In John 9, a man, blind from birth, was healed by Jesus on the Sabbath. This got the pharisees in a huff (per usual). His parents, no doubt labelled “sinners” for bringing into the world a blind son, wanted no piece of the dispute. They had learned to keep their mouths shut around the pharisees (this is no surprise). But what strikes me odd about this brouhaha is the man’s neighbors (HIS NEIGHBORS!!) did not even know if this was the man who had been begging for years. 

John records it this way:

His neighbors and those who had formerly seen him begging asked, “Isn’t this the same man who used to sit and beg?” Some claimed that he was.
Others said, “No, he only looks like him.”
But he himself insisted, “I am the man.” John 9:8-9

How could one walk by a neighbor day in and day out and not see him? How could they not recognize him? Who was truly blind in the story– the man blind from birth or the people who refused to see?

Are Christians in America turning a blind eye on their neighbors too?  Do we see the suffering in our world? Do we see that injustices being done?  Do we see that law abiding immigrants are being rounded up and imprisoned without due process? Do we notice as they are being dragged out of churches? Are we singing “Turn your eyes upon Jesus” but not turning our eyes toward our brothers and sisters in Christ who are suffering? Do we sing a little bit louder as to drown out the cries for help?  Do we not see it? Or do we choose not to see it?  (see the Christianity today article about some detained Christians here).

What part of “Love your neighbor” have we missed? Will we be in with the other goats as the Judge tells us, “whatever you did not do to the least of these you did not do for me” (See Matthew 25)? 

No one wants criminals in the country. Everyone agrees they should not be allowed to stay. But what about the church-attending, law-abiding, asylum seeking neighbors?* Do we see them? What about those believers who have left their country of origin because of religious persecution or wanton violence? Do we care? Do we simply choose to listen to the narrative that what is being done is for “law and order”? 

“Law breaking is bad!” someone will shout. “They broke the law.” 

Tell that to Joseph in an Egyptian prison. 
Tell that to Shiphrah and Puah as they defied Pharaoh’s orders.
Tell that to Moses as he defied Pharaoh’s orders too.
Tell that to David as he was on the run from King Saul.
Tell that to Elijah as he was on the run from Queen Jezebel. 
Tell that to Jeremiah as he stood in the stocks. 
Tell that to John the Baptist as he was executed by Herod. 
Tell that to Peter and John when they boldly told the leaders that be, “Which is right in God’s eyes: to listen to you, or to him? (Acts 4:19)
Tell that to Stephen as the rocks were flying. 
Tell that to Paul as he sat in a Roman prison.
Tell that to Jesus as he hung on a Roman cross. 

It seems God fearing people have a long history of refusing to turn a blind eye to unjust laws or oppressed people.

Do we not see our neighbors? 

Are we blind?

*Honestly, “church-attending” isn’t even the issue. This is America. No one is forced to believe.