Come and See – Chapter 9 of the Gospel of John – Part iii – Questions

Come and See

Chapter 9 of the Gospel of John

Part iii

Questions

And as Jesus passed by, he saw a man which was blind from his birth. (John 9:1)

♦

——♦ ——

The Questions in Chapter 9

——♦ ——

   For your remembrance we will post the eighteen questions in this third message of John Chapter 9. One should understand the far reaching depth of the Spirit of Christ in the COMPLETE gospel according to John. It is the REVELATION of the mind of the Spirit. We must enter into His presence to understand ALL the truths and all that are revealed in the gospel according to John. Chapter 9 is the final single digit, it contains the number 3, three times, and begins with the awakening of blindness of the soul in John Chapter 3. Chapter 3 is a man meeting the Lord in the darkness of night: the whole condition of Adam who has no light in his heart, soul, and spirit. The second segment is Chapter 6 (the duplicate of the number three) and in this duplicate the Son of God is completely revealed before man in His power over the elements of nature, over the feeding of the five thousand, and by many of the miracles that He performed that man might believe. Chapter 6 closes with the declaration of Peter, thou art that Christ, the Son of the living God. (John 6:69) Therefore, we see in the number 6 the entire need and the whole number of mankind.

   We also see that in Adam ALL die because of sin, and therefore, God sent His Son to deliver man out of the bondage of sin and death, and to give His life for an atonement for the sin of the whole world. The Holy Spirit wants to break down all theological questions in John Chapter 9. He uses the simplicity of a multitude of questions that every man MUST answer before God.

   You do not have to be a Greek scholar to understand these questions. You do not have to be a theological professor to lay hold of the truth that is found in John Chapter 9. What is the premise of these questions? By answering them you determine what path you are on; whether you are on the right path which leads to redemption and the Person of the Lord Jesus Christ, or the wrong path where you continue in darkness. Where your heart, soul and spirit continue to grope in blindness and you will not believe because of your sin. I am going to present these eighteen questions found in John Chapter 9. These questions are not just to be answered with knowledge but with heart sincerity before God. I will list these eighteen questions, and then we will discuss them one at a time to reveal man’s blindness, and how all men come into this world blind to the knowledge of God.

1. Who did sin? (verse 2)

2. Is this not he? (verse 8)

The neighbours therefore, and they which before had seen him that he was blind, said, Is not this he that sat and begged?

3. How were thine eyes opened? (verse 10)

4. Where is he? (verse 12)

5. How he has received his sight? (verse 15)

Then again the Pharisees also asked him  how he had received his sight. He said unto them, He put clay upon mine eyes, and I washed, and do see.

6. How can a man? (verse 16)

Therefore said some of the Pharisees, This man is not of God, because he keepeth not the sabbath day. Others said, How can a man that is a sinner do such miracles? And there was a division among them.

7. What sayeth thou of him? (verse 17)

They say unto the blind man again,  What sayest thou of him, that he hath opened thine eyes? He said, He is a prophet.

8. Is this your son? (verse 19)

And they asked them, saying, Is this your son, who ye say was born blind? how then doth he now see?

9. How then doeth he now see? (verse 19)

And they asked them, saying, Is this your son, who ye say was born blind? how then doth he now see?

10. What did he to thee? (verse 26)

Then said they to him again, What did he to thee? how opened he thine eyes?

11. How opened he thine eyes? (verse 26)

Then said they to him again, What did he to thee? how opened he thine eyes?

12. Would you hear it again? (verse 27)

He answered them, I have told you already, and ye did not hear: wherefore would ye hear it again? will ye also be his disciples?

13. Will you also be his disciples? (verse 27)

He answered them, I have told you already, and ye did not hear: wherefore would ye hear it again? will ye also be his disciples?

14. Since the world began (verse 32)

Since the world began was it not heard that any man opened the eyes of one that was born blind.

15. Dost thou teach us? (verse 34)

They answered and said unto him, Thou wast altogether born in sins, and dost thou teach us? And they cast him out.

16. Dost thou believe on the Son of God? (verse 35)

Jesus heard that they had cast him out; and when he had found him, he said unto him, Dost thou believe on the Son of God?

17. Who is he Lord that I might believe on him? (verse 36)

He answered and said, Who is he, Lord, that I might believe on him?

18. Are we blind also? (verse 40)

And some of the Pharisees which were with him heard these words, and said unto him, Are we blind also?

Before we enter into these eighteen questions, please read in its entirety John Chapter 3, and John Chapter 6 with these two points in mind — following the mind of the Spirit of Christ, and the opposition to His Spirit in the Spirit of man. Then read the entire 9^th Chapter of the gospel of John. And now, we will continue with question number 4.

——♦ ——

Where Is He?

——♦ ——

4. Where is he? (verse 12)

   In this third message overlooking the landscape of John Chapter 9 we left off with the Man called Jesus, and moving to verse 12, and to the fourth question; the neighbors of the man born blind, and the Jews, asked the man who had received his sight, speaking of the Lord Jesus, Where is he?

   This question addresses the general populace, and even today, the general populace sadly does not know where the Lord Jesus is. The religious people of the world do not know where the Lord Jesus is. These religionists blaspheme God by giving His title to a man as a ‘holy father.’ And call no man your father upon the earth: for one is your Father, which is in heaven. (Matthew 23:9) A son honoureth his father, and a servant his master: if then I be a father, where is mine honour? and if I be a master, where is my fear? saith the LORD of hosts unto you, O priests, that despise my name. And ye say, Wherein have we despised thy name?(Malachi 1:6) He sent redemption unto his people: he hath commanded his covenant for ever: holy and reverend is his name. (Psalm 111:9)

   These same religionists substitute others in the place of Christ, usurping His proper place as the Eternal King, Eternal Priest, Redeemer, and His preeminent role as Head and Savior of His Church. And hath put all [things] under his feet, and gave him [to be] the head over all [things] to the church, (Ephesians 1:22) For the husband is the head of the wife, even as Christ is the head of the church: and he is the saviour of the body. (Ephesians 5:23) And he is the head of the body, the church: who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all [things] he might have the preeminence. (Colossians 1:18)

   They pray to mother Mary totally disregarding her last recorded words in Scripture in the gospel of John, Chapter 2, verse 5, His mother saith unto the servants, Whatsoever he saith unto you, do it.

But thou, when thou prayest, enter into thy closet, and when thou hast shut thy door, pray to thy Father which is in secret; and thy Father which seeth in secret shall reward thee openly. (Matthew 6:6)

After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. (Matthew 6:9)

And it came to pass, that, as he was praying in a certain place, when he ceased, one of his disciples said unto him, Lord, teach us to pray, as John also taught his disciples. (Luke 11:1) And he said unto them, When ye pray, say, Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done, as in heaven, so in earth. (Luke 11:2)

   And these same religionists arrogantly reveal their disrespect to the Holy Spirit of God by selling ‘the holy ghost’ to bidders, and usurping the Spirit’s work (in reproving the world of sin, righteousness and of judgment) and appropriating His ministry through the selling of indulgences to ease men of their sins.

