IT is beyond question, that all men by nature are spiritually blind, not only as to their sins, but also to God's requirements of them, and to unbounded love towards them. And it is a sorrowful thought that throngs are blindly hurrying: down the broad road that leadeth to destruction. Oh, that the eyes of many may be opened ere the fearful end of that path is reached!
A thrilling little story was, some time since, flashed to many parts of the globe, of a man who, through a very clever operation, was given his sight at the age of thirty years. And this was all the more wonderful, considering he had never known what sight was before, since he was, thirty years previously, born blind. No one can possibly realize his sensations at the moment when the bandages were removed, after the operation. He clapped his hands for joy at the wonders that met his gaze. "Oh!" he cried, "it is all very, very wonderful Why do not people make more fuss about it?”
Why, dear reader, do you think I relate this to you? Because it aptly illustrates the ecstatic joy, and unbounded delight that fills the heart of the one whose spiritual eyes have been opened to behold the matchless beauty, the infinite perfection, and the unsullied glories of the Christ of God. Oh, wonderful, glorious blessing, to see Him, and to know Him as "The chiefest among ten thousand—altogether lovely."
What a picture this blind man was, before he received his sight, of every unregenerate soul. Blind to their true state before God; blind too, to the love of God, and to the peerless Saviour who longs to open their eyes. This is how the word of God designates such: “Having the understanding darkened, being alienated from the life of God through the ignorance that is in them, because of the blindness of their heart." How lamentable indeed to contemplate such a state, and how can it possibly produce any happiness? But have you ever read the words that were addressed to the beloved apostle Paul, who was chosen of God to declare a message of life and love to all in such a condition? Then listen!" I send thee to open their eyes, and to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan unto God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins, and inheritance among them which are sanctified by faith that is in me.”
Oh, beloved reader, blind and dark indeed, you are, if you are still in your sins! Does it not touch your very heart to learn of the unutterable love of Jesus, who went down into the darkness of death, that you might be brought into the light of life? Who bore the storm of God's righteous wrath, that you might know and enjoy the sweet calm of His blessed favor? Who sank in deep mire, where there was no standing, that you might firmly and safely stand upon a rock? Oh, that your heart might immediately respond to such vast and immeasurable love! Turn to Him in all your sins, in all your darkness, and in all your blindness, and He will assuredly give you to know the joy of what it means to have your sins forgiven through faith in His blood turned from darkness to light, from the power of Satan unto God. Rest assured, your gladness will then exceed that of the man of whom I have told you and your chief delight will be to learn more and more of the One who, at such an infinite cost to Himself, brought you into such a wonderful place.
We read of Bartimæus brought in contact with the peerless Son of God, who in the tenderest grace and pity, opened his eyes. What an object met his gaze, as those eyelids were first unsealed. Opened, first of all to behold the Christ of God, to contemplate His beauty.
And is not He the first to meet the gaze of every repentant sinner to-day? What a sight indeed! Can you, dear reader, say, "I see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels for the suffering of death, crowned with glory and honor?" Ah! if so, I know your great delight is to fall down before Him, in gratitude, praise and worship, and adore Him as the dearest object of your heart.
The writer well remembers the first gladsome moment when darkness gave place to light, blindness to sight, and death to life. Words fail to describe the intense joy that was known. And oh, dear reader, the One who opened his eyes has been his blessed friend and companion ever since, comforting and succoring his heart through sorrow and trial. Oh, that you may know Him too!
But should your pride rise up still in rebellion against Him, because you are so far satisfied with yourself, I would just remind you of an intensely solemn word, " But if our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost: in whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them."
W. G.