Joh 9 | MHCC | e4.org | 1-7 Christ cured many who were blind by disease or accident; here he cured one born blind. Thus he showed his power to help in the most desperate cases, and the work of his grace upon the souls of sinners, which gives sight to those blind by nature. This poor man could not see Christ, but Christ saw him. And if we know or apprehend anything of Christ, it is because we were first known of him. Christ says of uncommon calamities, that they are not always to be looked on as special punishments of sin; sometimes they are for the glory of God, and to manifest his works. Our life is our day, in which it concerns us to do the work of the day. We must be busy, and not waste day-time; it will be time to rest when our day is done, for it is but a day. The approach of death should quicken us to improve all our opportunities of doing and getting good. What good we have an opportunity to do, we should do quickly. And he that will never do a good work till there is nothing to be objected against, will leave many a good work for ever undone, #Ec 11:4|. Christ magnified his power, in making a blind man to see, doing that which one would think more likely to make a seeing man blind. Human reason cannot judge of the Lord's methods; he uses means and instruments that men despise. Those that would be healed by Christ must be ruled by him. He came back from the pool wondering and wondered at; he came seeing. This represents the benefits in attending on ordinances of Christ's appointment; souls go weak, and come away strengthened; go doubting, and come away satisfied; go mourning, and come away rejoicing; go blind, and come away seeing.

‏ John 9

* Christ give sight to one born blind. (1-7) The account given

by the blind man. (8-12) The Pharisees question the man that had

been blind. (13-17) They ask concerning him. (18-23) They cast

him out. (24-34) Christ's words to the man that had been blind.

(35-38) He reproves the Pharisees. (39-41)

1-7 Christ cured many who were blind by disease or accident;

here he cured one born blind. Thus he showed his power to help

in the most desperate cases, and the work of his grace upon the

souls of sinners, which gives sight to those blind by nature.

This poor man could not see Christ, but Christ saw him. And if

we know or apprehend anything of Christ, it is because we were

first known of him. Christ says of uncommon calamities, that

they are not always to be looked on as special punishments of

sin; sometimes they are for the glory of God, and to manifest

his works. Our life is our day, in which it concerns us to do

the work of the day. We must be busy, and not waste day-time; it

will be time to rest when our day is done, for it is but a day.

The approach of death should quicken us to improve all our

opportunities of doing and getting good. What good we have an

opportunity to do, we should do quickly. And he that will never

do a good work till there is nothing to be objected against,

will leave many a good work for ever undone, #Ec 11:4|. Christ

magnified his power, in making a blind man to see, doing that

which one would think more likely to make a seeing man blind.

Human reason cannot judge of the Lord's methods; he uses means

and instruments that men despise. Those that would be healed by

Christ must be ruled by him. He came back from the pool

wondering and wondered at; he came seeing. This represents the

benefits in attending on ordinances of Christ's appointment;

souls go weak, and come away strengthened; go doubting, and come

away satisfied; go mourning, and come away rejoicing; go blind,

and come away seeing. 8-12 Those whose eyes are opened, and whose hearts are cleansed

by grace, being known to be the same person, but widely

different in character, live as monuments to the Redeemer's

glory, and recommend his grace to all who desire the same

precious salvation. It is good to observe the way and method of

God's works, and they will appear the more wonderful. Apply this

spiritually. In the work of grace wrought upon the soul we see

the change, but we see not the hand that makes it: the way of

the Spirit is like that of the wind, which thou hearest the

sound of, but canst not tell whence it comes, nor whither it

goes. 13-17 Christ not only worked miracles on the sabbath, but in

such a manner as would give offence to the Jews, for he would

not seem to yield to the scribes and Pharisees. Their zeal for

mere rites consumed the substantial matters of religion;

therefore Christ would not give place to them. Also, works of

necessity and mercy are allowed, and the sabbath rest is to be

kept, in order to the sabbath work. How many blind eyes have

been opened by the preaching of the gospel on the Lord's day!

how many impotent souls cured on that day! Much unrighteous and

uncharitable judging comes from men's adding their own fancies

to God's appointments. How perfect in wisdom and holiness was

our Redeemer, when his enemies could find nothing against him,

but the oft-refuted charge of breaking the sabbath! May we be

enabled, by well-doing, to silence the ignorance of foolish men. 18-23 The Pharisees vainly hoped to disprove this notable

miracle. They expected a Messiah, but could not bear to think

that this Jesus should be he, because his precepts were all

contrary to their traditions, and because they expected a

Messiah in outward pomp and splendour. The fear of man brings a

snare, #Pr 29:25|, and often makes people deny and disown Christ

and his truths and ways, and act against their consciences. The

unlearned and poor, who are simple-hearted, readily draw proper

inferences from the evidences of the light of the gospel; but

those whose desires are another way, though ever learning, never

come to the knowledge of the truth. 24-34 As Christ's mercies are most valued by those who have

felt the want of them, that have been blind, and now see; so the

most powerful and lasting affections to Christ, arise from

actual knowledge of him. In the work of grace in the soul,

though we cannot tell when, and how, and by what steps the

blessed change was wrought, yet we may take the comfort, if we

can say, through grace, Whereas I was blind, now I see. I did

live a worldly, sensual life, but, thanks be to God, it is now

otherwise with me, #Eph 5:8|. The unbelief of those who enjoy

the means of knowledge and conviction, is indeed marvellous. All

who have felt the power and grace of the Lord Jesus, wonder at

the wilfulness of others who reject him. He argues strongly

against them, not only that Jesus was not a sinner, but that he

was of God. We may each of us know by this, whether we are of

God or not. What do we? What do we for God? What do we for our

souls? What do we more than others? 35-38 Christ owns those who own him and his truth and ways.

There is particular notice taken of such a suffer in the cause

of Christ, and for the testimony of a good conscience. Our Lord

Jesus graciously reveals himself to the man. Now he was made

sensible what an unspeakable mercy it was, to be cured of his

blindness, that he might see the Son of God. None but God is to

be worshipped; so that in worshipping Jesus, he owned him to be

God. All who believe in him, will worship him. 39-41 Christ came into the world to give sight to those who

were spiritually blind. Also, that those who see might be made

blind; that those who have a high conceit of their own wisdom,

might be sealed up in ignorance. The preaching of the cross was

thought to be folly by such as by carnal wisdom knew not God.

Nothing fortifies men's corrupt hearts against the convictions

of the word, more than the high opinion which others have of

them; as if all that gained applause with men, must obtain

acceptance with God. Christ silenced them. But the sin of the

self-conceited and self-confident remains; they reject the

gospel of grace, therefore the guilt of their sin remains

unpardoned, and the power of their sin remains unbroken.