Monday 24th June
Read John 9:18-23
“They still did not believe that he had been blind and had received his sight until they sent for the man’s parents. 19 ‘Is this your son?’ they asked. ‘Is this the one you say was born blind? How is it that now he can see?’
20 ‘We know he is our son,’ the parents answered, ‘and we know he was born blind. 21 But how he can see now, or who opened his eyes, we don’t know. Ask him. He is of age; he will speak for himself.’ 22 His parents said this because they were afraid of the Jewish leaders, who already had decided that anyone who acknowledged that Jesus was the Messiah would be put out of the synagogue. 23 That was why his parents said, ‘He is of age; ask him.’” (NIVUK)
John has structured the story in a typical chiasm and at the heart of John 9 lies the questioning of the formerly blind man’s parents. At first glance this seems a strange choice to place at the centre of the story. Yet the parent’s responses serve to emphasise for the reader the choice John’s gospel encourages everyone to make.
The Jewish leaders through this story are opposed to Jesus as illustrated by their increasingly derogatory tone and shrill responses when challenged. The blind man is increasingly drawn to Jesus, witnessing more and more boldly as the full realisation of who Jesus is dawns on him. At the heart of the story though are two people unwilling to make a decision because of fear.
The parent’s place in their community, everything they hold dear, is threatened by acknowledging Jesus. The Jewish leaders hoped to discredit the miracle by scaring the parents into denying their son was healed. The parents’ response walks a very fine line that, ironically enough, leaves the Jewish leaders no room to manoeuvre. They know, and make clear, that a miracle has occurred but they stop short of witnessing to Jesus.
The decision to acknowledge Jesus is what John seeks to persuade his readers to make. It is equally the decision those who have acknowledged Jesus must make every day.