For [there is] one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus;  (1^st Timothy 2:5)

Nevertheless I tell you the truth; It is expedient for you that I go away: for if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you; but if I depart, I will send him unto you. (John 16:7) And when he is come, he will reprove the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment: (John 16:8) Of sin, because they believe not on me; (John 16:9) Of righteousness, because I go to my Father, and ye see me no more; (John 16:10) Of judgment, because the prince of this world is judged. (John 16:11)

And when Simon saw that through laying on of the apostles’ hands the Holy Ghost was given, he offered them money, (Acts 8:18) Saying, Give me also this power, that on whomsoever I lay hands, he may receive the Holy Ghost. (Acts 8:19) But Peter said unto him, Thy money perish with thee, because thou hast thought that the gift of God may be purchased with money. (Acts 8:20)

   But where is the Lord Jesus? It is quite evident that in their hearts He is still hanging on the cross. In all their cathedrals, in their places of shrines, and around their necks, you will find the detestable image of a man hanging on a cross. This is the ignorance of most of Christendom. They do not know where the Lord Jesus is. And they do not know how to find Him. So let us answer question # 4, Where is He?

   At this present time in Church history, the Lord Jesus Christ is sat down at the right hand of the majesty on high. Who being the brightness of his glory, and the express image of his person, and upholding all things by the word of his power, when he had by himself purged our sins, sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high; (Hebrews 1:3) He sits upon a throne of righteousness. But unto the Son he saith, Thy throne, O God, is for ever and ever: a sceptre of righteousness is the sceptre of thy kingdom. (Hebrews 1:8) Thou hast loved righteousness, and hated iniquity; therefore God, even thy God, hath anointed thee with the oil of gladness above thy fellows. (Hebrews 1:9)

   His throne (being a throne of righteousness) and His Person (being anointed with the oil of gladness) heralds that He is ABOVE ALL His fellows. Righteousness upon this throne is the center of His throne of grace. He has acquired the throne of righteousness and grace through His sufferings, and the tempting of the devil. For in all parts He was tempted like as we are, yet apart from sin. To understand the throne of righteousness which unfolds the throne of grace, we have to understand the One who sits upon the throne, where He is, and why He is there?

    It is not the throne, but the Throne Sitter who is the Power and Minister of righteousness. It is His own Personal righteousness, being the God of righteousness, that gives authority to His throne. The scepter that He hold is a scepter of righteousness. Grace could never be accomplished if Christ did not have inherent righteousness.

   The manifest image of God, the Man Christ Jesus, is NOW fulfilling the mysteries of God. He opens and reveals these mysteries to those who love Him, and who are born of His Spirit. He magnifies Himself through them, and IN them, to give them spiritual eyes and sight INTO His realm of the unseen. In the beginning God created THROUGH Jesus Christ the heavens and the earth. The heavens came first, and they had preeminence. His desire was to create a Kingdom of angels: created beings designated angels to worship, obey, and fulfill His commands. It was Christ who was the Master Builder and Creator of both the seen and the unseen. For by Him were all things made.

All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made. (John 1:3)

For thus saith the LORD that created the heavens; God himself that formed the earth and made it; he hath established it, he created it not in vain, he formed it to be inhabited: I am the LORD; and there is none else. (Isaiah 45:18)

By the word of the LORD were the heavens made; and all the host of them by the breath of his mouth. (Psalm 33:6)

Through faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that things which are seen were not made of things which do appear. (Hebrews 11:3)

And to make all men see what is the fellowship of the mystery, which from the beginning of the world hath been hid in God, who created all things by Jesus Christ: (Ephesians 3:9)

For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him: (Colossians 1:16)

Hath in these last days spoken unto us by his Son, whom he hath appointed heir of all things, by whom also he made the worlds;  (Hebrews 1:2)

Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honour and power: for thou hast created all things, and for thy pleasure they are and were created. (Revelation 4:11)

   There are no mysteries to these particular verses from God’s Holy Word. Yet, millions upon millions, fail to understand the mystery of this One who was made a little lower than the angels for the suffering of death. And yet, this same One who gave Himself for the sin of the world, and defeated death still upholds ALL things in His creation by the word of His power. Who being the brightness of his glory, and the express image of his person, and upholding all things by the word of his power, when he had by himself purged our sins, sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high; (Hebrews 1:3)

   When we consider the determinate counsels of God, we must realize that God is His own counsel. Among the Godhead, He reasons, and He determines His own will and purpose for His entire creation. Every thing in the physical scene was and is still under His complete power. He and He alone, determines its history, its use, and its final conclusion. Out of that creation comes forth man, and the plan of redemption, which was laid in the determinate counsels of God BEFORE the foundation of the earth.

  Now, let us take a  l . . o . . n . . g  string of yarn. At one end we will tie a knot that will equal the size of the tip of our little finger, then let’s wrap this knot with the yarn over and over, day after day, until you have a large ball of yarn. You are the only one who knows that there is a knot at the beginning. It is YOUR mystery to keep or to reveal. The knot is concealed by thousands of threads that you have wound. Hundreds of threads; yet, you alone know the mystery buried deep within the ball of yarn. And you are the only one who can reveal this mystery and it can only be understood by revelation. Can anyone else know the mystery of the knot? No. Only if YOU reveal the mystery can anyone else obtain the knowledge of the mystery of the knot. So is God’s divine counsel. He not only created, but HID ALL the mysteries of God IN Jesus Christ. The fullness of the Godhead was manifested in the fullness of time as He was manifested BEFORE the very creation began. ALL the plan and purposes of God are met and hidden in the Lord Jesus Christ. And to make all men see what is the fellowship of the mystery, which from the beginning of the world hath been hid in God, who created all things by Jesus Christ: (Ephesians 3:9)

   To the amazement of the world (this is ALL mankind) the simplicity of our question, Where is He? can only be answered by God revealing Himself in Jesus Christ to us. And yet, although the question seems so simple, it is only answered by a few in any generation. The complexity of the new birth in Jesus Christ has been ignored by the majority of ALL generations. The complexity does not rely on man’s part, but on God’s part. There is a tremendous difference in revelation between sin and redemption, for God was IN Christ redeeming the world unto Himself. To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation. (2^nd Corinthians 5:19)

   When sin came into the world, it was an opium that destroyed the heart, spirit and soul of mankind. As death was determined for Adam, death was determined for ALL of mankind; thus, sin touched the very inward being of ALL mankind. The complexity in the plan of redemption was totally of God’s will and purpose. After the sin of Adam, ALL of mankind looked back to the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, for they ALL were affected and infected with the evil and sin that it produced. As one half of the tree had the goodness and knowledge of God, so the other half had the evil seed of sin and death for ALL mankind. However, at the presence of the tree of good and evil, at the first consumption of sin, God in His foreknowledge looked forward into the history of humanity to another tree which we consider the cross of Christ. This is where sin and death met life and peace.

