Spurgeon's Notes on the Gospel of JOHN
Chapter 1
Verses 1-34May the Holy Spirit, who inspired these words, inspire us through them as we read them!
John 1:1. In the beginning was the Word.
The divine Logos, whom we know as the Christ of God. "In the beginning was the Word." The first words of this gospel remind us of the first words of the Old Testament: "In the beginning God created the Heaven and the earth." Even then "the Word" was; he existed before all time, even from everlasting.
John 1:1. And the Word was with God, and the Word was God.
I know not how the Deity of Christ can be more plainly declared than in his eternal duration. He is from the beginning. In his glory he was "with God." In his nature he "was God."
John 1:2. The same was in the beginning with God.
As we have been singing —
"Before sin was born, or Satan fell;"
before there was a creation that could fall,
"the same was in the beginning with God."John 1:3. All things were made by him; and without him was not anything made that was made.
He who hung upon the cross was the Maker of all worlds. He that came as an infant, for our sake, was the Infinite. How low he stooped! How high he must have been that he could stoop so low!
John 1:4. In him was life;
Essentially, Eternally.
John 1:4. And the life was the light of men. And the light shines in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not.
It never has done so; it never will. You may sometimes call the darkness, the ignorance of men, or the sin of men. If you like, you may call it the wisdom of men, and the righteousness of men, for that is only another form of the same darkness. "The light shines in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not."
John 1:6. There was a man sent from God, whose name was John.
How very different is the style of this verse from the one that precedes it!
How grand, how sublime, are the Evangelist’s words when he speaks of Jesus! How truly human he becomes, how he dips his pen in ordinary ink, when he writes: "There was a man sent from God, whose name was John." Yet that was a noble testimony to the herald of Christ. John the Baptist was "a man sent from God."
John 1:7. The same came for a witness, to bear witness of the Light, that all men through him might believe.
Dear friends, if you and I know our real destiny, and are the servants of God, we are sent that men might, through us, believe in Jesus. John was a special witness; but we ought all to be witnesses to complete the chain of testimony. Every Christian man should reckon that he is sent from God to bear witness to the great Light, that, through him, men might believe.
John 1:8-9. He was not that Light, but was sent to bear witness of that Light. That was the true Light, which lights every man that comes into the world.
There was no light from John except what he reflected from his Lord. All the light comes from Jesus. Every man who comes into the world with any light borrows his light from Christ. There is no other light; there can be no other. He is the "Light of the World."
John 1:10. He was in the world, and the world was made by him, and the world knew him not.
This is a sad verse. He was a stranger in his own house. He was unknown amidst his own handiwork. Men whom he had made, made nothing of him.
"The world knew him not;" did not recognize him.
John 1:11. He came unto his own, and his own received him not.
That favored circle, the Jewish nation, where revelation had been given, even there, there was no place for him. He must be despised and rejected even by his own nation.
John 1:12-13. 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: Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.
To receive Christ, a man must be born of God. It is the simplest thing in all the world, one would think, to open the door of the heart, and let him in; but no man lets Christ into his heart until first God has made him to be born again, born from above.
John 1:14. And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.
They who saw Christ on earth were highly privileged; but it is a spiritual sight of him alone that is to be desired, and we can have that even now.
How full of grace, how full of truth, he is to all those who are privileged to behold him!
John 1:15-16. John bare witness of him, and cried, saying, This was he of whom I spoke, He who comes after me is preferred before me: for he was before me. And of his fullness have all we received, and grace for grace.
I wish that we could all say that. Even out of this company, many can say it; and linking our hands with those who have gone before us, and those who are still with us in the faith, we say unitedly, "Of his fullness have all we received," and we hope to receive from it again tonight, for it is still his fullness. There is never a trace of declining in him. It was fullness when the first sinner came to him; and it is fullness still; it will be fullness to the very end. "And grace for grace." We get grace to reach out to another grace, each grace becoming a stepping-stone to something higher. I do not believe in our rising on the "stepping-stones of our dead selves." They are poor stones; they all lead downwards. The stepping-stones of the living Christ lead upwards; grace for grace, grace upon grace, until grace is crowned with glory.
John 1:17. For the law was given by Moses, but grace and truth came by Jesus Christ.
We know that the law came by Moses. The law has often burdened us, crushed us, convinced us, condemned us. Let us be equally clear that grace and truth come by this divine channel, "Jesus Christ."
John 1:18. No man has seen God at any time; the only begotten Son, which is in the bosom of the Father, he has declared him.
We do not want to see God apart from Christ. I am perfectly satisfied to see the Eternal Light through his own chosen medium, Christ Jesus. Apart from that medium, the light might blind my eyes. "No man has seen God at any time." Who can look on the sun? What mind can look on God? But Christ does not hide the Father; he manifests him. "The only-begotten Son, which is in the bosom of the Father, he has declared him."
John 1:19-22. And this is the record of John, when the Jews sent priests and Levites from Jerusalem to ask him, Who are you? And he confessed and denied not; but confessed, I am not the Christ. And they asked him, What then? Are you Elijah? And he says, I am not. Are you the prophet? And he answered, No. Then said your unto him, Who are you? That we may give an answer to them that sent us. What say you of yourself? He said, I am the voice--
Not "I am the Word," but "I am the voice." Christ is the essential Word; we are but the voice to make that word sound across the desert of human life.
John 1:23. Of one crying in the wilderness, Make straight the way of the Lord, as said the prophet Isaiah.
You see, even as a voice, John was not original. That straining after originality, of which we see so much today, finds no warrant among the true servants of God. Even though John is only a voice, yet he is a voice that quotes the Scriptures: "Make straight the way of the Lord, as said the prophet Isaiah." The more of Scripture we can voice, the better. Our words, what are they? They are but air. His Word, what is it? It is "grace and truth." May we continually be lending a voice to the great Words of God that have gone before!
John 1:24-27. And they which were sent were of the Pharisees. And they asked him, and said unto him, Why baptize you then, if you be not that Christ, nor Elijah, neither that prophet? John answered them, saying, I baptize with water: but there stands one among you, whom you know not; He it is, who coming after me is preferred before me, whose shoe’s latchet I am not worthy to unloose.
Ah! Dear friends, although it was a lowly expression that John used, you and I often feel that we want something that goes lower even than that. What are we worthy to do for Christ? Yet there are times when, if there is a shoe-latchet to be unloosed, we are too proud to stoop to do it. When there is something to be done that will bring no honor to us, we are too high and mighty to do it. O child of God, if you have ever been in that condition, be greatly ashamed of yourself! John was first in his day, the morning-star of the Light of the gospel, yet even he felt that he was not worthy to do the least thing for Christ. Where shall you and I put ourselves? Paul said that he was "less than the least of all the saints." He ran away with a title that might have been very appropriate for us. Well, we must let him have it, I suppose; and we must try to find another like it; or if we cannot find suitable words, God help us to have the humble feeling, which is better still!
John 1:28-29. These things were done in Bethabara beyond Jordan, where John was baptizing. The next day John sees Jesus coming unto him, and says, Behold the Lamb of God, which takes away the sin of the world.
John preached a sacrificial Savior, a sin-bearing Savior, a sin-atoning Savior. You and I have nothing else to preach. Let each of us say —
"Tis all my business here below
To cry, Behold the Lamb!"
John 1:30-31. This is he of whom I said, After me comes a man which is preferred before me: for he was before me. And I knew him not:
Although John knew the Savior personally, he did not know him officially.
He had a token given to him by God, by which he was to know the Messiah; and he did not officially know him until he had that token fulfilled.
John 1:31-33. But that he should be made manifest to Israel, therefore am I come baptizing with water. And John bare record, saying, I saw the Spirit descending from Heaven like a dove, and it abode upon him. And I knew him not: but he who sent me to baptize with water, the same said unto me, Upon whom you shall see the Spirit descending, and remaining on him, the same is he which baptizes with the Holy Spirit.
John would not know of his own judgment. No doubt he was morally certain that Jesus was the Christ. He had been brought up with him; he knew his mother, he had heard of his wondrous birth; John and Jesus must have been often together; but he was not to use his own judgment in this case, but to wait for the sign from Heaven; and until he witnessed it, he did not say a word about it. When he saw the Holy Spirit descend upon him, then he knew that it was even he.
John 1:34. And I saw, and bare record that this is the Son of God.
Hear you, then, the witness of John. The Christ, who came from Nazareth to be baptized of him in Jordan, he on whom the Holy Spirit descended like a dove, "this is the Son of God." This is the sin-bearing Lamb. Oh, that you and I might fulfill John’s expectation, for he spoke that we might believe. He, being dead, yet speaks. May we believe his witness, and be assured that "this is the Son of God"!
Verses 1-37John is the majestic Evangelist; he is the high-soaring eagle with the piercing eye. His is the Gospel of the Son of God.
John 1:1-3. In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. The same was in the beginning with God. All things were made by him; and without him was not anything made that was made.
We cannot describe the Deity of Christ in clearer language than John uses. He was with God; he was God; he did the works of God, for he was the Creator. If any doubt his Deity, they must do so in distinct defiance of the language of Holy Scripture.
John 1:4-5. In him was life; and the life was the light of men. And the light shines in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not.
Christ is still not understood, Jesus is still not known. How should darkness understand light? It opposes light, it has to flee before light, but it does not, it cannot understand light. O God, work a miracle in our dark hearts, and fill them with the light of Christ!
John 1:6-7. There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. The same came for a witness, to bear witness of the Light, that all men through him might believe.
That is our business, too. We who are ministers sent from God bear witness of the Light, that all men through him may believe. Oh, how often we go home, and cry, "Who has believed our report?" We do not ask you to believe in us; no, but in our Master, whose heralds we are. If we can lead you to faith in him, we shall be glad indeed; but, if not, we will sorrow because we have missed our mark, and failed in our purpose.
John 1:8-9. He was not that Light, but was sent to bear witness of that Light. That was the true Light, which lights every man that comes into the world.
If any man has saving light, true light, he gets it through Christ. There is no other light; all other light is but darkness visible. The light in which we see God comes from Jesus.
John 1:10. He was in the world, and the world was made by him, and the world knew him not.
Strange was it that the Creator came to his own earth, and yet he was unknown. Men mistook him, they hated him, they crucified him whom they ought to have entertained with sacred hospitality, and worshiped with holy loyalty.
John 1:11-12. He came unto his own, and his own received him not. 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:
All men are not the sons of God; the doctrine of the universal Fatherhood is utterly untrue. They only become the sons of God who receive Christ, and believe on his name; else are they heirs of wrath, even as others:
"To them gave he power to become the sons of God."
John 1:13. Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.
There is another birth beside the natural one; never does the birth of the flesh make us Christians. If our ancestry should be a line of saints yet are we born sinners; we must be born again if we are to become saints. If we could trace our pedigree to a perfect man, if such there be, yet the birth by the flesh would not avail us. Sons of God are." born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God."
John 1:14. And the Word was made flesh,
Here was the incarnation of him who made all things. He who is God "was made flesh."
John 1:14. And dwelt among us, (and we —
The apostles —
John 1:14. Beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.
Oh, all you who would know Christ, learn that he is worth the knowing! He is full of grace for your sinnership, and full of truth for your ignorance. He can cleanse and he can teach; there is everything in him that you need. You shall not be deceived, for he is full of truth; you shall not be rejected, for he is full of grace.
John 1:15-18. John bare witness of him, and cried, saying, This was he of whom I spoke, He who comes after me is preferred before me: for he was before me. And of his fullness have all we received, and grace for grace. For the law was given by Moses, but grace and truth came by Jesus Christ. No man has seen God at any time;
He is too high, too spiritual, to be perceived by human senses.
John 1:18. The only begotten Son, which is in the bosom of the Father, he has declared him.
What of God we need to know, we may see in Christ; enough to save us, enough to sanctify us, enough to make us all like the only-begotten Son of the Father.
John 1:19-20. And this is the record of John, when the Jews sent priests and Levites from Jerusalem to ask him, Who are you? And he confessed, and denied not; but confessed, I am not the Christ.
With indignation he must have repelled the idea that he was the Messiah:
"I am not the Christ."
John 1:21-23. And they asked him, What then? Are you Elijah? And he says, I am not. Are you that prophet? And he answered, No. Then said they unto him, Who are you? that we may give an answer to them that sent us. What say you of yourself? He said, I am the voice —
Humbly he reduces himself to a voice; but he was not "a voice and nothing more." There was much that was mighty and wise in that voice.
John 1:23-27. Of one crying in the wilderness, Make straight the way of the Lord, as said the prophet Isaiah. And they which were sent were of the Pharisees. And they asked him, and said unto him, Why baptize you then, if you be not that Christ, nor Elijah, neither that prophet? John answered them, saying, I baptize with water: but there stands one among you, whom you know not; he it is, who coming after me is preferred before me, whose shoe’s latchet I am not worthy to unloose.
How John hides himself behind his Master! He was a most worthy man, a truly great man; but he counted himself unworthy of the most menial service for Christ, and felt honored by filling the office of a slave to unloose his Master’s shoe’s latchet. It is better to be the slave of Christ than to rule vast empires; he who truly serves him is glorified thereby.
John 1:28-29. These things were done in Bethabara beyond Jordan, where John was baptizing. The next day John sees Jesus coming unto him, and says, Behold the Lamb of God, which takes away the sin of the world.
Now is he bringing out his message; now is he pointing out his Master.
John 1:30-31. This is he of whom I said, After me comes a man which is preferred before me: for he was before me. And I knew him not:
John knew Jesus very well; but he did not know him as the Sent One of God, the Messiah, until after he had received the sign and token at his baptism: "I knew him not."
John 1:31-34. But that he should be made manifest to Israel, therefore am I come baptizing with water. And John bare record, saying, I saw the Spirit descending from Heaven like a dove, and it abode upon him. And I knew him not: but he who sent me to baptize with water, the same said unto me, Upon whom you shall see the Spirit descending, and remaining on him, the same is he which baptizes with the Holy Spirit. And I saw, and bare record that this is the Son of God.
Jesus and John must have been well acquainted with one another; they were closely related, but John was not to know anybody as the Messiah tin he received the token from God. When he saw that token, then he officially knew, and he bore instant witness: "This is the Son of God."
John 1:35-36. Again the next day after John stood, and two of his disciples; and looking upon Jesus as he walked,
With holy reverence, with loving awe, gazing upon this extraordinary Person "as he walked", —
John 1:36-37. He says, Behold the Lamb of God! And the two disciples heard him speak, and they followed Jesus.
This is our one business tonight, to cry, "Behold the Lamb of God!
Verses 15-37John 1:15. John bare witness of him, and cried, saying, This was he of whom I spoke, He who comes after me is preferred before me: for he was before me.
He was not before John in the order of human birth, yet he was truly before John, for he had an eternal pre-existence, as he was none other than the uncreated Son of God.
John 1:16-21. And of his fullness have all we received, and grace for grace. For the law was given by Moses, but grace and truth came by Jesus Christ. No man has seen God at any time; the only begotten Son, which is in the bosom of the Father, he has declared him. And this is the record of John, when the Jews sent priests and Levites from Jerusalem to ask him, Who are you? And he confessed, and denied not; but confessed, I am not the Christ. And they asked him, What then? Are you Elijah? And he says, I am not. Are you that prophet? And he answered; No.
As they meant, "Are you, literally, the prophet Elijah risen from the dead?
"John said," "I am not." "Are you that prophet of who Moses foretold?"
"And he answered, No." John gave short, sharp answers to these cavilers.
He was not a man of dainty words and polished periods, especially in dealing with ouch people as they were.
