Orange County observer. [volume] (Hillsborough, N.C.) 1880-1918, 1908-04-23

Their people believed on Him--as
prophet. and in q vague way as
Messiah and the coming king, who
even now. when they arrive at the
city. may be crowned, as once before
they sought to crown Him by force.
On sweeps the procession-a crowd
before Him, another behind, Himself
and disciples with others Ia the mid
die. He perchance engaged in teach
ing.
Suddenly sharp cry breaks in up-
on them. At the roadside ahead sits
blind Bartimaeus and a companion
begging. They hear the advance OF
the multitude. What means this ?,,
Jesus Of Nazareth passeth by At
once all he had felt, hoped and be-
Heved OF Jesus burst out in one great
Cry: Jesus, Son OF David, have mer-
cy on us. The multitude, impatient
at disturbance, rebukes them and
bids them be still. No, no, louder yet
rises their cry: Jesus, Son OF David,
have mercy on us. gss.yS
That cry reaches Jesus. He stops.
commands that they be brought to-
Him. Bartimaeus leaps forward. :.
throws aside his cloak, a lane opens
through the crowd and now they are
before Jesus. What will We that I
shall do unto you 2" Lord that our
eyes may be opened" !" See the won-
dering multitude, those eager blind
ones and Jesus. Is it wonder that
He is moved with compassion? He
touches their eyes. They receivs
sight Immediately, follow Him. glorf-
flying God, whilst the multitude sings
praises unto God.
These three scenes are given us not
so much to please or interest us, as
to touch our hearts and to instruct:
our faith. There is a manifest pro-
gress also. In the first the blind man
Is lead OF others to Jesus. In the
second they follow after Him Of their
own eager volition, and In the third
Jesus has them brought to Him. In
each is an advance OF faith, and faith
| is the medium alone through which
we may receive divine thinEs.----z-.ssss-s
/ We have In the first scene the great
| truth of the guiding presence Of Je-
sus. We read: He took the blind
man by the hand and led him.
Tender and beautiful is this minis
try, Jesus Himself leading the blind.
| Can you catch the significance? Can
| you see the leveling force OF the Cos
| pei? All ye are brethren. Yes.
and Jesus proves it by taking the
Ihand of the blind.
Can you also realize the positive
directness of Christian service? Bear
We one another's burdens is the in
| junction, and we have Jesus taking
the blind man and leading him. He
| for the time is eyes for him.
Your Christianity is hating, my
brother, If you have not in your life
| that first hand ministry, which feels
the inf1rmities of another and touches
him where his need is.
There is here also the perfeeting
service of Jesus. His dealing with
this man is process. He leads him
4 by the hand He moistens his eyes.
He places His hands over them, asks
then "Seest aught?" Eyes, but faint
Ily." Places hands over eyes again,
their sight comes clearly.
4 So He deals with you and me. Our
first experience Of Him whilst joyous
and hopeful, still is inadequate. But
how patient and forbearing is He
with our weakness and hesitancy.
Renewed and closer contact Of fellow
ship clears the spiritual vision.
Let Him keep In touch with you,
I whilst you yield your will, life and
love to Him. He will finally perfect
your vision and you will see Jesus
even as He sees you.
In that second picture we have 9
Il startling manifestation OF the all suf'
a ficient power of Jesus. His Question
Il is: believe ye that am able to DC
this ?.'
A great faith grasps this and holds
lit tenaciously. Those two blind meI
1 oil Z, of txyoo yxya "
IThey kept on until they came to Hin
inside the house. Can You see them
Their sightless eyes striving to lool
Into His eyes? Can you hear theil
answer: Yea, Lord yea, Lord, w
believe that Thou art able Accord
ing to your faith is His answer ant
they see Him-Jesus.
Ia yca de- ire the t.ia.1rh O.
: great faith, faith that sees Jesus
Then you. too, must believe that ii
|, | is able You do believe It? Yes
to be sure you do-in a way. But d.
, }vou believe it with all your soul by
I faith that grips your life? Do yo'
!, !! believe it with faith that impel
YOU. as it did those sightless one
along the roadway, weary roadWa
of your life, through the throngin
lcrowds whose carelessness and lndu
5 ference besets you on every hant
) fright on into the very presence 9
) Jesus Himself
: You have been trying to do thing
$ Tor yourself. Hadn't you better L
n Him do them, for He is able? Som
I things He alone can do for you: trus
Commit Your way unto Hi
remember According 80 yoI
: faith will It be done unto you. :
9 IN this third scene we have pr
o emfnently the compassionate persol
falityof Jesus. We read Jesus hs
s compassion. In fact all through th
= scene it is Jesus, Jesus, Jesus. az
It therefore faith, faith, faith. Frs
IS we have Jesus OF Nazareth passe1
y by. Remember He is always passi1
d by. IN the great throngs to-day.
!. then.
Do yoR feel Your great need