150. The Free-agency of Christ.

And he cometh to Bethsaida; and they bring a blind man unto him, and besought him to touch him. (23) And he took the blind man by the hand, and led him out of the town; and when he had spit on his eyes, and put his hands upon him, he asked him if he saw ought. (24) And he looked up, and said, I see men as trees, walking. (25) After that he put his hands again upon his eyes, and made him look up: and he was restored, and saw every man clearly. - Mark 8:22-25.

Men arrive at Christ by different processes: one is found by Christ himself, another comes to him, another is borne of four, and this blind man is led. This matters little, so long as we do come to him. The act of bringing men to Jesus is most commendable.

· It proves kindly feeling.

· It shows practical faith in the power of Jesus.

· It is thus an act of true wisdom.

· It is exceedingly acceptable to the Lord and is sure to prove effectual when the person himself willingly comes.

In this case there was something faulty in the bringing, since there was a measure of dictation as to the method in which the Lord should operate.

I. IT IS A COMMON WEAKNESS OF FAITH TO EXPECT THE BLESSING IN A CERTAIN FIXED WAY. "They besought him to touch him."

The Lord has his usual ways, but he is not bound to them. Yet too often we think and act as if he were so.

1. We dream that deliverance from trouble must come in one way.

2. We look for sanctification either by afflictions or by ecstasies.

3. We hope for salvation only by one form of experience.

4. We look to see others converted in one fashion of feeling only, or by some one favorite ministry.

5. We expect a revival to take the stereotyped shape.

II. WHILE OUR LORD HONORS FAITH, HE DOES NOT DEFER TO ITS WEAKNESS.

· He did not consent to work in the prescribed manner.

· He touched, but no healing came; and thus he proved that the miracle was not attached to that special form of operation.

· He did nothing to the blind man before their eyes; but led him out of the town. He would not indulge their observation, or curiosity.

· He did not heal him instantly, as they expected.

· He used a means never suggested by them—"spit on his eyes," etc. When he did put his hands on him, he did it twice, so that, even in compliance with their wish, he vindicated his own freedom.

1. Thus he refused to foster the superstition which limited his power.

2. Thus he used a method more suited to the case.

3. Thus he gave to the people larger instruction.

4. Thus he displayed to the individual a more personal care.

The like happens in each distinct conversion: its specialty is justified in a multitude of ways.

III. WHILE OUR LORD REBUKES THE WEAKNESS OF FAITH, HE HONORS FAITH ITSELF.

1. The blind man had consented to be led to Jesus, and Jesus leads him further. He refuses none because their coming to him has been less their own spontaneous act than yielding to the persuasion of others.

2. His friends had asked for sight, and the Lord gave sight. If we have praying faith, he will keep pace with it.

3. The man and his friends had exhibited confidence in him, and he gave them even more than they expected. If we can confide, we shall receive.

4. The cure was perfect, and the method used displayed the completeness of it. Jesus gives perfect gifts to imperfect faith.

Faith ever honors the Lord, and therefore the Lord honors it.

If faith were not thus rewarded, Jesus himself would suffer dishonor.

He who has faith shall surely see; he who demands signs shall not be satisfied.

Let us forever have done with prescribing methods to our Lord.

Jesus will surely heal those who believe in him; he knows the best method; and he is to be trusted without reserve.