October 1929
T h e
K i n g ’ s
B u s i n e s s
476
trust; we do not remember past mercies as we ought and as we are bidden to do (cf. Deut. 8:2). If only we would set up stones of help and keep them in sight how much fear and anxiety we should be saved, for “Each sweet Ebenezer We have in review Confirms His good pleasure To help us quite through.” (*) 19, 20—These verses, if accepted as historically correct, dis pose of the idea that there are two accounts of but one miracle: they also prove the truth of the miraculous and the divinity of Christ; if, on the other hand, we reject their veracity, why should we not reject the whole Gospel as unreliable? 21— HOW IS IT THAT YE DO NOT UNDERSTAND? n-Their obtuseness, and ours, must have been, and must be, very trying to His patience. The reason, of course, in their case was that the Holy Ghost had not been given; in ours, that we do not sufficiently seek His aid. 22— THEY BRING (Greek, “bear”) TO HIM A BLIND (MAN—'The word rather indicates that the man would not have come but for gentle force; it is the word used for carrying inanimate things; ye,t we must not suppose that they actually car ried him. BESOUGHT HIM—i.e., those who brought him; the man himself seems to have been passive in the matter. TO TOUCH—They believed that the touch of Christ was sufficient. Note how men’s salvation so often commences with other peo ple’s faith and effort: we should diligently use both for the bene fit of our fellow men. 23— TOOK . . ! BY THE HAND—A literal fulfillment of Isa. 42:16, and a type of His spiritual leading of the spiritually blind. The immediate purpose was probably to hold converse with him so as to awaken his faith: when He leads us aside from our fellows He usually speaks to us—would we had always ears to hear! HAVING SPIT—This was a condescension to the man’s mental condition, for He ever deals with us, not as we ought to be, but as -yve are, a thought which is very comforting. HAVING PUT HIS HANDS ON HIM—He waits for the effect of His ministration, which is hindered only by the want of receptivity on the part of those with whom He deals. ASKED IF HE SAW. AUGHT—Not for His own information, but that the man might be induced to exercise his powers of vision; we shall see nothing unless we use the sight which God has given us. 24— 1 BEHOLD MEN, FOR AS TREES I SEE THEM WALKING (that is: “Thoughtfully regarding what I see, I imagine them to be men, for though they look like trees, they are walking”)—The Greek word for “behold” suggests a mental effort as well as a physical one; the word for “see” refers to physical sight only; we must consider what we see if we are to arrive at true spiritual vision. Note that the man had not been born blind, for he knew what trees were like; this is not a type of conversion, but of the restoration of lost spiritual vision. We may lose our powers of spiritual sight through neglect, or indifference,' or worldliness, or sin, and only Christ can restore them. 25— PUT HIS HANDS AGAIN—We learn here both the patience of Christ in dealing with poor purblind humanity, and also the fact that He never leaves His work incomplete (cf. Phil. 1:6). MADE HIM LOOK UP—He was doing in person to the blind man what He does spiritually by the agency of the Holy Ghost—urging them to look up that they may see heavenly things; if our eyes are continually fixed upon edrth we shall never see spiritual visions. RESTORED AND LOOKED UPON ALL THINGS CLEARLY—The restoration was per fect and all obstruction in the organs of vision was removed. This is a progressive miracle (most unusual) and cannot there- (*) Slightly altered.
The Pilgrim’s Song B y E lla B. R obertson
O Lord of heaven, I fain would flee The dangers that my soul dismay; The Slough hath well nigh whelmed me; I see the light, yet from it .stray. Lo! at the cross I find release; The burden falls, I see Thy face. My feet have found the way of peace, | iffy heart, holds, fast Thy ivord of grace. O’er toilsome road Thou art my stay, In darkest vale Thou art my light; When demons challenge to the fray, I gird me with Thine armor bright. From dungeon deep, from fowler’s snare, Thpii. dost redeem and set me free. How lovely, Lord, Thy mountains are, Whence I the Shining Gates may see! ' — Watchman-Examiner.
the Pharisees was hypocrisy, of the Sadducees unbelief, of Herod worldliness. These are three of the most deadly sins possible; yet one or the other besets most men. They are easily and almost unconsciously fallen into, and very great watchfulness in regard to them is therefore necessary. 16— THEY REASONED AMONG THEMSELVES—As they were so fond of doing, instead of asking Him. If we would but seek His interpretation and advice instead of arguing amongst ourselves, how much perplexity and how many mis takes we should be saved! BECAUSE WE HÀVE NO BREAD -4-How little thë^'lcpew,Him (although they had been with Him for two 'years) ''or they could riot have imagined such a sar donic reminder of their lack; how slow we are to learn the depth ànd breadth of His tenderness for us; how ready to mistake His purpose and His dealings ! 17— AND JESUS KNOWING—Not “when He knew it” ; He knew it all the time. This repeated knowledge of what men were saying and thinking was a proof of His divinity. We should' never forget that He knows all orir secret questionings and thoughts (cf: Psa. 139:2). We might therefore as well tell Him at once. PERCEIVE YE NOT YET?—It would seem impossible that they should be so dense and so foolish, were it not that we ourselves so often misunderstand and mistrust, although we know more about Him than they did. YOUR HEART YET HARDENED—Note the passive mood; He does not accuse'thé'm;bf themselves hardening their hearts; He-only inquires (but not for information) why association with Him had not soiterièd them. The human heart is by nature hard—-a stony heart (as the word He uses here implies) (cf. Ezek. 11: 19). Of course we can further harden it if we so choose, but that must bé against knowledge; this hardness was because they had not yet learned. 18— HAVING EYES . . . . EARS, etc—No! For physical eyes and ears are riot sufficient for spiritual purposes : how many see and hear God’s works and words upon whom they make no impression. We^Biust remember that the Holy Ghost was not yet given. Christ) of coursé, knew this and only asked the ques tions that He might lead them to feel their blindness, etc., and their need of some radical change. DO YE NOT REMEM BER?—There is the secret of so much unbelief and want of
Made with FlippingBook - Online catalogs