John 9:35-38 - Homiletics

The moral result of the miracle.

The bodily cure is to lead to spiritual enlightenment.

I. JESUS SEEKS OUT THE OUTCAST BEGGAR FOR BLESSING . "And when he had found him, he said, Dost thou believe on the Son of God?"

1. It is the office of the good Shepherd to seek out the sheep cast away , as if to fulfill the psalmist's words, "When my father and my mother forsake me, the Lord taketh me up."

2. Something more than miracle is needed to impart faith . He had been the subject of a bodily cure, but our Lord is now to make him the subject of spiritual illumination. Miracles alone cannot work faith.

3. The courageous fidelity of the man in the presence of the Pharisees makes him worthy of the greater blessing in store for him; yet he is saved wholly by grace.

4. Mark the directness of our Lord ' s question . "Dost thou believe on the Son of God?"

5. Mark how our Lord leads him on to a clearer recognition of himself . The man asked, "Who is he, Lord, that I might believe on him?" His faith was already looking out for its object. The answer is, "Thou hast both seen him, and he it is that talketh with thee." The very Person who had given him restored sight, and who here honored him by his conversation, was the Object of his faith.

II. MARK HOW QUICKLY FILTH FOLLOWS ON OUR LORD 'S WORDS , HOW QUICKLY CONFESSION FOLLOWS ON FAITH , AND HOW QUICKLY WORSHIP FOLLOWS ON CONFESSION .

1. Faith is based on knowledge . "Lord, I believe." The man receives Christ's testimony with alacrity, and accepts him as his Redeemer.

2. The confession is prompt , unhesitating , and enduring .

3. The worship is as sincere as the confession . They who believe in Christ for salvation will be sure to worship him. The worship of Christ is common to Christendom.