   This complexity and mystery can only be revealed by the Man in heaven, the Lord Jesus Christ. The mystery of Him bearing the sin of the whole world is as a tapestry of God’s determinate counsels to redeem a people for Himself. There is not one exception in the children of Adam for ALL have sinned and come short of the glory and righteousness of God found in Jesus Christ.

   Through the Old Testament God hid the revelation of His Son Jesus Christ buried beneath the winding of His determinate counsels through a Divine knot; consequently, the Lord Jesus Christ was not completely revealed to mankind. And yet, God gave us windows of revelation concerning His Son throughout the WHOLE Old Testament to bring mankind through his history to the fulness of time when God’s dear Son, the Lord Jesus Christ would be revealed in the very manifestation of God in the Person of Jesus Christ. The tragedy of that sin of Adam has brought suffering to both man and God. Man in his Adamic state can only sin, he cannot resist sin for he has been completely changed by sin. His heart was corrupted at the tree. His soul entered into darkness, and his spirit became another spirit. Yes, you have sin within, and here is the tragedy, meditate on this statement: mankind is addicted to sin. He cannot rectify his condition. Therefore, as the history of mankind passed by, time added to sin. Sin passed upon all men, and man’s addiction to sin grows by his own history, and it is out of control as is witnessed to us in Genesis Chapter 6. This addiction to sin brought forth the death of ALL mankind, except for Noah, and his family. Both the character of sin, and the multitude of sins of individuals have defiled all nations. This has led to the conflict of kingdoms and nations, even in the recent history of mankind we have suffered two world wars, and many other wars because of sin and the evil heart of man. All this began by one man who brought sin into the world, and death by sin. All the peoples of the world are caught in this web of sin. This leads to every vile abomination, and sin under the sun. If you would be truthful with yourself, which few are, you will acknowledge your sin. However, take into account that man is a self deceiver.

   So the question, Where is He? (speaking of Christ) reveals that the Jews did not know where the Lord Jesus was. All throughout the gospel of John, we have the thought and phrase, Come and see, and yet, they asked the question, Where is He? The majority of humanity today, whether in church or out of church, cannot answer this question, Where is He?

—— ♦——

How He Had Received His Sight?

——♦ ——

5. How he has received his sight? (verse 15)

Then again the Pharisees also asked him  how he had received his sight. He said unto them, He put clay upon mine eyes, and I washed, and do see.

   The man who was born blind returned able to see. His neighbors and the Jews asked him, How were thine eyes opened? As the curious throng grew, the knowledge of this miracle reached the center of Judaism: the Pharisees. When they heard the commotion of the people, and the reality of this man receiving his sight although he had been born blind, they brought him before them. And then with all the sympathy of loving hearts, they asked this man who was born blind, HOW he had received his sight? We understand that it was not with loving hearts, nor were they concerned about the man himself. They already had an intuition that it was Christ who had opened this man’s eyes. The religionist is the hardest of all to reach with the truth. He shuts his ears to God because of the hardness of his own heart. He professes his own righteousness ABOVE the righteousness of God. Therefore, he is both blind and deaf to the revelation and the movement of the Spirit of God upon his own heart.

Side Note: Personal Experience: After the Lord miraculously saved me in Florida on the Howard Franklin Bridge between Tampa and St. Petersburg, I was explaining my salvation experience (just a few months previously) to a well known local preacher of how the Lord had opened my heart and had restored my soul, and put a new spirit within me. And from that moment of salvation (although I did not understand the fullness of it then) I knew that I was called of the Lord to serve Him, and to serve only Him.

This preacher reacted in a negative way expressing how he had been brought up in the church, and that he had always been saved. His parents were Christians, so therefore, he was a Christian. They went to church, so he went to church. You see, he told me that he was always saved. I was a young Christian at that time, but that did not stop my discussion with him; however, after a period of time, I realized that I was speaking to Nicodemus, and the only answer that he could give me to my wonderful and profound salvation experience in Jesus Christ, being born of the Spirit of Christ, his only thought could be, How can these things be? Each time that I tried to interject the Word of God, this preacher went back to the church and his church experiences which was and is his only authority for being saved. His relationship to the local church meant more to him then Christ. Then came the final blow, I quoted a verse that is so wonderful to me.

But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name: (John 1:12) Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.(John 1:13)

The wonder that we see here through these verses is that salvation is ALL of God. It is not of the blood, or the flesh, nor the will of man, BUT OF GOD. This was not a sermon. It was face to face, one on one, and what did this verse mean to this preacher? I received a lecture of how the word ‘sons’ was really ‘children’ in the Greek. He was so entangled with his own knowledge that he could not embrace the knowledge of God.

The same writer (the apostle John) who penned the words of John 1:12, and 13 led by the Spirit of God receiving the words from on high, also received the words in his 1^st epistle, recorded in Chapter 3, verse 1 thru 3.

Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God: therefore the world knoweth us not, because it knew him not. (1^st John 3:1) Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is. (1^st John 3:2) And every man that hath this hope in him purifieth himself, even as he is pure. (1^st John 3:3)

This section of Scripture in John’s 1^st epistle is an expansion of John Chapter 1, verses 12 and 13. In both instances those who believe on the Lord Jesus Christ ARE the adopted SONS through the redemptive work of the Lord Jesus Christ. And ALL has been accomplished BY Christ and not by man. To reassure us, the apostle Paul, in his epistle to the Galatians penned this statement by the Spirit of God.

To redeem them that were under the law, that we might receive the adoption of sons. (Galatians 4:5) And because ye are sons, God hath sent forth the Spirit of his Son into your hearts, crying, Abba, Father. (Galatians 4:6)

In all Bible study one must have the mind of the Spirit of Christ. We cannot allow a concordance or a Greek lexicon to be substituted for the Spirit of Christ. The Lord Jesus proclaimed ‘heaven and earth will pass away,’ but His Word will abide forever. Therefore, if we are to have true scriptural intelligence it MUST BE with the Spirit of Christ and the Word of God, line upon line, and precept upon precept.

Whom shall he teach knowledge? and whom shall he make to understand doctrine? them that are weaned from the milk, and drawn from the breasts. (Isaiah 28:9)

For precept must be upon precept, precept upon precept; line upon line, line upon line; here a little, and there a little:  (Isaiah 28:10)

The beauty of the Word of God is that God has given each and every word. And therefore, God can declare: precept upon precept; line upon line, line upon line; here a little, and there a little.