John 1:22-23. Then said they unto him, who are you that we may give an answer to them that sent us. What say you of yourself? He said, I am the voice--
Not "the Word."— Christ is that, but John was "the voice."
John 1:23-37. Of one crying in the wilderness, Make straight the way of the Lord, as said the prophet Isaiah. And they which were sent were of the Pharisees. And they asked him, and said unto him, Why baptize you then, if you be not that Christ, nor Elijah, neither that prophet? John answered them, saying, I baptize with water: but there stands one among you, whom you know not; he it is, who coming after me is preferred before me, whose shoe’s latchet I am not worthy to unloose. These things were done in Bethabara beyond Jordan, where John was baptizing. The next day John sees Jesus coming unto him, and says, Behold the lamb of God, which takes away the sin of the world. This is he of whom I said, After me comes a man which is preferred before me: for he was before me. And I knew him not: but that he should be made manifest to Israel therefore am I come baptizing with water. And John bare record, saying, I saw the Spirit descending from Heaven like a dove, and it abode upon him. And I knew him not: but he who sent me to baptize with water, the same said unto me, Upon whom you shall see the Spirit descending, and remaining on him, the same is he which baptizes with the Holy Spirit. And I saw, and bare record that this is the Son of God. Again the next day after John stood, and two of his disciples, and looking upon Jesus as he walked, he says, Behold the lamb of God! And the two disciples heard him speak, and they followed Jesus.
In the third chapter of the same Gospel, we have yet another testimony by John the Baptist concerning Christ.
This exposition consisted of readings from Matthew 3:1-12; John 1:15-37; John 3:22-36.
Verses 19-33John 1:19-28. And this in the record of John, when the Jews sent priests and Levites from Jerusalem to ask him, Who are you? And he confessed and denied not; but confessed, I am not the Christ. And they asked him, What then? Are you Elijah? And he says, I am not. Are you that prophet? And he answered, No. Then said they unto Him, Who are you? that we may give an answer to them that sent us. What say you of yourself? He said, I am the voice of one crying in the wilderness, Make straight the way of the Lord, as said the Isaiah. And they which were sent were of the Pharisees. And they asked him, and said unto him, Why baptize you then, if you be not that Christ, nor Elijah, neither that prophet? John answered them, saying, I baptize with water: but there stands one among you, whom you know not: He it is, who coming after me is preferred before me, whose shoe’s latchet, I am not worthy to unloose. These things were done in Bethabara beyond Jordan, where John was baptizing.
Was that the place where the Israelites caressed the Jordan? It is said to have been so; and truly this is the place where we cross the Jordan too —come out of old Judaism into the true faith of the revealed Christ.
John 1:29. The next day John sees Jesus coming unto him, and says, Behold the Lamb of God, which takes away the sin of the world.
I think I hear the Elijah-like tones of that son of the desert, "Behold the Lamb of God, which takes away the sin of the world."
John 1:30. This is he of whom I said, After me comes a man which is preferred before me: for he was before me.
Ah! how infinitely before John; how before him? Having no beginning of days, before him in his exalted nature, before him in his superior rank and office!
John 1:31. And I knew him not: but that he should be made manifest to Israel, therefore am I come baptizing with water.
It was by baptism that the Christ was to be known. John knew more of Jesus Christ than anybody else, yet he did not know him to be the Lamb of God until he had baptized him.
John 1:32-33. And John bare record, saying, I saw the Spirit descending from Heaven like a dove and it abode upon him. And I knew him not: but he who sent me to baptize with water, the same said unto me. Upon whom you shall see the Spirit descending, and remaining on him, the same is he which baptizes with the Holy Spirit.
I doubt not that John had assuredly guessed that Jesus was the person; but he had nothing to do with guesses: he was a witness for God, and he could only speak as God revealed things to him.
This exposition consisted of readings from John 1:19-33; John 19:1-16.
Verses 19-51John 1:19-20. And this is the record of John, when the Jews sent priests and Levites from Jerusalem to ask him, Who are you ? And he confessed, and denied not; but confessed, I am not the Christ.
"I am not the One anointed of God to save mankind."
John 1:21. And they asked him, What then? Are you Elijah ?
"Are you Elijah come back to earth?"
John 1:21. And he says, I am not.
For, though indeed he was the true spiritual Elijah who was to come as the forerunner of the Messiah, yet, in the sense in which they asked the question, the only truthful answer was, "I am not."
John 1:21. Are you that prophet ?
The long-expected prophet foretold by Moses?
John 1:21-23. And he answered, No. Then said they unto him, Who are you? that we may give an answer to them that sent us. What say you of yourself? He said, I am the voice –
That is all; a voice and nothing more. John did not profess to be the Word;
he was only the voice which vocalized that Word, and made it audible to human ears. He came to bear witness to the Christ, but he was not himself the Christ: "I am the voice"
John 1:23-27. Of one crying in the wilderness, Make straight the way of the Lord, as said the prophet Isaiah. And they which were sent were of the Pharisees. and they asked him, and said unto him, Why baptize you then, if you be not that Christ, nor Elijah, neither that prophet? John answered them, saying, I baptize with water: but there stands one among you, whom you know not; he it is, who coming after me is preferred before me, whose shoe’s latchet I am not worthy to unloose.
How wisely does God always choose and fashion his servants! John is evidently just the man for his place; he bears testimony to Christ very clearly; he earnestly turns away all attention from himself to his Master; and he has such a reverent esteem for him of whom he is the herald that he puts all honor and glory upon him.
John 1:28-30. These things were done in Bethabara beyond Jordan, where John was baptizing, The next day John sees Jesus coming unto him, and says, Behold the Lamb of God, which takes away the-sin of the world. This is he of whom I said, after me comes a man which is preferred before me: for he was before me.
You know, dear friends, that Christ existed from all eternity, so, in very truth, he was before John; you know, too, the glory and the excellency of our Divine Master’s person, so that, in another sense, he was and is before John and all other creatures whom he has made.
John 1:31-34. And I knew him not: but that he should be made manifest to Israel, therefore am I come baptizing with water. And John bare record, saying, I saw the Spirit descending from Heaven like a dove, and it abode upon him. And I knew him not: but he who sent me to baptize with water, the same said unto me, Upon whom you shall see the Spirit descending, and remaining on him, the same is he which baptizes with the Holy Spirit. And I saw, and bare record that this is the Son of God.
The secret sign of the descent of the Spirit, in dovelike form, upon our Lord, was given to John; and as soon as he saw it, he knew of a surety that Jesus was the Sent One, the Messiah, and that he must point him out to the people.
John 1:35-36. Again the next day after John stood, and two of his disciples; and looking upon Jesus as he walked, he says, Behold the Lamb of God!
This was the same text from which he had preached the day before, and it was the same sermon, somewhat shortened. So should it be with us.
His only righteousness I show,
His saving truth proclaim;
‘Tis all my business here below
To cry, ‘Behold the Lamb!’John 1:37. And the two disciples heard him speak, and they followed Jesus.
Thus John was losing his own disciples. By his testimony to the truth, he was sending them to follow the Lord Jesus Christ, and he did it well and gracefully. There are many who would find it a hard task to reduce the number of their disciples; but it was not so with John.
John 1:38-46. Then Jesus turned, and saw them following, and says unto them, What seek you ? They said unto him, Rabbi, (which is to say, being interpreted, Master,) where dwell you ? He says unto them, Come and see. They came and saw where he dwelt, and abode with him that day: for it was about the tenth hour. One of the two which heard John speak, and followed him, was Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother. He first finds his own brother Simon, and says unto him, We have found the Messiah, which is, being interpreted, the Christ. And he brought him to Jesus. and when Jesus beheld him, he said, You are Simon the son of Jonah: you shall be called Cephas, which is by interpretation, A stone. The day following Jesus would go forth into Galilee, and finds Philip, and says unto him, Follow me. Now Philip was of Bethsaida, the city of Andrew and Peter. Philip finds Nathanael, and earth unto him, We have found him, of whom Moses in the law, and the prophets, did write, Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph. And Nathanael said unto him, Can there any good thing come out of Nazareth ? Philip says unto him, Come and see.
It was all a seeing gospel. John said, "Behold the Lamb of God!" Then Jesus said, "Come and see;" and now Philip says the same. Faith is that blessed sight by which we discern the Savior. Whoever looks to Christ by faith shall live.
John 1:47. Jesus saw Nathanael coming to him, and says of him, Behold an Israelite indeed, in whom is no deceit!
"There is no craft or deception in this man, as there was in Jacob; he is a true Israelite, like Israel at his best."
John 1:48. Nathanael says unto him, Whence know you me ? Jesus answered and said unto Him, Before that Philip called you, when you were under the fig tree, I saw you.
What Nathanael had been doing there, we do not know; probably he had been meditating, or he may have been engaged in prayer. But this announcement was a proof to Nathanael that Jesus could see all things, and read men’s hearts, and know what they were doing in their chosen retreats: "When you were under the fig tree, I saw you." Christ knows all of you who came in here, tonight, in a prayerful spirit, seeking him. And whenever men are seeking him, be you sure that he is also seeking them.
John 1:49. Nathanael answered and says unto him, Rabbi, you are the Son of God; you are the King of Israel.
"You saw what I was doing in secret; and by that token I perceive that you are God’s own Son."
John 1:50. Jesus answered and said unto him, Because I said unto you, I saw you under the fig tree, Believe you!’ you shall see greater things than these.
Those who are ready to believe Christ, on what may be thought to be slender evidence, shall "see greater things than these." "Blessed are they that have not seen, and yet have believed." They shall gaze upon a wonderful sight by-and-by.
John 1:51. And he says unto him, Truly, truly, I say unto you, Hereafter you shall see Heaven open, and the angels of God ascending and descending upon the Son of man.
"You are a true Israelite, and you shall have Israel’s vision. You shall see the same sight as your father Jacob saw when he fell asleep with a stone for his pillow, only your vision shall be far grander than his. Christ always knows how to meet the needs of our hearts, and to give us something in accordance with our own expressions, and to make his answers fit our requests, only that he always far exceeds all that we ask or even think, blessed be his holy name!"
This exposition consisted of readings from John 1:19-51; and Matthew 4:12-24.
Verses 29-42John 1:29. The next day John sees Jesus coming unto him, and says, Behold the Lamb of God, which takes away the sin of the world.
John lost no time. He had no sooner discovered the Savior than he bore witness of him. "The next day." As soon as ever his eyes lighted upon Jesus, he had his testimony ready for him. "Behold!" said he, "the Lamb of God."
John 1:30-33. This is he of whom I said, After me comes a man which is preferred before me: for he was before me: And I knew him not: but that he should manifest to Israel, therefore am I come baptizing with water. And John bare record, saying, I saw the Spirit descending from Heaven like a dove, and it abode upon him. And I knew him not:
At first.
John 1:33-34. But he who sent me to baptize with water, the same said unto me, Upon whom you shall see the Spirit descending, and remaining on him, the same is he which baptizes with the Holy Spirit. And I saw and bare record, that this is the Son of God.
Notice how very clear John is. There is no mistaking him. He repeated himself lest there should be any possibility of an error, and he gives the detail of the mode by which he recognized the Savior, in order that all might be persuaded to accept Jesus as in very truth the Messiah and the Son of God, so that we are to preach very plainly — not with enticing words of men’s wisdom, but with demonstration of the Spirit and with power. What have we to conceal? Nay, we have everything to reveal and our business is that men should be convinced that Jesus is the Christ, and should come and put their trust in him
John 1:35-36. Again the next day after John stood, and two of his disciples: And looking upon Jesus as he walked, he says, Behold the Lamb of God?
There is no objection to preaching the same sermon twice if it be on such a matter as this. "Behold the Lamb of God," he said one day, and the next day he did not vary the phraseology. He had no new metaphor — no new figure — with which to set forth Christ, but, as striking a nail upon the head and the same nail will help to fasten it, and may do more service than bringing out a new nail, so he gets to the same word and the same subject — "Behold the Lamb of God."
John 1:37. And the two disciples heard him speak, and they followed Jesus.
They went beyond their teacher. And oh! what a mercy it is if our hearers can go Christward far beyond us. John was well content to be left behind if they followed Jesus; and so may any minister of Christ rejoice if his people will follow Jesus, even if they go far beyond his attainments.
John 1:38. Then Jesus turned, and saw them following, and says unto them, What seek you?
Christ wants intelligent followers: so he asks the question, "What seek you?"
John 1:38-39. They said unto him, Rabbi, (which is to say, being interpreted, Master), where dwell you? He says unto them, Come and see,
Which is often his answer to enquirers — "Come and see." "Oh! taste and see that the Lord is good." Learn by experience. Do not merely hear what I say, but come and see.
John 1:39-42. They came and saw where he dwelt, and abode with him that day: for it was about the tenth hour. One of the two which heard John speak, and followed him, was Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother. He first finds his own brother Simon, and says unto him, We have found the Messiah, which is, being interpreted, the Christ. And he brought him to Jesus,
This is how the kingdom began to grow — by individual effort. "Andrew finds Simon": one convert must bring another: "and he brought him to Jesus."
John 1:42. And when Jesus beheld him, he said, You are Simon the son of Jonah: you shall be called Cephas, which is by interpretation, A stone,
There was a meaning in the change of names, for there was about to be a change of character — the timid son of a dove soon to become a very rock for the Church.
This exposition consisted of readings from Isaiah 40:1-17; Isaiah 25-31. John 1:29-42.
Verses 29-51John 1:29. The next day —
This chapter is a record of the events that occurred on different days. Sometimes God does great things in a single day; one extraordinary day may have more in it than a hundred ordinary years. It is well for us to try to live by the day, and not to let any day pass without some good action having been done in it. Let us never have to cry, "I have lost a day."
John 1:29. John sees Jesus coming unto him, and says, Behold the lamb of God, which takes away the sin of the world.
We ought never to be slow in delivering such a message as that which John the Baptist uttered. I do not wonder that, as soon as ever John knew that Jesus was the Messiah, he told the good news to others. Have you found Jesus? Tell your brother tonight; or, if not tonight, go as soon as you can, and bid him, "Behold the Lamb of God, which takes away the sin of the world."
John 1:30-34. This is he of whom I said, After me comes a man which is preferred before me: for he was before me. And I knew him not: but that he should be made manifest to Israel, therefore am. I come baptizing with water. And John bare record, saying, I saw the Spirit descending from Heaven like a dove, and it abode upon him. And I knew him not: but he who sent me to baptize with water, the same said unto me, Upon whom you shall see the Spirit descending and remaining on him, the same is he which baptizes with the Holy Spirit. And I saw, and bare record that this is the Son of God.
John was acquainted with Jesus, for they were related to one another, and were brought up together, but he did not officially know him as the Messiah until he saw the Holy Spirit descending and remaining on him; for that was the Lord’s token by which he was to recognize him. He refused, therefore, to follow any knowledge or judgment of his own. He would not know Jesus as the Christ until he saw the private mark for which the Lord had told him to look. As soon as he saw that, then John said that he knew him; and as soon as he thus knew him, he began to preach him. Has the Lord given you in your soul a token that Christ is your Savior? Do you know him by the witness of the Holy Spirit? Then go and speak of him to others and, like John, say, "Behold the Lamb of God." Let this be your one business between here and Heaven.
John 1:35-36. Again the next day after John stood, and two of his disciples; and looking upon Jesus as he walked, he says, Behold the Lamb of God!
