August 3

PART II.—John 9:7.

JESUS having replied to his disciples, said, "I must work the works of him that sent me while it is day, for the night cometh when no man can work, as long as I am in the world, I am the light of the world"; and immediately he commenced operations for the imparting of sight to the man. In most cases Jesus employed means, in effecting his wonderful works. In this case the process adopted was of the most unlikely character possible. An ointment is made 'tis true, but then it was clay and spittle, and apparently more likely to make a seeing man blind, than to cause a blind man to see. With Christ all things were possible. The unlikely character of the means, only more fully displayed the glory of his power and Godhead. With this ointment, therefore he anointed the man's eyes, and directed him to go and wash in the Pool of Siloam, the man went, and the miracle was thus obvious to those assembled at the porch, and he returned to his home seeing. What a display is here presented of the Almighty influence which Jesus possessed. An ordinary case of blindness, may be cured by the skill of the surgeon, but when was it ever known that sight was imparted to one born blind, when obviously the organ of vision were entirely wanting or imperfectly formed. But Jesus knew the case perfectly: he who formed the eye could not but see; and he who imparts that exquisitely delicate organ of the eye to his numerous creatures, knew well how to confer it upon this poor blind man. The miracle was clearly genuine. There could not be any deception. A greater difference there cannot be than between light and darkness, blindness and sight. The miracle was a display of great mercy. Jesus could be moved by nothing but this; indeed, his work from first to last was one of disinterested benevolence, to a miserable and unworthy world. It was also gratuitous. Indeed, what could a poor man give for a boon so great, for a blessing so unspeakable? All the communications of Christ are without money and without price, and thus they are accessible to the most wretched and indigent of the human race.