trary law, "that, if any man did confess that Jesus was Christ, he should be put out of the synagogue But this man did not go so far: as yet he did not certainly know that he who had opened his eyes was the true Messiah: he had only said that he was a prophet:" he affirmed that he was " of God:" but they found no difficulty in stretching their severe edict, so as to bring one, whom they were enraged against, under the lash of it-" they cast him out." How afflictive was his situation! When he was blind, a poor blind beggar, he was an object of compassion; but much more so now. At that time he would have the favour of his friends, and the charitable kindness of his neighbours: most likely he resided with his parents, and would doubtless enjoy their sympathy, their soothing tenderness, which would considerably alleviate his distressing affliction. But now, restored to sight, what did he behold? Nothing but misery and want. He could not beg, for none durst relieve him: neither could he work, for none would care to employ him: even his nearest kindred durst not appear to acknowledge him. His eyes were open only to witness his own wretchedness; and, wherever he turned, he was avoided as one infected with the plague.-Poverty itself is a heavy affliction; but in poverty to have no friend, and no means of obtaining a friend; to be publicly disgraced, and barred from the common rights of men; to fall under the scourge of iniquitous power, and to be shunned by the meanest of the people-this was affliction in the extreme! It was the afflictive situation of this man. But we notice, * John ix. 22. II. The ATTENTIVE REGARD OF JESUS CHRIST towards him. "Jesus heard that they had cast him out."-How he heard this we are not informed: possibly it was publicly talked of, as a hard and oppressive case; or, it might have been mentioned to his disciples; or probably, some individual or two, who knew the fact, made it their business to acquaint the Lord Jesus with it. His ear was always open to cases of distress, and his heart was accustomed to the kindest emotions. "Jesus heard that they had cast him out; and when he had found him-." This seems to imply that Jesus sought him. He was so much interested in his case, and felt so deeply concerned for his good, that he sought him, till he found him. What affection was this! What tender compassion! What unequalled sympathy and benevolence operated in the heart, and shone in the actions, of our blessed Saviour! Had "The Lord knoweth them that are his;" and especially those that endure affliction for his sake. He knows where they are: he knows what they suffer, and what they want: he is perfectly acquainted with all their feelings, their fears, and whatever relates to their present condition or future prospects. this man been cast out of a pure church, the case, on his part, would have been much more affecting; but it was a church corrupt. He was excluded from the synagogues, but they were become "the synagogues of Satan." He suffered in the cause of Christ, and with the testimony of a good conscience. He suffered on account of his integrity, his openness, his courage in the defence of the Lord Jesus; and the Lord Jesus was peculiarly mindful of him. As his affliction abounded, his consolation much more abounded. Here is our mercy : Here is our mercy: "Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, and to-day, and for ever." These are his words; "Blessed are they who are persecuted for righteousness sake; for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed Blessed are ye when men shall hate you, and when they shall separate you from their company, and shall reproach you, and cast out your name as evil, for the Son of man's sake." Yes, in all ages of time, such are blessed of the Lord; and, to eternity, "great is their reward in heaven*." We notice, III. The INTERESTING CONVERSATION which passed between them. When Jesus had found this object of his compassion, "He said unto him, Dost thou believe on the Son of God? He answered and said, Who is he, Lord, that I might believe on him? And Jesus said unto him, Thou hast both seen him, and it is he that talketh with thee." This conversation was remarkable. It discovers still farther the honest simplicity of the man, and especially the affectionate kindness of Jesus Christ. He said, "Dost thou believe on the Son of God?"— This question implies the supreme dignity of his own character; "the Son of God;" "the brightness of the Father's glory, and the express image of his person." The Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us; and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten, of the Father, full of grace and truth."-It implies also the importance, the indispensable necessity, of faith in this dignified Character. Before the *Heb. xiii. 8. Matt. v. 10, Luke vi. 22, 23. appearance of Christ in our nature, God required of men to believe in the Messiah promised; in a Deliverer from evil who was to come: but, when he actually did appear, the question became more definite and confined; it was proposed by himself, and in reference to himself, "Dost thou believe on the Son of God?"-It is, you perceive, a personal question; and, let it be remembered, it very closely concerns every one of us. No inquiry is of higher moment, or involves more serious consequences. Let each professor of Christianity ask himself, "Dost thou believe on the Son of God?" If you want proof of its importance, hear his words: "He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life; and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God abideth on him*. Observe the reply which the man gives: "He answered and said, Who is he, Lord, that I might believe on him?" We may reasonably suppose he knew that Jesus, who conversed with him, was the same who had opened his eyes; but he was not acquainted with his true dignity: he considered him as a prophet sent of God, and probably as something more than a prophet, but was not aware that he was indeed "the Christ, the Son of the living God." The question, therefore, is exceedingly natural and proper; "Who is he, Lord," where shall I find him, “that I might believe on him?" It is truly pleasing when there is a disposition to inquire after Jesus Christ; when professors of religion, knowing a little of him and his Gospel, are sincerely desirous of knowing more; when the means of knowledge are diligently regarded, and the desire of the soul ⚫ John iii. 36. tends to this point, Who is Jesus, that we may believe on him? It is cause, indeed, of unspeakable gratitude, when the heart is disposed to receive the Saviour, so far as he is known; and to close in with his truth, as explicitly revealed. "Then shall we know, if we follow on to know the Lord. His going forth is prepared as the morning; and he shall come unto us as the rain, as the latter and former rain upon the earth *." Now it was that the Lord manifested himself to this man, as he did not to the world. "Jesus said unto him, Thou hast both seen him, and it is he that talketh with thee."-There is something remarkably close and affecting in these words. We do not find that he spoke so plainly of himself to any other person, except one, and that was the woman of Samaria: he said unto her, "I that speak unto thee am he." He left others to infer who he was; to learn it from his discourses, from his arguments, and especially from his supernatural works: he tells these persons explicitly, and in so many words. "Thou hast seen him."-The man, born blind, was here reminded of the signal and gracious miracle which had been wrought on him: it was "the Son of God" who had done it; not in the name of another greater than himself, but in his own name, and by an act of his own power. Looking on his heavenly Benefactor, he would feel more than ever sensible of the worth of sight. He was charmed, no doubt, with the light of the natural sun, and pleasingly struck with the objects of nature around him; but now he beholds "the Sun of righteousness," "the Son of God!" Like Simeon of old, he would be ready to * Hos. vi. 3. |