"Again the next day." See how the Evangelist goes by days in his record. John preached the same sermon two days running, and if you proclaim Christ and him crucified, you may preach him two hundred days running, but you will never preach him too often. If you preach Christ as the Lamb of God, the great Sin-bearer, you may be always at that blessed work. There are some who very seldom preach Christ as bearing the sin of men; so that others of us must do it all the oftener to make up for their shortcomings. As for me, I can say with Charles Wesley, —
"His only righteousness I show,
His saving truth proclaim;
‘tis all my business here below,
To cry, ‘Behold the Lamb!’"John 1:37. And the two disciples heard him speak, and they followed Jesus.
It is hard preaching when you preach away your congregation, but John did this deliberately, He wished these two no longer to be his disciples, but to become the disciples of Jesus. He had mastered the meaning of his own words, "He must increase, but I must decrease," and he was quite willing that it should be so: "The two disciples heard him speak, and they followed Jesus."
John 1:38-39. Then Jesus turned, and saw them following, and says unto them, What seek you? They said unto him, Rabbi, (which is to say, being interpreted, Master,) where dwell you? He says unto them, Come and see.
He gave them a full invitation to come to the place where he tarried, and see for themselves. That is what Jesus still says, "Come and see." If any of you want to know him, "Come and see." You are perfectly welcome to "Come and see" all that Jesus has to show you.
John 1:39. They came and saw where he dwelt, and abode with him that day: for it was about the tenth hour.
The best part of that day was the portion which they spent with Jesus it was the best day they had ever enjoyed, for they lived with Jesus. It was also the beginning of better days for these two disciples; for, having once lived with Jesus, they learned never to live without him. Oh, that we also may abide with him!
John 1:40-41. One of the two which heard John speak, and followed him, was Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother. He first finds his own brother Simon, and says unto him, We have found the Messiah, which is, being interpreted, the Christ.
Where should missionary work begin? A brother should begin with his brother. It is all very well to have a desire to go to the heathen in Africa; you had better begin work as a missionary in England, and then go to Africa. He who cannot win his brother is not likely to win anybody else. "He first finds his own brother Simon:" this Andrew, who was afterwards to bring so many to Christ, must begin at home, and succeed there. If we are not faithful with one or two relatives, how can God trust us with a pulpit and a congregation?
John 1:42. And he brought him to Jesus. And when Jesus beheld him, he said, You are Simon the son of Jonah:
"Simon, son of a dove, your name may point you out as being timid; mind where you do wing your flight."
John 1:42. You shall be called Cephas, which is by interpretation, a stone.
Something more solid than the son of a pigeon; something more stable than the son of a dove. Christ changes men’s names, and changes their natures, too. He can make the most fickle of us to become firm and steadfast. Oh, that he would thus work by his grace upon us!
John 1:43-44. The day following Jesus would go forth into Galilee, and finds Philip, and says unto him, Follow me. Now Philip was of Bethsaida, the city of Andrew and Peter.
"The day following." See, friends, what a wonderful chapter this is. There is a book called, The Book of Days; I call this chapter the chapter of days. Every day seems memorable for some great event. "Bethsaida, the city of Andrew and Peter," was a poor, miserable village; but God greatly honored it. Great works often begin in little places. The best of beings came out of the despised town of Nazareth, and three of the best of men, Philip, Andrew, and Peter, came out of Bethsaida.
John 1:45. Philip finds Nathanael, and says unto him, We have found him, of whom Moses in the law, and the prophets, did write, Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph.
True faith may make blunders. Jesus was not the son of Joseph, except by reputation, and he was Jesus of Bethlehem quite as much as he was Jesus of Nazareth; but true faith is accepted of God even though it makes some mistakes. It believes God’s Word, and it believes God’s Son, and therefore it shall be accepted.
John 1:46. And Nathanael said unto him, Can there any good thing come out of Nazareth? Philip says unto him, Come and see.
Christ had said, "Come and see." Now Philip used the same words, "Come and see." It is always right to follow the example that the Lord Jesus has set us.
John 1:47-48. Jesus saw Nathanael coming to him, and says of him, Behold an Israelite indeed, in whom is no deceit! Nathanael says unto him, Whence know you me?
You may remember that, a short time ago, I preached a sermon upon Nathanael. He was a kind of Jewish John Blunt, a man who always spoke his mind. He had a mind, and he had a mind to speak it, and he spoke his mind. So, the moment that Christ spoke of him, he asked, "Whence know you me? "He was conscious that Christ did know him, and being a man who was altogether free from cunning and craftiness, he pointedly asked how Christ came to know him.
John 1:48. Jesus answered and said unto him, Before that Philip called you, when you were under the fig tree, I saw you.
What was he doing under the fig tree? Jesus knew, and Nathanael knew, but nobody else knew, and perhaps nobody else ever will know. That was a secret between Christ and Nathanael. He was doing something there that he regarded as quite private, and the Savior’s allusion to his being under the fig tree was the plainest proof he could have of Christ’s divinity. "Oh!" thought he, "he who can remind me of that secret transaction must be God."
John 1:49-50. Nathanael answered and says unto him: Rabbi, you are the Son of God; you are the king of Israel. Jesus answered and said unto him, Because I said unto you, I saw you under the fig tree, Believe you? you shall see greater things than these.
You who are honest in heart, you who can be convinced by a single argument, — and, mark you, one good argument is as convincing as twenty good arguments, and a great deal better than a hundred bad ones, — you who are willing to be led by a single thread shall be led. If you are willing to believe on what is clear evidence, you shall have more evidence: "you shall see greater things than these." God will show much to that man who has eyes with which to see it. He who will not see, and does not wish to see, shall grow more and more blind, and the darkness shall thicken about him.
John 1:51. And he says unto him, Truly, truly, I say unto you, Hereafter you shall see Heaven open, and the angels of God ascending and descending upon the Son of Man.
He could see actually what Jacob saw only in a dream, when he beheld that wonderful stairway of light which leads from earth to Heaven, even the Lord Jesus Christ, who by his manhood and his Godhead bridges the distance between us and God.
Chapter 2 Verses 1-11
Our Savior had lived on the earth for thirty years, and had worked no miracle. There was the hiding of his power. He had been subject unto his parents, and had lived in obscurity. Now he has broken through the obscurity, and he begins his public ministry by working a miracle.
John 2:1. And the third day there was a marriage in Cana of Galilee;
"The third day." John keeps a kind of diary for Christ. In those first days there was something for every day, and they were a specimen of the whole life of the Savior. He could never say, like Titus, "I have lost a day." Every day had its deed, glorifying to God, and blessed to men. Let us also try to labor for Christ every day; let there be no day without its mark. May God grant that there may be something to make every day memorable! "And the third day there was a marriage in Cana of Galilee." The first miracle of our Lord was not wrought at Jerusalem; but away there in the back settlements, in "Galilee of the Gentiles." It was necessary for him to be seen, and to work miracles which might be seen; but he began in an obscure region, among a despised people.
John 2:1. And the mother of Jesus was there:
This expression leads to the belief that there was some kind of kinship between the bridegroom or the bride and the mother of Jesus, for it is not said that she was invited to be there, but that she "was there."
John 2:2. And both Jesus was called, and his disciples, to the marriage.
Happy marriage, where Christ is invited to be present! Where Christ goes, his disciples go. If they suffer with him, they also rejoice with him. If he goes to a feast, they must go, too: "Both Jesus was called, and his disciples." They were only five; but five is a large number to add to a poor family’s wedding party. It shows the generosity of their heart that they invited Jesus to come and bring his disciples; and he went to put honor upon marriage, especially as he foresaw that the day Would come when the apostate church of Rome would reckon marriage to be dishonorable, and not permit one who was married to officiate as a minister.
John 2:3. And when they wanted wine, the mother of Jesus says unto him, They have no wine.
I notice that John calls Mary "the mother of Jesus." I suppose he had in his mind the dying word of Christ, "Behold your mother!" Such things make a deep impression upon us; and we are apt, when writing, to use the phrases that have been burnt into the memory. "The mother of Jesus." Because she has been too much exalted in the Romish church, I fear that we run to the other extreme, and think too little of this woman to whom the angel Gabriel said, "Hail, you that are highly favored, the Lord is with you: blessed are you among women." "They wanted wine." They had not been long married before there was want in the house. Even in the brightest days of life, they wanted something more; and the mother of Jesus saw that they were in want, and that the marriage festival would be dishonored; so she went to her son and she said, "They have no wine." I fear she spoke a little like an ordinary mother addressing her son; but the time had come when that discipline was to end. Mary was not his mother as the Son of God. He was about to work a miracle, and he would have her and all his relatives know that he would not use his miraculous powers merely for their advantage; but for the glory of God and the instruction of men.
John 2:4. Jesus says unto her, Woman, what have I to do with you? mine hour is not yet come.
It was a very difficult position for him to be in, to act the part of a loving and obedient son as far as his manhood was concerned, and yet, as the Son of God, by no means to compromise his divine character, but to stand out there as being under no influence of the flesh. Just as we are not to know Christ after the flesh, so he no longer knew mother, or brother, or friend, according to earthly relationship; and when Mary intruded her motherhood upon him, it was but right and fitting that he should say, "What have I to do with you? mine hour is not yet come." The Savior had an hour for everything; an hour for suffering, and an hour for working; and he did everything punctually, promptly to the minute. That was one of the beauties of his life: "Mine hour is not yet come." Perhaps he meant, "My hour to work this miracle is not yet come;" and he would not be hurried by anybody. Beloved, it is not easy to be familiar with Christ, as I trust we are, and yet always to maintain humble deference to his sacred will. Never let us pray as if we were dictators, or his equals. We must keep our place, however near we come to the dear bosom of our Lord. He is still in Heaven, and we are upon earth. He is the Master, we are the servants; and if we are as favored as his mother was, we must not go too far, as she did.
John 2:5. His mother says unto the servants, Whatever he says unto you, do it.
This holy woman took the rebuke in silence. She said nothing; she felt the force of Christ’s words, she proved that she did by now fully believing that he would do something or other. Had he not said, "Mine hour is not yet come"? Did not that mean that the hour would come, and that he would do something by-and-by? So she quietly accepted his reproof. Oh, you who are in great trouble, you feel as if you could force the hand of Christ; but you must not think of doing that. Even if you could have power over him, you would be very foolish to use it. Let him alone; he knows best how and when to show his grace towards you. Keep silence before him, and in patience commit your way unto him.
John 2:6. And there were set there six waterpots of stone, after the manner of the purifying of the Jews, containing two or three firkins apiece.
I admire the accuracy of the Holy Spirit. John does not know exactly how much these vessels held; they were not made to measure things in, so he writes, "containing two or three firkins apiece." Let us always speak correctly; sometimes, "almost" or "thereabouts" will be words that will just save our truthfulness. Let us not speak positively when we do not know; and when the accuracy of a statement is necessary, and we cannot give it in terms that are definite, let us give it in words like these, "containing two or three firkins apiece." These were great "waterpots of stone." Stone will not, as a rule, hold the flavor of anything that has been in it, like an earthen vessel would do; so these pots, which had contained nothing else but water, could not be suspected of having any lees of wine concealed therein, or any flavoring material that would make the water taste like wine. No, they were genuine stone waterpots.
John 2:7. Jesus says unto them, Fill the waterpots with water. And they filled them up to the brim.
There was no fear of anything but water being there: "They filled them up to the brim." They obeyed Christ to the letter. If Christ says to you, "Fill the waterpots with water", fill them up to the brim. Never cut down his commandments; carry them out as far as the largest interpretation can go.
When you are bidden to believe in him, believe in him up to the brim. When you are told to love him, love him up to the brim. When you are commanded to serve him, serve him up to the brim.
John 2:8. And be says unto them, Draw out now, and bear unto the governor of the feast. And they bare it.
"Draw out now." "Now." He had not turned the water into wine by any incantation. He simply willed it, and it was done. He said, "Draw out now." He did not want to leave it unnoticed, because he had not worked a miracle before, and he could not say whether this was one. He was sure it was; so he said to the servants, when they had filled the waterpots with water, "Draw out now. Do not bring it to me for me to taste it; I know what it is. Take it to the chairman of the festival, to him who sits at the head of the table, and is the judge of the wine: "and they bare it." The holy confidence of Christ is admirable. May we be able, by faith, so to work, with a calm consciousness of divine help! But notice this. Whenever the Lord fills any of you with a blessing, think that you hear him say, "Draw out now." He does not fill these pots that they may keep full. "Draw out now." Did you have a good time last Monday night at the prayer-meeting? Some of us had. "Draw out now." Have you lived near to God of late, and are you very happy? "Draw out now." If he has filled you up to the brim, draw out now; for, if you try to store it up, it will become useless. Selfishness will poison it all.
John 2:9. When the ruler of the feast had tasted the water that was made wine, and knew not whence it was: (but the servants which drew the water knew;) the governor of the feast called the bridegroom,
There was no collusion, for the governor, who tasted it, did not know where it came from; and the servants, who knew where it came from, did not taste it, so that they did not know what it was like. If anybody objects to the Savior making wine, I think that the best reply is that all the wine which is made of water will do nobody any hurt, and the more of it the better; and this was so made, certainly. They say that there is a devil in every grape. There were no grapes here; and I am afraid that there is not much of them in most of the wine that is made nowadays; there is something worse than devil in that.
John 2:10. And says unto him, Every man at the beginning does set forth good wine; and when men have well drunk, then that which is worse: but you have kept the good wine until now.
That the governor of the feast did not understand, but he admired it and here is a picture of what our Lord always does. He gives his people the best last. At first, the wine of the kingdom is mingled with much bitterness, salt tears of sorrow flow into it, but it improves as we go on; and when we shall drink it with him, in the kingdom of God, what will it be like? The joy of Christ’s love on earth is Heaven, but when we get to Heaven, and drink it fresh from the everlasting spring, what will that joy be? Oh, the blessedness laid up for the people of God! We pluck some of the fruit from the trees, and eat it; but the fruits laid up in the fruit-chamber, to get ripe by-and-by, are the very pick of the fruit of the tree of life. You who live for the world have had your best already; but, as for our feast with Christ, we go from good to better, and from better to the best.
John 2:11. This beginning of miracles did Jesus in Cana of Galilee, and manifested forth his glory;
Moses turned water into blood; Christ turned water into wine. One brought a curse upon the common things of daily life; the other put an added sweetness and blessing into them.
John 2:11. And his disciples believed on him.
They did believe on him before; but now they had ocular demonstration of his divine power and Godhead; and they believed as they had not believed before. May you and I often make distinct progress in faith, so that it may be said of us also, "His disciples believed on him"!
Chapter 3 Verses 1-15
John 3:1-3. There was a man of the Pharisees, named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews: the same came to Jesus by night, and said unto him, Rabbi, we know that you are a teacher come from God: for no man can do these miracles that you do, except God be with him. Jesus answered and said unto him, Truly, truly I say unto you, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.
There must be a new birth because a new name is absolutely necessary for the discernment of spiritual things. The natural man cannot comprehend spiritual things, they must be spiritually discerned. The new birth is therefore necessary that we may have a spirit within us which can see or understand the kingdom of God; but until a man is born again, "he cannot see the kingdom of God."
John 3:4-5. Nicodemus says unto him, how can a man be born when he is old/ can he enter the second time into his mother’s womb, and be born? Jesus answered, Truly, truly, I say unto you, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.
We understand the passage to mean, "Water, that is, the Spirit;" but it may refer to the purifying influence of the Word as symbolized by water. I do not think that baptism is referred to here at all.
John 3:6. That which is born of the flesh is flesh;
Parents may be the most devout people who ever lived, but that which is born of them is only flesh.
John 3:6. And that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.
It is only then, as we are born of the Spirit of God that there is any spiritual life in us whatever.
