We see, for anotber thing, in this passage, an m- cauraging instance of Christ 8 kindness and compassion. We are told that when the blind man continued crying for mercy, our Lord " stood and commanded him to be brought unto Him." He was going up to Jerusalem to die, and had weighty matters on His mind, but He found time to stop to speak kindly to this poor sufferer. He asked him what he would have done to him P *' Jjord" was the eager reply, " that I may receive my sight." At once we are told, " Jesus said unto him, receive thy sight ; thy faith hath saved thee." That faith perhaps was weak, and mixed with much imperfection. But it had made the man cry to Jesus, and go on crying in spite of rebukes. So coming with faith, our blessed Lord did not cast him out. The desire of his heart was granted, and "immediately he received sight."
Passages like these in the Gospels are intended for the special comfort of all who feel their sins and come to Christ for peace. Such persons may be sensible of much infirmity in all their approaches to the Son of Qod. Their faith may be very feeble, — their sins many and great, — their prayers very poor and stammering, — ^their motives far short of perfection. But after all, do they really come to Christ with their sins P Are they really willing to forsake all other confidence, and commit their souls to Christ's hands ? If this be so, they may hope and not be afraid. That same Jesus still lives who heard the blind man's cry, and granted his request. He will never go back from His own words, — " Him that ocHueth to me, I will in no wise cast out." (John vi. 37.)
We see, lastly, in this passage, a striking example of