JOHN ix. 25. “He
answered and said, Whether He be a sinner or no, I know not.
One thing I know, that whereas I was blind, now I see.”
I. WE have here a change. This change was radical.
There are no two states more different than the state of
the blind and the state of the seeing. Is there not an
analogy between the state of this man and the condition
of spiritual blindness as common to us all.
Again, this change was divinely effected. Human
healers might succeed in cases of casual obscurity. No
power but the Divine could give sight to the born blind.
Again, this change was wrought by simple and pre-
scribed means. God does not supersede means, but He
vitalizes them. It is so in the matter of salvation.
II. There is here a testimony given. When a change
takes place like this a testimony is a necessity.
1. This testimony was experimental, and similarly we
testify of conversion as a real change.
2. This testimony was consistent and sincere. The
witnesses of the grace of God when they do not bear false
witness are equally consistent and sincere. Their testi-
mony is borne under all sorts of circumstances and under
every pressure. When have not those faithful witnesses
spoken? In reproach, in affliction, in death, the witness
of God’s faithful people has gone upwards to the skies.
W. Morley Punshon, D.D.