John 3:7-8. Marvel not that I said unto you, You must be born again. The wind blows where it wills, and you hear the sound thereof, but can not tell whence it comes, and where it goes: so is every one that is born of the Spirit.
He undergoes a mysterious change, he becomes a new man, he enters into a new life which others cannot comprehend; though they hear the sound of it, they cannot tell whence this man’s new life comes, or where it goes. He has become a spiritual person, not comprehended of natural men.
John 3:9-10. Nicodemus answered and said unto him, How can these things be? Jesus answered and said unto him, Are you a master of Israel, and knows not these things?
"So learned in the law of God, are you ignorant of the Spirit of God? Have you read the law so many times, and yet not found out that natural births and outward washings are of no avail in spiritual things?"
John 3:11-12. Truly, truly I say unto you, We speak that we do know, and testify that we have seen; and you receive not our witness. If I have told you earthly things, and you believe not, how shall you believe, if I tell you of heavenly things?
"If, at the very entrance to the kingdom of Heaven, you say, ‘How can these things be?’ what will you say if I take you into the central metropolis of truth, and introduce you to the great King himself?
John 3:13; John 3:15. And no man has ascended up to Heaven, but he who came down from Heaven, even the Son of man which is in Heaven. And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of man be lifted up: that whoever believes in him should not perish, but have eternal life.
This exposition consisted of readings from Numbers 21:1-9; and John 3:1-15.
Verses 1-18If you were called in to see a person who was dying, and wished to read a chapter from the Word of God, and you were afraid that the sick one did not know the way of salvation, you could not select a better portion than the one we are about to read. I have chosen it in the hope that some may now learn from it what they must do to be saved.
John 3:1-2. There was a man of the Pharisees, named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews: the same came to Jesus by night,
Perhaps he was very busy during the day. It is better to come to Jesus at night than not to come to him at all. All hours are convenient to Christ; you may come to him when you are at home tonight. When everybody else is asleep, Jesus is still awake. In all probability, however, Nicodemus did not wish to commit himself by coming to Christ by day. He had not yet tried and tested him, so he would not be thought to be Christ’s follower until he had first had a quiet private talk with him. As a ruler of the Jews, he was wise in acting thus discreetly.
John 3:2. And said unto him, Rabbi, we know that you are a teacher come from God: for no man can do these miracles that you do, except God be with him.
He admitted the truth as far as he could see it. The miracles of Christ proved him to be a divinely-commissioned teacher. Always be willing to go as far as you can go in the pursuit of truth. If you cannot see everything at once, see all that you can see. Be not of a caviling spirit; be frank and teachable as this man was.
John 3:3. Jesus answered and said unto him, Truly, truly, I say unto you, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.
It is such a mystery, a thing of such a marvelous character, that his old nature cannot see it. He must have new eyes, be must be a new man, be must be born again, before he can "see the kingdom of God." Have you caught this idea, my dear hearer? Do you understand that you cannot polish yourself up to a certain point, and then see the kingdom of God? You must be born again; there must be a radical change in you, a new birth, a birth from above, if you are ever to see the kingdom of God.
John 3:4-5. Nicodemus says unto him, How can a man be born when he is old? can he enter the second time into his mother’s womb, and be born? Jesus answered, Truly, truly, I say unto you, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.
At first Jesus said that a man could not see the kingdom of God except he was born again; now he tells Nicodemus that a man cannot enter the kingdom except he is born of water and of the Spirit. There must be a cleansing; he must be "born of water." There must be a spiritual life; he must be "born of the Spirit", or he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.
John 3:6. That which is born of the flesh is flesh;
Nothing more. However godly your father, however gracious your mother, all that is "born of the flesh is flesh."
John 3:6. And that which is born of the spirit is spirit.
There must be, then, a Spirit-birth, or else you have no spirit; you belong not to the spiritual realm; and you cannot see and you cannot enter the spiritual kingdom.
John 3:7-8. Marvel not that I said unto you, You must be born again. The wind blows where it wills, and you hear the sound thereof,
The sounding of the wind blowing through the trees, —
John 3:8. But can not tell whence it comes, and where it goes:
Where it begins, where it goes, or where it comes to an end, you cannot tell.
John 3:8. So is every one that is born of the Spirit.
You do not know where the spirit-life begins; and you cannot tell to what it will lead. There are heights to which the spirit-life can carry you, of which you have never dreamed; this is a mystery beyond your ken.
John 3:9. Nicodemus answered and said unto him, How can these things be?
He did not deny that they might be; but he asked how they could be. Ah, many a man has asked the same question! "How may I be made anew? How may I become a new creature?" Only he who makes all things can make all things new. The new birth is as great a wonder as creation itself; and there is as much, and a great deal more, to be wrought upon you to make you a Christian, as has been wrought upon you to make you a man.
John 3:10. Jesus answered and said, unto him, Are you a master of Israel, and know not these things?
These truths lie on the very doorstep of our holy religion. There are deeper and higher mysteries than these.
John 3:11-12. Truly, truly, I say unto you, We speak that we do know, and testify that we have seen; and you receive not our witness. If I have told you earthly things,
Common-place things, the lower things of faith. "If I have told you these,"
John 3:12. And you believe not, how shall you believe, if I tell you of heavenly things?
There are mysteries in our holy religion which we would not tell to everybody. It would be casting pearls before swine to mention them to unregenerate men. Christ tells Nicodemus that the primary truths must be believed before the more advanced doctrines can be revealed.
John 3:13. And no man has ascended up to Heaven, but he that came down from Heaven, even, the Son of man which is in Heaven.
It is Christ who knows everything. He understands all mysteries; he can teach all truth, for he has been in Heaven, he came down to earth, and he has gone back again to Heaven. Now, perhaps, some of you will be saying, "How are we to be saved? If there is no salvation without the new birth, how can we obtain the new birth?" Listen. The same chapter which tells you of the mystery of regeneration, tells you of the simple way of salvation by faith in Christ.
John 3:14-15. And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of man be lifted up: that whoever believes in him should not perish, but have eternal life.
"Whoever." If you believe in Christ, you are born again. If you trust him, you have the new life. This simple way of salvation is not contradictory to the way of salvation by the new birth, it is the same thing stated in a form that we can comprehend.
John 3:16. For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.
This text has saved thousands of souls. The constellation in the heavens, called the Great Bear, has in it the two pointers which direct the eye of the observer to the pole star; and this verse points to Christ so clearly, so distinctly, that many have found him by it, and have lived. Let me read it again: "For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish, but have everlasting life."
John 3:17-18. For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn, the world; but that the world through him might be saved. He who believes on him is not condemned: but he who believes, not is condemned already,
Not, "shall be condemned at the last," though that also is true; but "he who believes not is condemned already," —
John 3:18. Because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.
May the Lord bless to us the reading of this very simple gospel chapter, for our Lord Jesus Christ’s sake! Amen.
Verses 1-21Let us once more read together part of this blessed soul-saving chapter. I suppose that more souls have been saved through the reading of this chapter than through almost any other portion of Holy Writ.
John 3:1-2. There was a man of the Pharisees, named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews: the same came to Jesus by night,
He could not have come at a better time; the business of the day was over, and all was quiet.
John 3:2. And said unto him, Rabbi, we know that you are a teacher come from God: for no man can do these miracles that you do except God be with him.
It is always well to go as far as you can in your avowal of belief in Christ. Nicodemus confessed what he knew to be true, and he drew from it the thoroughly accurate conclusion that Christ must be a teacher come from God because of the miracles which he wrought. Dear hearer, if you do not yet fully know Christ, take heed that you do not trifle with the truth which you do know. If God has taught you a little about him, prize that little, and you shall have more, as we have often said, "He who values moonlight shall yet have sunlight." Thank God if you know as much as Nicodemus knew, and ask him to teach you more.
John 3:3-4. Jesus answered and said unto him, Truly, truly, I say unto you, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God. Nicodemus says unto him, how can a man be born when he is old? can he enter the second time into his mother’s womb, and be born?
Staggering at the symbol, he stumbled at the letter of Christ’s saying, and did not perceive its inward sense.
John 3:5-6. Jesus answered, Truly, truly, I say unto you, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God. That which is born of the flesh is flesh;-
Flesh, and nothing more; and it never can be anything more than flesh. The first birth brings no one any further than that. The children of the most godly parents, so far as their sinful nature is concerned, are in precisely the same condition as the offspring of the most ungodly. If they are ever to be numbered among the children of God, they must be born again, because "that which is born of the flesh is flesh;" —
John 3:6. And that which is born of the Spirit-
And that alone —
John 3:6. Is spirit.
Now, the flesh cannot enter into the spiritual kingdom, only the spirit can enter that realm; and hence the need of a new birth, that this spirit may be created in us.
John 3:7-8. Marvel not that I said unto you, You must be born again. The wind blows where it wills, and you hear the sound thereof, but can not tell whence it comes, and where it goes: so is every one that is born of the Spirit.
He is a mystery. The effect of the work of the Spirit upon him is seen in him, but no man understands what the Spirit of God is, or how he works, any more than he knows whence the wind comes, and where it goes.
John 3:9-10. Nicodemus answered and said unto him, How can these things be? Jesus answered and said unto him, Are you a master of Israel, and know not these things?
A very similar query to that might be put to some who are living now "Are you profound philosophers, students deeply learned in classic lore, or wise concerning many of the mysteries of nature; yet know you not these things? What will be the good of all your knowledge if you do not know how to gain admission into the kingdom of Heaven? It would be better for a man to be ignorant of all other things, and to know this one thing, than to have all possible human learning, and yet to miss this knowledge which is the most essential of all.
John 3:11. Truly, truly, I say unto you,
Christ speaks with an authority that no mere human teacher can ever possess.
John 3:11. We speak that we do know, and testify that we have seen; and you receive not our witness.
In a certain sense, every true minister of Christ and every true child of God, can say this, for we know that there is a spiritual kingdom. We have seen it, we have entered into it; and we can testify that there is another life which is as much superior to the ordinary life of men as the life of men is superior to that of the brutes that perish; and we know that we have that superior life. We have other eyes than these eyes that are visible, and other ears than the ears of our flesh. There is a higher and better life to be enjoyed even now, and he who believes in Christ has that life. "We speak that we do know and testify that we have seen;" and yet, though our testimony would be believed if we gave it concerning anything else, we are not believed when we witness concerning this higher and better life.
John 3:12. If I have told you earthly things,-
Things that take place here below, such as the new birth, —
John 3:12. And you believe not, how shall you believe, if I tell you of heavenly things?
Christ will not go on to teach us the deepest doctrines of the Christian faith if we will not learn that which is simplest. Shall the boy be taught the classics if he will not study the spelling-book? If men will not believe that there is such a thing as the new birth, shall they be taught the doctrine of union to Christ, and all those higher truths that rise out of it? They would not believe these things if they were taught them.
John 3:13. And no man has ascended up to Heaven, but he that came down from Heaven, even the Son of man which is in Heaven.
There was a nut that Nicodemus could not crack, a riddle that he could not solve; and the Savior left him thus puzzled, for the time being, that he might learn that, unless he was taught of the Spirit, he could not understand the teaching of Christ. You and I, who have been taught of the Spirit, understand the meaning of these words, but Nicodemus did not, though he was "a master of Israel."
Now follows another passage of Scripture which I always rejoice to read in this chapter. There are two great truths revealed here; the one is, that we must be born again, and the other is, that whoever believes in Christ is saved. Sometimes those two truths seem to come into conflict with one another. A man says, "You say to me, ‘Only believe, and you shall be saved;’ and then, by-and-by, you tell me that I must be born again. Are both these statements true?" Yes, they are both true, and they are both in this chapter. We have been reading about the necessity of regeneration, now comes the glorious freeness of the gospel of Christ.
John 3:14-15 And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of man be lifted up: that whoever believes in him should not perish, but have eternal life.
You must be born into a new life if you are to be saved; how are you to have that great blessing? There is life for a look at Jesus Christ lifted up upon the cross, and lifted up in the preaching of the gospel. Look to him, then; and, as surely as those who were bitten by the serpents in the wilderness were healed the moment that they looked at the serpent of brass, so surely shall every son or daughter of Adam, who gives a faith-look at the crucified Savior, be saved at once and forever.
John 3:16-17. For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.
There was no necessity for Christ to come here to condemn us, for we were condemned already by our sin. Why, then, did Jesus come? He must have come upon an errand of mercy, to bring salvation to the lost. It is even so; God sent him for that very purpose, that he might give eternal life to as many as believe on him. Oh, the glorious freeness of this precious gospel! Surely they deserve the deepest Hell who will not have Heaven upon such terms. They must forever perish if they reject life when it is set before them in this truly gracious manner.
John 3:18-19. He who believes on him is not condemned: but he who believes not is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God. And this is the condemnation,-
The very first form of it, the proof of it, and the reason for it: "This is the condemnation," —
John 3:19-21. That light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil. For every one that does evil hates the light, neither comes to the light, lest his deeds should be reproved. But he who does truth comes to the light, that his deeds may be made manifest, that they are wrought in God.
Those who love their sins cannot at the same time love the Savior; they must love the one, and hate the other; and it is a terrible choice when they deliberately reject the only Savior; "the Light of the world," and choose the darkness of sin, the darkness of woe, the outer darkness, where there shall be weeping, and wailing, and gnashing of teeth.
Verses 1-24This is a very wonderful chapter, because, while it teaches the doctrine of regeneration, and the necessity of a great moral and spiritual change, it yet also reveals the doctrine of salvation by faith alone, — a very wonderful combination, which puzzles many who read what is here recorded. Many have been staggered by one or other of these great truths, yet they evidently agree together, for they are taught by the same unerring Teacher, and they are preserved to us by the Spirit of God in the same chapter.
John 3:1-2. There was a man of the Pharisees, named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews: the same came to Jesus by night, and said unto him, Rabbi, we know that you are a teacher come from God: for no man can do these miracles that you do, except God be with him.
Nicodemus was very candid; he went as far as he could go. If he had not yet learned to believe in Christ as his Savior, he did at least admit that Christ, upon the evidence of his miracles, was "a teacher come from God." There is always hope of a man who is willing to see all that he can, and who acknowledges what he can see. He will see "greater things than these" if he is willing to use his eyes.
John 3:3. Jesus answered and said unto him, Truly, truly, I say unto you, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the Kingdom of God.
Without a new birth, "he cannot see," he cannot comprehend, he cannot understand, he cannot know anything about "the kingdom of God."
John 3:4. Nicodemus says unto him, How can a man be born when he is old? can he enter the second time into his mother’s womb, and be born?
Ah, me! our blessed Master taught much by parables, and parabolic teaching is the best of teaching; but you see how readily it can be misunderstood, how men can take the emblem in a carnal way, and not understand its spiritual meaning. This is how the false doctrine of transubstantiation is taught. When Christ says of the bread, "This is my body," the Romanists take his words literally, and so miss their spiritual meaning. It was in the same way that Nicodemus fell into error concerning Christ’s teaching.
John 3:5. Jesus answered, Truly, truly, I say unto you, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.
If the water here signifies baptism, — mark you, if it does, — then, observe, that there is no entering into the kingdom without it. I do not think that baptism is here intended at all, but the purifying influence of the Word of God symbolized by water. We might read the verse "Except a man be born of water, even of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God." There is a great change of character necessary for entrance into the kingdom; seeing it is one thing, entering into it is another matter; yet one cannot even see the kingdom of God without being born again, or born from above.
John 3:6-7. That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. Marvel not that I said unto you, You must be born again.
