THE KING’S, BUSINESS
343
the rulers cast this man out they cast him right into the arms of Jesus. It is a good thing to be cast out if separation from human fellowship brings the fellowship of Jesus, and it oftentimes does. . Their cast ing him out led Jesus to seek him out. Jesus, having found him led the man on to a deeper faith. He had believed in Jesus far enough to obey is bidding and go to Siloam and thus be healed. He had believed in Jesus as a good man and a prophet and that He was “from God” (vs. 17, 30, 33), but now he is to be brought into the great saving, transforming faith that He is the Son of God (cf. ch. 20:31). Jesus put to him the great question, “Dost thou believe on the Son of God?” Ah, there is a whole world of meaning, life and blessing and power in that question and its right answer. Put it to yourself, do I really believe on the Son of God? You say, “I do,” but do you? If you do, happy are you (John 20:31; 1 John 5:1-4). This man did not as yet, but he will shortly. Note his honesty and his eagerness. “Who is He,_Lord, that I may believe on Him?” v. 37. “ And (omit, And) Jesus said unto ( 1 ) The Blind Man, vs. 1-3. In Chapter 8, we have what He was toward men; In Chapter 9, we have what He was for men. Does the fact that the whole chapter is given to one miracle, signify its import ance? Deut. 27:28. (Comp. John 3 :19.) There are four instances of healing the blind, in the life of Christ: What is the test Christ made in Matt. 9:27-30? What significant thing did Christ do with the man in Mark 8:22-26? What test was made with blind Barti- meus ? Mark 10:45-52..
him, Thou hast both seen Him, and He it is that talketh (speaketh) with thee." Here is a plain declaration upon the part of Jesus Himself that He is the Son of God. There are those who say that Jesus never Him self said that He Himself was the Son of God, but certainly He does say it in the most unmistakable terms in this place. What a privilege this man had of actually seeing the Son of God and having Him speak with Him. We too in a sense may see Him even now (ch. 14:21), and the glad day is coming when we shall literally see Him (1 John 3:2), and it is our privi lege today to have Him speak with us. v. 38. "And he said, Lord, I believe: (.) and he worshipped Him.” Just as soon as Jesus made Himself known to this man as the Son of God he cried, “Lord, I believe.” He proved that he really did believe by worshipping Him. Do you worship Jesus? You ought to. There are many who say that they believe that Jesus is the Son of God who stop short of actually worshipping Him, and by so doing they stop short of their full duty toward the Lord (Heb. 1:6; cf. John 20:28, 29). How did the man in our lesson differ from the others? a ?. 32. Who noticed the blind man, Christ or the disciples? v. 1. Did the disciples consider him as an ob ject of pity, or for theological discussion? 12:6; I Cor.-13:2. . Was it the prevailing belief that sickness and suffering were judgments for sin? Acts 28:4. 1 Is suffering sometimes the direct result of sin? Num. 12:10; 2 Kings-5:35-37. Are special calamities always a sign of special sins? Luke 13:4, 5. Is some suffering for the special glory of God? 2 Cor. 12:9.
LESSON OUTLINE
Made with FlippingBook - Online magazine maker