The Bible that I use is titled, The King James Bible. However, this is simply a name given by men because behind the mystic scenes of the mystery of God, it is God who has given, preserved, and perfected His Word so that today we have a Word without blemish. It forms its own dictionary, and it is the Spirit’s concordance. They lie within the very words of its pages. I will be bold to say, it is the only Bible that you can hear the scratching pens (upon the parchments) of Moses, the prophets, David and the psalms, Daniel through Malachi, and all the wonderful writings of the New Testament writers. God, in His mighty power, gave me a new heart, a new spirit, and restored my soul. If I accept this miracle of grace, I MUST be able to accept that God has kept an accurate, and an infallible Word out of His own mind and heart to me. If you attack my Bible, you attack my Lord. If you attack my Lord, you attack me. And I can only shake the dust from off of my shoes.

   Then again the Pharisees also asked him how he had received his sight. He said unto them, He put clay upon mine eyes, and I washed, and do see. These Pharisees before us in John 9:15, are the same men of that evil seed that we read in John 8:58, where they had murder in their hearts and stones in their hands. When dealing with the world and the church, NEVER forget for one moment that it was the religious leaders and rulers of the Jews who tried the Lord Jesus first in their own kangaroo court. ( Thank you Australia. 🙂 ) These were the same religious leaders who delivered the Lord Jesus Christ over to Pilate, vehemently crying out, Crucify him, crucify him. In the Pharisees we have the religious world personified. In Pilate we have the power of world governments, and behind the scenes we have the devil prodding the evil hearts of men.

   Our place in history is very important. We have to see with our eyes, and hear with our ears the failure of the church. The devil has used men of reprobate hearts to slowly bring in the devil’s thoughts, the devil’s traditions, the devil’s doctrines and empty the church of ALL that is of Christ. Today, the devil is turning the screws on the rack, and tightening his grip on the evil religious world that engulfs us. He is preparing a flood of evil on the world. More and more, he establishes men of reprobate hearts and fills the pulpits of the world. These professional corrupt religious Balaams have found an avenue to gain wealth at the expense of poor lost souls. These men and women are the embodiments of Ahab and Jezebel in the local church gathering. The devil is preparing his hosts by filling the pews of the buildings of Baal so that he can hand over their hearts, souls, and spirit to the kingdom of the Beast where at the point of the sword, or needle you will have to choose between Christ and the mark of the Beast. You will have a choice of death in Christ or life with the Beast.

   The vortex of evil has sucked all the goodness out of the world. You are going to need the Lord and His Word more than ever. As the Pharisees asked the man who was born blind, How he had received his sight? The answer that the man gave them did not please them at all. They went into a rant about the Sabbath, as they do the same today with church attendance, that their place (their building) is the only place to be; however, churches today, are not gates to heaven, they are gates to hell. They condemned the Lord of the Sabbath because the Lord Jesus gave this blind man sight. And it was the sabbath day when Jesus made the clay, and opened his eyes. (John 9:14) The Lord of the Sabbath cannot break His own Sabbath. For as everything else, the Sabbath was also established within Him, and belongs completely to Him.

And he said unto them, The sabbath was made for man, and not man for the sabbath: (Mark 2:27) Therefore the Son of man is Lord also of the sabbath. (Mark 2:28)

   As the world changes so quickly, let us not forget the history of the war that the Jesuits declared on the truth and on those who held the truth during the 15^th and 16^th centuries and onward (in various forms and in diverse manners). They slaughtered of men, women and children who would not recant their faith in Jesus Christ. However, the time line of the Jesuit aggression was only one example among endless violence against the people of God. This will soon be eclipsed by Babylon the Great, the mother of harlots, and a world given over to the kingdom of the Beast.

   World governments today are deliberately shedding themselves of any testimony or concept of a divine Creator and God in this world, and thus, big religion is energized by what they perceive soon to be theirs: unification under a state approved religious banner with a forced (and not so enforced) membership controlled by one religious leader. (The return of the Dark Ages when government and religion merged into one united power structure with a shared pocket.) The world leaders of harlots and vipers will (as Herod) condemns any who even may think of God outside of their own approved worship program.

   This miracle of the blind man born blind, is eclipsed in Chapter 11 by the power of life in Christ raising the dead and crying out, Lazarus, come forth. In Chapter 9, the darkness that was in the eyes of the blind man, were opened and he saw the light in Jesus Christ. In Chapter 11, the darkness of death was shattered by the light of the world, and Lazarus came forth at the command of Life by Jesus Christ. I have learned through the rugged years of life that man does not want his questions answered when it comes to godly things. He would rather live in his own imagination, and will only accept those things that agree with his own imagination and his own thoughts and actions. Man wants answers that justify his sins, not the Word of God that condemns them. When it comes to the miracle of grace in Jesus Christ, the world makes fun and despises those who walk by faith. We have been called ‘deplorables’ and ‘undesirables’ by governments and evil rulers of this world. The governments and dominions of this world are both seen and unseen. Governments have taken control of our movements, and our well being. They make all the decisions for us, and we are in the bondage of their sinful state. This is the rule of the outward body, but there is another system, and this too is organized and run by mankind. It is the mirage of religion. The mirage of religion is not true and pure religion, but the fantasies of evil men wanting to usurp the power of the Almighty God.

Pure religion and undefiled before God and the Father is this, To visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction, [and] to keep himself unspotted from the world. (James 1:27) The definition of religion is based on godly works and obedience. Christianity is different from religion because it is solely based on Revelation from God and the Spirit of Christ, and Relationship with God the Father through the blood sacrifice that was shed on the cross at Calvary.

For what saith the scripture? Abraham believed God, and it was counted unto him for righteousness. (Romans 4:3) Now to him that worketh is the reward not reckoned of grace, but of debt.(Romans 4:4) But to him that worketh not, but believeth on him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness. (Romans 4:5)

   The Pharisees wanted more evidence so that they could once again condemn the Lord Jesus Christ for putting forth this wonderful miracle on the Sabbath. Then again the Pharisees also asked him how he had received his sight. He said unto them, He put clay upon mine eyes, and I washed, and do see. Just as today those of faith are not welcomed among the religious workings of this world.

   Cain was very religious, and he brought the works of his own hands to show God how devoted he was. Yet, the sacrifice that God had demanded, Cain refused to deliver and present to God. When his brother Abel was obedient to God, and offered a lamb without spot or blemish, Cain was wroth, and consequently, Cain killed his brother because of his own sin of perverted religion. The pulpits of this world are mostly controlled by centuries of errors that were brought in by ungodly men just as the religious world and the religious structure of the Pharisees controlled the hearts, souls, and spirits of the people through their malignant and ungodly lies. When anyone walks by faith, they are not accepted by the world, neither by religion, nor by Satan. All three (the world, religion and the devil) desire that all those who walk by faith would go away, and if they persist in being faithful to God then they must be put to death as Abel, or placed in prison as Micaiah, or be shunned and cast out of the temple as our blind man who received sight from the Person of the Lord Jesus Christ. We must move on to question # 6.

—— ♦——

How Can a Man ?

—— ♦——

6. How can a man? (verse 16)

　Therefore said some of the Pharisees, This man is not of God, because he keepeth not the sabbath day. Others said, How can a man that is a sinner do such miracles? And there was a division among them.

