There is almost a dance going on between the religious leaders, the healed man, and the man's parents. Everything moves forward because of the fear of the truth coming from those religious leaders. Ultimately, the religious leaders simply refuse to see the truth at all (v18). The one person seemingly not affected by fear and anxiety is the healed man himself. Could it be that the best way to be free of anxiety about following Jesus is simply to tell the truth about what we've experienced?
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For Reflection:
Imagine that you are teaching a children's Sunday school class.
- How would you explain the fear and anxiety experienced by the parents?
- How might you explain the fear and anxiety of the Pharisees (especially their refusal to believe the truth in v18)?
- How would you explain the apparent lack of fear and anxiety in the healed man?
- What are the fears and anxieties we face telling others what we've experienced in Jesus?
