The Jews did not believe that he had been blind and had received his sight, until they called the parents of the man who had received his sight and asked them, “Is this your son, who you say was born blind? How then does he now see?” His parents answered, “We know that this is our son and that he was born blind. But how he now sees we do not know, nor do we know who opened his eyes. Ask him; he is of age. He will speak for himself.” (His parents said these things because they feared the Jews, for the Jews had already agreed that if anyone should confess Jesus to be Christ, he was to be put out of the synagogue.) Therefore his parents said, “He is of age; ask him.” — John 9:18-23

There are two types of belief presented in this story. One courageous and the other cowardly. Remarkably they are both from the same religion and family and are witnesses to the same event — the healing work of Jesus. But what gives them away is their confession. Their confession reveals their courage or cowardice.

We get the same choice in our daily confession. And by confession, I mean how we speak about Jesus's work in our life. And many believing men have been silent about this for too long. Some believers assume that our social gospel and good deeds are enough for people to see, know, and hear about Jesus. But this couldn't be further from the truth. All the social gospel has done is silence our confession of faith, detaching it from Jesus so that people don't make the connection. Then our good deeds become simple humanitarianism devoid of divine purpose.

And that's the agenda of the officials in this text. The religious officials don't want anyone to attach a divine miracle to Jesus because this might mean some will confess him as Christ. So they've established a counter agenda. They have warned that anyone who testifies to Jesus as Christ will be socially de-platformed. Imagine that.

Gentlemen, as believing men, we need to be more courageous in our confession about Jesus and his work in our life. So if you have been a little cowardly because you were concerned about potential losses, consider this statement by Jesus in Matthew 10:32-33.

So everyone who acknowledges me before men, I also will acknowledge before my Father who is in heaven, but whoever denies me before men, I also will deny before my Father who is in heaven. — Matthew 10:32-33

So your choice is a cowardly confession or a courageous one. One results in losses now (i.e., relationships, status, and money). And the other results in losses later (i.e., your eternity). But choose wisely because the potential losses are more significant on one side than the other.

ASK THIS: Have you ever been hesitant or afraid to confess your faith in Jesus openly? If so, what were the reasons behind your hesitation? Reflect on the two types of belief in the story: courageous and cowardly. Which category do you feel you align with more often? Why?

DO THIS: Make one courageous confession about your faith in Jesus today.

PRAY THIS: God, give me the courage to confess Jesus boldly. Let my words and actions reflect His work. Remove my fears and empower me to speak boldly. Amen.

PLAY THIS: Courageous.