John 9:18-23: a reflection

18The Jews therefore didn’t believe concerning him, that he had been blind and had received his sight, until they called the parents of him who had received his sight, 19and asked them, “Is this your son, whom you say was born blind? How then does he now see?” 20His parents answered them, “We know that this is our son, and that he was born blind; 21but how he now sees, we don’t know; or who opened his eyes, we don’t know. He is of age. Ask him. He will speak for himself.” 22His parents said these things because they feared the Jews; for the Jews had already agreed that if any man would confess him as Christ, he would be put out of the synagogue. 23Therefore his parents said, “He is of age. Ask him.”

The authorities, refusing to believe that the man had been born blind and now could see, summon his parents to question them. But the parents, though they confirm that he is their son and was born blind, will not say how he was healed or who did it; they deflect: He is of age; ask him. And the reason is given plainly: they were afraid, for the authorities had already agreed that anyone who confessed Jesus as the Christ would be put out of the synagogue. Fear kept them from speaking up.

Notice what silenced the parents: fear of the cost. They knew the truth, that their son had been born blind and now could see; but to speak up, to acknowledge who had healed him, might mean being put out of the synagogue, excluded from their community. And so, afraid of that cost, they deflected and would not speak. Fear of the social consequences kept them from confessing what they knew.

That fear is one we know. It is often not doubt that keeps us from confessing Christ or speaking the truth, but fear of the cost, fear of rejection, exclusion, disapproval, of being put out of some circle we belong to. Like the parents, we can know the truth and yet deflect and stay silent, because we are afraid of what people might do or think. But fear that silences our witness is a fear to be resisted. Do not let the fear of social consequences keep you from confessing Christ or the truth you know. It is a real fear, but it is not to rule you; the approval of God is worth more than the approval of any circle that might exclude you. Do not be like the parents, silenced by fear; speak the truth you know, and confess Christ, even when it may cost you the acceptance of others.

Lord, when the healed man's parents were questioned, they knew the truth but would not speak it, deflecting out of fear of being put out of the synagogue; fear of the cost silenced them. I know that fear. It is often not doubt that keeps me from confessing Christ or speaking the truth, but fear of the cost, fear of rejection, exclusion, disapproval, of being put out of some circle I belong to. Like the parents, I can know the truth and yet deflect and stay silent, because I am afraid of what people might do or think. But fear that silences my witness is a fear to be resisted. Keep me from letting the fear of social consequences keep me from confessing you or the truth I know. It is a real fear, but help me not let it rule me; your approval is worth more than the approval of any circle that might exclude me. Keep me from being like the parents, silenced by fear; help me speak the truth I know, and confess you, even when it may cost me the acceptance of others.