The Pulpit Commentary — John — Volume 2 — Section 27

whom to manife8t Divine operations. While fully admitting the law of retributfon, he excludes this case from the category, and at once removes the disciples' question (a) from tbo spcculativo to the practical, (b) from the human standpoint to the Divine. And although the blindness of this man could not be viewed entirely apart from sin, yet to Christ it appeared as a special occasion to manifest Divine operations. (1) The operation of Divine mercy. Where there is no misery, no mercy is needed; and the greater the misery, the greater and Diviner the mercy which relieves. This was a special ce.se of human misery, advantageous to a special display of Divine mercy. The man was blind from his birth. (2) The operation of Divine power. Where human skill is helpless, the power which helps must be Divine. To restore this man to sight no human doctor could, nor even would sincerely make the attempt. His restoration was evidently and gloriously the work of God. (3) The operation of Divine grace. He had e. mind requiring enlightenment, a soul in need of salvation, and this popular child of sin presented a glorious opportunity for the display of redeeming grace. ('1) In this man Divine operations were signally manifested. God works continually, in giving sight to men at first, and in an infinite variety of ways, but his operations are unseen and unobserved; but in thls man they shine and blaze, so that all must see them but the totally blind. They were manifested to the man himself, and through him to others. (5) This man restored by Christ was a most convincing and attractive specimen of Divine operations. He was so well known as being helplessly blind from his birth, and was now about to be even better known as perfectly restored by Jesus. Thus he who was popularly thought to Jie e. monument of sin and its terrible con- sequences, becomes the popular monument of Divine power, the convincing specimen of Divine mercy, and the notorious advertisement of redeeming grace in Christ. Still, he was only a specimen, extraordinary only in the manifestation, but quite ordinary in the course of Divine operations. It is only the work of God, what he ever performs in Christ. 3. To Ghrist this man was an object who vividly reminded him of his mission on earth. (1) As e. mission of real and untiring activity. "I must work," etc. (2) As a mission involving a great variety of activities. "The works." Not one or a few, but many and various-as various as tbe physical and spiritual wants of the human family. (3) As a mission whlch is Divine and representative in its character. "The works of him," etc. He never forgot the Divine and representative character of his mission, involving special duties, obligations, and responsibilities in relation to him who sent him. (4) As a mission which must be performed in due season. "While it is day," etc. He had only a day, and with regard to his earthly life this was short. Even in this hour of his triumph and brilliancy, in giving sight to the blind man, he was reminded of its brevity. This very act hastened the approaching night. Those who ehin-e brightly on the night of the wicked world cannot expect a. long day. (5) A.s a mission in which his disciples had to share. "We" (the proper reading) "must work," etc. The Master and the disciples were one, and their mission one. He came not only to work himself, but also to teach them to work. They were as yet apprentices, but now it WllS time to begin to break them in under the yoke and remind them of their duty, and all the more as day was drawing to a close. (6) A.s a mission the necessity of its fulfilment was felt by him with increasing force. "We must," etc. This came from his Divine commission, from human woe, from the greatness and importance of the work, and the brevity of the time. From above, around, and from within came the inspiration of his work, which found appropriate expression in "We must work," etc. 4. To Jesus this man was an object on whom he would give a practical illustratio1i of his mission. "When he had spoken these things," etc. The speech ended in action, and the action was in perfect keeping with the speech-a grand but most natural and touching peroration. Christ taught his disciples by practical illustrations. The miracle we.s a full answer to their question, and a practical specimen of his mission. (1) Means were used in the performance of the miracle. Sometimes he would ex.ercise his Divine power without the use of means at all, even without a word, only the fiat of his will; but here very few words are used-it is all action. "I must work." (2) The means used were in themnelves utterly inadequate to produce the ultimate end. Clay auu spittle and washing ln the pool of Siloam. These means, however efficacious in popuh1r esteem, were utterly futilo to give the roan his sight. (3) These means, nevertheless, were auitable to answer the end Jesus had in view. He knew when and when not to  28 Tl1E GOSPEL ACCOliDING TO ST. JOlIN'. tou. ix. 1---U