The Excommunicated Man
F. Kidd. John 9:35-38 Jesus heard that they had cast him out; and when he had found him, he said to him, Do you believe on the Son of God?… I. THE AFFLICTIVE SITUATION OF THIS MAN — cast out. When he was a blind beggar he was an object of compassion; but much more now. At that time he would have the favour of friends and the advantage of religion — but he was now an outcast from society and the Church. II. THE ATTENTIVE REGARD OF CHRIST. 1. Jesus heard. His ear is always open to cases of distress. 2. Jesus found. "The Lord knoweth them that are His," and where they are, and how they are. III. THE INTERESTING CONVERSATION WHICH PASSED BETWEEN THEM. 1. The question implying the indispensableness of faith. 2. The reply. (1) Natural "Who is He." (2) Sincere. "That I might believe." 3. The response suggesting the proper object for restored vision. IV. THE PLEASING RESULT. 1. The man's faith. 2. His open declaration of his faith. 3. His worship.Reflections. 1. Men may suffer for the sake of Christ. 2. Those who do suffer lose nothing by it. 3. To act honestly according to the light we have is the way to be favoured with greater illumination. 4. When we are most earnest in our inquiries after Christ, then He is nearest to us. (F. Kidd.) Parallel Verses KJV: 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? WEB: Jesus heard that they had thrown him out, and finding him, he said, "Do you believe in the Son of God?"