John 9:4–5

In the second part of the conference, Christ having answered their question, doth now prevent an objection by shewing reasons why he should cure him, and that presently, notwithstanding any hazard might redound to him for so doing. As for the objection which the disciples might have urged against his working this miracle, we have one propounded to the same purpose, Chap. 11. 8. Where Christ repeats this answer in part, verse 9, 10. And here they might be ready to object, that being but even now in peril of stoning by the Jewes, Chap. 8. 59. Why would he irritate them again by this miracle, and not rather lurk? Especially, Why would he do it on the Sabbath, as it is verse 14. Seeing the like practice had bred him so much trouble before, as is marked, Chap. 5. and 7.23, 25? Christ prevents all, by shewing that he must manifest these works of God (of which verse 3.) by curing this man, and that presently; For which he gives three reasons, 1. That he is sent with a Commission to do these works, verse 4.— and therefore must be diligently obedient. 2. That his affection to the service did binde the tie, laid upon him the straiter, verse— 4. For when he considered that there was a time profixed to him, wherein to do these works in his own person, (to wit, the time of his life and Ministry) which being ended (as it was now shortly to expire) he could not have the like opportunity, therefore he would now be busie upon all hazards. 3. That he is the light of the world, verse 5. and therefore behoved to cure him. This imports, partly, that being the store-house of lost man, in whom the remedy of all their miseries is hid up, he could not with-hold from them what they needed; and partly, being to manifest himself the light of the world, to cure their spiritual blindnesse, he would not omit to confirme it by this visible signe of curing a blinde man. This reason is amplified from the consideration of the time wherein he exercised this office, as long as I am in the world; which is but an enlargement of the second reason. And for clearing thereof, and of the whole second and third reasons, it is not needful to resume the doctrines, concerning mans misery and lying in blindnesse and darknesse, or, that Christ is the onely and true remedy of this evil; for these truths in their full latitude have occurred, Chap. 1. 9. and 8. 12. and ought here to be considered onely with reference to the present scope, But whereas Christ speaks of his day, and of a night coming, and that he is the light of the world, as long as he is in the world, the meaning is not that ever he wants light, or an opportunity of doing good unto his people; or that he was not the light of the world, both before his Incarnation, and after his Ascention. But Christ by this points out, that during the time of his abode on earth, he was this light in an eminent way. Not onely spiritually enlightning his people, and doing great things for them; but personally and immediately, by his visible presence and external operation, doing them by his own hand; whereas this light shined formerly, and wrought in and by the Ministry of the Prophets, and after his Ascention, by the Apostles. And so the force of the reason is, that Christ considering that he was the light of the world, immediately and in his own person, onely so long as he is in the world; and that he had a prefixed time for his going about and doing good in his own person, which was now near expired; therefore out of his great affection to his people, and to any service that might do them good, he would be busie and omit no time. Doctrine 1. Men are not to expect that they will get through with good and acceptable works, without many discouragements, which may weaken the hands of flesh and blood; for, so is here imported, in that Christ obviates them. 2. Christ is so easie to be intreated and employed by his people, that he will neither be discouraged nor forbidden to do them any good that they need; Therefore will he not be hindered, but reasons against all delayes. 3. Christs works are all of them the works of God, being all approven of him, and God employing him to do good, that so he might manifest his love to miserable man through him, in a way most agreeable to his justice; Therefore doth he call these things that he did in the dayes of his flesh, not onely his own works, but the works of him that sent me. See 2 Cor. 5.19. 4. Christ stood obliged to performe all these duties, which he did in the dayes of his flesh, and being bound thereunto by a Commission accepted from his Father, for which he was to give an account; Therefore saith he, I must work the works of him that sent me. 5. As Christ stands bound by obligation, to performe all the duties required of a Mediatour; So also he did affectionately undertake them, and employ himself therein; for, so much doth that addition teach, I must work while it is day. Opportunities of well doing in our station, are not to be sleighted, but taken hold of; for, we should work while it is day. 7. It may excite us to improve opportunities of well-doing, when we consider, that opportunity being lost, it is not easily, if at all, recovered, even albeit we should be willing to work; for, when the day is past: the night cometh when no man can work. 8. Christ our Lord was so willing to be employed for the good of his people, that he studiously improved all opportunities, and did seriously lay to heart the short time he had to remaine on earth, that so he might employ it thriftily, and go about doing good; for, he applies to himself in this present case, that general consideration, I must work while it is to day, the night cometh, when no man can work. 9 The fulnesse of Christ as Mediatour, being given for the good of miserable sinners, is an argument with him, pleading that he should lay out himself for their help who are in need; for, so is the force of this argument, I am the light of the world; and therefore I must let out of that furniture, laid up in me, for the help of this man. 10. Christ, by the miraculous cures wrought upon the bodies of the diseased, in the time of his being on earth, gave a visible document of what he was, and would prove to needy souls who employ him; So much also is imported here, that he being the light of the world would give a proof of it, and invite sinners to employ him as such, by curing this blinde man. 11. The Sonne of God his manifesting himself in our nature, and conversing with sinners on earth, preaching and working miracles among them, was a sweet and refreshful light of consolation to the world; for, albeit he be the light of the world both before and after, yet this is true in a particular and eminent way, as long as I am in the world, I am the light of the world. And this was that day of light so much desired and longed for, Luke 10.23, 24. For this was the glorious manifestation of the love of God, when he became Immanuel, God with us, and when God not onely dwelt with men, but in mans nature, and by his own preaching and miracles gave proof of that fulnesse of grace and truth that is in him. 12. Our Lord Jesus is so respective of lost sinners, that he accounted it no small favour to get his bride in his own immediate guiding, and did so acquit himself in these dayes of his Ministry, as might witnesse what an one he was; for, so much doth Christs argument, drawn from this, import, As long as I am in the world, I am the light of the world, which imports, by way of Argument, these two. 1. That in his esteeme it was a great favour to be thus in his own person the light of the world, and not to leave the ministration of his comforts to his servants, to be ministers thereof; and therefore he would be busie in this his time of it. And indeed, it appears how much he delighted to be the immediate Messenger and publisher of his love, in that before his Incarnation he appeared in humane shape, and spake himself with the Patriarchs, and when his Messengers do in his name speak a word in season to the wearie, his love is such, that if it were fit, he would come and be the Messenger himself. 2. That his bride being now, during this time of his Ministry, left on his immediate hand (the Prophets being ceased, John after awhile laid by, and his disciples doing but little) it was requisite he should be busie, and guide her so, as she should misse no other, and he might let her finde what a difference there is betwixt the Bridegroome and his friends. And indeed he is matchlesse, singular, and like himself, in his guiding and dealing with his own.