   Question #6 takes us into the inner circle of pharisaical thought. The number 6 is the number of man, and our question is, How can a man? However, this man in the question was unlike any other man. This man had come from the far distance reaches of heaven, sent by God the Father, to be manifested in a body that was prepared for Him to be ‘That Holy Thing’ among a world of evil. And the angel answered and said unto her, The Holy Ghost shall come upon thee, and the power of the Highest shall overshadow thee: therefore also that holy thing which shall be born of thee shall be called the Son of God. (Luke 1:35)

   The Pharisees were well suited to wear the label of ‘pharisaical thought,’ for they never condemned themselves, but always condemned others. The pinnacle of their condemnation became centered in the Man from heaven, the Lord Jesus Christ. A miracle was done, or if you want to look again, they were talking about miracles. Therefore said some of the Pharisees, This man is not of God, because he keepeth not the sabbath day. Others said, How can a man that is a sinner do such miracles? And there was a division among them. The question was, How can a man who was a sinner do such miracles? It is quite obvious that the Pharisees knew of the multiplicity of miracles. However, even in this time period of grace and truth, John closes out his book telling us, by the Holy Spirit, that Christ performed many other miracles that were not recorded in the gospel of John.

And many other signs truly did Jesus in the presence of his disciples, which are not written in this book: (John 20:30) But these are written, that ye might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing ye might have life through his name. (John 20:31)

And there are also many other things which Jesus did, the which, if they should be written every one, I suppose that even the world itself could not contain the books that should be written. Amen. (John 21:25)

   Notice that in verse 16 of Chapter 9 of the gospel of John, the word there is ‘miracleS,’ (plural) not ‘miracle’ (singular). The pharisaical hearts were locked into the battle of their own heart and soul. They had discussed, and they had rehearsed the miraculous miracles in the history of the Man called Jesus. The miracles that the Lord Jesus performed were well known. He had cast out demons, He had cleansed the lepers, He had fed the five thousand, He had calmed the angry seas and the boisterous winds, He had restored life to the young maiden, and to the only son of the widow of Nain. The divine proof of His Being was overwhelming.

   This is the thing: sin within man is so powerful, and so demanding that the Pharisees would rather call the Son of God a sinner then to believe the divine proof from heaven. Many times in the gospel of John, the Pharisees, the Sadducees, the Levites, and the scribes had discussed, in a very serious manner, the workings and the Holy Realm that were around the Lord Jesus Christ. And yet, sin blinded their eyes, deafened their ears, hardened their hearts, mutilated their spirits, and cast off their souls. All this they suffered because of the One who was manifested among them, a Man called Jesus, the Son of the Living God.

   We should remember, at this point in Chapter 9 that He was still on His mission to the lost sheep of Israel. His Being, and the knowledge of Him, was no stranger among them. He was literally a beam in their eyes, and they could not pull it out. If you study the Pharisees, and the very words from the priests, you will become aware of their misguided beliefs and self delusions because of sin. And yet, all men in Adam are in a delusional state because of sin. Sin is so powerful, it has an affinity with the darkness of evil, and has no affinity with the light of the Lord Jesus Christ.

   If we fast forward through history to our present day, the Pharisees of religious men still meet in their religious gatherings. In a large church filled with many souls, you can have hundreds of false doctrines. This was also the same state of the Jews in the times of Jesus Christ. Why was this so? It is so because of the lack of biblical truth from the temple porches of the Pharisees, and today from the pulpits of the churches. The truth is put aside simply because it is unpopular with parishioner donors, and church members who pad the pews. The mind of man, and the presbytery, have been fully compromised. Their job description has been, and is, to protect (at all costs) the holy collection plate, and through compromising truth and appeasing the people, it (their holy thing — the collection box) must be filled. Remember the parable of the man who had such a prosperous year that he tore down his old barns and built new barns to store his goods?

And he spake a parable unto them, saying, The ground of a certain rich man brought forth plentifully:  (Luke 12:16)

And he thought within himself, saying, What shall I do, because I have no room where to bestow my fruits?  (Luke 12:17)

And he said, This will I do: I will pull down my barns, and build greater; and there will I bestow all my fruits and my goods.  (Luke 12:18)

And I will say to my soul, Soul, thou hast much goods laid up for many years; take thine ease, eat, drink, and be merry. (Luke 12:19)

But God said unto him, Thou fool, this night thy soul shall be required of thee: then whose shall those things be, which thou hast provided?  (Luke 12:20)

So is he that layeth up treasure for himself, and is not rich toward God. (Luke 12:21)

   Have you ever noticed when and how those of the religious mind set are satisfied? When their collection plate is full and overflows. Then their one thought is to BUILD a new barn so that they can fill it with the lost souls of men. They become energized when they hear the words, Let’s BUILD. They place a curtain over their greedy motives with the words stamped on this curtain of IT’S FOR THE GOSPEL, and IT’S FOR THE CHILDREN, and they use the words of the Lord as their excuse to always maintain a continuous building project. And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature. (Mark 16:15) Then their one thought is to BUILD a new and bigger barn so that they can fill it with the lost souls of men, however, not that these souls should be saved, but that they should fill more collection plates. It’s not only a bigger barn that religion wants to build, but to build MORE collection boxes. Consequently, the presbytery, or management, or the human organization BUILDS bigger and better barns. Although there are thousands of erroneous doctrines among the parishioners, preachers will not confront these doctrines or deal with them, but they compromise with them at the cost of precious souls.

   Therefore said some of the Pharisees, This man is not of God, because he keepeth not the sabbath day. Others said, How can a man that is a sinner do such miracles? And there was a division among them. In verse 16 of Chapter 9, some of the Pharisees question the divinity of the Lord Jesus Christ, and it caused a division among them. However, during the course of time, we find that they were all drawn together not in believing that Jesus was the Son of God, but that they were united in John 19:6, and the words that they used were, Crucify him, crucify him. The apostle John was not the only one of the writers who revealed the evil hearts of the Pharisees. In Matthew, Mark, and Luke, the Holy Spirit (by repetition) wants us to see the gravity within the words and hearts of the Pharisees, and of the Jews, and the rulers of the Jews.