Nicodemus was well born, no doubt; probably, he was a pure Jew; yet he must be born again. And you may have descended from a long line of saints, your parents may be in the Church of Christ, and your parents’ parents, too; but still the truth remains, "that which is born of the flesh is flesh," at its very best. It cannot rise above that which gave it birth, it is but flesh. "You must be born again." There is no hope for you apart from the new birth from above. You cannot see, and you cannot enter, the kingdom of God merely by your first birth. Birthright-membership is a great delusion, for "that which is born of the flesh is flesh;" and only "that which is born of the Spirit is spirit."
John 3:8. The wind blows where it wills, and you hear the sound thereof, but can not tell whence it comes, and where it goes: so is every one that is born of the Spirit.
It is a mystery. You can never fully understand it, but you can enjoy it. If you are born again, you will know what it is; but you can no more discover your second birth than your first birth, except by its results and effects. May God give you to know what it is to be born again! There are many doctors of divinity and men of great learning who know nothing about this new birth, and there are many who are mere babes in Christ who nevertheless enjoy the fruit of this blessed regeneration by the Holy Spirit.
John 3:9-10. Nicodemus answered and said unto him, How can these things be? Jesus answered and said unto him, Are you a master of Israel, and know not these things?
These A B C truths, which are taught in the very first school-book used by Christ’s scholars, — "Are you a master of Israel, and know not these things?"
John 3:11. Truly, truly, I say unto you, We speak that we do know, and testify that we have seen; and you receive not our witness.
This is true of all faithful ministers of the gospel; we do not preach theories, we preach facts. We do not talk about speculations; we speak of a new birth through which we have ourselves passed. If there be no such thing, we are liars unto you; but there is such a thing, and this is our witness: "We speak that we do know, and testify that we have seen." The fashion, nowadays, is to make statements upon religious matters with great caution, expecting to have them disputed; but we need exercise no caution when we state what we know to be true. We will be positive, we will utter our "truly, truly," when we speak what is a matter of fact to our own consciences: "We speak that we do know, and testify that we have seen; and you receive not our witness."
John 3:12. If have told you earthly things, and you believe not, how shall you believe, if I tell you of heavenly things?
Regeneration is a work that is wrought here on earth, and belongs to this present life. High as the mystery is, it lies but at the very threshold of the temple of divine truth: "If I have told you earthly things, and you believe not, how shall you believe, if I tell you of heavenly things?" No doubt, unbelief hides much of heavenly truth from us; but if we begin to doubt the very elementary doctrines of our holy faith, how shall the great Master take us on and up to the higher science that he is ready to teach us?
John 3:13. And no man has ascended up to Heaven, but he that came down from Heaven, even the Son of man which is in Heaven.
This saying must have puzzled Nicodemus; he had, doubtless, read a great many riddles, but into the meaning of this riddle he could not enter; yet, beloved, any child of God, though he was converted only yesterday, may know what Jesus meant. Now observe that, as the first part of this chapter sets forth the need of a great and supernatural change, the latter part of the chapter shows us the door of mercy wide open, and tells us that faith in Christ will save us.
John 3:14-15. And, as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of man be lifted up: that whoever believes in him should not perish, but have eternal life.
There is no contradiction here to what we have been reading. He who believes in Christ receives the new birth, receives eternal life, and thus by faith, he gets that which is essential to a sight and entrance into the kingdom of God.
John 3:16-18. For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved. He who believes on him is not condemned:
What a charming sentence! What comfort it ought to bring to the mind of every sinner who will now believe in Christ!
John 3:18. But he who believes not is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.
"He who believes not is condemned already." If you have heard of Christ’s salvation, and you have not believed in him, that is evidence enough of your condemnation. There is no need to prove your evil works, no need to fetch your diary, and turn over the record of your life. If you have not believed in Jesus Christ, it shows a natural want of holiness, a lack of love to the loving God; and by that evidence you are condemned already, because you have not believed in the name of the only-begotten Son of God.
John 3:19. And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil.
The dislike of Christ is caused by a love of sin. If men did not hug their sins, they would embrace the Savior.
John 3:20-21. For every one that does evil hates the light, neither comes to the light, lest his deeds should be reproved. But he who does truth comes to the light, that his deeds may be made manifest, that they are wrought in God.
If you do not like self-examination, be sure that you are wrong. If you do not like reading heart-searching books, or listening to a faithful gospel ministry, be sure that you are wrong. If you do not like that part of the Word of God which judges you, and makes you tremble, be sure that you are wrong. The man in business, who cannot bear to look at his books, most probably has good reason to be afraid of his books. He shuts them up because they would shut him up if he were to pay attention to them. O sirs, there is no more damning sign of human’s condition than his endeavor to avoid the light. Search and see, look and examine. Make sure work for eternity, whatever you trifle with, trifle not with your souls. Take other things on hearsay, if you please; but not your condition towards God. Let that be searched into with all earnestness and sincerity; and be not satisfied until the truth has satisfied you.
John 3:22-24. After these things came Jesus and his disciples into the land of Judea; and there he tarried with them, and baptized. And John also was baptizing in Aenon near to Salim, because there was much water there: and they came, and were baptized. For John was not yet cast into prison.
We ought to be thankful that God’s ministers are not silenced in this age. May the Lord raise up, in these evil days, many a John the Baptist, who shall faithfully declare his testimony concerning the Lamb of God!
Verses 13-36John 3:13. And no man has ascended up to Heaven, but he that come down from Heaven, even the Son of man which is in Heaven.
We are in the stairway now between Heaven and earth; Christ has came down; Christ has gone up, and yet he was always there; a mystery, but one that is true, and new. Today we can go up by thought and prayer, and blessings can come down; and Christ is always there. "He is at the Father’s side, the Man of Love, the Crucified."
John 3:14-15. And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of man be lifted up: That whoever believes in him should not perish, but have eternal life.
What a glorious word! Here is the gospel in a verse, the whole Bible in a line or two. If we believe in him this morning, we have eternal life; not merely life, but life similar to the very life of God himself — eternal life. We have in us that which will outlast the world, the sun, the moon, and the stars; we have a life which, being like the life of God, we shall live forever and ever.
John 3:16-17. For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.
Condemnation does come to the world through Christ, because the world rejects him; but that was no part of God’s design in sending him. His design is salvation — salvation only. Oh! that we might so believe as to answer to the divine purpose in the sending of his Son. "He who believes on him is not condemned," not even now, notwithstanding every sin he has committed, he is not condemned; "but he who believes not is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only-begotten Son of God." Unbelieving is the condemning sin; it seals upon us the condemnation of every other sin. If you do not believe in Christ this morning, my hearer, you are not in a state of probation, you are condemned already; he who believes on him is not in a state of probation, he is not condemned, he is already acquitted, he is at this moment free from condemnation before the judgment-seat of God.
John 3:19-21. And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil. For every one that does evil hates the light, neither comes to the light, lest his deeds should be reproved. But he who does truth comes to the light, that his deeds may be made manifest, that they are wrought in God.
You see why men do not come to Christ; they do not want to give up their sin; they do not want to be made uneasy in it; they are afraid of being reproved. You see why saintly men do come to Christ, for they take a delight in beholding him, and in having their faith and their grace made manifest, both to themselves and to onlookers.
John 3:22-24. After these things came Jesus and his disciples into the land of Judea: and there he tarried with them, and baptized. And John also was baptizing in Aenon near to Salim, because there was much water there: and they came, and were baptized. For John was not yet cast into prison.
So he was busy until he was cast into prison. He would not waste an hour while he had an opportunity of doing good; he did it with all his heart. John! are you here in this sanctuary at this moment, not yet laid up, not yet obliged to keep your bed? Work while you can then; spend every moment in your Master’s service.
John 3:25. Then there arose a question between some of John’s disciples and the Jews about purifying.
Is it not a come-down — from reading about looking to Christ and loving, to a contention about purifying? There always are in the Church more or less idle quarrels about the dress of the preacher, about the mode of administering sacraments, and so on — a discussion about purifying.
John 3:26. And they came unto John, and said unto him, Rabbi, he who was with you beyond Jordan, to whom you barest witness, behold, the same baptizes, and all men come to him.
"They are leaving you." They felt an envy on behalf of John, because his influence appeared to be declining. John was quite a stranger to this feeling; he loved to see his Master grow, even at the cost of his own effacing.
John 3:27. John answered and said, A man can receive nothing except it be given Him from Heaven.
No spiritual power, no power to bless his fellow-men, except it come from God. Shall I quarrel with God, therefore, if he gives to this man more power than he gives to me? Shall I dispute about it? It is God’s sovereign will, and he does as he pleases.
John 3:28-29. You yourselves bear me witness, that I said, I am not the Christ, but that I am sent before him. He who has the bride is the bridegroom: but the friend of the bridegroom, which stands and hears him, rejoices greatly because of the bridegroom’s voice: this my joy therefore is fulfilled.
They were vexed, but John was joyful; he loved to hear of Jesus prospering.
John 3:30. He must increase, but I must decrease.
So he did. This is John’s one song, last of his utterances almost. He preaches no more sermons that are recorded; he must now go to prison, and there lie in a silence which he could scarcely bear. It was very hard for John to be quiet; he had an active, noble mind, and he became the victim, we fear, of doubts when he was shut up in prison. The breezy air of the wilderness suited him much better than the dull, heavy atmosphere of a prison. I daresay some of you may feel this at this time; do not set it down to spiritual results, to spiritual causes; set it down to the atmosphere, for so it is. We feel dull and heavy often, but heaviest when the heart is in a heavy air; every wind that rises blows away despair. So we must not think too much of our feelings, which even the wind can change.
John 3:31. He who comes from above is above all: he who is of the earth is earthly, and speaks of the earth: he who comes from Heaven is above all.
However good a man may be, he is earthly; there is flesh and blood about him, akin to the earth; and even if he handles heavenly things, the earthiness of the preacher peeps out every now and then. Christ had nothing of that about him; he was above all.
John 3:32. And what he has seen and heard, that he testifies; and no man receives his testimony.
Sad note! The news that all men went to Christ pleased John, but the fact that none received his testimony, comparatively none, grieved his heart.
John 3:33-34. He who has received his testimony has set to his seal that God is true. For he whom God has sent speaks the words of God: for God gives not the Spirit by measure unto him.
There is an infinite spiritual power about the words of Christ; they are the words of God, and the Holy Spirit concentrates all his energy in those words.
John 3:35-36. The Father loves the Son, and has given all things into his hand. He who believes on the Son has everlasting life: and he who believes not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abides on him.
So John’s last words are thunder; his dying speech has in it the word most terrible to all of you who believe not in Christ, "The wrath of God abides on him."
Verses 14-17John 3:14-15. And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of man be lifted up: that whoever believes in him should not perish, but have eternal life.
"Whoever." Note that word, for it means you, and it means me. No matter though you are near to death’s door, crushed and broken, bruised and mangled, look to the Crucified One, and, looking, you shall find that there is life eternal for you. Though your soul has been ready to choose strangling rather than your life, yet there is a better life for you by trusting in Christ. Choose that, and rest in him. Say, from your heart, the last lines of the hymn we sang just now, —
"Jesus, to your arms I fly;
Save me, Lord, or else I die."
John 3:16-17. For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.
Now this, which is good teaching for those who have but lately come to Christ, or for those who are seeking to come to him, is the very same teaching which will bring comfort to the most advanced and best instructed of the saints. How I love continually to begin with Christ over again as I began at the first! They say, when a man is sick, that it is a good thing to take him to his native place, and when a true believer’s soul gets faint and unbelieving, let him breathe the air of Calvary over again. The learned Grotius, who had spent the most of his life in theological disputations, —not always or yet often on the right side, — when he was dying said, "Read me something;" and they read him the story of the publican and the Pharisee. He said, "And that poor publican I am; thank God, that publican I am. ‘God be merciful to me a sinner.’" That was the word with which the great scholar entered into Heaven, and that is the way in which you and I must come to God. May the Holy Spirit help us to come to him thus!
Amen.
This exposition consisted of readings from Job 7, and John 3:14-17.
Verses 22-36John 3:22-29 After these things came Jesus and his disciples into the land of Judea, and there he tarried with them, and baptized. And John also was baptizing in Aenon near to Salim, because there was much water there: and they came, and were baptized. For John was not yet cast into prison. Then there arose a question between some of John’s disciples and the Jews about purifying. And they came unto John, and said unto him, Rabbi, he who was with you beyond Jordan, to whom you barest witness, behold, the same baptizes, and all men come to him. John answered and said, A man can receive nothing, except it be given him from Heaven. You yourselves bare me witness, that I said, I am not the Christ, but that I am Sent before him. He who has the bride is the bride groom: but the friend of the bridegroom, which stands and hears him, rejoices greatly because of the bridegroom’s voice: this my joy therefore is fulfilled.
"I have introduced the Bridegroom; and, henceforth, it will be my part gradually to disappear from the scene."
John 3:30. He must increase, but I must decrease.
As fades the morning star when the sun himself arises, so was it the joy of the herald of Christ to lose himself in the supreme radiance of his Lord’s appearing.
John 3:31-34. He who comes from above is above all: he who is of the earth is earthly, and speaks of the earth: he who comes from Heaven is above all. And what he has seen and heard, that he testifies; and no man receives His testimony. He who has received his testimony has set to his seal that God is true. For he whom God has sent speaks the words of God: for God gives not the Spirit it by measure unto him.
Did not the Holy Spirit descend, and remain upon him, and that without measure or limit?
John 3:35-36. The Father loves the Son, and has given all things into his hand. He who believes on the Son has everlasting life:
He has it now; and he can never lose it, or else it would not be everlasting. He has a life that must exist forever and ever.
John 3:36. And he who believes not the Son shall not see life;
He shall not even know what spiritual life is, he shall not be able to understand it, or to form any idea of it. While he is an unbeliever, he is blind to spiritual things. What a dreadful sentence that is I "He shall not see life;" —
John 3:36. But the wrath of God abides on him.
God is ever angry with him because he has rejected his own GOD, and refused the great salvation.
This exposition consisted of readings from Matthew 3:1-12; John 1:15-37; John 3:22-36.
Chapter 4 Verses 1-29
I have often read this chapter in your hearing, and you have often read it yourselves; but the Word of God is not like the grapes of an earthly vine, which when once trodden are exhausted. You may come to Holy Scripture again and again; it is like an ever-flowing fountain, the more you draw from it, the more you may draw.
John 4:1-3. When therefore the Lord knew how the Pharisees had heard that Jesus made and baptized more disciples than John, (though Jesus himself baptized not, but his disciples,) he left Judea, and departed again into Galilee.
Observe here that our Lord at first shunned conflict with the Pharisees. When he knew that they were jealous of him, he went away from Judea to a more remote district, "into Galilee." May he help us always to take that which may be the wiser course in every emergency! He was not guilty of cowardice; that, he could not be, for he was the bravest of the brave; and sometimes it will be most courageous on our part to shun a conflict. When you believe it is right to do so, never mind what anybody may say; but do as your Master did on this occasion.
John 4:4. And he must needs go through Samaria.
It is true that it was the nearest way, yet he might have gone round about; but he would not do so, for there were souls in Samaria who were to be blessed by his presence. He had a constraint upon him, an inward impulse, so that "He must needs go through Samaria." Dear friends, whenever you feel the drawings of the Spirit in any particular direction do not resist them, but yield yourself entirely to his gracious influence, even as your Lord did.
John 4:5-6. Then comes he to a city of Samaria, which is called Sychar, near to the parcel of ground that Jacob gave to his son Joseph. Now Jacob’s well was there. Jesus therefore, being wearied with his journey, sat thus on the well: and it was about the sixth hour.
