Saturday, October 14: John 9- Peer pressure.

The pressure placed on the parents by the religious establishment was enormous. The religious leaders held the ‘keys’ to the community and if you stepped out of bounds they could lock you out. Locked out you were separated from your friends, your community, your religion. In other words you were completely isolated. Answering the Pharisees inquisition was delicate.

The blind man’s parents found a clever way out. “We know he is our son,” the parents answered, “and we know he was born blind. But how he can see now, or who opened his eyes, we don’t know. Ask him. He is of age; he will speak for himself.” His parents said this because they were afraid of the Jewish leaders, who already had decided that anyone who acknowledged that Jesus was the Messiah would be put out of the synagogue. That was why his parents said, “He is of age; ask him” (20-23)

But for most, there are no clever non-responses that can save us at times like these.

The pressure the parents felt most of us can relate to in one degree or another. Lunch break at work, a religion question comes up. “Are you one of those religious conservatives?” How do you answer? You won’t be put out of work but you feel the pressure.

I can think of a hundred scenarios like this in my country where we have religious freedom. Many more Christians face far more pressure in countries where it is illegal to be Christian, where being exposed as a Christ-follower could cost you your life.

How do you respond to the pressure peers and authorities can put on you for your faith?

The parents were able to skirt the answer. The healed blind men could not and would not and he was excommunicated from his synagogue for his statement. He was healed and had found Jesus and that was all that mattered to him.

Ultimately we answer these inquisitions based on what matters to us…

Does Jesus matter more than anything else... acceptance by peers or even life itself?

Think about it…

Lord, there have been times when I failed this test. I know I am forgiven for those lapses but there are times they still haunt me. Give me strength today to pass any peer pressure tests that come my way. I pray this in Jesus’ name. Amen.

 

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