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(2) Has suffering any connection w ith sin? (3) Do we give more atten tion to th e cause of crime or th e cure? (4 ) Does th e statem en t of Jesus in v. 2 contradict Rom. 3:23? (5) How do you reconcile v. 4 “While it is day * * * th e n igh t cometh” w ith Rom. 13:12 “The night is far a p a rt; th e day is at hand” ? ( 6 ) Can spiritually blind eyes be opened by one word of Christ? (7) Is the church afflicted w ith a blindness which hinders it from seeing the really blind? a » a » SUGGESTIVE COMMENT K. L. B. It will be of in terest to compare the case of th is blind man w ith th a t of the infirm man a t th e Pool of Bethesda (5 :1 -47 ). We see Jesus as the only helper of th e helpless. In both cases it is Jesus who does th e seeking (5 :6 ; 9 :1 ). In both He took the initiative. Both signs were manifested in Je ru sa lem (5 :1 ; 8 :59; 9 :1 ). There was a pool in both cases (5 :2 ; 9:7, 11). The pool of sp iritual cleansing is signified in Zech. 13:1. Blindness takes various forms. Some men are blind w ith pride, like Naaman (2 Kgs. 5:11-13). Some are blind w ith self-righteousness, like the Pharisee. (Lk. 18 :11 ). Some are blind from riches, like the ru ler (Lk. 1 8 :23 ). Some are blind w ith worldliness, like Demas (2 Tim. 4 :1 0 ). Some are blind w ith covetousness, like Balaam (Jud e 11). Some are blind w ith prejudice, like the ru lers (Jn. 7:47-48). Some are blind w ith self-will, like Saul (1 Sam. 15: 22-23). Some are blind w ith lust, like Esau (Heb. 12:16-17). There is sp iritu al sight and deliverance for all these in th e finished work of th e Lord Jesus through th e operations of His Holy Spirit.
t h a t th e p o w e r o f C h ris t m a y r e s t u p o n m e .” To believe th a t special affliction could be traced to special sins would beget self-complacency and 'spiritual pride. We may judge ourselves, bu t not others, and be ready to m inister to all who are in need. The sight of suffering is a call to service, and th e secret of serv ice is a will surrendered to th e will of God. Jesus sought opportunities. He knew th e blind man would be there, and th a t he needed help, and went th a t way for th e very purpose of helping him, as He went th rough Samaria for the express purpose of helping the woman at the well (John 4 :4 ). (3 ) THE BESTOWMENT OF LIGHT, vs. 4-17. Christ speaks and it is done. He used means— the clay and the spittle— to inspire faith. He can heal w ith or w ithout means; th e v irtue is in Him. He works always according to a defi nite plan. There are two elements in th is healing, (1 ) The Word “Go, wash” ; (2) The Sp irit represented by th e w ater in th e pool. The means used aided faith, fastened atten tion upon th e m ir acle, centered the mind upon Jesus and aroused th e soul w ith desire. The blind man went, and washed, and saw. He received sight by obed ience to the command “Go, wash.” The blind soul receives sight by obedience to the command, “Look and live.” (John 7:17) “I f a n y m a n w ill do* h is w ill, h e s h a ll k n o w o f th e d o c trin e .* ’ Note th e adaptation of Christ to men: To the hungry multitude, He was B read; to th e th irsty woman, W ater; to th e dead Lazarus, L ife; to the wan dering sheep, a Shepherd; to the blind, th e L ight of the World. Topics for Study (1) Are afflictions always to be traced to specific sins?
CHRISTIAN WORK (See Inside Back Cover)
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