Pilate saith unto them, What shall I do then with Jesus which is called Christ? They all say unto him, Let him be crucified. ( Matthew 27:22)

And Pilate answered and said again unto them, What will ye then that I shall do unto him whom ye call the King of the Jews?  (Mark 15:12) And they cried out again, Crucify him. (Mark 15:13) Then Pilate said unto them, Why, what evil hath he done? And they cried out the more exceedingly, Crucify him. (Mark 15:14)

Then said Pilate to the chief priests and to the people, I find no fault in this man.  (Luke 23:4)

But they cried, saying, Crucify him, crucify him. (Luke 23:21) And he said unto them the third time, Why, what evil hath he done? I have found no cause of death in him: I will therefore chastise him, and let him go. (Luke 23:22) And they were instant with loud voices, requiring that he might be crucified. And the voices of them and of the chief priests prevailed. (Luke 23:23)

When the chief priests therefore and officers saw him, they cried out, saying, Crucify him, crucify him. Pilate saith unto them, Take ye him, and crucify him: for I find no fault in him. (John 19:6)

   The Holy Spirit (which is the Spirit of Christ) wants us to see the depth of darkness that these men were buried in. They might disagree on one point, but when it came to the words, Crucify him, crucify him, they were all of one accord. The only dissenting voice, strangely enough, was the Roman governor, Pilate who was no friend of the Jews, and he saw the injustice in their taunts to ‘Crucify him, crucify him.’ Then his political aspirations and his political mind kicked in, he had to keep peace among the Jews, therefore, in compromising his own soul, he allowed the murderer (Barabbas) to go free, and gave the order to his men to crucify the Lord of glory. If anyone is a student of history then they understand that at the entrance of the churches, or the cathedrals, there is a basin (or a laver) full of sanctified water blessed by the authority of Rome. However, it is only a symbol that takes us back to Pilate, and Pilate is still washing his hands in Rome. There is no justification or cleansing power in these waters. The only justification comes from the living water who is the fountain of all life: the Lord Jesus Christ. Jesus answered and said unto her, If thou knewest the gift of God, and who it is that saith to thee, Give me to drink; thou wouldest have asked of him, and he would have given thee living water. (John 4:10)

   In John Chapter 4, the Lord Jesus is designated ‘the gift of God.’ This is the only place in the gospel of John that He is spoken of by the Holy Spirit as ‘the Gift’ to mankind. And this Gift (who is the Lord Jesus Christ) fills the empty soul with the gift of His living water. Every soul who comes to Him receives (from the Fountain of Life) living waters of grace and truth. For all the power of an endless life is centered in the manifestation of eternity in Jesus Christ. He is the Power and the Possessor of eternal life.

Who is made, not after the law of a carnal commandment, but after the power of an endless life. (Hebrews 7:16)

That whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal life.  (John 3:15)

   The Lord Jesus gives to each and everyone of His redeemed, His power of an endless life. This can never be voided, nor cancelled for we are created by Him not as Adam was created in innocence, but we have been created by Him from guilt and shame of our own sin, however, we have been created to a heavenly and holy calling in Christ Jesus. Wherefore, holy brethren, partakers of the heavenly calling, consider the Apostle and High Priest of our profession, Christ Jesus; (Hebrews 3:1)

   Let us now go deeper into the gospel of John Chapter 9, verse 16. Therefore said some of the Pharisees, This man is not of God, because he keepeth not the sabbath day. Others said, How can a man that is a sinner do such miracles? And there was a division among them. There were two groups locked in a heated discussion, and this discussion still continues on today. They were discussing whether Christ was a sinner or not? Or was He a Man from heaven? Was He pure and apart from sin? It is evident that the Jews and their leaders (the Pharisees) did not understand their own Scriptures. For had they understood on the full value of Chapter 53 of the book of Isaiah, then they would have seen, with eyes wide open, the purity of the offering as well as the purity of the heavenly Man. Each one of His apostles and the writers of the New Testament bring out, and manifest through the Spirit, the sinlessness of the Lord Jesus Christ. Even in this gospel of John, the wonders in the thoughts of the Pharisees was, Could a man (being a sinner) do such miracles? And again I emphasis the plural of the word ‘miracles.’ So once again, let us delve into this purity and the sinlessness of the Man from heaven. Let us consider the words of the Savior speaking about Himself, in the gospel of John Chapter 14, verses 30 and 31.

Hereafter I will not talk much with you: for the prince of this world cometh, and hath nothing in me. (John 14:30) But that the world may know that I love the Father; and as the Father gave me commandment, even so I do. Arise, let us go hence. (John 14:31)

   These verses are overlooked by many. The element that is missing here is that when Satan comes there is no evil seed within the Lord Jesus to respond to the whispers of Satan. In Genesis 3:15,  we have the two seeds. And I will put enmity between thee and the woman, and between thy seed and her seed; it shall bruise thy head, and thou shalt bruise his heel. (Genesis 3:15) The Savior of men was sent forth by the Father as the Divine Seed who could not, and would not respond to the evil whisperings of Satan. A little known truth: what is the element within mankind that responds to the whispers of Satan? That’s right . . . it is sin. Sin is the doorway that opens the heart of man to the evils and wickedness of Satan. But of course, even the best of us, do not want to see the ugly truth within us. The Lord Jesus brought this point out in Chapter 8 when He called the Pharisees, ‘children of the devil,’ or possessors of the evil seed. He proclaimed that their father was the devil, and that the devil was the father of all lies. Then going all the way back to Cain, the Lord Jesus declared that the devil was a murderer from the beginning.

Jesus said unto them, If God were your Father, ye would love me: for I proceeded forth and came from God; neither came I of myself, but he sent me. (John 8:42)

Why do ye not understand my speech? even because ye cannot hear my word. (John 8:43)

Ye are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father ye will do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own: for he is a liar, and the father of it. (John 8:44)

And because I tell you the truth, ye believe me not. (John 8:45)

Which of you convinceth me of sin? And if I say the truth, why do ye not believe me?  (John 8:46)

   Satan is the father of lies, and the truth is not in him. I even think of the confusion of the mind, of the heart and of the soul of Pilate when he asked, What is truth? Mankind is absent of the truth; therefore, there had to be grace and truth sent from heaven above, and this grace and truth were manifested as the Person of the Son of God, the Man, the Lord Jesus Christ. We must begin at the very moment that the Lord Jesus left heaven above to come to redeem out of Adam’s race a people for Himself.

   Where did His manifestation as the Person of the Son of God the Father begin? Let’s consider Luke Chapter 1, verse 35, And the angel answered and said unto her, The Holy Ghost shall come upon thee, and the power of the Highest shall overshadow thee: therefore also that holy thing which shall be born of thee shall be called the Son of God. It is not man, but God (the Holy Ghost) who came upon Mary. What was the reason for this ‘Holy Thing?’ It was a Holy Seed set apart from Adam and Adam’s sin. Now to Abraham and his seed were the promises made. He saith not, And to seeds, as of many; but as of one, And to thy seed, which is Christ. (Galatians 3:16) The only way that the Man from heaven could take upon Himself the sin of the world was to be spotless, sinless, and undefiled. This WAS and IS the Son of God NOW. Is there more? I am so glad that the Pharisees brought this question up, and since the seeds of their question still exists in the church today, let us examine the Scriptures that prove without a doubt that Christ was the Perfect Man, and the Perfect Sacrifice without sin. The question really reveals two parts: Was Christ of God, or was Christ a man that was a sinner, and if He was really a man, then how could He do such miracles? Let us see what the Holy Ghost (who came upon Mary) said about our Savior regarding the state of sin. Let us go to the book of Hebrews, the Pharisees would like this . . . du ya think? 

