John 9:2-8 And his disciples asked him, saying, Master, who did sin, this man, or his parents, that he was born blind?… A German pastor had made an engagement to preach before a meeting of the Gustavus Adolphus Society, at a distance of eighteen miles from his village. He had to walk all the way. The weather, which was fine at first, changed to violent rain, so that after walking half way with great difficulty, it seemed hopeless to proceed, as he could hardly drag his feet out of the mire. Greatly cast down, he found himself impatiently asking why it should rain so just that day, when he espied a solitary cottage, and gladly sought shelter in it. A young and sad looking woman was nursing her babe. Being invited to rest and dry himself, the pastor soon found that the beautiful babe was the cause of the mother's sorrow, for he had been born blind. "The worst of it is," said the poor woman, "no doubt it is all my fault; such a misfortune could only befall a child on account of its parents, for the poor dear children are innocent enough. For the last four months I have been tormenting myself to discover by what sin I can have brought upon it such a calamity." Her tears choked her voice, and she sobbed convulsively. The poor creature was quite ignorant of this beautiful story, but the pastor read it and expounded it. When he prepared to resume his toilsome walk, it was with feelings of joy and gratitude not unmingled with shame. He confessed how the rain had vexed him, and that he had repeatedly asked "Why it must fall just today." "Oh, my dear sir" she replied joyfully, "I know very well!" (J. F. B. Tinling, B. A.) Parallel Verses KJV: And his disciples asked him, saying, Master, who did sin, this man, or his parents, that he was born blind?WEB: His disciples asked him, "Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?" |
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