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The DEEP

Power Corrupts

or something like that.

John 9:18–25

But the Jews did not believe concerning him, that he had been blind and received his sight, until they called the parents of him who had received his sight. And they asked them, saying, “Is this your son, who you say was born blind? How then does he now see?”

His parents answered them and said, “We know that this is our son, and that he was born blind; but by what means he now sees we do not know, or who opened his eyes we do not know. He is of age; ask him. He will speak for himself.” His parents said these things because they feared the Jews, for the Jews had agreed already that if anyone confessed that He was Christ, he would be put out of the synagogue. Therefore his parents said, “He is of age; ask him.”

So they again called the man who was blind, and said to him, “Give God the glory! We know that this Man is a sinner.”

He answered and said, “Whether He is a sinner or not I do not know. One thing I know: that though I was blind, now I see.”

Step one—denial. The Pharisees open by denying that this is what it looks like. This is an instant crash-and-burn because the evidence is clear, simple, and testified to by many. The Pharisees can’t even intimidate the witnesses enough to change their testimony.

It’s all just too obvious.


“Power corrupts; absolute power corrupts absolutely.”

That’s not quite right because it gives the impression that powerless people aren’t corrupt. The whole truth is that power makes corruption manifest. The corruption was there all along.

Russ Grimm, an NFL offensive lineman once said, “There’s no greater feeling than moving a man from Point A to Point B against his will.” Few of us have the power to do that, but we all have the attitude.

The journal Nature just published a report on bullying at Lund University. That case is shocking enough by itself, but the article includes links to five similar cases. The problem is anything but rare.

https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-021-01621-8

The point is that even a little bit of power allows people to rule over others, revealing their corruption.

Academic politics is the most vicious and bitter form of politics, because the stakes are so low.” — Sayre

One of the most useful skills a Christian can develop is to be able to look in a mirror honestly. When we are blind to our own corruption, we are less motivated towards mercy and less effective witnesses.

Russ also said, “I’d run over my own mother to win the Super Bowl.” Not sure everyone is that corrupt.


These Monday—Friday DEEPs are written by Mike Slay. The Saturday DEEPs are written by Matt Richardson. To subscribe to all the DEEPs click here:

https://www.ailbe.org/resources/community

The weekly study guides, which include the Monday–Friday devotionals plus related questions for discussion or meditation, are available for download here:

https://www.ailbe.org/resources/itemlist/category/91-deep-studies

Except as indicated, Scripture taken from the New King James Version. © Copyright 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved. ESV stands for the English Standard Version. © Copyright 2001 by Crossway. Used by permission. All rights reserved. NIV stands for The Holy Bible, New International Version®. © Copyright 1973 by International Bible Society. Used by permission. All rights reserved. KJV stands for the King James Version.

Mike Slay

As a mathematician, inventor, and ruling elder in the Presbyterian Church in America, Mike Slay brings an analytical, conversational, and even whimsical approach to the daily study of God's Word.

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