| Blind Man's Parents |
| Jonathan and Judith went to synagogue every time the doors were opened. They never missed a service or activity. Everyone at the synagogue looked up to Jonathan and Judith. After they had been married a little while, they had a baby boy who they named Elam. They loved Elam very much. But one day they discovered he could not see. He was blind. To know what it is like to be blind, just close your eyes and try walking across the room or eating a meal. It was obvious little Elam needed a lot of extra care. But his parents were so dedicated to the synagogue, they decided to hire someone to take care of him so they wouldn't have to stop doing so many things at the synagogue. Actually, Elam embarrassed them in public, so they punished him for it in private. They were good Jews in public, but not always good Jews in private. Elam felt unwanted. So when he became a teenager, he left home. To support himself, he sat on street corners with a little bowl and called out "Alms. Alms for the poor." He lived on the money kind strangers gave him. This just embarrassed his parents even more. So they made sure not to walk on the same street where he begged. There was someone else who embarrassed Elam's parents and most people at the synagogue. It was Jesus. Jesus was telling everyone to quit being hypocrites by acting religious in public, but not in private. The synagogue announced that anyone agreeing with Jesus would be kicked out of their synagogue and the grand Temple and could no longer attend either place. One day there was a loud knock on Jonathan's and Judith's front gate. It was their son Elam. "I can see!" he announced excitedly! "Jesus healed me! I can see!" When they found out it was Jesus who healed their son, they made him leave. They were afraid they would be kicked out of the synagogue and Temple. The leaders of the Temple sent for Elam's parents to ask if he had really been born blind and Jesus healed him. They said their son had been born blind, but wouldn't admit Jesus had healed him. They preferred to be accepted by their old friends rather than Jesus. You may sometimes lose friends if you say you believe in Jesus. But Jesus made you and loves you and will never deny being your friend. Friends who leave us are not true friends. Jesus is your true and forever friend. |