Belington progressive. [volume] (Belington, W. Va.) 1912-1927, 1917-03-29
LESSON FOR APRIL |
JESUS GIVES SIGHT TO BLIND

} GOLDEN TEXT am the light of tina
world.-JolIn 9:5.
This, another of the signs which
Jesus performed, is recorded only by
John. 1t probably occurred in Octo-
Der, six months before the crucifixion,
while Jesus was attending the Feast
of the Tabernacles. There are six
other eases of blindness recorded as
having been cured. Look them up.
l. The Case wv. 1-4. 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 Il Cor. 2:14). He never had
seen. He was beyond human help ".
i32). He had doubtless given up all
hope of seeing. He was without SYM
pathy, suspected and despised wv. 2,
,34). Poor-he was a beggar. He is
also type of the nation of Israel
t(Rev. 3 10. We must not attempt to
explain all sickness ". 81. God fire.
quently uses it for the advancement
of his kingdom John IL AZ. Jesus
not only passed by but he 'saw." The
feeling of the crowd was that of Curl
osity and contempt. His feeling was
that of compassion wv. 2, and 81.
Sickness sometimes manifests Gods
sustaining grace (II Cor. II :8-10). 1t
is doubtless true that large percent
age of sickness is the direct result of
sin John 5 IA; Nix. 2 IS; Acts II :23),
some, of course, indirectly (Job % Ia
3O).
II. The Cure wv. Ally. The word
must" in verse four is a 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 might" 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 specializing
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 We're clay and
spittle. The miracle was performed in
plain view of all who might see. The
man did not ask Jesus to help hiE, but
Jesus had gone where he was ". 81.
His words, go wash were a test of
the mans faith Gil Kings 5:10-14,
and his part in the transaction was a
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.
1t gave him something to do, and doing
is always an end to faith. Sloan
means 'sent," and was a type of Jesus
himself ". 4 John 10 SO; Rom. s %;
Gal. 4 ~. If we wish to receive sight
for our blind eyes, we should go to
him and battle John S:12).
Ill. The Controversy ". II to end of
ehapter). This controversy gave OPP
portunity for testimony, as we have
already seen, first of all upon the part
of the man whose testimony was pro-
gressiye. At first he merely spoke Of
The fact. He was not acquainted with
Jesus, for he calls him 1.-The man
called Jesus" Later on he is moved
10 call him prophet" He is a
prophet ". 10, and later stiIl he
!, ~
wv. 1883. This controversy estaD-
Lished beyond question the fact Of the
cure. 1t brought out the DEITY of
Christ ". 33). The man was excom-
municated, but for that matter he was
already outside because of his physical
Inhrmity. but, best of all, he became
truly Christ's disciple.
~. Comments. This lesson with its
vivid contrasts of belief and unbelief
gives us a wonderful opportunity to
urge upon pupils a decision to live the
Christian life. Has Christ opened the
eyes Of our scholars to the love of
God to the awfGlness of sin, to the
need of a Savior, our divine Leader
and Brother? Urge them, in the class
md out, to BE- as outspoken and cour-
ngeous FOR Christ as was this man who
had never before perhaps seen or
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.
Row he is brought to a great saw
ing, Transforming faith, viz, that Jesus
Is the Son of Cod
Do we take advantage of our priv
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