A TENSE SCENE TAKES PLACE at a synagogue in Jerusalem. Jesus has previously healed a man born blind. This took place on the Sabbath. “As he went along, he saw a man blind from birth. His disciples asked him, ‘Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?’ ‘Neither this man nor his parents sinned,’ said Jesus, ‘but this happened so that the work of God might be displayed in his life.’” (John 9:1-3) It was common for the Jews in Jesus’ time to view people afflicted with a disease, such as leprosy, or a deficient condition, in this example a blind man, were so because of sin. The sin may have been their own, or that of an ancestor, as Moses reveals. “The Lord does not leave the guilty unpunished; he punishes the children for the sin of the fathers to the third and fourth generation.” (Num. 14:18; Ex. 34:7)
This view is a presupposition of the Pharisees who are examining the circumstances of the blind man healed by Jesus; it is not, however, their motivation. They infer him a heretic: “This man is not from God, for he does not keep the Sabbath.” (John 9:16a) They, already prejudiced, are actively seeking a way to discredit Jesus, and hopefully have the grounds to declare him anathema. Earlier, they had interviewed the blind man; disbelieving his account, they now interrogate his parents. “Is this your son? Is this the one you say was born blind? How is it that now he can see?” (John 9:19) Significantly, John describes the parents’ underlying reason for blurring their answers. “For already the Jews had decided that anyone who acknowledged that Jesus was the Christ would be put out of the synagogue.” (John 9:22a)
Excommunication from the synagogue carried serious consequences. There were three levels of ban, with “niddui” being the most severe. Though there were gradations, niddui could mean a lifetime exclusion from the synagogue, and this was something to be feared. The life of the community was carried out with the functions of the synagogue at its center. A permanently banned person had no right to participate in any of the events central to community life; the rest of the community was forbidden to speak to them or about them. This would sever long-standing and cherished relationships, and isolate the banned person; they were considered as if dead, and after death even their memory was erased. “That was why his parents said, ‘He is of age; ask him.’” (John 9:21)
“A second time they summoned the man who had been blind. ‘Give glory to God,’ they said. ‘We know this man is a sinner.’” (John 9:24) The phrase ‘Give glory to God’ is an idiomatic phrase associated with the legal system of the synagogue. It is akin to our modern court system asking someone to place their hand on the Bible and vow to the truth of their testimony to be given. “He replied, ‘Whether he is a sinner or not, I don’t know. One thing I do know. I was blind but now I see!’” (John 9:25) From there, the once-blind now-sighted man continues to state his truths, undeniable to him because of the experientially miraculous nature of his healing. This only infuriates the Pharisees more.
Courts are, at their best, called to be objective in their examination of facts in order to decide a just verdict for the case before them—but the Pharisees have not just lost their objectivity, they have lost their integrity. The scene turns uglier, and descends into name-calling. “Then they hurled insults at him.” (John 9:28a) The man, who now sees very clearly indeed, responds, “We know that God does not listen to sinners. He listens to the godly man who does his will. Nobody has ever heard of opening the eyes of a man born blind. If this man were not from God, he could do nothing.” (John 9:31) The Pharisees are further enraged. “And they threw him out.” (John 9:34b)
It is most likely that the Pharisees imposed the harshest form of ban against this man. We wonder if his parents never spoke to him in public again, or if the family simply ignored the excommunication. The people had different opinions on how they felt about the miracle, and how they felt about Jesus. “‘How can a sinner do such miraculous signs?’ So they were divided.” (John 9:16b)
This is frequently the way it is for those who are called to follow Jesus. He leads us into circumstances that not only cause us to change, but to become change agents. He warns, though, “Do not suppose that I have come to bring peace to the earth. I did not come to bring peace, but a sword.” (Matt. 10:34) Wherever the name of Jesus is proclaimed in the marketplace, the culture, the courts, or the government, there will be opposition. But Jesus promises us, “Whoever acknowledges me before men, I will also acknowledge him before my Father in heaven.” (Matt. 10:32) He also encourages us with these words, “Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven.” (Matt. 5:11-12)
Q. When was the last time I was persecuted for my faith in Jesus?
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