The Carlisle independent., 1917-03-29
LESSON FOR APRIL i
JESUS GIVES SIGHT TO BLIND.

GOLDEN TEXT-I am the light of the world.-John 9:5.
 This, another of the signs which Jesus performed, is recorded only by 1 John. It probably, occurred in Octo- Der, six months before the crucifixion,
 while Jesus was attending the Feast of the Tabernacles. There are six
 other cases of blindness recorded as having been cured. Look them up.
 l. The Case (vv. 1-D. It was abso- lutely hopeless. No human skill could | touch it, but Jesus passed by" and that changed everything. What men cannot do Jesus can. Jesus is passing today, and we may expect things quite
 as wonderful to happen (John 14:12).
 This blind man illustrates the unsaved ! sinner q Cor. 2 :14). He never had
 seen. He was beyond human help (v. 32). He had doubtless given up all hope of seeing. He was without sym- pathy, suspected and despised (vv. 2, | 3Q. PoOr-he was a beggar. He is l also a type of the nation of Israel | (Rev. 8: :17). We must not attempt to l Quently uses it for the advancement of his kingdom (John Il :4). Jesus not only passed by but he "saw." The | feeling of the crowd was that of culi- osity and contempt. His feeling was that of compassion (vv. ?, 4 and @. Sickness sometimes manifests Gods sustaining grace (1 Cor. F :S-10). It S hat age of sickness is the direct result of sin (John 3 IA; Mk. 2:5; Acts P :23), | some, of course, indirectly (Job 23 IA 30).
 II. The Cure (vv. 4-11). The word
 must" in verse four is strong one. The time for us to do our work is now" This word must" carries with it the idea of a divine imperative. and ! the reason for that imperativeness is the approaching night" Night is coming fast, when no man can work. Notice the works we are to do are not our own, but "the works of him that sent me-" Compare carefully verses two and four, and see that Jesus con- sidered delivering the man from evil far more important than speculating l about the origin of his complaint. Too much time is spent in investigation. Let us have more of action. The means used in this cure were clay and spittle. The miracle was performed in plain view of all who might see. The man did not ask Jesus to help him, but Jesus had gone where he was (v. D. of the mans faith GIT Kings 5:10-1Q, and his part in the transaction was testimony that it was Christ who worked the cure. The use of the material means in this ceremony made the man more willing to go and wash. It gave him something to do, and doing is always an end to faith. Siloam means sent" and was type of Jesus himself (v. 4 John 10 :36; Rom. s B; Gal. 4 :4). If we wish to receive sight for our blind eyes, we should go to him and bathe (John S:12).
 III. The Controversy (v. 12 to end of chapter). This controversy gave op- portunity for testimony, as we have already seen, first of all upon the part of the man whose testimony was pro- gressive. At first he merely spoke of the fact. He was not acquainted with Jesus, for he calls him "The man called Jesus" Later on he is moved to call him a prophet" He Is prophet (v. ID, and later still he recognizes him as "The Son of God"
 (vv. 35-3S). This controversy estab- lished beyond question the fact of the cure. It brought out the deity of Christ (v. 33). The man was excom- municated, but for that matter he was already outside because of his physical infrmity, but, best of all, he became truly Christ's disciple.
 w. Comments. This lesson with its vivid contrasts of belief and unbelief gives us a wonderful opportunity to urge upon pupils decision to live the Christian life. Has Christ opened the eyes of our scholars to the love of God, to the awfulness of sin, to the need of a Savior, our divine Leader and Brother? Urge them, in the class and out, to be as outspokeh and cour- ageous for Christ as was this man who naQ never DeIOTe perHdpS oeeh oi
 heard of Jesus, and whose gratitude at once called forth this wonderful con- fession.
 Being cast out by the rules of the synagogue brought this man into closer
 and deeper fellowship and commun- ion with Jesus.
 He had believed far enough to obey
 his bidding, and had thus been healed Now he is brought to a great saw 1 ing, transforming faith, viz, that Jesus | Is the Son of God.
 Do we take advantage of our privi-
 lege of confession?
 Before Christ came there were no hospitals.
 He is the inspiration of all charitable
 institutions, but healing of the body is
 of secondary importance; the healing
 of the soul is primary. Whereas ] 1 was blind, now I see"