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THE BLIND AND DUMB D Æ MONIAC HEALED
IN establishing the Mosaic dispensation, God introduced it with many miracles. It might well be expected therefore that, when he should supersede that dispensation, and establish another in its place, he would confirm that also with miracles, so as to leave no doubt but that he was the author of “that which should remain, no less than of that; which was to vanish away.” Accordingly our blessed Saviour wrought miracles without number, and appealed to them as substantiating his claim to divine authority: “Though ye believe not me, believe the works; that ye may know and believe, that the Father is in me, and I in him [Note: Joh_10:37-38.].” It should seem that, for the furtherance of this end, Satan was permitted to exercise greater power over the bodies of men, than was ever exercised by him either before or since: that so the divine mission of Jesus might be the more signally marked by his conquests over Satan.
In discoursing on the miracle before us, I shall shew,
I. What proof the Lord Jesus here gave of his Messiahship—
There was a man whom Satan by his malignant influence had caused to be “both blind and dumb:” and him did our Lord in an instant restore to the perfect use of his faculties, so that “the blind and dumb both spake and saw.” At this stupendous miracle “the people were all amazed:” and the conclusion which they drew from it was, “Is not this the son of David?” Under the name and character of “the Son of David” the Messiah was expected: and from the miracle which they had seen, the people inferred, that Jesus must be he: yea, so undeniable did this inference appear, that they asked with confidence, “Is not this the son of David?”
[This miracle was precisely of the kind that the Messiah was expected to perform. It had been foretold by the prophet, “Then the eyes of the blind shall be opened, and the ears of the deaf shall be unstopped: then shall the lame man leap as an hart, and the tongue of the dumb shall sing: &c [Note: Isa_35:5-6.].” And to such miracles as these our Lord himself referred in proof of his Messiahship. When John the Baptist sent two of his disciples to inquire of Jesus, “Art thou he that should come, or do we look for another?” our Lord replied, “Go and shew John again the things that ye do hear and see: the blind receive their sight, and the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, and the deaf hear, the dead are raised up, and the poor have the Gospel preached to them: and blessed is he, whosoever shall not be offended in me [Note: Mat_11:2-6.].” Indeed so wonderful was this miracle, and so evident, on Scripture principles, the truth deduced from it, that the envious Pharisees, in order to obviate the conclusion drawn from it, ascribed the miracle to a confederacy with the devil. But our Lord shewed them, that, on their view of the matter, Satan would be subverting his own kingdom: but, as they could not conceive he would do that, it was clear, that the kingdom of God must be come unto them [Note: ver. 24–28.].
Thus did our Lord by this miracle establish his claim to the Messiahship, and give ample ground for all the people to receive him as the appointed Saviour of the world.]
And have these wonders ceased? No: I feel myself authorized to declare,
II. What corresponding proofs he is ever ready to give to us at this day—
Satan has no longer the same power over the bodies of men, that he once exercised. But he has as great power over their souls as ever: and
We are spiritually in the same predicament with the man whom Jesus healed—
[We are, whilst in an unregenerate state, “both blind and dumb.” We arc “blind.” What is there which we see aright? What views have we of our duty, our interest, or our happiness? One would suppose that every rational being should see it his duty to love and serve his God; and his interest to secure the divine favour; and his happiness to enjoy the presence of God, and a foretaste of his eternal inheritance. But where do we find persons acting in accordance with such views? Men’s earthly pursuits appear to them of paramount obligation; and all desire after heavenly things is swallowed up by their anxiety about the things of time and sense. In vain does God tell them, that this world is only as “a broken cistern that can hold no water [Note: Jer_2:13.];” and that no solid comfort can be derived from any source but from God, “the fountain of living waters:” This they will not believe, notwithstanding the experience of every day bears testimony to it. And whence is this unbelief, but from the influence of Satan upon their minds? Yes, “The god of this world hath blinded the minds of them that believe not [Note: 2Co_4:4.].”
