The Gospel of John: John 9.13-27

Read and meditate on John 9.18-23.
The Pharisees were determined to prove their point – whatever their point might have been. Either they were going to prove that Jesus was a Sabbath-breaker, because He healed the man on the Sabbath. Or they were going to prove that He never healed anyone. They just needed to find the right witnesses. We’ll see this tactic again..

                                                      ¹⁸They doubted he
had been blind and received his sight, and so
they called his parents in, that they might know
if it were so. ¹⁹They asked them, “Is this man
your son, who you say was born blind? How then
does he now see?” ²⁰They answered them, “We know
he is our son, and was born blind, ²¹although
we do not know by what means he now sees,
or who it was who healed his eyes. Look, he
is old enough to answer. Ask him. He
will tell you.” ²²For they feared the Pharisees,
for they had made it clear, that anyone
confessing Him as Christ was to be shunned,
and put out of the synagogue. ²³Therefore
they said, “He is of age; ask Him.”

- John 9.18-23

Reflect
1.  The Pharisees’ focus has turned. First, they denounced Jesus because He healed on the Sabbath (v. 16). Now they deny that He healed at all (v. 18). They don’t seem to have been able to make up their mind concerning why they were so upset about Jesus. Does this seem like grasping at straws? Do people still do this today? Explain. Complete this prayer: I know, Lord, that people can find no end of reasons not to believe in You. Nevertheless…

2.  The Jews called in the man’s parents. They asked three things: (1) Is this your son? (2) Is it true he was born blind? (3) How does he now see? Why do you think they did this? Did they regard these parents of a beggar as any more reliable than their beggar son? What were they doing? People can go a long way to silence a witness about You, Lord, but we just need to…

3.  Put yourself in the parents’ shoes. They must answer the questions, or be guilty of insubordination, and in jeopardy of being put out of the community. But if they answered the questions truly, they’d be put out of the community (v. 22)! Look at their answers (vv. 20, 21). Were they accurate? Were they complete? Does it seem as if they knew the answer to the third question (cf. v. 22)? Are you ever attempted to skirt the issue concerning Jesus when the opportunity to bear witness arises? Lord, give me boldness to speak the truth in love whenever…

4.  The parents put the ball back into their son’s court (vv. 21, 23). Better he be kicked out of the synagogue than they. Had you been present in this situation, what might you have said to these parents? How can Christians help one another to be bold when opportunities to bear witness arise? Lord, help us as believers to pray for and encourage one another, and to come alongside whenever…

5.  This episode is taking a rather comic turn. The Pharisees aren’t sure about their point. The parents are terrified and equivocate. They sic the Pharisees on their son. Who’s the only honest and truthful person in this whole situation? Explain. What can we learn from him? Bring together into one your prayers from questions 1-4.

Summary
“Besides having spoken falsely, they committed another sin by exposing their son to obvious harm. But I think this also has a reason. When the Savior opened the eyes of the blind man, he did not open those of a child but of one full grown so that he might see as a full-grown man. But such was also the case with other blind men who received sight. However, it is true that he being of full age can speak for himself, and especially so when Jesus makes him receive his sight. For he needs no one else to negotiate for him.” Origen (185-254 AD)

Meanwhile, as we can imagine, Jesus is hanging around waiting for this situation to unfold further. He’s not in the midst of this dispute, but His power is certainly working there. Explain.

Closing Prayer
Praise the LORD!
For it is good to sing praises to our God;
For it is pleasant, and praise is beautiful.
The LORD builds up Jerusalem;
He gathers together the outcasts of Israel.
He heals the brokenhearted
And binds up their wounds.
He counts the number of the stars;
He calls them all by name.
Great is our Lord, and mighty in power;
His understanding is infinite.
The LORD lifts up the humble;
He casts the wicked down to the ground.
Sing to the LORD with thanksgiving;
Sing praises on the harp to our God,
Who covers the heavens with clouds,
Who prepares rain for the earth,
Who makes grass to grow on the mountains.
He gives to the beast its food,
And to the young ravens that cry.
He does not delight in the strength of the horse;
He takes no pleasure in the legs of a man.
The LORD takes pleasure in those who fear Him,
In those who hope in His mercy.
Praise the LORD, O Jerusalem!
Praise your God, O Zion!

Psalm 147.1-12

Psalm 147.1-13 (St. Ann: Our God, Our Help in Ages Past)
Praise God, for it is good to sing loud praises to the Lord!
With joy our songs of praise we bring to God and to His Word.

The Lord builds up His Church and He His people gathers in.
The broken hearts He tenderly repairs and heals their sin.

The stars He counts, He knows the name of every chosen soul;
His pow’r is great, and great His fame Who understands us whole.

The humble God exalts above; the wicked He casts down.
Sing thanks to this great God of love; let songs of praise abound.

He brings refreshing rain to earth and feeds the beasts so dear.
He puts in man’s strength naught of worth, but loves those who God fear.

O praise your God, Jerusalem, O Zion, praise the Lord!
He strengthens those who trust in Him with blessings from His Word.
           
T. M. Moore

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Except as indicated, Scripture taken from the New King James Version. © Copyright 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved. All psalms for singing adapted from The Ailbe Psalter. All quotations from Church Fathers from Ancient Christian Commentary Series IV a and b: John, edited by Joel C. Elowsky, General Editor Thomas C. Oden (Downers Grove: InterVarsity Press, 2006. Verse translation of John by T. M. Moore.