NOTES for Joh 9:1-23

Christ's answer to His disciples dismisses once and for all every kind of speculation about karma. Even many Christians are still inclined to search out who has been punished for which sin, and in the writings of some authors one can read confident assertions that sick children invariably suffer for the sins of their ancestors. Of course, very often those who have to pay for the consequences of sins are not the ones who committed them. But it is not our business to sniff out who is personally guilty of what, when sin seeks to enslave everyone. The Lord, however, intends to heal everyone from the consequences of sins.

The doubts of sceptics who questioned the authenticity of the miracle and did not immediately believe that the healed man had previously been blind could be understood to a certain extent, had their refusal to acknowledge the healing not become an end in itself. Alas, the lengthy questioning and interrogations are conducted not to establish the truth, but to put pressure on those being questioned and impose a preconceived opinion upon them.

Under this pressure, the healed man's parents are afraid to acknowledge Christ openly before the accusers. Yet even under pressure they have no intention of declaring the healing a fraud. In the small measure available to them and within their strength, they do not wish to serve falsehood.

It is often very difficult to bear witness to the truth in full. But even in such situations it proves possible at least not to assent to blatant and shameless lies.