THE KING’ S BUSINESS
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Note that in 8:12-46 the word “true” occurs six times, “truth” seven times. W e have Christ’s own testimony con cerning Himself and His relation to the Father (8:12-30); also as light and life (8:12), a4 truth (8:14), as being from above (8:23), as settling man’s eternal destiny (8:21, 24, 51), as sustaining an exceptional relationship to and with the Father (8:16, 18, 19; 26-29, 38, 42, 49, 54), as being Son o f God ( 8 :35, 36), and pre existent (52-58). (c ) P roof o f the claim—The healing of the man born blind 9 :1-41. . Our attention is drawn ,to the problem o f the relation between sickness and sin (9:1-5, cf. 9:34; 10:21). Is all sickness the result o f -sin on the part o f the person afflicted? Is all affliction from-Satan? Is it ever sent by God? Compare Job chap ters 1 and 2; 33:14-28; John 5:14; 9:1-3; 1 5 :3 ;1 Corinthians 5:5; 11:30-32; 2 Corin thians 7 :9 -ll ; Hebrews 12:3-15; Japies 5 :15,\ 16 ?■ Revelation 3:19. Argument on such problems may have its place, but what this poor man needed was help and not argument. Thè condition of the blind man and the miracle of his healing had to do with the glory o f God. How can blindness be to the gjory of God? | (2 Corinthians 12 : 7 - 10 ; 1 Timothy 1T6). Physical blindness is a type o f spiritual blindness (9:39-41). Christ used means in healing this man. The Saviour used different methods in differ ent cases (cf. Mark 12:46-52). ^ The.varying results o f this manifestation and miracle are set forth : On the healed man—argument from experience (9:25), bold testimony (23-34), acceptance o f Christ (35-38) ; on the parents—conviction, but coyrardice (18-23) ; on the people— amazement (8-12, cf. 10:21) ; on the Phar isees—stubborn prejudice and opposition (13-17, 24-34). I I 3 . The sélf-mdnìfestation of Christ to the world as love, 10 : 1 - 1 1 : 5 ?• Just as in chapter^ 5 and 6 two miracles or signs (healing o f the palsied man, and
food -of the soul (27, 33, 35), and declares that unless - we partake o f His flesh and blood—meaning that unless we participate in His redemptive work^—we have no life in us (cf. SO, 58). Considerable emphasis is laid in this chapter upon the resurrection (cf. 39, 40, 44, 54), 2, The self-manifestation o f Christ to the world as truth and light, J . The discourses in this chapter take place at the Feast o f Tabernacles. It is inter esting to note that the structure o f John’s gospel is based somewhat upon the wilder ness experience o f the children o f Israel and the structure o f the Tabernacle (cf. Laver, cc. 3, 4; Shewbread, c. 6 ; Candle stick, c. 8 ; Holy o f Holies, cc. 13-17, etc). (a ) Christ as the truth, 7:1-53. The challenge o f Christ by His brethren (7:1-9) gave Christ an opportunity to declare that His kingdom cometh not with outward show and pomp (cf. Matthew 12:14-21; 2 1 :1-11). Christ’s life followed God’s plan, not man’s dictation. The life o f Jesus was lived according to God’s plan (5:19, 20). For this reason we, have the oft-recurring phrase “Mine hour is not yet come” and then “The hour is come” (cf. 2 :4 ; 7:30; 8:20; 12:23-27; 13:1; 17:1). Verses 10-39 give us a descriptibn o f the telebration o f the Feast o f the Tabernacles. Christ’s dialogue with the people ( 7 :10-31) and its varying results as discussed with the Pharisees ( 7 :32-36), and Christ’s asser tion that the smitten rock in the wilder ness was typical o f Himself (37-39, cf. Exodus 17:6; 1 Corinthians 10:4) are graphically presented. Note the progress o f teaching: Water in its beginnings ( 3 :5 ); water springing up (4 :1 4 ); waters overflowing ( 7 :37-39, cf. Ezekiel .47 :1 -5)—all o f which may be looked upon as an interesting illustration o f the Christian experience. The results o f Christ’s manifestation are again set forth: On the people (7:40-44); on the rulers and officials (45-52). (b ) Christ as truth (continued) and light, 8:1-59.
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