About twelve o’clock, in the middle of the day, at high noon. You will observe, dear friends, that our Lord spoke to Nicodemus at night, but when he was about to talk to a fallen woman alone, he did it in the middle of the day. There is a time for everything; so let those who serve God be careful as to the best time of their service. Our Lord had a tender delicacy about him which led him instinctively to do the right thing at the right time.
John 4:7. There comes a woman of Samaria to draw water:
That was not the usual time for drawing water; women generally went to the well in the morning and in the evening; but this poor fallen creature was not one with whom other women would associate, so she came alone, at the hour when the sun was hottest, and when nobody else would be likely to be there.
John 4:7. Jesus says unto her, Give me to drink.
This was quite a natural way of beginning a conversation; and they will best touch other people’s minds and hearts who do not harshly interject religion, but who wisely introduce it, leading up to it with a holy dexterousness such as our Lord always exhibited. He begins, not with any remarks about the woman’s life, or her sin, or even about his great salvation, but with the simple request, "Give me to drink."
John 4:8-9. (For his disciples were gone away unto the city to buy meat.) Then says the woman of Samaria unto him, How is it that you, being a Jew, ask drink of me, which am a woman of Samaria? for the Jews have no dealings with the Samaritans.
But our Lord did not come to maintain these distinctions of race and caste. It is altogether foreign to the spirit of Christianity for nationalities to be despised. We sometimes hear people say of a person, "Oh, he is only So-and-so!" mentioning some nation that happens to be in the background. Christ was cosmopolitan, he loved men of every nation, and tribe, and tongue, and people. To him, there was neither Jew nor Samaritan; all such distinctions were banished from his mind. The woman might well say what she did, but her words would have sounded strangely out of place from the lips of Christ.
John 4:10-11. Jesus answered and said unto her, If you knew the gift of God, and who it is that says to you, Give me to drink; you would have asked of him, and he would have given you living water. The woman says unto him, Sir, you have nothing to draw with, and the well is deep: from whence then have you that living water?
Holy knowledge is very advantageous; it often is the means of breeding prayer: "If you knew .... you would have asked... , and he would have given." Therefore, beloved, let us teach the truth to all who come in our way, for it may be that we, too, shall meet with many of whom it can be said that, if they know what the gift of God is, they will ask for it; and if they ask for it, Christ will give it to them.
John 4:12. Are you greater than our father Jacob, which have us the well, and drank thereof himself, and his children, and his cattle?
Ah, she did not know how infinitely superior Jesus was to Jacob! There could be no comparison between the two. Jesus is the true Father of all Israel, and in that respect he is like to Jacob; but he is immeasurably greater than "father Jacob."
John 4:13-14. Jesus answered and said unto her, Whoever drinks of this water shall thirst again: But whoever drinks of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst; but the water that I shall give him shall be in him a well of water springing up into everlasting life.
Hence he will always be contented. He who has grace in his heart is a happy man; he grows more and more satisfied with the grace as it wells up increasingly in living power in his character and life. Oh, if you have never received that living water, may God give it to you just now! You shall never regret receiving it; but you shall rejoice over it evermore.
John 4:15. The woman says unto him, Sir, give me this water, that I thirst not, neither come hither to draw.
Up until now she has not imbibed a single idea from Christ. The Lord has spoken to her in parables, but she has not seen through the thin veil, so she has missed his meaning. Now he fires another shot, and deals with her in another fashion.
John 4:16-18. Jesus says unto her, Go, call your husband, and come hither. The woman answered and said, I have no husband. Jesus said unto her, You have well said, I have no husband: For you have had five husbands; and he whom you now have is not your husband: in that said you truly.
It was needful to arouse this woman to a sense of her sinfulness. It was no use putting on plasters where there was no knowledge of a sore, and no use attempting to fill the void where there was no feeling of emptiness. So first she must be brought low, she must be made to see herself in the glass of truth, and then she would begin to understand her need of salvation.
Oftentimes, in seeking to bless people, the kindest way is not to build them up, but to pull them down; not to begin to encourage their hopes, but to let them see how hopeless their case is apart from sovereign grace.
John 4:19. The woman says unto him, Sir, I perceive that you are a prophet.
She did not deny Christ’s charges; she could not, for they were so accurately descriptive of her whole life.
John 4:20-23 Our fathers worshiped in this mountain; and you say, that in Jerusalem is the place where men ought to worship. Jesus says unto her, Woman, believe me, the hour comes when you shall neither in this mountain, nor yet at Jerusalem, worship the Father. You worship you know not what: we know what we worship: for salvation is of the Jews. But the hour comes, and now is, when the true worshipers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth:
It is not the place which makes the true worship; it is the heart. It is not even the day; it is the state of a man’s mind. It is not that the place is said to be holy, and therefore prayer is accepted; every place is equally holy where holy men worship God. All distinctions of buildings are heathenish; or, at the best, Jewish; they are done away with by Christ.
John 4:23-26. -For the Father seeks such to worship him. God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth. The woman says unto him, I know that Messiah comes, which is called Christ: when he is come, he will tell us all things. Jesus says unto her, I that speak unto you am he.
And she believed it, for what she had heard had prepared her mind for this declaration. Christ’s reading of her heart had convinced her that he was the Messiah. How many have been brought to Christ’s feet by having their characters laid bare in the preaching of the Word! The very thing they did in secret, ay, the very thought of their heart which they never communicated even to their best-beloved friend, has been told them. Their dream has been revealed to them, and the interpretation of it, too; and they have been convinced that he who can thus read their hearts must be the Son of God.
John 4:27-28. And upon this came his disciples, and marveled that he talked with the woman; yet no man said, What Seek you? or, Why talk you with her? The woman then left her waterpot, and went her way into the city, —
So that blessed interview was broken up by Christ’s own disciples, What a set of blunderers we are! We sometimes come in between Christ and poor sinners whom he is going to bless. There is many a lover of stern doctrine, with an unsympathetic heart and a harsh tone of speech, who has intruded just when he was not wanted. If we cannot help poor souls, brothers and sisters, let us never hinder them. What Christian would not wish to help a poor sinner to her Savior? Yet these disciples, unconscious of what they were doing, had by their very looks driven this poor woman from their Master; but she "went her way into the city," —
John 4:28-29. And says to the men, Come, see a man, which told me all things that ever I did: is not this the Christ?
May we be made useful, even as this woman was, in bringing others to Christ’s feet, for his dear name’s sake! Amen.
Verses 1-32John 4:1-4. When therefore the Lord knew how the Pharisees had heard that Jesus made and baptized more disciples than John, (Though Jesus himself baptized not, but his disciples,) He left Judea, and departed again into Galilee. And he must needs go through Samaria.
When he was wanted in so many places, he did not care to stay among the Pharisees where he was not wanted. They would not receive his message, so he left the lordly professors, and went to look after a fallen woman. Christ’s estimates of usefulness are not always the same as ours. We think it a grand thing to be the means of converting a great man; Christ thinks it a worthy work to convert a great sinner.
John 4:5. Then comes he to a city of Samaria, which is called Sychar, near to the parcel of ground that Jacob gave to his son Joseph.
You remember how the patriarch said to his favorite son, "Moreover I have given to you one portion above your brethren, which I took out of the hand of the Amorite with my sword and with my bow." This was "the parcel of ground" which was near to Sychar.
John 4:6. Now Jacob’s well was there. Jesus therefore, being wearied with his journey, sat thus on the well:
What could the wearied Savior do? Why, he could save a great sinner; and now that he is no more wearied, what can he not do? Brethren, when you go to preach or to teach, you like to feel fresh and vigorous; but do not think that this state is at all necessary. Your wearied Master won the woman at Samaria; so may you win souls, even in your weariness. Let us not make excuses for ourselves because we do not feel fit for our work.
God may bless us more when we feel weary than he does at any other time.
John 4:6. And it was about the sixth hour.
Twelve o’clock in the day, I suppose. Was that the time when the women usually came to draw water? No; but it was the time when a woman, who was shunned by other women, would be most likely to come; and the Savior knew that. She had to take odd times to get to the well, for her neighbors did not care to be seen in the company of such a reprobate as she was, and she was probably just as anxious to avoid them.
John 4:7-8. There comes a woman of Samaria to draw water: Jesus says unto her, Give me to drink. (For his disciples were gone away unto the city to buy meat.)
Or, "food."
John 4:9. Then says the woman of Samaria unto him, How is it that you, being a Jew, ask drink of me, which am a woman of Samaria ? for the Jews have no dealings with the Samaritans.
The woman seemed to say to the Savior, "You Jews will not own us until you want something from us. Now that you happen to be thirsty, you do not mind asking for drink from me; but, at other times, you will have no dealings with us." This was a tart reply to our Lord’s request, but be did not answer the woman in the tone she had adopted. When you are dealing with a soul, you must not lose your temper because of a sharp word, a hard saying, or even a blasphemous reply. Soul winners must be very tender and gentle; God make us so!
John 4:10. Jesus answered and said unto her, If you knew the gift of God, and who it is that says to you, Give me to drink; you would have asked of him, and he would have given you living water.
Oh, that ignorance, that baneful ignorance! "If you knew you would have asked of him, and he would have given you." Sometimes, my brethren, the key of a man’s salvation may lie in your instructing him in the simplest matters of the gospel, for, if he does but know, he will ask, and Christ will give. Great issues may depend upon this, which seems but the turning of a straw. Therefore, go and tell men the way of salvation; for, in the most of cases, ignorance, alas! bars the door. I mean not among those who have long heard the gospel, but I mean the outsiders who do not know anything about it. Tell it to them, and you may thereby open to them the kingdom of Heaven.
John 4:11-14. The woman says unto him, Sir, you have nothing to draw with, and the well is deep: from whence then have you that living water? Are you greater than our father Jacob, which gave us the well, and drank thereof himself, and his children, and his cattle? Jesus answered and said unto her, Whoever drinks of this water shall thirst again: But whoever drinks of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst; but the water that I shall give him shall be in him a well of water springing up into everlasting life.
So you see, my dear hearer, if you get grace from Christ, you really possess it, and it is of that nature that it remains in you, and becomes itself a spring within you, "springing up into everlasting life." It is not that temporary, trumpery salvation which some preach, which saves you for a quarter of a year, and then lets you perish; it is everlasting salvation. Once received, it does not pass away like that little dribbling shower that watered the pavement just now, and is gone, but it shall be in you a well of water, springing up, a living and enduring principle; or, to use another scriptural expression, "incorruptible seed, which lives and abides forever." This salvation is worth your having ; then, get it. It is worth your pining after, and praying for, and believing. Oh, that you might have it, even you! As soon as you trust the Lord Jesus Christ, it is yours, and yours forever.
John 4:15. The woman says unto him, Sir, give me this water, that I thirst not, neither come hither to draw.
The woman had not even the faintest idea of the spiritual truth of which Christ had spoken to her. The fact is, conviction must come before conversion. No sinner is made alive until he is first killed. You cannot clothe him until he is naked. So now the Savior began that conviction work in this woman; and he did it very wisely. He did not at first charge her with criminality, but he led her to accuse herself.
John 4:16-17. Jesus says unto her, Go, call your husband, and come hither. The woman answered and said, I have no husband.
And, as she said it, no doubt she tried to look as innocent as possible; but a guilty flush stole over her face despite her attempt to keep it back.
John 4:17. Jesus said unto her, You have well said, I have no husband:
Always give people credit for what is well said. If you want to win them, you must mind that you are not rough with them, but admit what you can of the truth in their utterance: "You have well said, I have no husband."
John 4:18-19. For you have had five husbands; and he whom you now have is not your husband: in that said you truly. The woman said unto him, Sir, I Perceive that you are a prophet.
It would have been better if she had perceived that she was a sinner. Perhaps she did perceive it, but scarcely liked yet to confess it openly, so she said, "I-perceive that you are a prophet." Now she has a religious difficulty; and what man or woman is there in the world, however far gone from morality, who has not some religious difficulties? And the more immoral they become, the more difficulties they are pretty sure to have. I hate that style of preaching which is everlastingly pandering to difficulties which never would exist except in a dissolute generation like the present. We preach a plain gospel; and when men’s hearts are right, it is all plain to them. To him who desires to understand, difficulties soon cease to be a trouble. We had better deal with men’s hearts and lives than try to answer their quibbling questions. This was the woman’s dilemma,--
John 4:20. Our fathers worshiped in this mountain;
That is, Mount Gerizim,--
John 4:20-23. And you say, that in Jerusalem is the place where men ought to worship. Jesus says unto her, Woman, believe me, the hour comes, when you shall neither in this mountain, nor yet at Jerusalem, worship the Father. You worship you know not what. We know what we worship: for salvation is of the Jews. But the hour comes, and now is, when the true worshipers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth: for the Father seeks such to worship him.
You see, brethren, all the difficulties that arise are but temporary. Put them away, and get to the great spiritual business that concerns us all, the seeking truly after God in spirit and in truth. If you really want to find God, you shall find him. He is already seeking you, and your very desire after him is the proof that he has already had dealings with you by his Spirit. Therefore, come unto him, and come at once, "for the Father seeks such to worship him."
John 4:24-27. God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth. The woman says unto him, I know that Messiah comes, which is called Christ: when he is come, he will tell us all things. Jesus says unto her, I that speak unto you am he. And upon this came his disciples,--
This gracious work of the Master had been done in private. Christ knew that such a person as this woman was not to be spoken to in the presence of his disciples, who were scarcely sympathetic enough for such service. But her heart is now won by the Messiah; so, now you may come in, you disciples! Providence shut the door, and kept them waiting a while until this delicate piece of work was done.
John 4:27. And marveled that he talked with the woman:
These men who had themselves been picked off the dunghill marveled that Christ spoke to this woman! So have I known some, who were themselves grievous sinners once, yet they have become horribly conceited some years after conversion, and they have thought that other great sinners might not be saved as they were. God deliver from such abominable pride any soul that professes to be saved! Every believer should feel, "If the Lord has saved me, he can save anybody;" and that state of mind ought to be ours always.
John 4:27. Yet no man said, What Seek you? or, Why talk you with her?
They had some sense left, sense enough to keep silence.
John 4:28. The woman then left her waterpot,-
Possessed only with one thought, going to tell others the glad news she herself had believed, she "left her waterpot,"-
John 4:28-29. And went her way into the city, and says to the men, Come, see a man, which told me all things that ever I did.- is not this the Christ?
They must have been surprised to hear her talking about good things. There was no more likely messenger to win men, or to strike them with curiosity, than such a woman as this.
John 4:30-32. Then they went out of the city, and came unto him. In the mean while his disciples prayed him, saying, Master, eat. But he said unto them, I have meat to eat that you know not of.
So has every man who lives to win souls for Christ. There is a larder which he enters where the very delicacies of God are brought before him, and his soul is sustained and his strength is renewed by the dainties that the Lord has provided for those who do his will. Brethren and sisters, may we often feed upon this heavenly meat! Amen.
Verses 1-34John 4:1-4. When therefore the Lord knew how the Pharisees had heard that Jesus made and baptized more disciples than John, (Though Jesus himself baptized not, but his disciples,) he left Judea, and departed again into Galilee. And he must needs go through Samaria.
And, surely, not only because it was the more convenient way, but because he had designs of love for some souls there that his Father had given him. There is many a needs be in divine providence because of the needs-be of divine grace.
John 4:5-6. Then comes he to a city of Samaria, which is called Sychar, near to the parcel of ground that Jacob gave to his son Joseph. Now Jacob’s well was there. Jesus therefore, being wearied with his journey, sat thus on the well: and it was about the sixth hour.
Wearied, and needing rest, yet there was no rest for him, except that he found his sweetest rest in winning immortal souls unto himself.
