Control without Responsibility

John 9

This article is about people that want to be in control, but they do not want to take responsibility for the people or situation that they want to control. People that want to be in control can be found in all walks of life. In particular, these people are found in families, communities, and churches. Here are two examples.

Timothy and his wife are divorced. They have a four year old son that lives with his mother. Timothy wants to control what takes place in his son’s life. Timothy does not pay child support even though he has the money to do so. Timothy is upset when Karen, his wife, meets another man and they plan to marry. Timothy tells Karen that he does not want another man to raise his kid. Timothy wants to control things in Karen and her son’s life, but he fails to take responsibility for their welfare.

Barbara is the Sunday school teacher in the adult class at the small church that she attends. Barbara is inconsistent in her attendance. Barbara thinks of herself as the resident theologian. People ought to believe what she tells them. There is no one else in the class that can challenge her knowledge and understanding of the bible. Zack visits the church. Barbara is not present. One of the older ladies asks Zack if he is a preacher. When he answers in the affirmative, the class invites him to teach the class. Zack becomes a member of the church. The pastor appoints Zack to be Director of Christian Education. Barbara is still inconsistent in her attendance. The members hear about this new preacher and his teaching. The class attendance increases greatly. Barbara becomes jealous. She begins to try to start arguments with Zack. When Zack demonstrates knowledge of the bible that she does not know, Barbara accuses Zack of being here just to establish a name for himself. Barbara wants to control, but she does not take responsibility for the growth and maturity of the class.

People that want to control but fail to take responsibility for what they want to control are a dangerous lot. They impede progress. They stymie growth and maturity. They may cause disunity and lack of cooperation among the members. These are only a few of the problems that can result. You may have other problems that you are aware of. As the writer of Ecclesiastes says, “there is nothing new under the sun.” So let us look at John 9. We will see that the Pharisees want to control the people, but they do not take responsibility to help the people in their difficult life situations.

Although John 9 is our primary focus, the writer of the fourth gospel begins his focus on the antagonism between Jesus and the Pharisees in chapter five. Who are the Pharisees? What do they think of themselves and what do the people think of them? The Pharisees see themselves as the religious rulers of the people. They have knowledge of the Law. They stand between God and the people. They are the buffers between the people and the Roman government. Their rule cannot be challenged. After all, their authority comes from God. They are disciples of Moses knowing the Law thoroughly.

The people have no one else to turn to. They are trapped in their life situations. Many of them are waiting on the Messiah foretold in the prophets. However, the teachings of the religious authorities lead them to hope for a military leader that will overthrow Roman domination. They have no concept of a Messiah that will lead them back to God. Because of the cruelty that they suffer at the hands of Rome, the people are insensitive to their own sins. The people live in a world in which they are controlled by people with strength and might. They do not think because the religious rulers think for them. For these people, many are unaware of God’s call for clean hands and a pure heart. Instead, they believe that their relationship to God is based on keeping the Law and following the rules of the scribes and Pharisees. In His teaching and ministry to the people Jesus raises issues that lead to confusion and conflict.

Jesus includes all people in His ministry. He heals people regardless of their sickness and disease. He heals those that are labeled as sinners. He heals Gentiles, including the servant of a Roman centurion (Matt. 5-13). Jesus talks with a Samaritan woman at a well. Normally, Jews do not travel through Samaria where the half breeds that are outcasts live. How dare Jesus a Jew man talk with a Samaritan and a woman at that. Can you see it? Jesus breaks all the rules. So now we are in John 9. What happens?

Jesus and His disciples are walking down the street. They see a man that is blind from birth. Jesus answers the disciples’ theological questions, “who sinned, this man or his parents, that he would be born blind?” (v. 2, NASB) Jesus heals the man, and this leads to confusion, debate, and conflict. Why should healing a man cause some people to get upset? Why are they not happy for the man? Why do they not thank God for healing the man?

It is because Jesus heals the man on the Sabbath Day and the Pharisees interpret the law in a way that makes Jesus guilty of defying and disobeying the Law. The way the Pharisees see it, keeping the Law takes precedence over meeting the needs of the people. So, let us look at this more closely. The Pharisees and the scribes are experts in the Law. What they say has authority. Also, what they say give them control over the people. I believe that the Pharisees are less concerned about the Law and more concerned about their control over the people. This seems to be what Jesus is teaching when He heals the man with the withered hand on the Sabbath. “Is it lawful to heal on the Sabbath” Jesus asks.” “What man is there among you who has a sheep and if it falls into a pit on the Sabbath, will he not take hold of it and lift it out? How much more valuable then is a man than a sheep! So then, it is lawful to do good on the Sabbath” (Matt. 12:10-12, NASB).

The Pharisees use rules to control the people by establishing traditions. Although their interpretations help them to control the people, they offer no solutions to help the people. They want things to run smoothly; no trouble. They are afraid of the Roman officials and they have established a working relationship with the Romans. Their job is to keep their people under control. The welfare of the people is less important. It is better that things stay the same. Jesus takes a more radical approach.

Jesus is concerned about the poor; the sinners; the left outs; the law breakers; the thieves and tax collectors; the sick and diseased. It is not true that Jesus is more concerned about the poor than He is about the rich. It may seem this way, but there is a reason for this. The gospels emphasize Jesus care for the poor because He is establishing a new ethic and a new morality. This new ethic and new morality is not new to God. All people are included in God’s plan of redemption and salvation. It is new only in the sense that Jesus demonstrates that God loves all people regardless of human status and condition. The Pharisees have been teaching all alone that these people are sinners with no hope. Therefore, there is no need to take responsibility for their welfare. On the other hand, Jesus demonstrates that God’s love is for all people (Jn. 3:16).

The Pharisees are jealous of Jesus. Until now they are the ones that the people look to. They are regarded by all people as their leaders. They are next to God, so to speak. Jesus upsets things when He begins to meets the needs of the people. The news about Jesus spread rapidly and large crowds follow Jesus. They gladly hear what He says (Lk. 15:1-2). He claims to be God’s Son. He is God’s true representative. He does not need permission from the Pharisees to do the work of God. He is not a disciple of Moses. The Law does not control Jesus. The Law comes from Jesus the word of God, who is God (Jn. 1:1). Jesus does not come to control people. He comes as a servant to set people free. He offers peace, restoration to wholeness, both physical and spiritual. He offers reconciliation to God and peace with God. Everything that Jesus does for people are done to demonstrate God’s love for His people. The crowning demonstrative act of love is seen in His sacrifice on the cross. “But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us” (Rom. 5:8).