John 9:13-23
And he said to them, “He put mud on my eyes, and I washed, and I see.” – John 9:15b
When the man born blind received his sight from Jesus, it should have been a time for joy and celebration. Yet, the event quickly turned into a harsh interrogation by the Pharisees. Instead of seeing the miracle for what it was—a sign of God’s power—they were more concerned that their Sabbath traditions had been broken.
In today’s passage, we witness two responses to Jesus’ work: one of growing faith and another of crippling fear. These responses prompt us to ask: How do we respond when we encounter the Light of the World (9:5)?
The Pharisees, blinded by their legalism, began their interrogation. They cared more about their man-made Sabbath rules than the miracle.
According to their traditions, healing was allowed on the Sabbath only if life was at risk, and even making mud was considered “work” and thus forbidden. In their eyes, Jesus broke the rules and, therefore, could not be from God (v.16).
Despite the pressure, the healed man boldly declared his belief: “He is a prophet” (v.17). He recognised that only someone from God could perform such a miracle. His physical sight had been restored, but his spiritual sight was also opening. As his understanding of Jesus grew, so did his courage to speak the truth.
Dear brothers and sisters, when God works in our lives, do we testify boldly like the healed man? Or do we shrink back, afraid of what others might say? True faith stands firm, even when challenged.
Unhappy with the man’s answer, the Pharisees questioned his parents. The parents confirmed the healing but refused to say more. Out of fear, they distanced themselves from their own son, saying, “Ask him. He is of age; he will speak for himself” (v.21).
Why were they afraid? Verse 22 explains that anyone who confessed Jesus as the Messiah would be expelled from the synagogue. This was more than just losing a place of worship—it meant social isolation and rejection from their community.
Fear silenced them. Instead of celebrating the miraculous healing of their son‘s blindness from birth, they chose safety over truth. How unfortunate that fear robbed them of the joy of what God had done!
Dear brothers and sisters, has fear ever kept you from standing up for your faith? Fear can paralyze us—fear of rejection, criticism, or loss. But Jesus reminds us, “Do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul” (Matthew 10:28). The cost of silence is too high when it means denying the truth.
Reflection:
Are we bold like the healed man, willing to testify to Jesus’ work in our lives even when it’s unpopular? Or are we like his parents—afraid to speak, worried about what others might think or what it might cost us?
Prayer:
Lord Jesus, thank You for being the Light of the World. Give us the courage to testify about Your work in our lives, even when it’s difficult. Help us to overcome fear and stand firm in our faith. Teach us to treasure Your truth above the approval of others. Let our lives reflect Your light, bringing glory to You in all we do. In Your mighty name, we pray. Amen.
When the man born blind received his sight from Jesus, it should have been a time for joy and celebration. Yet, the event quickly turned into a harsh interrogation by the Pharisees. Instead of seeing the miracle for what it was—a sign of God’s power—they were more concerned that their Sabbath traditions had been broken.
In today’s passage, we witness two responses to Jesus’ work: one of growing faith and another of crippling fear. These responses prompt us to ask: How do we respond when we encounter the Light of the World (9:5)?
The Pharisees, blinded by their legalism, began their interrogation. They cared more about their man-made Sabbath rules than the miracle.
According to their traditions, healing was allowed on the Sabbath only if life was at risk, and even making mud was considered “work” and thus forbidden. In their eyes, Jesus broke the rules and, therefore, could not be from God (v.16).
Despite the pressure, the healed man boldly declared his belief: “He is a prophet” (v.17). He recognised that only someone from God could perform such a miracle. His physical sight had been restored, but his spiritual sight was also opening. As his understanding of Jesus grew, so did his courage to speak the truth.
Dear brothers and sisters, when God works in our lives, do we testify boldly like the healed man? Or do we shrink back, afraid of what others might say? True faith stands firm, even when challenged.
Unhappy with the man’s answer, the Pharisees questioned his parents. The parents confirmed the healing but refused to say more. Out of fear, they distanced themselves from their own son, saying, “Ask him. He is of age; he will speak for himself” (v.21).
Why were they afraid? Verse 22 explains that anyone who confessed Jesus as the Messiah would be expelled from the synagogue. This was more than just losing a place of worship—it meant social isolation and rejection from their community.
Fear silenced them. Instead of celebrating the miraculous healing of their son‘s blindness from birth, they chose safety over truth. How unfortunate that fear robbed them of the joy of what God had done!
Dear brothers and sisters, has fear ever kept you from standing up for your faith? Fear can paralyze us—fear of rejection, criticism, or loss. But Jesus reminds us, “Do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul” (Matthew 10:28). The cost of silence is too high when it means denying the truth.
Reflection:
Are we bold like the healed man, willing to testify to Jesus’ work in our lives even when it’s unpopular? Or are we like his parents—afraid to speak, worried about what others might think or what it might cost us?
Prayer:
Lord Jesus, thank You for being the Light of the World. Give us the courage to testify about Your work in our lives, even when it’s difficult. Help us to overcome fear and stand firm in our faith. Teach us to treasure Your truth above the approval of others. Let our lives reflect Your light, bringing glory to You in all we do. In Your mighty name, we pray. Amen.