The Man Born Blind (17)

T he healed man has been found by his Healer. The Lord Jesus has a question for him. The Lord has performed a wonder in his life. It is recorded in the words of the healed man, “Whereas I was blind, now I see.” This wonder was life changing, but also because of this wonder he received the attacks of the enemies. His strife was because the Lord healed him. Christ has heard it and set out to find the healed man who was cast out. The Lord Jesus found him, and now we also read that He began to speak to him. The opening question is remarkable. Christ asks him, “Dost thou believe on the Son of God?”

The key word is “believe on.” I emphasize—notice the timing. This man, as the result of his previous confession of who his Healer was, has been cast out by the Pharisees. This man has shown that the wonder in his life is of such a nature that even the strongest enmity cannot remove the effect of it. How much comes against that new life! Yet, it remains standing due to its origin with God. However, the new life will receive exercises of faith. The enemies were used by the Lord to bring the healed man to a place where Christ heard about it and found him, but now Christ does not come and embrace him, saying, “It’s okay; you have done such a good job; I can put some trust in you now; you have proved yourself…” None of that! The Bible clearly states: “For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, the just shall live by faith.” Now the Healer has come, but Christ is hidden in the healed man’s strife. The Mediator is to be revealed as the object of his faith. Underline that, dear reader! That is how the Lord works. In the strife these people do not have a revealed Mediator by their side but a hidden Mediator who needs to be revealed to save them as outcasts in their strife.

“Dost Thou believe on the Son of God?” If you think about it, this is such a deep question. The Son of God was the Messiah, “Immanuel,” God with us. Do you believe on Him? Then the question really means to ask this: Healed man, are you cast out of the synagogue? Are you ridiculed because of your confession of true saving faith? Are you attacked because of the wonder? Well, then, one question: “Do you believe on the Son of God?” Do you read it correctly, striving one? In your attacks because of true saving faith the question comes, “Do you believe on the Son of God?” In your strife because of true saving faith you are asked, “Do you believe on the Son of God?” May I interpret it clearly: Do you believe on the Second Person? Is not the Bible clear and simple? In his Christless condition this man is asked, “Do you believe on Him?” In his way of losing everything he is asked: Do you possess the Second Person as your possession? Are you on His side? Is your faith now, at this moment in the strife, directed to Jesus the Messiah?

Many say it is too difficult. Many say this is not necessary. Another will say you are inventing and digressing. No, dear reader. Here lies the way declared for a riddled people. In the strife God comes to exercise their faith. In the strife God comes to deepen their knowledge of God and their deliverance in Christ Jesus. This man not only needs His eyes opened, but this man also needs to be saved. To be saved you need a Saviour, and that Saviour will reveal Himself in His Person.

Christ does not ask if he only believes. Many people believe. Many believe in Bible texts and psalter lines. Many think to be saved with these. Many attend the Lord’s Supper with these. A few precious moments and people feel converted enough for the Lord’s Supper. They can back it up with wonderful providences in being led there: the minister was sick but became better, the weather was bad but cleared up, they were on vacation but there came a cancellation and they had to be in church that Sunday. Oh blind, blind Lord’s Supper attendant! Here I read differently. A true beginning and cast out! Oh, blessed souls who are cast out. Now an outcast one is being asked if he believes on the Son of God. May I say it plainly? With this man the riddle gets bigger. The chief Prophet asks about his knowledge of the Messiah. That is a question with one purpose—to be taught who He is.

“Dost thou believe on the Son of God?” It is a question that needs an answer. It is a question that is going to reveal for this man who His Saviour is. His eyes were not only opened, but as a lost one his soul will be saved. That is pure gospel, dear reader. A Saviour whose name is Jesus, “for He shall save His people from their sins.” That is true Immanuel, God with the outcast—God in the outcast and the outcast in God, due to Immanuel! Oh, blessed Saviour for outcasts. Riddled outcast souls, take courage. The Second Person is ordained by the Father and anointed by the Holy Ghost to save outcast souls. He was sent to find them and to save them as outcasts. You do not have to come with your knowledge, with your experience, with your reformations, but for the outcast ones He has come to save them.

Is your salvation already anchored in the Son of God? In death there is no room for anything save Jesus’ blood and righteousness only. May God favor you with the opening of your eyes and to be cast out, there to be asked if you believe on Him who has come to seek and to save that which is lost. This is a lesson that will glorify the work of Prince Immanuel.

(To be continued)

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