556. JOH 9:1-7. THE RESTORING OF THE BLIND YOUNG MAN

Joh_9:1-7. The Restoring of the Blind Young Man

"And as Jesus passed by, he saw a raw who was blind from his birth. And his disciples asked him, saying, Master, who did sin, this man, or his parents, that he was born blind?" &c.’97Joh_9:1-7.

The case of this blind man is given at very great length by the evangelist, as it was the occasion of much dispute among the Jews. In the account furnished, there are many highly important subjects introduced, each of which would furnish ample matter for a discourse. It may be well for us therefore to attend to some of these, as they are presented before us. Observe,

I. The state of the sufferer. He was blind, and had been so from his birth, Joh_9:1.

It is unnecessary to dwell on the calamity of blindness. Its privations and sorrows are manifest to all. This man had been blind from his birth. Hence it was probably the result of some organic defect. He had never beheld the face of nature, or seen the light of the sun. Notice,

II. The interrogation of the disciples. And his disciples asked, "Who did sin, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?" Joh_9:2. It was the general belief of the Jews, that extraordinary calamities arose invariably from heinous sins. Hence they concluded that those on whom the tower of Siloam fell, were sinners above all men. Hence when they saw the accumulated sorrows and sufferings of Jesus, they deemed him smitten of God and afflicted. In this case they concluded that the parents, or this man, had incurred the displeasure of the Almighty in that he had been born blind. It would seem also from the very reference to the man himself, that they must have believed in the doctrine of the transmigration of souls, or that he could have sinned in his mother’s womb. This idea of sin bringing on itself immediate physical suffering is still common’97may arise from a superstitious dread which guilt in the mind produces. Notice,

III. The reply of the Saviour. He declared that neither the man nor his parents had sinned, especially so as to procure this calamity, Joh_9:3. But that God had permitted this affliction, that his wondrous works might be made manifest to him. Here is an undoubted reference to the power which he possessed, and which he was about to put forth for his restoration. Now we should learn from this not to judge nor to indulge in evil surmisings respecting those who are destitute or greatly afflicted, or who are the subjects of grievous and distressing calamities. Notice,

IV. The declaration of Christ concerning his own mission. "I must work the works of him that sent me while it is day," &c., Joh_9:3. He now indicates further, that he had been especially sent to do the miraculous and beneficent works of God. That this was his day. The period allotted and appointed for his marvellous doings, and that he must do it now, for night was coming, the night of death, when no man could work. How truly striking and affecting this declaration. If Jesus, who was clothed with miraculous power, thus felt the importance of diligence in his great vocation, how much more should we be constantly impressed with the supreme necessity of prompt and faithful obedience to the claims of God. Observe,

V. He asserts himself to be the luminary of the world. "As long as I am in the world, I am the light of the world," Joh_9:5. He is the great and only sun of the moral system. He the only orb of spiritual day. He the only source of light and blessedness. He creates natural light, and makes the eye to see it and rejoice in it. He makes spiritual light, and causes the soul to enjoy and delight in it. Then observe,

VI. The miracle he wrought.

1. He employed certain means. Yet how unlikely to benefit the blind man. "He spat on the ground and made clay of the spittle, and anointed the eyes of the blind man with the clay," Joh_9:6. All this was much more likely to make a seeing man blind, than to give sight to one already blind. But Jesus often used means, and they were generally of an extraordinary character, and, humanly speaking, unlikely to secure the end contemplated. Thus he concealed, in some measure, his overwhelming glory.

2. He gave certain instructions. He told the man to go and wash in the pool of Siloam, Joh_9:7. Here was a trial of the blind man’s faith and obedience. Thus also the miracle would be wrought before a great number of witnesses. Here also implicit obedience in the use of appointed means would be sanctioned. Notice,

VII. The happy result. He went his way as Jesus directed. He washed. And came back, seeing. How obvious that the spirit of Christ’s power and mercy went with him. And in the use of Christ’s appointed means, he obtained his sight. Herein the glory of Christ was conspicuously displayed. And herein his love and compassion were beautifully set forth. Thus two ancient predictions were accomplished, and the Saviour’s profession of the Messiahship fully exemplified. Yet the effects were not such as we should have anticipated. For we behold,

1. The Jews filled with envy and unbelief, Joh_9:16-28.

2. His parents were ensnared through the fear of man, Joh_9:20-21. But happily,

3. The young man confessed Christ, vindicated his character, and became a believing and honorable disciple, Joh_9:25-30, Joh_9:35-38.

Autor: JABEZ BURNS