The Pulpit Commentary — John — Volume 2 — Section 35

the effect of the same miracle on the Pharisees? Had they known nothing of ,Jesus before, H was surely enough in itself to awe their minds and prepossess them in his fovour. Common generosity, common fairness, would have required this. But, in fact, Jesus had been before them for well-nigh three eventful years, so that they were far from ignorant of his character and career. He bore all the marks of a prophet, il.nd more than a prophet. He spake as never man spake, and they knew it. He healed the sick, cleansed the lepers, raised the dead, cast out devils, and they knew it. His life was one of perfect moral loveliness and unapproachable moral grandeur, so that none of them dared to reply when he said, as he had a right to say, nay, as he was bound to say, "Which of you convinceth me of sin?" Yet, with some exceptions, these Pharisees had shut their eyes to this great Light that had come into the world, and each new exhibition of it made them blinder still. They had even said, "He casteth out devils through Beelzebub, the prince of the devils." And see how they rlealt ,\'ith the work of mercy which had just been wrought in their streets, They had sifted and resifted all the circumstances, and it was well they did so. "Truth, like a torch, the more 'tia shook it shines." But when the great fact had become patent to all, they wilfully shut their eyes to its meaning, and wreaked their hatred of the Holy One on the lowly object of his mercy; and all the time these Pharisees boasted that they had the key of knowledge, anrl in their own esteem were the clearest-sighted men of their day. And now the two parties stood before our Lord-the poor blind beggar who had entered the kingdom of light, and the supercilious Pharisees who were drifting further and further away from it. Thus is explained the seeming paradox of the text, "For judgment," etc. IL EVER smoE CJIRIBT AND JilS GLORIOUS GOSPEL CAME INTO TJIE WORLD THESE WORDS JIAVE BEEN BECEIVIllG FBESJI FULFILMENTS. Among his greatest titles are these, " the Light of the world," "the Sun of Righteousness ; " and one of the greatest objects of his mission is to give light to them that sit in darkness, to deliver men from pernicious error and bewildering doubt, to clear up and answer the questions that are alike urgent for the old and the young, for the learned and the unlearned, declaring to us why we are placed here, and what destiny awaits us, and above all showing us the path of life. I need only add that our Lord's claims to do this are partly based on the great open standing wonder of his life and death and resurrection, and partly on the intrinsic power of his gospel itself-his words, which are "spirit and life." But how do people deal with this great light that has come into the world ? Some accept it gladly in early life, even in the first dawnings of intelligence; and some are sooner or later brought to accept it, after much providential discipline and many mental struggles. But one thing is very noteworthy. Both the former and the latter accept it humbly and thankfully. They give to God in Christ all the praise. The very light they receive reveals to them by contrast the natural darkness of their minds, and they know how that darkness would again enwrap them were they left to themselves. Bence, so far from being proud of their spiritual vision, they habitually pray " that the eyes of their understanding may be enlightened," and they at least can set their seal to this word of Christ, "I am come . . . that they that see not might see." Surely there is grace and truth in this saying of Christ for each one who feels how blind he is by nature to the mystery of God's light and love. Is it strange that some consciousness of this blindness-sad and painful as it is-should be the beginning or the accompaniment of a golld work in you? It is not, it cannot be, a state to rest in-" a land of darkness and of the shadow of death"-but it brings you practically within the sweep of Christ's mission. He came " to open the blind eyes, to bring the prisoners out of the prison. and them that sit in darkness out of the prison-house." Yours is a case for the great Physician, for the mighty Deliverer and Restorer. Go to him in the simplicity of faith nnd prayer; for this is the method of his grace, to be found of them that seek him. You have heard how he bath revealed himself to others. Tell him that a cloud you cannot sweep away, a veil you cannot lift, comes between you and him. He will be faithful to his promises. For you alse "he will destroy the face of the covering cast ovel' all nations, and the veil that is spread over all people." "With thee, 0 Lord, is the fountain of life; in thy light we shall see light." But, sad to say, there is another alternatire. Too many continue unconscious of their darkness. ,v e may put aside  36 THE GOSPEL ACCORDING TO ST. JvflN. [OH, IX, 1-41,