39. And they which went before rebuked him, that he should hold his peace: but he cried so much the more, Thou son of David, have mercy on me. This is one of the many miracles which admits of a spiritual and universal application. It serves to illustrate the way in which the redemption that is in Christ Jesus is made available to those who commit themselves to him. A certain blind man sat by the way side, begging. What is the state of the heart when unenlightened by Scripture, but a state of blindness? for it is ignorant of God; ignorant of the nature and consequences of sin; ignorant of the way of escape. Too often, indeed, it is far more grievous than the blindness of the bodily eye, Yet that is felt and lamented, and any available remedy is anxiously sought after. Whereas the sinner frequently knows not, or confesses not, his own case: being blind, he thinks himself in light: and perceives not "that he is miserable, and blind, and poor.' There is better hope if he be found by the way side, begging: seeking after God, if haply he may find him, asking spiritual help from those who have more instruction, and ready to profit by the remedy which God has provided. "2 Such was the state of the blind man in this history. Hearing the multitude pass by, he asked what it meant. And they told him, Jesus of Nazareth passeth by. And he cried, saying, Jesus, thou son of David, have mercy on me. The fame of our Lord had now been spread abroad. The signs and wonders which he wrought 2 Rev. iii. 17. B B were widely known. This man had heard of him. Indeed he must have had some information respecting him, as the Messiah who should come: for he addressed him as the son of David. Perhaps he had been attracted by the prophetic promise, that in the days of the son of David the eyes of the blind should be opened. It applied to his own wants, to wants which he was daily feeling: and he remembered it, and treasured it up; so that the prayer was ready upon his lips, Jesus, thou son of David, have mercy on me. And thus should every one sue for deliverance, who is "alienated from the life of God through the blindness that is in him." The fame of Jesus is sufficiently spread, who came "to seek and to save that which was lost." Prophets have foretold it; apostles have testified it; his own words confirms it. Through him is remission of sins past; through him is the gift of the Holy Ghost, the Sanctifier. And he will not reject the suppliant who bows the knees of his heart before him, and says, Jesus, thou son of David, have mercy on me. As it often happens, that the power of faith may be strengthened by exercise, difficulties were thrown in the way of this blind man. They rebuked him, that he should hold his peace. we are not told. Did they say, For what reason, Thou art too mean All are alike in makes one to and insignificant to be regarded? the sight of God, and only grace differ from another. Did they say, What hope can there be for blindness? The prophets had declared that "the blind should receive their sight." 2 Isa. xliii. 7; xxix. 18. Did they say, He is pressing forward to Jerusalem, and cannot be delayed? This indeed was true: he was hastening, that all things that were written in the prophets concerning the be accomplished: but the same Son of man might mercy which urged him to Jerusalem, would also dispose him to leave a blessing by the way. they rebuke the suppliant, and only hope? Why then should deprive him of his However, a real feeling of misery is not easily deterred? and he cried so much the more, Thou son of David, have mercy on me. This part of the history closely resembles the case of the Canaanitish woman, who persevered with similar earnestness against similar obstacles. The disciples would have paid her no attention. But Jesus would not lose the opportunity of showing mercy. So here, he stopped his progress : 40. And Jesus stood, and commanded him to be brought unto him; and when he was come near, he asked him, 41. Saying, What wilt thou that I shall do unto thee? And he said, Lord, that I may receive my sight. may receive my blindness of the When the evil affects the body, it is insensibly felt. There was no doubt, no hesitation on the part of the blind man, in regard either to his misery or his wish: Lord, that I sight. It is not thus with the soul. The misfortune is not known or acknowledged. There is no desire that it should be relieved. To receive spiritual sight, is to receive a knowledge of sin; a knowledge which humbles, convicts, condemns. To receive spiritual sight, is to receive a knowledge of God, who cannot look upon evil, and before whom "all the world becomes guilty." To receive spiritual sight, is to recognise Christ Jesus as "the way, the truth, and the life," by whom alone we "have access to the Father." To receive spiritual sight, is to receive an assurance that "without holiness no man shall see the Lord." Now a willingness to perceive all these truths, is not natural to man: it is the gift of God. And where the desire is excited, it will never be disappointed. It was not disappointed in the case of this blind man. 42. And Jesus said unto him, Receive thy sight: thy faith hath saved thee. 43. And immediately he received his sight, and followed him, glorifying God: and all the people, when they saw it gave praise unto God. Thy faith have saved thee. What then did he believe? That Jesus could heal him; could open the eyes of the blind. For this purpose he besought him for this object he persevered in beseeching him and therefore he was blessed in obtaining his desire, and received his sight. : The same faith must actuate all who seek a spiritual cure. They must believe, as this blind man believed, that Jesus came into the world to fulfil the promises which declared of him, that he should "give light to them that sat in darkness, and guide their feet into the way of peace." They must believe, that all who are not his, are in darkness: but that with him is light, to enlighten every man. And towards this light they must turn the desire of their heart, that "the eyes of their understanding" being opened, they may know the truth, and know it more abundantly: that "God who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, may shine in their hearts, and give the light of the knowledge of his glory in the face of Jesus Christ."" LECTURE LXXI. JESUS IS RECEIVED IN THE HOUSE OF ANCE. LUKE xix. 1-10. ZACREPENT 1. And Jesus entered and passed through Jericho. 2. And, behold, there was a man named Zaccheus, which was the chief among the publicans, and he was rich. 3. And he sought to see Jesus who he was; and could not for the press, because he was little of stature. 4. And he ran before, and climbed up into a sycamore tree to see him; for he was to pass that way. There was something in the state of heart which influenced Zaccheus, known to him who observes the heart, which brought him a blessing. This action of his might have sprung from mere curiosity from a desire of seeing one of whom he 4 2 Cor iv. 6. |