jesus instead saw an opportunity for God’s care and power to be shown.

Here is what I observe: While Jesus wasn’t assigning blame (and certainly not to himself), our Lord did take responsibility for the man’s need and care for him!

That’s the Christian life in a nutshell. We follow Christ’s example. As we encounter a need or pain or brokenness of some kind, we ought to be the first to say, “In this moment, it doesn’t matter whose fault it is. Here is an opportunity for God to show his power and care. And let be done through me.”

Give that some thought…

For your reading accompaniment: “When David Heard” by Eric Whitacre
An astounding and moving choral piece (listen to an excerpt or the full piece) based on the story of when King David heard that his son Absalom had died. These words from 2 Samuel 18 are the inspiration:

When David heard that Absalom was slain
He went up into his chamber over the gate and wept,
and thus he said: “my son, my son,
O Absalom my son, would God I had died for thee!”

Because many have asked…Lindsay Holifield
Here is a link to the article by the woman who describes her faith journey from deconstruction to deconversion to eventual spiritual renewal. Lindsay Holifield’s story gives hope to parents (and anyone) who have loved ones that have strayed from the fold of Christ. God has not lost sight of or interest in them.

Here is the link to my message this past Sunday where I told her story.

I thought we were about grace, not law
I read about yet another fight about the Ten Commandments in an Alabama public classroom. It got me thinking: If Christian people wanted to hang words that were uniquely Christian, why wouldn’t they want to display words of grace instead of law? Perhaps words like, “For God so loved the world that He gave his one and only Son what whoever believes in Him would not perish but have everlasting life” [John 3:16]. Or even: “But God proves His love for us in that while we were still sinners Christ died for us” [Romans 5:8]. Just a thought.

Trains, planes, and automobiles
One of things I enjoy when I travel to Europe is the ease by which I can board a train and get to places far away with ease. No hassle of car rentals or foreign road habits and traffic. And I am often wishing there were similar chances here. Like, how easy it would be to hop on a train in Cleveland and in four hours be in Cincinnati to see my family. And I could get so much work done by not driving my car!

Just this past week, I came across a couple of articles that talk about this theme. Why did America give up on trains? And this one explores the differences between American and European travel.

Life balance?… Spell it
Do these words from the beginning and end of a very poignant article by Paul Tripp resonate with you?

“Do you have a healthy ‘work-life’ balance? Would those closest to you define you as a workaholic? Is it possible that you are asking your job and career to provide for you what only Christ can?… Yes, you should be committed to work because God calls you to labor, but as you work, you can rest in his covenantal commitment to meet every one of your needs. Rather than being driven by anxious need, our work can now be shaped by worshipful gratitude.”

If so, here’s the entire piece. And may you find some peace as you read and apply it.

Not-so-hot summer movies
I hope the weather is nice this summer. I find the lists of the supposed best movies for our summer rather wanting. Along with several sequels (Hollywood is running out of ideas, or so it seems) and uninteresting storylines, Lilo and Stitch might be the only movie that mildly gains my interest.

I thought this list from the Gospel Coalition on the 50 most edifying movies of the last 25 years might interest you. You’ll be familiar with a number of these fine films, and I would heartily recommend #44 Philomena, #26 Zone of Interest, and #8 Brooklyn.

“O Lord Jesus Christ,
good Shepherd of the sheep,
you came to seek the lost
and gather them to your fold.
Have compassion on those who have wandered from you.
Feed those who hunger,
make the weary lie down in your pastures,
bind up those who are broken in heart,
and strengthen those who are weak,
that we rely on your care,
find comfort in your love,
and abide in your guidance to our lives’ end;
for your name’s sake.
Amen.”
[Anonymous sixth-century prayer]