So also are we “dumb.” Our tongue is spoken of by God as “our glory,” because by that, more than by any other member, we are enabled to glorify him [Note: Psa_57:7-8.]. But how is that member employed for God? We speak not to him in the exercise of prayer and praise, though our multiplied necessities and mercies call for these acknowledgments every day and hour of our lives. Nor do we in our converse with the world speak of God. Every other subject that can be thought of occupies our tongues rather than this, insomuch that amongst our friends and relatives it seems, as it were, to be banished by general consent. Still less do we speak for God. We see him dishonoured on every side; but we dare not advocate his cause. If our own father or friend were so insulted, we should find somewhat to speak in their behalf: but for God and his honour we have no concern: we can see the whole world risen in rebellion against him, and never once bear our testimony against their impiety. And whence is this, but from the same Satanic influence? Yes, “our walking thus according to the course of this world is owing to that prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in all the children of disobedience [Note: Eph_2:2.].”]
But from this state our blessed Lord is ever willing to deliver us—
[He is constituted “both Lord and Christ [Note: Act_2:36.].” He is exalted on purpose that he may give us the grace we stand in need of [Note: Act_5:31.], and thus “destroy in us the works of the devil [Note: 1Jn_3:8.].” He on his ascension to heaven poured out the gifts of the Holy Ghost, which he has promised to us also [Note: Act_2:38-39.]; and by his Spirit “he will open the eyes of our understanding [Note: Eph_1:17-18.],” and “open our lips also that we may shew forth his praise [Note: Psa_51:15.].” This is the very office which he has undertaken to perform: He is “made Head over all things to the Church for this very end [Note: Eph_1:22-23.];” and “there is a fulness treasured up in him for this express purpose [Note: Col_1:19. Joh_1:16.].” No man has any need to be discouraged, as though he were beyond the reach of this mercy: he cannot be in a more hopeless state than the man who is spoken of in my text: and we are assured, that “the things which are hid from the wise and prudent, our Lord will reveal unto babes.” Let all then look unto him; the blind, that they may see, and the dumb that they may speak; and not one shall be disappointed of his hope: for our blessed Lord has “counselled all to come to him for these blessings [Note: Rev_3:18.],”and “no soul shall ever seek his face in vain.”]
Address—
1. Those who are yet under the power of Satan—
[But where shall I find these, or even so much as one of them? Are you, or you, or you amongst this unhappy number? No; if we will take your own word, we shall not find so much as one. But are there none amongst you that are destitute of a spiritual discernment, and whose whole conduct shews them to be blind as to all practical perception of their duty, their interest, and their happiness? Alas! we need not go far to find such as these; for on every side of us we see persons living for themselves, and not for God; for time, and not for eternity. I ask not then respecting your worldly possessions or your intellectual attainments. If you have not a truly spiritual use of your faculties, possess what else ye may, ye are in a far worse condition than the man whom Satan had rendered blind and dumb. His wants might be supplied by others; yours cannot: his would cease at death; yours will never terminate: his might be far more than compensated by the acquisition of spiritual attainments; but what can ever compensate for the wants which you experience? Ten thousand worlds could not be to you any compensation for the loss of spiritual faculties and spiritual enjoyments. Then I entreat you come to the Lord Jesus Christ, who is as able and as willing to supply your wants as ever he was to heal those who were brought to him in the days of old — — —]
2. Those who have been delivered from him—
[Who that beheld that man’s change of state did not cordially congratulate him on the mercy he had received? Yet was not the blessing conferred on him in any degree to be compared with that which they have experienced, whose eyes are opened to behold the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ, and whose tongues are loosed to speak forth his praise. Dear brethren, so far as these blessings are enjoyed by you, you are restored to the happiness which Christ has purchased for you by his blood, the happiness which shall ere long be perfected in glory. Give honour then to the Lord Jesus Christ: and, when you see how many around you still remain both blind and dumb, stand amazed at the distinguishing mercy which has been vouchsafed to you — — — And now, need I tell you how to employ the faculties which have been thus renewed? Surely of yourselves you will feel, that they should be henceforth consecrated altogether to your God. “Get then your spiritual senses more and more exercised” on spiritual things; and let your one employment henceforth be on earth, what it will ere long without interruption be in heaven, to behold the glory, and to shew forth the praises, of your adorable Benefactor.]