At first glance, it seems like good news that Jesus healed the man on the Sabbath. Isn't that the best day to help someone out? But this was a social and legal crisis. Making mud is a kind of kneading, healing blindness requires even more work, and strict Sabbath regulations forbade productive labor. So the formerly blind man's community brought him before the local authorities so they could determine the proper punishment. Initially, the leaders are confused. Is this a violation we need to condemn, or a miracle we need to celebrate? But when they realize that recognizing a miracle would require them to recognize Jesus as a prophet, their minds are made up. The first step in rejecting the miracle is to find witnesses who will confirm their conclusion. So they summon the parents. They aren't asking for truth, but compliance. Fear seems to reliably cause amnesia. I've seen U.S. Presidents follow the John 9 playbook: "I don't recall." Press Secretaries regularly respond to journalists by telling them, "I'd refer you to so-and-so." If some of the world's most powerful people avoid telling the truth, it's not so surprising that these vulnerable parents can't stand their ground. They might want their community to celebrate this miracle, but they can't risk the threatened religious, social, and economic banishment. Instead of only their son begging, they'll all be in the streets. They are terrified, so they join their community in pointing fingers at their destitute son. But thanks to Jesus, this man can see clearly. Despite the cost, he testifies, "He's a prophet."