3 NOVEMBER
These miracles
‘… For no man can do these miracles that thou doest, except God be with him.’ John 3:2
SUGGESTED FURTHER READING: Luke 7:11–23
Some of these works our Lord sums up as evidence of his mission to John’s disciples (Luke 7:22).
(i) The blind see. This was a proof of the power of God, and so acknowledged in John 10:21. His ministers cannot indeed give bodily sight, but they are his instruments to open the eyes of the mind. All men are blind till the gospel gives them sight—stark blind to the things of God. They know not where they are going, they are insensible to danger, though they stand upon the brink of it. They know not God or themselves. But this foolishness of preaching opens the eyes of many. And they can say, Whereas I was blind, now I see [John 9:25]. Where this preaching is applied to the heart by the Spirit, those who were before ignorant are made wise. Yea, though they are of moderate capacities and of the lowest ranks in life, they soon outstrip such as have the greatest natural advantages, if they have not this likewise.
(ii) The deaf hear. God is often speaking to sinners—to their consciences by his Spirit, to their eyes and their ears by his providence—but they are deaf. Though his voice is in the city there is no man of wisdom to understand it, till the preaching of the gospel comes, then the ears of the deaf are unstopped, and …
(iii) The dumb speak. Men indeed are not dumb wholly. They have tongues which they think are their own. Words of blasphemy, cursing, lying and vanity they are free to speak, but with respect to the best use and purpose of speech they are as dumb as fishes, till the knowledge of sin and of a Saviour opens their mouths. Then they speak to God’s praise and say, Come and I will tell you what he hath done [Psalm 66:16] [contd in 5/6].
FOR MEDITATION:
Sight, hearing, feeling, taste and smell,
It hears the mighty voice of GOD,
Are gifts we highly prize;
And ponders what he saith;
But faith does singly each excel,
His word and works, his gifts and rod,
And all the five comprise.
Have each a voice to faith.
SERMON SERIES: JOHN 3:1–2, NO. 2 [4/6]
Milo 