The Uncomfortable Cost of Biblical Miracles

Note: this post is not your typical post, which is all the more reason to share it. Regardless of where you are in your faith journey, I hope you at least find this helpful.

john 9: did you read the full story?

One of the most common critiques against God is why He, a holy, omniscient, omnipotent, loving Being, allows suffering. And with us being human, we often think we know the bigger story better than the Author who wrote it.

And one example of humans’ well-meaning but errant reasoning is found in John 9, where Jesus heals a man born blind.

The disciples immediately assumed that either the man or his parents did something wrong to cause the blindness, and that this was a consequence of that sin.

They highlight a common misconception in Christian circles, a concept I like to call Christian Karma (which isn’t biblical, by the way). Sure, actions have consequences. But we start to go off the rails when people think unconfessed gossip causes cancer.

Jesus himself corrects the disciples, stating that “neither he nor his parents have sinned, and that this situation was orchestrated to highlight God’s power” (paraphrased).

If humans tried to do this, we’d call them insecure and cruel. But when God does it? (We’ll table this discussion for now.)

Some teachers like to stop here, stating that this is sufficient proof that God sets up some difficult circumstances not because we sinned, but because he’s demonstrating His power through our life journeys.

For some, that’s enough - until you read on.

part II: what no one wants to acknowledge about biblical miracles

Did you bother to see what happens next to the blind man, or did you hit stop once he received his sight?

If you just want to settle for a pleasant outcome here, I understand. And I hope you don’t settle for that.

After receiving his sight, the man was interrogated, disowned by his parents, and ostracized by the Pharisees. Fairly ironic given that he stayed an outcast despite the miracle.

Tough truth: biblical miracles are for God’s glory first - NOT your comfort.

That said, you’re welcome to pray for healing. Just understand why you might be disappointed with His response to your request.

Not only are these miracles meant to point back to God, they cost this guy his status and provision. Biblical miracles aren’t for your comfort. They will take you to a place you never expected to go. Are you ready for the persecution to come?

The crazy thing? The blind man didn’t resent Jesus for providing the miracle. Amusingly, Jesus even asked him to tone down his enthusiasm a little.

This conversion isn’t just observed in this man’s life. We also see this with Jesus (a miracle birth for a life ending in crucifixion) and Paul (being blinded as part of his conversion from persecutor to persecuted, through sharing the Gospel).

So, careful what you pray for?

Be honest with God about your wants, of course. My hope is that you have an understanding of how God uses miracles based on Biblical evidence and not what we think He should be. Please share your thoughts - especially if you disagree!