Untitled Sermon (11)
Jesus passed by (vv.1–3)
Thought 1. The sufferer has a very special opportunity to show forth the works of God in his life. He can allow the Spirit of God to be demonstrated in a much more powerful way than a healthy person. The sufferer can show that the grace and power of God are sufficient much more than a healthy person can. Very often a person suffers not because of sin but because God desires a unique opportunity to show forth His works. (See outline and notes—Lu. 13:1–9. Also see notes—Lu. 5:18–20; Js. 5:14–15 for more discussion.)
b. Jesus carried the discussion beyond the man’s blindness. The disciples were perplexed over this man’s situation, wondering and asking questions about the problem of suffering and sin. How could a man such as this be punished from birth? Jesus picked up the question, moving it to His worldwide mission as the Light of the world (v.5). He dealt with the problem of suffering and sin throughout the whole world. His very mission upon earth was to work the works of God.
Jesus came to work the works of God (v.4).
Jesus Christ, Mission—God, Works of: Jesus came to work the works of God. Note four points.
a. Note the words “sent me.” God sent Jesus. Jesus had come into the world on God’s mission. He was of God, from God’s very presence, from the closest possible relationship with God (see notes—Jn. 3:32–34; DEEPER STUDY # 3—3:34 for verses of Scripture).
b. Note that Jesus came to do the works of God. It was God’s works that had to be done. Four works are stressed in this passage.
1) There is the work of seeking man. God seeks man. Jesus took the initiative with this man, reaching out to help him. It was not the man who reached out for help. In fact, the man was blind; he did not even know that help was available. If Jesus had not reached out for him, he would have remained blind and been in darkness forever.
“For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost” (Lu. 19:10).
2) There is the work of caring for man. God cares that man is blind.
“Even as the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many” (Mt. 20:28).
“Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you” (1 Pe. 5:7).
3) There is the work of loving and having compassion. God loves and has compassion for man in his blindness and darkness.
“For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin” (He. 4:15–16).
“In all their affliction he was afflicted, and the angel of his presence saved them: in his love and in his pity he redeemed them; and he bare them, and carried them all the days of old” (Is. 63:9).
4) There is the work of delivering from darkness and giving sight.
“Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son” (Col. 1:13).
c. Note the urgency of the mission. This is stressed by two things.
1) The word must (dei) means compulsion and necessity. There are no questions, no suggestions, no urgings about the matter. The works of God must be done.
2) The time for work is limited. Christ and His followers do not have forever to do the work. It has to be done now or the opportunity will be lost. Only so much time has been given. Whatever is to be done must be done today, while there is still some daylight left. Night is coming, the time when no man can work. Time will end and the opportunity will be gone forever.
“Jesus saith unto them, My meat is to do the will of him that sent me, and to finish his work” (Jn. 4:34).
“But this I say, brethren, the time is short: it remaineth, that both they that have wives be as though they had none; and they that weep, as though they wept not; and they that rejoice, as though they rejoiced not; and they that buy, as though they possessed not” (1 Co. 7:29–30).
“Redeeming the time, because the days are evil” (Ep. 5:16).
“Walk in wisdom toward them that are without, redeeming the time” (Col. 4:5).
“Wherefore I put thee in remembrance that thou stir up the gift of God, which is in thee by the putting on of my hands” (2 Ti. 1:6).
d. Note: the better texts read us or we (emas) instead of “I” (eme, v.4): “It is necessary for us to work” or “We must work the works of God.” If this is accurate, then a wonderful truth is stated. Jesus ties us to His mission from the Father. We, too, are in the world to do the works of God. Our very purpose for being on earth is to proclaim and show forth the works of God.
“Then said Jesus to them again, Peace be unto you: as my Father hath sent me, even so send I you” (Jn. 20:21).
“For we cannot but speak the things which we have seen and heard” (Ac. 4:20).
“Necessity is laid upon me; yea, woe is unto me, if I preach not the gospel!” (1 Co. 9:16).