The Pulpit Commentary — John — Volume 2 — Section 23

lack epiritunl vision. 2. The power that effects this marvellous change. The poor man upon whom Christ wrought this miracle justly argued that his Benefactor must possess Divine o.uthority. Spiritual enlightenment is the prerogative of Goel. He "h11th shined into our henrt~." And we are justified in attributing to a Di vino Savio11r the m11ny glorious mirnclee of s_piritual illumination which our Lord has wrought for men. 3. The means by which Christ works. The provision of the gospel dispensation is all-sufficient for this purpose. On the side of man, there is faith exercised by the sufferer in the Healer, without which no soul is opened to the heavenly rays. On the side of God, there is the illumining Spirit, whose agency is indispensable, who sheds forth the light, e.nd who cleanses the spiritual organ, and renders it susceptible to the quickening, celestial beams, 4. The manner of this enlightenment. It is immediate, thorough, and enduring. III. 'fHE SPIDITUAL SIGHT WHICH CHRIST CONFERS. The exclamation, "Now I see I " was an indication of present experience, and an earnest of future development. Christ, in bestowing the gift of spiritual vision, opens the eyes: 1. To self and sin. 2. To God himself-his attributes and his purposes. 3. To the meaning of life-its realities and opportuniLies. 4-. To the unspeakable privileges of the Christian calling. 6. To the unseen realities of eternity. APPLICATION. The language of the man who received his sight is especially encouraging to those who are troubled in their mind because they have not consciously undergone changes of which others speak with confidence. It is neither the process, nor the time, nor the mode of enlightenment, which is of supreme importance. It is the fact that the change has taken place. Our natnral state is one of spiritual blind- ness. If "now we see," then we have reason for rejoicing, and for grateful acknow- ledgment of our Saviour's healing mercy.-T. Ver. 27.-An appeal for disciples. Admirable, indeed, were the bearing and the language of this poor man when in the presence either of Jesus or of the Pharisees. When confronted by the Lord's enemies, he was not worsted in the discussion, and he was silenced only by violence. If there was a shade of irony in this appeal, still there was justice in it. The language is such as may well be addressed, by those who have benefited by Christ and have attached themselves to Christ, to all whom their influence may reach. I. 'l'HE CHARACTER OF THIS DISCIPLESHIP. There was reason in the designation "disciple," as applied to all who attached themselves to tile Lord Jesus. Observe: 1. The Master and llis lesson. Cllrist is supremely able to teach. There may be learned (1) wisdom from his lips; (2) holiness from his life; (3) love and pardon from his cross; (4-) obedience from his throne. 2. The scholar and his spirit. On the part of him who would be Christ's true pupil, there must be (1) reverence for the Master's authority; (2) diligence in the study of his character, his words, and his life; (3) subjection to all commands, however this submission may involve self-denial; (4) perseverance in application to Divine lessons. II. 'fBE HINDRANOEB TO THIS DISCIPLESHIP. There may be observed, as militating against such pupilage : 1. Pride, which flatters men that they need no teaching, that they are a sufficient lesson and law to themselves. 2. Irreligion, which assures men that other masters are as good as Christ, that there is no special faculty to instruct 11J1d to govern residing in him rather than in others who claim obedience. 3. Unspirituality, which too readily suggests that Christ's teaching is too holy, that his standard of goodness is too high, for human attainment. By these several formidable obstacles multitudes are kept from resorting to Jesus in that reverent, lowly, and teachable temper of mind which alone can secure their enlightenment and salvation. III. THE MOTIVES TO THIS DISCIPLESHIP. 1. It is our nature and our need to learn. 2. None is !O able to instruct use.sis the great Teacher, the Divine Master. 3. To stand aloof from his teaching is to remain ignornnt of what it most concerns us to know. 4. Christ is willing to receive and to welcome us into his school. There is no need, in order to become his disciples and to lenrn of him, to abandon lawful avocations; no need to dispense with human teachers who are not rivals to Jesus. The door of the school is open, and tho grcnt Master is wniting and ready. APPLIOATION, 1. A question to answer for yourselves. "Will ye also be his dis•  24 THE GOSPEL ACCORDING TO ST. JOtlN, [oH, IX, 1-41.