The Pulpit Commentary — John — Volume 2 — Section 26

ledge wAs very limit':d; bnt it was in his favour that whntevor knowledge he had, ho u~cd aright. The blmdness which befell Saul of 'l'arsus, iu the crisis of his spiritual history, was symboHcal of th~t imperfection of spiritual vision of which he only becnme consc10us when Christ met h~m by the way. Th~so two examplos aro from two opposite extremes of society. 2. This power was exercised by the commuuicntion of truth, accompanied by the influences of the enlightening Spirit. Grndually did Josue reve11l himself to ibe man born blind; by signs, by words, by his own gracious chi\racter. Thus did light enter into that hitherto obscure nature, and penetrate all its recesses. A heavenly influence called forth faith and reverence, gratitude and love. The mission of the Messiah, as foretold by the prophet, included the recovering of sight for the spiritually blind-a beneficent service which the Lord Jesus has been rendering from the time of his earthly ministry onwards until now. In his light his people learn to "see light." II. CHRIST'S BLINDING POWER. 1. Although our Lord says tbe.t he came "that they which see might become blind," it must not be supposed that this was the aim of our Lord's mission to earth, in the same sense as were the diffusion of Divine light and the impartation of spiritual vision. He said on one occasion that he came, not to send peace on earth, but a sword; yet we know that the main object of his coming was that peace might prevail, although one necessary consequence of his work would be that men should be divided against one another. 2. The explanation of the blinding result of the Saviour's ministry is to be found in the action of a. law dixinely appointed, according to which those who have good brought near to them, and who a.re indiffe:i;ent to that good, have their indifference intensified. into hatred. Neglect of privilege leads t.o deprivation of privilege. It is said that organisms secluded for generations from the light of day lose the orga.n of sight. So is it in spiritual relations. Such was the case with those Pharisees who boasted of their spiritual discernment, but who in fact loved darkness rather than light, a.nd abode in darkness until their spiritual vision was quenched in blindness a.nd the night of impenetrable gloom.-T. Vers. 1-7.-The blind man and the sight-giving Saviowr. Notice this blindman- L IN RELATION TO THE DISCIPLES. 1. To them he was a notorious object of retributive justir:e. His blindness they regarded as a special punishment for some particular sin; they looked upon him, as Lot's wife of old, as a. standing monument of iniquity, only with this difference, he was alive, bearing his punishment on this side. Their notion is, upon the whole, correct. Sin is punished, and sometimes in this world. 2. An object of speculative curiosity. Suggesting a problem not easily solved, and a difficulty which they wish to be removed. In the light of popular Jewish teaching and also in that of heathen teaching the difficulty stared them. Of one thing they were certain, that his blindness was~ retributive punishment for sin-the sin of his parents or that of his own. But which? That it should be on account of the sins of his pa.rents they could easily understand; but if on account of his own, how could this be when he was born blind? 3. .An advantageous object to present the question for solution to Jesus. The blind man was probably well known to them, and they had often before discussed this aspect of his blindness, with various results; but now_ here is an. ~pportunity _of a final solution of the difficulty. They have full confidence m Jesus' ability and readmess to clear the matter for ever, a.nd they lost no time, but asked, "Master, which did sin," etc.? 4. .An object who did not excite in them any practical sympathy. They regarded him as the religious teachers of the nation generally would regard him-as the child of sin, a monument of retributive justice, a subject for curious speculation; and, a.s far as they were concerned, they would leave him with feelings of proud contempt, and satisfaction with their own state as compared with his. IL IN RELATION TO JESUS. 1. To him he was an object who attracted his special attention. ".As he passed by, he saw a man," etc. How many passed by without seeing him at all, and how many saw him with indifference I . And probably ~he disciples did not notice him before they saw the Master's attent10n fixed upon him. He saw him first, and saw him as no one saw him before. He had many eyes fixed upc,n him, but never such as these; he had ma~y a gaze from p~sers-by, but _not _one containing such feelings, sentiments, and me~mng a~ the one wh1~h was on_ him now. 2. To J.im 1~ wa, not an ol>ject of retributive justice, but a specially befitting one on ott. 1x. 1-41.) THE GOSPEL ACCORDING TO ST. JOBN. 27