The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1895-02-23

(Students of these lessons are requested
10 send to DIR. Gilbert. Washington, ID. c.,
their names denomination and postoffice
society. mentioning this parer, that docu-
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them.)
CONTEXT.-Most Harmonists place this
passage before that studied last Sunday.
The international committee in changing
the order. may have concluded, with some,
that Jesus had gone forth from Jerusalem
and returned. The diversity of opinion con-
corning the chronology arises from the fact
that John records the second Judean min
istry more fully than the other evangelists.
mentioning several events, our lesson being
one of them which they omit. 1t seems
most probable. however. that the ninth
chapter of John is a continuation of the
narrative in the eighth, that. when Jesus
saw the blind man He was escaping from
the temple John WILL 59 where, at the
close of an address, the excited Jews at
tempted to stone Him. We should approach
the lesson with this thought In mind. We
have seen Christ under various circum-
stances since these studies began He met
the hungry thousands and fed them in
the wilderness; He was with them again
in Capernaum; He alone with the apos-
+ ties at Caesarea Philippi; He was with
Moses and Elias on the mountain; and after
ward He discussed important questions with
lawyer. On each occasion He manifested
His glory (John II, Iii, displaying some phase
OF His unique character, called out by the
associations Now we shall see Him as re-
lated to a poor blind beggar, sitting by the
waysde (verse viD brought suddenly into
His presence at a time when, humanity
speaking He might have been excused from
all service. Let us Keep the eyes upon the
trail figure.
OCCASION.--Verses1 to 5. AS He passed
hastily along Jesus saw the blind man sit
ting near the temple door, where beggars
were accustomed to wait (Acts ill., - be-
cause there aims giving was ostentatiously
practiced (Matt. vi. u being regarded
prominent feature in religious service. luke
xix, 81 1t was on the Sabbath day (verse
40 when many were coming and going. The
disciples inquired whether the blindness was
the result of the mans sin or of his par
ent's SIN. They assumed as Jobs
friends did Dob iv, Z; viii, s. and
as the heather generally believed
(Acts xviii, y that bodily ailments
were direct infections from God. In this
they were encouraged by rabbinical inter-
probation of the law EEK. Xxx 81, and they
might have understood Christ's words John
", I'D as an Endorsement of the view. On
account OF this notion blind people were
Stunned as sinners John tx, 3D. and the
apostles. by their question. may have sought
to turn Jesus away from one esteemed UNI
worthy. But He informed them that this
blindness was not the result of SIM He did
not mean that sin never brings bodily suf-
fering. Uuke Kill, 2-4) He then added:
"But that the works of God might be
manifest" Some have construed this to sig
hat horn l,a
miracle might be performed. A most hor-
rid doctrinei Clam. iii. 33.) He meant
rather, to say that this furnished occa-
sion for the display of His power, that
the man was not to be despised but helped.
MOTIvE.-verses 4 and 5. Why did
Jesus pause to help this blind beggar? He
states His motives. He had been sent into
the world. This was the Messanic idea
(sIal Ill., 1; Matt XII, 100 He was here as
a messenger or agent, the representative OF
the Father. John v. 800 AS such EIe had
been charged with doing the works of God
John ~, 3n, which constituted the secret
spring Of His being Those works had been
determined in the ccuncils of the divine
mind Uohn v. 80; Heb X, I'D, and they
had been specifically mentioned IN proph-
ecy. Usa. xiii, ID Not to do the works
would be to violate His commission. Be
sides, He declares himself to be the light
OF the world. fact several times repeated.
John !. 40; Matt. iv, 6. And this also
had been predicted Usa. xiii. g. The force
OF the remark was twofold. Because He
was the light He must shine by His wis
dom and power that men might see
And, because He was the light men were
looking constantly, even OF. that occasion,
for the glory of His character, and He must
not disappoint them. His deeds were Gre
dentials John v, 36.) He calls attention
to the further fact that His time was
short. six months only remained befo.
the crucifixion. AS men work during the
day and cannot work at night so He must
occupy His time. that at the end He may
report His work we'll done. (John xviii A.
These considerations so pressed Him that
He said. It must work" He was inn
polled as in boyhood luke ii. 4s,. by holy
zeal Gohn Il. ID, which continued to the
~Tns, coplec fAsts ~ zV'' ana commended.
NE METHoD b. SSs ex' g and :. How did
En@sS sas sea the on ep Se He ma5d s oa
anointed the eyes and sent him to wash
in the pool of SLOAN. The man went,
nearly the same neutrality-suspicious. touch
iny and speaking on two other occasions.
ordered by the. prophet in the cure OF
Naaman. III Kings V. 1oo But why this
means Mark x. 80 without speech, touch.
ointment or pool There was no medicinal
value In any appliance. Why bring any
Instruments? Perhaps II would be well to
answer that 1t pleased Jesus to do SO. and
there rest. Some have suggested that this
method was an educational process for the
mans good: that. as faith was desired this
condescended to hts infirmity and helped
him to believe. Others. with more piallsi-
bility. argue that there was a system of
charms and incantations imported from
India III Kings V. ID in popular use at
that time. and that Jesus desired to dis
tinguish His acts from them. Another key
70 the meaning might be found in the pool
Siloam WAS fountain near the eastern
wall Of Jerusalem from which stream
flowed TO- supply tn. pool OF Bethesda
John Y. ~ II was the kings pool (Neh.
II. a.; III. l5l, having been highly esteemed
ana beautifed by David. The waters flowed
from Mount Zion. and signifed the throne
stah, as the rabbits assert. Evidently the
sacred writers had Siloam<in mind. psalm
XVI, 4; xviii 20; lisa. viii. 6, Zech xiii. H.
ana used II as an emblem of the healing
and cleansing power OF Christ Hence the
tradition concerning Bethesda. John " 41
BY sending the blind man there Jesus rec
ognized and fulfilled prophetic symbol and
interpreted popular impression. If any fail
70 anpreciate the point let them reject it,
OUTCoME.-NersesS to IL What fol-
lowed the cure? The neighbors wondered
questioned the mans identity, secured his
statement, asked concerning the method
and heard his description. What followed
that may be learned In the remainder OF the
chapter not Included in our lesson The
change In the man must have been great.