"I've Heard of Him."

From: Messages of God's Love: 1900

From: Messages of God's Love: 1942

WHILE passing along the street one beautiful, morning, my attention was arrested by a young man, who, although bearing upon his face the impress of health and youthful vigor, was, nevertheless, totally blind. I felt led to speak to him about the Lord Jesus as the One who could cause light to shine into his soul, giving him to obtain eternal life, by believing. His answer was, “Yes, I’ve heard of Him.”

Oh, but was that enough, reader, do you think? No, for eternal life is given, not through hearing alone, but by believing: “He that heareth My word, and believeth on Him that sent Me, hath everlasting life.” John 5:24²⁴Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life. (John 5:24).

As soon as blind Bartimeus heard of Jesus, he believed in Him as the One able to restore his sight— “And Jesus said unto him, Go thy way: thy faith hath made thee whole. And immediately he received his sight, and followed Jesus in the way.” Mark 10:46-52⁴⁶And they came to Jericho: and as he went out of Jericho with his disciples and a great number of people, blind Bartimeus, the son of Timeus, sat by the highway side begging. ⁴⁷And when he heard that it was Jesus of Nazareth, he began to cry out, and say, Jesus, thou Son of David, have mercy on me. ⁴⁸And many charged him that he should hold his peace: but he cried the more a great deal, Thou Son of David, have mercy on me. ⁴⁹And Jesus stood still, and commanded him to be called. And they call the blind man, saying unto him, Be of good comfort, rise; he calleth thee. ⁵⁰And he, casting away his garment, rose, and came to Jesus. ⁵¹And Jesus answered and said unto him, What wilt thou that I should do unto thee? The blind man said unto him, Lord, that I might receive my sight. ⁵²And Jesus said unto him, Go thy way; thy faith hath made thee whole. And immediately he received his sight, and followed Jesus in the way. (Mark 10:46‑52).

Job had heard of the Lord “by the hearing of the ear;” “but now,” he says, “mine eye seeth Thee. Wherefore, I abhor myself and repent in dust and ashes.” Job 42:5-6⁵I have heard of thee by the hearing of the ear: but now mine eye seeth thee. ⁶Wherefore I abhor myself, and repent in dust and ashes. (Job 42:5‑6).

Oh, have you heard of Jesus, have you believed Him? Have your eyes been opened to see Him in all His beauty; and yourself in all your vileness?

G. B. E.

ML 08/26/1900

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