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.)  John 9:21-22

The man whom Jesus healed of his blindness, and his parents, were brought to the synagogue to be interrogated by the religious leaders. Their answers were critical to their future as traditional Jews.  The parents validated their son’s identity, an admission that was easy to make.  It was the Pharisees second question that was problematic.  “Who healed your son?”  At this point, the parents did what all of us have done when looking into the faces of bullies.  They diluted their answer and passed the buck.

Isaiah, writing under the influence of the Spirit, delivers us this message from God.  “I am he who comforts you; who are you that you are afraid of man who dies, of the son of man who is made like grass?” Isaiah 51:12  Perhaps you are in a relationship with someone who is emotionally threatening.  You’ve known that you were being bullied.  Every question asked is high stakes.  Answer wrong and you’ll be made mincemeat.  You pray for God to change this person and take away the sharp edges.  You perceive that this is the only way out of the trap you are in.  However, there is an additional way of escape.  You must not fear man the words of man.  Living in relationship with a toxic person can be a catalyst, providing proof that God’s opinion is the only one that matters.

Becoming spiritually robust enough to stand tall in the presence of a bully does not happen overnight for any of us.   There is a slow progression from paralyzing fear to bold truth telling.  A transformation such as this can only be made with a strong connection to Jesus, by meditating on His Word and promises, and then drawing strength from His powerful presence.  As we try on the armor of God and the resulting new boldness, there will be a new combustible reaction.  Expect it.  But, instead of abandoning the path of holy confidence, we need to see this as an opportunity to strengthen new faith muscles.  Jesus is there, the only One who matters, and He will give us the courage to stay on the path of fierce resistance.

Strengthen me according to Your Word and the power of Your presence.  Amen