Seeing then that we have a great high priest, that is passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our profession. (Hebrews 4:14) For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin. (Hebrews 4:15) 

   The point of these words from the Holy Spirit was to examine and proclaim the sinlessness of the Lord Jesus Christ. In verse 14, what do we see? We see the identity of our high Priest who is the same Jesus Christ, the Son of the Living God, who was conceived by the Holy Ghost to be the sinless Man among men. And we, as Christians, are joined to Him by our new birth. We have been created by the same Holy Ghost as redeemed sinners, and our future is to be conformed to the image of Christ both outwardly and inwardly. In verse 15 we have the deportment of our high Priest as He walked amongst men. He was tempted in ALL parts as we are, and yet apart from sin. The tempter came as recorded in Matthew Chapter 4, and Christ dismissed Him by the Word of God. Christ suffered from tiredness, He was weary and tired as He sat upon the well in Samaria. His Spirit was grieved by the sons of men, and the lost sheep of Israel, the Jews, would not respond to His cries.

   It is recorded three times in the Scriptures that Jesus wept. He wept over Jerusalem, the city of the king, for they knew not the hour of their visitation from heaven. And when he was come near, he beheld the city, and wept over it. (Luke 19:14) He wept over the condition of all men including His friend Lazarus in John 11:35. It is expressed in the simplest words that ‘Jesus wept.’ (I was amazed when a seven year old child pointed out to me that ‘God cried.’) Think of this, let this thought run through you heart, soul and spirit, that God cried for you. He wept over you, and He wept over this writer.

  He also wept in the garden, there laying upon His face in all agony of His soul, of His heart and of the Spirit of God manifested in the flesh, Jesus wept as it were great drops of blood in His agony over the sins of man.

And he was withdrawn from them about a stone’s cast, and kneeled down, and prayed, (Luke 22:41) Saying, Father, if thou be willing, remove this cup from me: nevertheless not my will, but thine, be done. (Luke 22:42) And there appeared an angel unto him from heaven, strengthening him. (Luke 22:43) And being in an agony he prayed more earnestly: and his sweat was as it were great drops of blood falling down to the ground. (Luke 22:44)

Who in the days of his flesh, when he had offered up prayers and supplications with strong crying and tears unto him that was able to save him from death, and was heard in that he feared; (Hebrews 5:7) Though he were a Son, yet learned he obedience by the things which he suffered; (Hebrews 5:8) And being made perfect, he became the author of eternal salvation unto all them that obey him; (Hebrews 5:9)

   You see the great travail of soul that He had for mankind, yet, He in all of His sufferings Christ would stand above all men being made perfect through His own sufferings. And being made perfect, he became the author of eternal salvation unto all them that obey him; (Hebrews 5:9) He shall see of the travail of his soul, [and] shall be satisfied: by his knowledge shall my righteous servant justify many; for he shall bear their iniquities. (Isaiah 53:11)

   As a sinner, Adam, needed a Savior; therefore, as all men are joined to the sin of Adam, ALL men need a Savior who did no sin. The Holy Spirit (through Peter) proclaimed this profoundly, and accurately in 1^st Peter 2:22.Who did no sin, neither was guile found in his mouth: Peter related to us that the Lord Jesus not only did NO sin, but the guile of man (or sin of man) was not found IN Him. This means that Jesus Christ, the Son of God, participated in no act of sin. He was void of sin in thought, in word, and in deed. He was Holy, and His Being was completely absent of any guile. Again, we are reminded of God’s phrase through the angel, ‘that holy thing.’ Peter also reminds us that being born of the Spirit of Christ, being created as new born babes, we SHOULD avail ourselves of the sweet milk of the Word of God. We should follow in the very steps of the Lord Jesus Christ. For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps. (1^st Peter 2:21) We should understand through the Scriptures that we are considering, through the Holy Spirit, that He is showing us the impregnable fortress which is the righteousness of God in Jesus Christ.

   The building blocks are all found in the Scriptures. Building block 1: He was without sin. Building block 2: there was no sin within Him. He was not the Son of Adam, but He was the Son of God. Building block 3: He did not sin for He came from the unseen realm of heaven as a heavenly Man. Building block 4: He left the throne of righteousness to redeem man that the very essence of the Godhead was IN Christ reconciling the world unto Himself. But unto the Son he saith, Thy throne, O God, is for ever and ever: a sceptre of righteousness is the sceptre of thy kingdom. (Hebrews 1:8)

   The throne of righteousness is a prior throne to His redemptive work on Calvary. The apostle Paul (through the Holy Spirit) wrote to the Corinthians in 2^nd Corinthians. It seems that the Corinthian church was one of the largest of all the churches, yet, it also had the most spiritual decay next to Laodicea. One of the false doctrines of the Corinthian church was that Christ could have sinned like Adam? Was there a possibility of a second fall? If you are inclined to believe that your Savior could have sinned, then you will die in your sins because you have no Savior at all.

   Once as I was attending a church, the wife of an elder informed me (to my shock) that the Lord Jesus could have sinned as a little child. The reason behind this thought was that all little boys sin, which we can agree is true because all little boys are children of Adam (as are little girls also). This was her great mistake: she thought so much of mankind that she could not conceive of the purity of the Son of God. What He was as a child in the womb (that Holy Thing) He was also as a little boy, and also as a Man. He was just as much the Son of God and ‘that holy thing’ in the womb of Mary as He was a young boy, and as a Man. This is verified by 2^nd Corinthians 5:21. For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him. What is the Holy Spirit relating to us now that Paul related to the Corinthians then? It is that Christ KNEW no sin. This meant the absence of sin within. There was no knowledge of sin within Him. He had the knowledge of the sin of mankind, but there was neither active presence nor practice of the knowledge of sin in His own Being. Why is this so important to us? The Holy Ghost is relating to us that our salvation and our righteousness all hinges on a sinless Savior.

   He was MADE sin for us in His suffering. He was MADE in the fullness of time, He was MADE of a woman, and He was MADE under the Law. (Galatians 4) However, this was not Adam. Christ was the purity of heaven SENT down to glorify God to redeem man unto Himself. Although Christ is called the second man, the apostle clarified that the Lord Jesus as being the Man from heaven.

And so it is written, The first man Adam was made a living soul; the last Adam was made a quickening spirit.  (1^st Corinthians 15:45)

Howbeit that was not first which is spiritual, but that which is natural; and afterward that which is spiritual.  (1^st Corinthians 15:46)

The first man is of the earth, earthy: the second man is the Lord from heaven.  (1^st Corinthians 15:47)

As is the earthy, such are they also that are earthy: and as is the heavenly, such are they also that are heavenly.  (1^st Corinthians 15:48)

And as we have borne the image of the earthy, we shall also bear the image of the heavenly.  (1^st Corinthians 15:49)

To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation.  (1^st Corinthians 15:45)

   What needs to be proclaimed today is the very fact that God is Christ, and Christ is God. Whether it be ‘that holy thing’ in the womb, or the Man sitting at the right hand of God, the Lord told Phillip in John Chapter 14, that if you have seen Me, then you have seen the Father.