John 4:7. There comes a woman of Samaria to draw water: Jesus says unto her, Give me to drink.
That is practically what Jesus still says to the sons and daughters of men: "Give me to drink." He asks for your love, for your trust, for your confidence. It is his meat and drink to bless your soul, and to give you the blessing that you need, and it is a refreshment to his spirit when you give him the opportunity of thus blessing you.
John 4:8. (For his disciples were gone away unto the city to buy meat.)
It was a great mercy that the disciples were out of the way just then; had they been there, they might have tried to keep this poor woman from speaking to the Savior; and, sometimes, brethren, it may be well for us to be laid aside. God may do more good without our presence than with it; who can tell?
John 4:9-10. Then says the woman of Samaria unto him, How is it that you being a Jew, asks drink of me, which am a woman of Samaria? for the Jews have no dealings with the Samaritans. Jesus answered and said unto her, If you knew the gift of God, and who it is that says to you, Give me to drink; you would have asked of him, and he would have given you living water.
See, then, the evil of spiritual ignorance, and see also how the chain of grace works, "If you knew . . , you would have sought . . and he would have given." When God gives the knowledge of Christ to the soul, then there comes the spirit of prayer, and then consequent blessing.
John 4:11-12. The woman says unto him, Sir, you have nothing to draw with, and the well is deep: from whence then have you that living water? Are you greater than our father Jacob, which gave us the well, and drank thereof himself, and his children, and his cattle?
She took the Savior’s figure literally; and there are still many who cannot see the spiritual meaning of God’s Word, and run their heads against the hard stern letter which kills, instead of seeking and finding the inner living spirit which gives life. These are the people who build their hopes of salvation upon outward ordinances, and who impute saving power to "sacraments." Would God that they knew better!
John 4:13-15. Jesus answered and said unto her, Whoever drinks of this water shall thirst again: But whoever drinks of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst; but the water that I shall give him shall be in him a well of water springing up into everlasting life. The woman says unto him, Sir, give me this water, that I thirst not, neither come hither to draw.
She was still unable to see the inner meaning of the Savior’s words; the outward sense still held her fast. She needed to have her conscience aroused, for that would prove to be the way into her heart. Christ has different doors for entering into different people’s souls. Into some, he enters by the understanding; into many, by the affections. To some, he comes by the way of fear; to another, by that of hope; and to this woman he came by way of her conscience.
John 4:16-19. Jesus says unto her, Go, call your husband and come hither. The woman answered and said, I have no husband. Jesus said unto her, You have well said, I have no husband: For you have had five husbands; and he whom you now have is not your husband: in that said you truly. The woman says unto him, Sir, I perceive that you are a prophet.
Something had come home to her conscience through what the Savior said to her, so she began to speak about what he was, not about what she herself was. This often happens when the preacher is enabled, by divine grace, to come home to the conscience. The result is, that the hearer says, "What a wonderful preacher he is!" But that will do no good, that is not the point at which we are aiming. "The woman says unto him, sir, I perceive that you are a prophet," and off she goes, at a tangent, to inquire about various forms of religious observance. Evil liver as she was she was still a person who wished to be regarded as a religious woman; and it is strange how often a certain religiousness will flourish even in the most depraved heart, — not true godliness, however. So she propounded this difficulty to the Savior: —
John 4:20. Our fathers worshiped in this mountain; and you say, that in Jerusalem is the place where men ought to worship.
"There are so many sects, can you tell me which is the right one?" That is the question which men often put to us when we begin to touch their consciences.
John 4:21. Jesus says unto her, Woman, believe me, the hour comes, when you shall neither in this mountain, nor yet at Jerusalem, worship the Father.
This question is of very temporary interest. The hour comes, when neither of these places, nor yet any other, shall be considered saved.
John 4:22-24. You worship you know not what: we know what we worship: for salvation is of the Jews. But the hour comes, and now is, when the true worshipers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth: for the Father seeks such to worship him. God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth.
No longer is any consecrated building necessary to true worship; indeed, no building can be consecrated. No longer are we to be confined to canonical hours. No longer is God to be sought with the sensuousness of sweet music or of fragrant incense; but he is to be sought with the heart, and soul, and spirit.
John 4:25-26. The woman says unto him. I know that Messiah comes, which is called Christ: when he is come, he will tell us all things. Jesus says unto her, I that speak unto you am he.
This great truth burst upon her with all the force of a divine revelation, and faith came with the information. The words that had gone before had prepared her to expect this manifestation of Christ to her soul.
John 4:27-34. And upon this came his disciples, and marveled that he talked with the woman: yet no man said, What Seek you? or, Why talk you with her? The woman then left her waterpot, and went her way into the city, and says to the men, Come, see a man, which told me all things that ever I did: is not this the Christ? Then they went out of the city, and came unto him. In the mean while his disciples prayed him, saying, Master, eat. But he said unto them, I have meat to eat that you know not of. Therefore said the disciples one to another, Has any man brought him ought to eat?
Jesus says unto them, My meat is to do the will, of him that sent me, and to finish his work.
Verses 1-39John 4:1-3. When therefore the Lord knew how the Pharisees had heard that Jesus made and baptized more disciples than John, (Though Jesus himself baptized not, but his disciples,) He left Judea, and departed again into Galilee.
Our Savior was not a man of strife; he was quite ready to contend with the Pharisees on fit occasions, but just then he avoided an encounter with them. Besides, one woman of Samaria, whom he was going to save, was worth more to him than ten thousand Pharisees who would not be saved by him. Most of the learning and culture of Palestine was possessed by the Pharisees, but Christ thought nothing of it in comparison with the soul of the one poor woman of Samaria whom he was going to save.
John 4:4-7. And he must needs go through Samaria. Then comes he to a city of Samaria, which is called Sychar, near to the parcel of ground that Jacob gave to his son Joseph. Now Jacob’s well was there. Jesus therefore, being wearied with his journey, sat thus on the well: and it was about the sixth hour. There comes a woman of Samaria to draw water: Jesus says unto her, Give me to drink.
"The sixth hour" means noonday, and that was a very unusual time for a Samaritan woman to go to draw water; but the reason why she went at that unusual hour was because she was one whom other women shunned so that, if she went to the well at all, she must go alone, for they would not be seen in her company. What a wonderful thing it is that this woman, who was not thought to be fit company for her fellow-creatures was nevertheless thought by Christ to be worth looking after and saving! But those who are the castaways of men are often among those who are the sought-out and chosen ones of Christ.
John 4:8. (For his disciples were gone away unto the city to buy meat.)
This was quite a right thing for the disciples to do, for meat must be bought for men to eat. No doubt it is better to pray than to eat; but if one never ate, he would not long be able to pray. I have heard these disciples condemned for their worldliness and carnality, but I fail to see anything of the kind, it does seem to me necessary that somebody should go into the city to buy meat, and although it is not the noblest kind of work, yet, being necessary, it may be the stepping-stone to higher service.
John 4:9-10. Then says the woman of Samaria unto him, How is it that you, being a Jew, ask drink of me, which am a woman of Samaria? for the Jews have no dealings with the Samaritans. Jesus answered and said unto her, If you knew the gift of God,
How much we lose through ignorance! Ignorance is often like a great stone laid upon the well, so that the flocks cannot be watered, blessed is everyone who helps to roll away that stone. It is a great thing to know the gift of God: "If you knew the gift of God," —
John 4:10. And who it is that says to you, Give me to drink; you would have asked of him, and he would have given you living water.
There are two things worth knowing, — what grace is, and who it is that gives it. Want of this knowledge often leads to lack of prayer, and lack of prayer leads to lack of receiving. Perhaps someone asks, "Why does not God give without prayer?" Because it is not his will to do so. His will is that we should pray about everything. Did you ever notice that, even when the harvest is ripe, it cannot be gathered in without prayer? Jesus said to his disciples, "The harvest truly is plenteous, but the laborers are few. Pray you therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he will send forth laborers into his harvest." Prayer seems indispensable; it is part of God’s necessary machinery; he has pleased to make it so. But what condescension of love it is that the prayer of man should be necessary to effect the purposes of God! God even says to Christ himself, "Ask of me and I shall give you the heathen for your inheritance, and the uttermost parts of the earth for your possession." So that, from the woman at the well up to the Lord Jesus himself, prayer seems to be the indispensable requisite of blessing.
John 4:11. The woman says unto him, Sir, you have nothing to draw with, and the well is deep: from whence then have you that living water?
You who reverence the majesty of Christ’s Deity, the perfection of his humanity, the glory of his atoning sacrifice, the splendor of his resurrection power, you who know whence he has this living water, the power to save and to bless, worship and adore him with all your heart and soul.
John 4:12-14. Are you greater than our father Jacob, which gave us the well, and drank thereof himself, and his children, and his cattle? Jesus answered and said unto her, Whoever drinks of this water shall thirst again: But whoever drinks of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst: —
You know that there are some who preach of a salvation that does not save; they teach that one may be a child of God today and a child of the devil tomorrow. That is like the water in Jacob’s well: "Whoever drinks of this water shall thirst again." But Christ’s salvation is of a very different kind: "Whoever drinks of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst:" —
John 4:14. But the water that I shall give him shall be in him a well of water springing up into everlasting life.
The grace of God is a living thing, a springing and abiding thing, an everlasting thing, and he who has it in his heart has that which has saved him forever.
John 4:15. The woman says unto him, Sir, give me this water, that I thirst not, neither come hither to draw.
Christ’s words were coming true. He said that, if she had known, she would have asked; and, then, in her poor groping way, she began to pray, hardly knowing what she was asking for. I advise you also to pray even before you quite understand your own prayers, before you are sufficiently instructed to know what you really need. Ask God to give you what you need. Very often we make a discovery of our needs through having them supplied.
John 4:16-19. Jesus says unto her, Go, call your husband, and come hither. The woman answered and said, I have no husband. Jesus said unto her, You have well said, I have no husband: for you have had five husbands; and he whom you now have is not your husband: in that said you truly. The woman says unto him, Sir, I perceive that you are a prophet.
She perceived that there was something about him which marked him out as a prophet, so she seemed to say to him, "As you are a prophet, solve me this riddle:" —
John 4:20-24. Our fathers worshiped in this mountain; and you say, that in Jerusalem is the place where men ought to worship. Jesus says unto her, Woman, believe me, the hour comes, when you shall neither in this mountain, nor yet at Jerusalem, worship the Father. You worship you know not what: we know what we worship: for salvation is of the Jews. But the hour comes and now is, when the true worshipers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth: for the Father seeks such to worship him. God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth.
Let us never forget this. Even if we all believe it, we do not always act according to that belief. For instance, we sing through a hymn, but it might almost as well be an old song, for our hearts do not go with the words; or while our heads are bowed in prayer, perhaps our thoughts are back with our children, or our shops, or far away in some foreign land. Yet there is no benefit in coming up to a place of worship, or in listening to sermons and prayers, or joining in the singing of sacred songs unless our heart is there. Let us always recollect this, and sigh and cry rather than rejoice if we have been up to the holy assembly, and yet have not worshiped God "in spirit and in truth."
John 4:25-26. The woman says unto him, I know that Messiah comes, which is called Christ: when he is come, he will tell us all things. Jesus says unto her, I that speak unto you am he.
Now she had made the greatest of all discoveries, for the Messiah himself had come to her, and told her "all things." This was her test of the Messiah, and Christ had answered it.
John 4:27. And upon this came his disciples, and marveled that he talked with the woman: yet no man said, What Seek you? or, Why talk you with her?
They had too much respect for him to ask such questions, except in their own hearts, but their Oriental prejudices made them marvel that he was talking with a woman!
John 4:28-33. The woman then left her waterpot, and went her way into the city, and says to the men, Come, see a man, which told me all things that ever I did: is not this the Christ? Then they went out of the city, and came unto him. In the mean while his disciples prayed him, saying, Master, eat. But he said unto them, I have meat to eat that you know not of. Therefore said the disciples one to another, Has any man brought him ought to eat?
They did not like to ask him plainly; although they were very curious about the matter, they scarcely dared to pry further into it, and his next words may have deepened the mystery still further.
John 4:34-35. Jesus says unto them, My meat is to do the will of him that sent me, and to finish his work. Say not you, there are yet four months, and then comes harvest? behold, I say unto you, Lift up your eyes, and look on the fields; for they are white already to harvest.
"Look at those Samaritans trooping out of the city, drawn by that woman’s testimony concerning me. They are coming, at her invitation, to learn more about the Christ."
John 4:36-38. And he who reaps receives wages, and gathers fruit unto life eternal: that both he who sows and he who reaps may rejoice together. And herein is that saying true, One sows and another reaps. I sent you to reap that whereon you bestowed no labor: other men labored, and you are entered into their labors.
The prophets had spoken and written concerning the Messiah, their words had prepared the minds of the Jews, and also of the Samaritans, to receive the gospel, so the great success of the apostles must not be traced merely to their teaching, but also to the preparatory work of the other laborers who had gone before: "Other men labored, and you are entered into their labors." The Church is always ready to praise her reapers, let her not forget her sowers. There are some of us, who bring many souls to Christ, who are greatly indebted to the work which was done by other men who preceded us. There are some who, perhaps, have few conversions although they preach the gospel faithfully, they are sowing, and there shall come others, by-and-by, who shall reap bounteous harvests as the result of their sowing the good seed of the kingdom. No matter who sows, or who reaps, the glory of the harvest shall be unto the Most High.
John 4:39. And many of the Samaritans of that city believed on him for the saying of the woman, which testified, He told me all that ever I did.
Verses 1-42
John 4:1-6. When therefore the Lord knew how the Pharisees had heard that Jesus made and baptized more disciples than John, (Though Jesus himself baptized not, but his disciples,) He left Judea, and departed again into Galilee. And he must needs go through Samaria. Then comes he to a city of Samaria, which is called Sychar, near to the parcel of ground that Jacob gave to his son Joseph. Now Jacob’s well was there. Jesus therefore, being wearied with his journey, sat thus on the well: and it was about the sixth hour.
Do not be surprised, dear brethren, if you sometimes grow weary in the Lord’s work. I trust that, even then, you will not be weary of it, but that you will believe that our blessed Master can still use even his tired servants, and bless their labors. The Lord Jesus Christ wrought great marvels even when he sat wearily on the brink of Jacob’s well; and you, perhaps, are at this moment as fatigued and worn as you well can be; yet, will you not awaken all the energies of your soul if you should see an opportunity of doing good, even if it should be to some poor fallen woman, as in the case here mentioned? It is a blessed thing never to be too tired to pray, and never to be too tired to speak to an anxious enquirer.
John 4:7. There comes a woman of Samaria to draw water:
Providence was at work so that, when Christ reached the well, this woman was on her way thither. It was very late in the day for anyone to go to draw water; but, probably, the other women, who went to the well early in the morning, were not willing to associate with her, so she had to go by herself. Late as she was, however, she was all in good time, for she reached the spot just when Christ was waiting to bless her.
John 4:7-8. Jesus says unto her, Give me to drink. (For his disciples were gone away unto the city to buy meat.)
Or else they might have drawn water from the well to refresh him.
John 4:9-10. Then says the woman of Samaria unto him, How is it that you, being a Jew, ask drink of me, which am a woman of Samaria? for the Jews have no dealings with the Samaritans. Jesus answered and said unto her, If you knew the gift of God, and who it is that says to you, Give me to drink; you would have asked of him, and he would have given you living water.
