Until John, we have been using older manuscripts of Ryle's Expository Thoughts. Just recently, though, EP Publishing has put out a lightly updated version of Ryle's work, which I am now working from. If you are interested in a physical copy of the Expository Thoughts, you can find it HERE.

John 9:26-41

1. We see how much wiser the poor sometimes are than the rich.
2. We see how cruelly and unjustly unconverted men and women will sometimes treat those who disagree with them.
3. We see how great is the kindness and condescension of Christ.
4. We see how dangerous it is to possess knowledge if we do not make a good use of it.

"The poor Christian man or woman never need be ashamed of their poverty. It is a sin to be proud, worldly minded and unbelieving, but it is no sin to be poor."

"Let the child of God console themselves with the thought that there is a true church out of which no one can cast them and a church membership which no earthly power can take away. They only are blessed whom Christ calls blessed and they only are accursed whom Christ will pronounce accursed on the last day."

"He sees all that His people go through for His sake and feels for all, from the highest to the lowest. He keeps account of all their losses, crosses and persecutions."

"But when knowledge only sticks in a person’s head and has no influence over their heart and life, it becomes a most perilous possession. And when, in addition to this, its possessor is self-conceited and self-satisfied and imagines they know everything, the result is one of the worst states of soul into which a person can fall."

Questions:

1. Ryle points out that it is often the poor who recognize truth rather than those who are rich. Do we desire to be rich, or do we look with envy at those who are rich? What does this truth do to our hearts if this is true?
2. We see that the Jews, unable to answer the blind-now-seeing man's words, cast him out, an act which caused the man great harm. Ryle points out that although church tyrants may do such things, there is a church nobody can cast us out of, and the true blessing or curse is what will be given on the day of judgement. Are we living for that day? What difference does living for that day make in our own lives?
3. We see Christ reveal himself in one of the clearest ways to this now-seeing man. Ryle points out that Christ knows how to comfort His people in their time of need. What are some ways God has comforted you in times of need?
4. We see that knowledge, though vital and important, can also be a most perilous possession when it has no influence over our hearts and lives. Where are we in regard to this? Are we praying with David in Psalm 86:11, "teach me your way, O Lord; I will walk in Your truth; unite my heart to fear your name?" May it be so, for God's glory and our joy!