If ye had known me, ye should have known my Father also: and from henceforth ye know him, and have seen him. (John 14:7) Philip saith unto him, Lord, shew us the Father, and it sufficeth us. (John 14:8) Jesus saith unto him, Have I been so long time with you, and yet hast thou not known me, Philip? he that hath seen me hath seen the Father; and how sayest thou then, Shew us the Father? (John 14:9)

   This makes the Lord Jesus Christ, when He was upon the earth as the Son of God, and as the COMPLETE image of the invisible God: Father, Son and Holy Spirit.

Who is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of every creature: (Colossians 1:15)

Who being the brightness of his glory, and the express image of his person, and upholding all things by the word of his power, when he had by himself purged our sins, sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high; (Hebrews 1:3)

  The Holy Spirit has related to us that the manifestation of God took place on earth in the Person of the Lord Jesus Christ, and that Christ is the COMPLETE image of the invisible God. And to complete this manifestation He is the COMPLETE Godhead bodily. For in him dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily. (Colossians 2:9) Then the Holy Spirit shows us in the manifestation of the Son of God that IN Him, IN His soul, IN His Spirit, IN His heart, and IN His mind was NO sin. And ye know that he was manifested to take away our sins; and in him is no sin. (1^st John 3:5) Meditating of 1^st John 3:5, we see that the sole purpose of the manifestation of the Son of God was to glorify God, and to take away our sins. For THIS accomplishment, a body was prepared for Him that sin had not touched, nor could it touch this impregnable fortress of righteousness.

Wherefore when he cometh into the world, he saith, Sacrifice and offering thou wouldest not, but a body hast thou prepared me: (Hebrews 10:5) In burnt offerings and sacrifices for sin thou hast had no pleasure. (Hebrews 10:6) Then said I, Lo, I come (in the volume of the book it is written of me,) to do thy will, O God. (Hebrews 10:7)

   The body that was prepared before the foundation of the world was a body that one day would bear the sin of the whole world. He would be the One, the only Holy Divine sacrifice NEVER to be repeated again. In the sacrifice of Himself He would please God, and He would eradicate ALL of God’s demands against Adam. And walk in love, as Christ also hath loved us, and hath given himself for us an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweetsmelling savour. (Ephesians 5:2)

    All the typology in the Levitical offerings speaks of the Lord in His offering of Himself as a pure and righteous sacrifice. All the Levitical offerings (in every aspect) show forth (in depth) the sufferings of the Lord Jesus upon the cross of suffering. Each and every victim that the Levitical priesthood offered was a symbol of the sufferings of Christ. Those animals were brought into the very sufferings of Christ in their own being, being pure and undefiled. In Psalm 22, we have the divine emotions of His divine sufferings. In Isaiah 53, we see His divine soul as an offering for sin. He shall see of the travail of his soul, and shall be satisfied: by his knowledge shall my righteous servant justify many; for he shall bear their iniquities. What does Isaiah 53:11 say about His offering and His sacrifice? It says that He shall be satisfied.

   As we consider all of these things, let us also see that the Son of God was separated from sinners. Now, you and I know that He walked among men, so what was this separation? He was separated from Adam’s race. He was neither of Adam, nor of anything within Adam. He was the Divine Seed. He was the Holy Seed. Let us consider Hebrews 7:26. For such an high priest became us, who is holy, harmless, undefiled, separate from sinners, and made higher than the heavens. This verse sums up, or you could say that this encapsulates our fortress of righteousness. We have a sinless Savior, separate from sinners, and who is exalted and made higher than the heavens. We have a High Priest who was been washed in the laver of affliction and sorrow, for there was no sorrow like unto His sorrow.

[Is it] nothing to you, all ye that pass by? behold, and see if there be any sorrow like unto my sorrow, which is done unto me, wherewith the LORD hath afflicted [me] in the day of his fierce anger. (Lamentations 1:12)

   What is so amazing to my soul is that this One from heaven loved me, and gave Himself for me. Every child of God, in some way, has entered into the true sufferings of Christ. They have experienced remorse concerning their past sins that have been covered by the blood of the Lord Jesus. They have entered into His sufferings for them. Never let the sufferings of Christ disappear from your heart, soul or spirit. Never let this slip from your every day conscience. In Hebrews 7:26, we have a list, and this list is given to us by the Holy Spirit of God concerning the Lord Jesus Christ. For such an high priest became us, who is holy, harmless, undefiled, separate from sinners, and made higher than the heavens.

   He is HOLY as ‘that holy thing’ in the womb, and as the Almighty Creator, Be ye holy as I am holy. This phrase ‘Be ye holy’ is mentioned three times in Scripture in connection with the Holiness of God.

  He was HARMLESS. Unlike Adam, the Lord Jesus had no evil conflict within Himself. He was an undefiled Being that translated into the spotless lamb of God with no blemish without or within.

Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, from your vain conversation received by tradition from your fathers; (1^st Peter 1:18) But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot: (1^st Peter 1:19) Who verily was foreordained before the foundation of the world, but was manifest in these last times for you,(1^st Peter 1:20)

   We should always remember that God was IN Christ reconciling the WORLD unto Himself. This is a divine truth that is misunderstood by many. If God was to be righteous, He would have to settle ALL the claims of a righteous God against the WHOLE of the Adamic race. He would have to settle and purge the sinful state of the creation that ALL sin that came into the world would be justified by His sacrifice on the cross. God was reconciling the WORLD unto Himself, and for THIS cause Christ was manifested into the world.

For we know that the whole creation groaneth and travaileth in pain together until now. (Romans 8:22)

  He was SEPARATED from sinners. The plan of reconciliation was written in the foreknowledge of God. It would be the blood of the fullness of time that would redeem the WORLD unto God. Christ was foreordained to be the Savior of the world separated from sinners. Again I say, No Adam (in any way) was within Him.

   He is HIGHER than the heavens. This Holy One is now made higher than the heavens. A good outline for all of us to remember who have been called of God (and not of man) is to study the word ‘made.’ Study it through the Scriptures of the King James Bible.

Now our question of number 6 —How can a man ?

　Therefore said some of the Pharisees, This man is not of God, because he keepeth not the sabbath day. Others said, How can a man that is a sinner do such miracles? And there was a division among them. This is the number of man. So this should have a special impact upon all of mankind, and hopefully before God. All mankind will see the glory, the majesty, the holiness, the righteousness, and the pureness of this One, the Lord Jesus Christ who is MADE higher then the heavens.

© Copyright 2021, Michael Haigh

This article may be used, but not for gain. Freely ye have received, freely give.

All Scripture references are from the Authorized King James Bible. (KJV)