08-10-2025 Why?
Text: John 9:1-5; Acts 12:1-5
On any given day we can look around and see a lot of tragedy. The truth is, no one is immune from experiencing tragedy, no matter how old, and no matter how poor or wealthy they may be. All of us in this church and members of our extended families have experienced the heart-wrenching tragedies of life. Many times the first question asked is why did it have to happen? Often Christians are also asked to explain why something terrible had to happen with those affected asking us why did God let this happen? And they will ask what am I supposed to do now? When these questions come up, we can offer answers that are found in the Bible. Our first text is from John 9:1-5 that tells us: “ (1)And as Jesus passed by, He saw a man which was blind from his birth. (2)And His Disciples asked Him, saying Master, who did sin, this man, or his parents, that he was born blind? (3)Jesus answered, Neither has this man sinned nor his parents; but that the works of God should be made manifest in him. (4)I must work the works of Him Who sent Me, while it is day; the night comes, when no man can work. (5)As long as I am in the world, I am the Light of the World.”
So, let’s look at how this passage help us to answer the question of why tragedy happens. Jesus and His Disciples are leaving the Temple where the Jews had threatened to stone Him. As they are leaving they walked by a blind man. The man had no control over his fate because he was born blind. It seems like such an injustice, to be born blind, and to have your life determined before birth. He had no say, no input, no opportunity; he just came into this world without the ability to see. The Disciples see him and as they consider his plight, they ask the question, “Why?” Then they make the assumption that either the man or his family had to be guilty of some heinous sin for such a tragedy to occur.
When we see a terrible tragedy happen around us or to us, we often ask, “Why?” We start thinking there has to be some explanation for it, so we search for reasons why. Perhaps we think it must have happened because we did something to cause it and think if we had done this or if we hadn’t done that, the tragedy wouldn’t have occurred. Or we try to find someone or someplace to put the blame. Sometimes, we try to put the blame on God thinking if God is God, then He must be the blame for all for this.
But Jesus tells us in our text that neither this man nor his parents were to blame for the blindness he experienced at birth. He isn’t saying that they had never sinned, after all we know from Romans 3:23 that we all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God. Jesus is saying is that neither this man’s nor his parent’s sins caused this him to be born blind. There is sin, tragedy, and death in this world, because of the fallen state of this world. There was no specific sin that caused the man to be born blind. Still, there was a reason for his blindness. But that reason wasn’t relevant at this time. He was blind and Jesus answering questions would not change that fact. But it was his tragedy that would provide Jesus the opportunity to reveal God to the world. Whatever the reason for this man’s tragedy, God was about to use it for His glory. We see this in verse 6 of John chapter 9 when Jesus restored the man’s sight.
Why do tragedies happen in our lives and the lives of others? To be honest, the question of why may never be answered this side of Heaven. The question is not really relevant because what has happened, happened, and nothing can change it. But we can know that God will use the tragedies of life to reveal Himself and His glory to us. The result of this man’s blindness is people saw that Jesus was the Son of God. Who knows what the results of tragedies will be in people’s lives? How many times have we seen people come to the Lord because of tragedy? How many times have we seen God bring people through tragedy in ways we can only describe as miraculous? I can’t answer the question, “Why?” but I can assure you that God is working and will be glorified. And God’s Word provides ways for us to get through the terrible things that happen in this life.
Now to our second text in Acts 12:1-5 that takes place several years after the ascension of Jesus. Luke writes: “ (1)Now about that time Herod the king stretched forth his hands to vex certain of the Church. (2)And he killed James the brother of John with the sword. (3)And because he saw it pleased the Jews, he proceeded further to take Peter also. Then were the days of Unleavened Bread [the time of the Passover]. (4)And when he had apprehended him, he put him in prison and delivered him to four quaternions [16] of soldiers to keep him; intending after Easter to bring him forth to the people. (5)Peter therefore was kept in prison; but prayer was made without ceasing of the Church unto God for him.” Even though the Church had been through some hard times, it was growing and flourishing. But Herod decided to put an end to it by executing the Apostle James and arresting Peter for the purpose of executing him as well.
James was part of Jesus’ inner circle and one of the three main leaders of the Apostles and the early church. But the church lost one of their best leaders, the remaining Apostles lost a very close personal friend, and John lost his brother. Peter was now in prison, and he was next in line to be killed so Herod could end the Church. The Church could have just folded and said, “Well, God let this happen and now He’s against us, so why bother.” They could have given up on God. But verse 5 tells us they were in constant prayer and further down in verse 12 we are told they were gathered to pray. There are several ways the Church reacted to the death of James and the arrest of Peter.
They were together. They didn’t allow these tragedies to divide them. Instead they brought them closer together. I’m sure John was among those who were together, and he was surrounded by his Christian brothers and sisters. In times of tragedy we can allow it to divide us or bring us closer together. The early Christians let it bring them together. Those who experience tragedy need the love and support of their Church and the Church needs to surround them with the love of Christ. The Church did the only thing they could do – pray. They knew that whatever had happened, and would happen, was in the hands of God. So they went to the only One who could intervene. In tragedy, we also need to pray. When things are taken out of our hands, we need to go to the One who has all things in His hands. We need to lift up those affected to the only One who can make a difference. We should always pray ourselves through a tragedy.
The early Church never lost their faith in God. By staying together, it shows they still had faith in the One who brought them together. By praying, it shows that they still had faith that God would hear and answer their prayers. Even during a time of terrible tragedy, they never lost their faith in God. In tragedy, we need to rely on our faith in God. Tragedy doesn’t separate us from God. Even tough we might not know “Why,” we can still trust in the One who is in control of all things. And, as Paul tells us in Romans 8:28, We know that for those who love God, all things work together for good, for those who are called according to His purpose. As people of God, we can have faith He will take even tragedy and cause something good to come out of it. Only God can turn a tragedy into a triumph.
No matter what your age is, life is short. We’re not guaranteed any time beyond right now. We all need to be ready for whatever may come in life. And the way to be ready is ask Jesus to come into your heart as Lord and Savior then lean on Him everyday during the good times and during life’s tragedies.
Until we meet again, may God bless you and keep you, may He shine His light on you, show you grace, and give you peace in all the days ahead.