Who sinned?

I've been in quite a state lately.  I am from time to time, to be honest, but what folks don't seem to understand is that it's not my choosing.  I try desperately hard to control my thoughts, to manifest peace and God's glory in my struggle, yet sometimes this season or this diagnosis seems to be the thorn in my flesh.  The battle to which God says, "My grace is sufficient"... because here I am still struggling.  Still fighting.  And though there have been improvements, the burden hasn't completely been lifted from me. 

You see, I've learned of some people who've said some REALLY hurtful things about me behind my back.  And if we're honest here?  The childhood rhyme is bogus because sticks and stones DO break your bones AND words strike unimaginable pain in the heart of a compassionate soul.  Someone trying to be a Jesus girl. 

People chattering is nothing new though. But the pain of learning they have chattered about you - or in particular, judging you - is always fresh and stinging.  People who pretend to your face to be your friend and show concern, to be on your side, to be "praying" for you... only to learn that all those words were spoken to you in vain when you finally uncover the REAL truth.  And perhaps even worse is when these little tale-toters THINK they have all the facts straight when they don't.  Because things aren't always what they appear.  And people are really quick to blame the victim in mental health situations or emotionally traumatic situations... even when (or especially when) they don't have all the facts.  

While the contexts are slightly different, I want to explore these feelings and realizations in light of  John 9.  I'd suggest reading or re-reading it for yourself, but I will still summarize it here.  Jesus is questioned about a man who's been blind from birth.  His disciples ask, "Who sinned - this man or his parents - that he's been born blind?"  Jesus corrects their thinking, heals the man, and proceeds about His work.  But that's not enough for the Pharisees, who launch a metaphorical witch hunt after this poor man, making assumptions and getting in his business all the way.  Much like the aforementioned tale-toters.  This account has really stood out to me lately, and I'd like to lay out a few thoughts I have about it as examined through the lens of these "chatterers" and "noise makers." 

1. Sometimes the very ones throwing the accusations are "disciples" too.

John 9:2 refers to those questioning Jesus as "his disciples".  It's not clear whether these men just made innocent but incorrect assumptions about the man's spiritual condition based on his physical condition, or whether they had an agenda with what they were asking.  Either way, we must be careful to be graceful and kind to others, regardless of the nature of their struggle.  Who are we to assume that what they're going through is because they're not spiritual enough, or who are we to assume we have a right at all to judge them if we haven't stood in their shoes?  People, even other Christians, are quick to blame the victim... to assume it's been enough time since the original trauma for him or her to "get over it" or to assume he or she is blowing it out of proportion or to conclude there's no way that they would tolerate someone in the midst of that situation.  The truth is, if you're the one casting the stone, you don't really know HOW you would react in or handle such a situation because you've been blessed enough to not have to deal with it yourself.  It's easy to judge from the sidelines, especially when you THINK you know what's going on, much like these disciples thought they understood the whole picture.

2. The purpose of the situation (and subsequent healing) was to glorify God.  

Jesus clearly states that no one was at fault here, especially not the blind man.  The purpose of the entire situation was "that the works of God might be displayed in him."  Oh, how I wish God could say that of me!!!  While there's no way to know this side of heaven what the purpose in all our suffering is, it's not unreasonable nor impossible to believe that some of our earthly suffering is simply to bring glory to God.  So maybe your analysis that they "got what they deserved" or it's "their own fault" or they're "crazy and antisocial" isn't really the case.  Maybe what someone is going through is simply something that happened... a result of an unhealed or reignited past trauma, a biological or physiological issue, or just overbearing circumstances.  And maybe... just maybe... none of that is your business.  Maybe, especially as a Christian, we are called to be loving and kind - not accusatory.  And regardless of the reason for the person's condition, wouldn't it be a blessing to treat every situation as though it has the potential to glorify God?  There's 100% no harm in having that attitude, and trust me, you'll really take pressure off someone by approaching it with this attitude instead of hollow behind-the-back commentaries and opinions.  

3. Nay-sayers and tale-toters will miss the entire point and still hurl accusations.

After the Pharisees get riled up and confront this poor man MULTIPLE times about who healed him and how he was healed and on and on and on, they still hurl accusations at him.  The evidence is there in front of their faces, and they still say to him, "You were born in utter sin, and would you teach us?"  WOAH!  Time for a holier-than-thou attitude adjustment.  It's not hard to see the faults of the Pharisees with even a cursory reading of the New Testament, but they really show their colors here.  They even cast this poor man out from them.  Heart check: is that what you've done?  Have you cast someone out because you didn't or couldn't (or just wouldn't) understand them?  

4. Superiority is guilt. 

The chapter concludes with Jesus reaching back out to the man he's healed.  After a brief conversation and lesson, Jesus addresses the Pharisees.  Jesus sees all - even today.  Nothing can be hidden from Him, not even our innermost thoughts and desires of our hearts.  The Pharisees have tortured and ostracized this man, all the while claiming their spiritual superiority over him and patting themselves on the back for their "aiblity to see so clearly."  But Jesus calls them out quickly and puts them in their place.  Oh, the irony of how He tells them, "If you were blind, you would have no guilt; but now that you say, 'We see,' your guilt remains."  BOOM!  In today's application, are you so "blind" that you're missing the point of another's suffering?  The moment you profess your superiority over them in judgment of their condition, you've become guilty.  

And so now the question remains... who really sinned?

It is absolutely NOT okay to speak poorly of someone behind their backs.  ESPECIALLY if you profess yourself to be a child of God.  You just can't.  Period.  And if you have, you need to settle that with both God and the person you've slandered or gossiped about.  Instead, practice kindness, compassion, and grace.  Even if you don't understand.  The beauty of it all is that understanding someone's situation is not a prerequisite to extending these godly qualities to another.  God in His infinite wisdom didn't design it that way.  He simply calls us to be kind.