See the deadly mischief of ignorance concerning spiritual things. If she had known, she would have asked, and Christ would have given; but the first link was missing; and, hence, the rest of the chain was not drawn on. Sometimes, all that people need is a little wise instruction, and they will then trust the Savior; God grant that we may ever be ready to give it! Alas! there are some who need much more than that; but Christ could truly say to this Samaritan woman, "If you had known, you would have asked, and I would have given." O dear hearers, do not perish through ignorance! You have your Bibles; then, search them. You have a gospel ministry among you; take care that you give diligent heed to what you hear from the servants of the Lord.
John 4:11. The woman says unto him, Sir, you have nothing to draw with, and the well is deep: from whence then have you that living water?
Christ told the woman that he could give her living water, but it puzzled her to know how he could get at it. The well where they had met was deep, and he had nothing to draw the water out of it; how, then, could he go deeper still to get the living water of which he had spoken? She could not understand his simile, and to this day it is the same with many of our hearers. The simplest language of God’s ministers goes right over the heads of the people; they take our words literally, when they ought to see that they are spiritual, and, on the other hand, I have known them spirit them away when they ought to be accepted literally. Such is the perversity of man’s mind that, often, he will not understand the truth.
John 4:12-14. Are you greater than our father Jacob, which gave us the well, and drank thereof himself, and his children, and his cattle? Jesus answered and said unto her, Whoever drinks of this water shall thirst again: But whoever drinks of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst; but the water that I shall give him shall be in him a well of water springing up into everlasting life.
These words set forth the wonderful nature of divine grace. They certainly greatly err who suppose that we can ever receive it, and yet, after all, be left to perish without it. Nay; but when it is once imparted to us, it continues to spring up within us, like a well that never runs dry. It is the living and incorruptible seed, "which lives and abides forever." It is of the very nature and essence of the grace of God that it is indestructible, it cannot be taken away from the heart in which it has been implanted by the Holy Spirit.
John 4:15. The woman says unto him, Sir, give me this water, that I thirst not, neither come hither to draw.
This was an ignorant prayer on the part of the woman; but it is one which I would commend to every enlightened soul: "Sir, give me this water." Do you want a form of prayer? Here is one for you: "Sir," Lord,—"give me this water." The Lord is ready to hear that petition, and to give this precious living water even now.
John 4:16-17. Jesus says unto her, Go, call your husband, and come hither. The woman answered and said, I have no husband.
The Lord Jesus knew all about her character, and here he touched the weakest point in it. His plainest teaching had so far missed the mark, for he had not reached her conscience; but he was about to do so.
John 4:17-18. Jesus said unto her, You have well said, I have no husband: For you have had five husbands; and he whom you now have is not your husband: in that said you truly.
You can imagine her astonishment — her blank amazement as the secret story of her life was thus repeated to her.
John 4:19. The woman says unto him, Sir, I perceive that you are a prophet.
It would have been a sign of better things if she had said, "Lord, I perceive that I am a sinner;" but that confession had to be made a little farther on. How apt people are rather to think about the preacher than about themselves! If half the criticisms which are passed upon ministers of Christ were bestowed upon the hearers themselves, how much sooner they might receive the blessing they need! The woman then asked our Lord a question about religion which was strangely out of place from such a woman as she was. Yet, often, those who have least morality will have the most ceremonialism and concern about the externals of worship.
John 4:20. Our fathers worshiped in this mountain; —
This Mount Gerizim; —
John 4:20. And you say, that in Jerusalem is the place where men ought to worship.
This she thought was a very important matter.
John 4:21. Jesus says unto her, Woman, believe me, the hour comes, when you shall neither in this mountain, nor yet at Jerusalem, worship the Father.
"There shall be an abolition of all specially-holy shrines, for all places shall be alike holy. There shall be a putting an end to all your traditions, and your forms of worship, for God shall be worshiped after another fashion than that which is merely formal and superficial."
John 4:22-26. You worship you know not what: we know what we worship: for salvation is of the Jews. But the hour comes, and now is, when the true worshipers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth: for the Father seeks such to worship him. God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth. The woman says unto him, I know that Messiah comes, which is called Christ: when he is come, he will tell us all things. Jesus says unto her, I that speak unto you am he.
That majestic word of Christ carried conviction with it; the woman believed it there and then.
John 4:27-28. And upon this came his disciples, and marveled that he talked with the woman: yet no man said, What Seek you? or, Why talk you with her? The woman then left her waterpot, —
She was too glad, too happy, to recollect so poor a thing as a waterpot. It was much to her before, but very little now. As one who finds a precious pearl forgets some trifle that he carried in his hand, so she "left her waterpot," —
John 4:28-29. And went her way into the city, and says to the men, Come, see a man, which told me all things that ever I did: is not this the Christ?
Her notion was, that when Christ came, he would tell all things. Here was a man who revealed her innermost secrets; — was not he the Christ?
John 4:30-32. Then they went out of the city, and came unto him. In the mean while his disciples prayed him, saying, Master, eat. But he said unto them, I have meat to eat that you know not of.
O beloved, there is a wonderful fascination about the blessed work of soul-seeking! When one is really anxious to bring a sinner to the Savior, eating and drinking are often forgotten. As the hunter of the chamois, in the heat of the chase, leaps from crag to crag, and is oblivious of danger, and forgets all about the time for his meals, so he who hunts after a precious soul, to win it for Christ, forgets everything else. He is altogether absorbed in this holy pursuit; the Master was more absorbed in it than any of us are ever likely to be.
John 4:33-35. Therefore said the disciples one to another, Has any man brought him ought to eat? Jesus says unto them, My meat is to do the will of him that sent me, and to finish his work. Say not you, There are but four months, and then comes harvest? behold, I say unto you, Lift up your eyes, and look on the fields, for they are white already to harvest.
That was probably an old Oriental proverb, used by lazy men who never thought it time to get to work; but Jesus said, "Do not use the idler’s language any longer; now, at once, there is work for you to do."
John 4:36-42. And he who reaps receives wages, and gathers fruit unto life eternal: that both he who sows and he who reaps may rejoice together. And herein is that saying true, One sows, and another reaps. I sent you to reap that whereon you bestowed no labor: other men labored, and you are entered into their labors. And many of the Samaritans of that city believed on him for the saying of the woman, which testified, He told me all that ever I did. So when the Samaritans were come unto him, they besought him that he would tarry with them: and he abode there two days. And many more believed because of his own word; and said unto the woman, Now we believe, not because of your saying: for we have heard him ourselves, and know that this is indeed the Christ, the Savior of the world.
The Lord bring us all to trust in him, for his dear name’s sake! Amen.
Chapter 5 Verses 1-9
John 5:1-9. After this there was a feast of the Jews; and Jesus went up to Jerusalem. Now there is at Jerusalem by the sheep market a pool, which is called in the Hebrew tongue Bethesda, having five porches. In these lay a great multitude of impotent folk, of blind, halt, withered, waiting for the moving of the water. For an angel went down at a certain season into the pool, and troubled the water: whoever then first after the troubling of the water stepped in was made whole of whatever disease he had. And a certain man was there, which had an infirmity thirty and eight years. When Jesus saw him lie, and knew that he had been now a long time in that case, he says unto him, Will you be made whole? The impotent man answered him, Sir, have no man, when the water is troubled, to put me into the pool: but while I am coming, another steps down before me. Jesus says unto him, Rise, take up your bed, and walk. And immediately the man was made whole, and took up his bed, and walked: and on the same day was the Sabbath.
I hope to speak on these miracles in my discourse, so only briefly refer to them now; but this Sabbath afforded another memorable instance of our Lord’s healing power. In the ninth chapter of John’s Gospel you have the remarkable story of the man born blind. (See John 9:1-14)
This exposition consisted of readings from Luke 4:33-36; Luke 6:6-11; Luke 13:10-17; Luke 14:1-6; John 5:1-9; ND 9:1-14.
Verses 1-23John 5:1. After this there was a feast of the Jews; and Jesus went up to Jerusalem.
For he had respect to the Law. As long as the Law lasted, Christ observed it. Oh, that we were as careful to obey the rules of the Gospel as our Lord was to observe the ritual of the Law! Moreover, he went to Jerusalem because he had an opportunity of addressing great numbers of people there. While I have been resting at Menton, I have been very glad to be of service to a few friends who were either seeking the Savior, or needing some guidance in their spiritual life; but I cannot tell you how happy I am to be once more in the Tabernacle, preaching to the great congregation. Fisherman like to cast their nets where there are plenty of fish; and fishers of men delight to be where there are many men who may be enclosed in the gospel net. "After this there was a feast of the Jews; and Jesus went up to Jerusalem."
John 5:2. Now there is at Jerusalem by the sheep market a pool, which is called in the Hebrew tongue Bethesda, having five porches.
This pool of Bethesda was rightly called "the house of mercy"; but it might have just as truly named "the house of misery": for its "five porches" were the abode of many who were in misery, and who needed mercy.
John 5:3. In these lay a great multitude of impotent folk,
Invalid persons, diseased, and scarcely able to move.
John 5:3. Of blind, halt, withered, waiting for the moving of the water.
What a sight for the Great Physician to look upon! The whole world must have been to him like one huge hospital, full of "impotent folk, blind, halt withered." Wherever he went, he was surrounded by the sick, and sad, and suffering, those who were afflicted physically, mentally, and spiritually. But there was a special reason for the gathering together of so many sufferers at the pool of Bethesda.
John 5:4. For an angel went down at a certain season into the pool, and troubled the water: whoever then first after the troubling of the water stepped in was made whole of whatever disease he had.
It was the last remnant of miracle. Such things were common enough in Judea in her better days; but now the times of the prophets had ceased, and the day of miracles was almost over. Here, at Bethesda, were just a few relics and remnants of the good old days. Only one was cured, he who stepped into the pool first after the angel had troubled the water. It was but a scanty power that was left to the troubled water; but it was quite enough, if only one in a thousand was healed, to bring a crowd of people to wait around the pool. If only one person in a year were saved, I should not wonder if you thronged the place to hear the gospel that saved him; but your privilege is much greater. Here all who come, if they will hear and believe, shall find healing. It is not the first only, but even unto the last who shall step into the pool, that shall be healed.
John 5:5. And a certain man was there, which had an infirmity thirty and eight years.
That was a great portion of the man’s life. If he was a full-grown man when he was attacked with the infirmity, he had now become old and gray. What a long time to be afflicted, thirty and eight years! Have we not with us at this time some who have been afflicted with the soul-sickness of sin more than thirty and eight years?
John 5:6. When Jesus saw him lie.
The Great Physician fixed his eye on him, for his was an extraordinary case. Probably he was known and talked of as the man who had been paralyzed eight and thirty years. Note that it does not say, "When the man saw Jesus," but "when Jesus saw him." He did not know Jesus; possibly he had not even heard of his healing power and compassionate love. He was not seeking Jesus; but Jesus was seeking him. It was so with many of us;
and therefore we sing —
"Jesus sought me when a stranger,
Wandering from the fold of God;
He, to rescue me from danger,
Interposed his precious blood."When Jesus saw the impotent man, — And knew that he had been now a long time in that case, And a long time in that place, too, — He says unto him, Will you be made whole? That must have seemed a strange question. What was he there for, if not to be made whole? But I will show you, by-and-by, that there was wisdom in the question of Jesus. It was no idle curiosity that moved him to inquire of the man whether he was willing to be made whole.
John 5:7. The impotent man answered him, Sir, I have no man, when the water is troubled, to put me into the pool: but while I am coming,
Shuffling along, as best I may, to the water’s edge, —
John 5:7. Another steps down before me.
Then, of course, the curative miracle is wrought, and the curative power of the water is gone until another season, when the angel troubles it again.
John 5:8-9. Jesus says unto him, Rise, take up your bed, and walk. And immediately the man was made whole, and took up his bed, and walked: and on the same day was the Sabbath.
This is our Sabbath. Oh, that we might have the same miracle wrought here tonight, upon many spiritually impotent folk!
John 5:10-11. The Jews therefore said unto him that was cured,. It is the Sabbath day: it is not lawful for you to carry your bed, He answered them,
And he did answer them, too. It was a crushing answer.
John 5:11. He who made me whole, the same said unto me, Take up your bed, and walk.
That was his warrant. None but God could have made him whole. God can set aside any of his laws if he pleases; at any rate, whatever he commands, must be right.
John 5:12. Then asked they him, What man is that which says unto you, Take up your bed, and walk?
They asked, "What man" had given this command. Why, if it had been a mere man who had said it, the impotent man could not either have taken up his bed, or have walked!
John 5:13. And he who was healed knew not who it was: for Jesus had conveyed himself away, a multitude being in that place.
He never sought notoriety; but avoided popular demonstrations in his favor. The man who had been healed had exercised faith in Jesus, but he knew very little about him. A certain something in the air and deportment of Christ had won his faith; but he did not know his name, or who he was. How small may be your knowledge, and yet you may be saved by true faith!
John 5:14. Afterward Jesus finds him in the temple, and said unto him, Behold, you are made whole; sin no more, lest a worse thing come unto you.
Probably, this man’s illness had been caused by sin. Christ bids him henceforth keep clear of sin, lest a worse calamity should come upon him.
John 5:15. The man departed, and told the Jews that it was Jesus, which had made him whole.
Full of joy, full of delight, he must tell out the name of him who had cured him, as grateful patients like to sound the praises of their physician when he has been the means of healing them.
John 5:16. And therefore did the Jews persecute Jesus, and sought to slay him, because he had done these things on the Sabbath day.
This was a mere pretense, an idle excuse for their enmity. They not only hated Christ; but they must besmear him with their calumnies, and make him out to be an evil-doer although he was goodness itself.
John 5:17. But Jesus answered them, My Father works hitherto, and I work.
The whole work of nature is continued on Sabbath-days as well as other days. Stars shine through the Sabbath-night, and the sun rises and sets on the Lord’s-day as on all the days of the week. God’s work continues. "My Father works," says Christ, "and I work." "My work is my Father’s work, and that goes on whatever the day may be."
John 5:18. Therefore the Jews sought the more to kill him, because he had not only broken the Sabbath, but said also that God was his Father, making himself equal with God.
They did not understand him to preach Unitarianism; they understood him to proclaim his own true and proper Godhead, and he never contradicted them, for he was God.
John 5:19. Then answered Jesus and said unto them, Truly, truly, I say unto you, The Son can do nothing of himself, but what he sees the Father do: for what things soever he does, these also does the Son likewise.
Christ’s work runs parallel with that of the Father. The Father and the Son ever work in perfect harmony with one another.
John 5:20-22. For the Father loves the Son, and shows him all things that himself does; and he will show him greater works than these, that you may marvel. For as the Father raises up the dead, and quickens them; even so the Son quickens whom he will. For the Father judges no man, but has committed all judgment unto the Son:
The Son as well as the Father, is the Quickener of the dead. The Son is also the Judge of all men.
John 5:23. That all men should honor the Son, even as they honor the Father. He who honors not the Son honors not the Father which has sent him.
As the universal Judge, the Lord Jesus is to be honored by all men, "even as they honor the Father." Whatever others may do, or not do, we will honor the Father, we will honor the Son, and we will honor the Holy Spirit, three in one and one in three, the one God of Israel, forever and ever.
Verses 24-44John 5:24. Truly, truly, I say unto you, He who hears my word, and believes on him that sent me, has everlasting life, —
If we truly believe the word of Christ, and trust in him who sent his Son into the world, we have at this moment everlasting life.
John 5:24. And shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life.
What a grand verse this is! It is worthy to be written in letters of gold at every street corner; would that we all knew the fullness of its meaning by heartfelt experience!
John 5:25-30. Truly, truly, I say unto you, The hour is coming, and now is, when the dead shall hear the voice of the Son of God: and they that hear shall live. For as the Father has life in himself; so has he given to the Son to have life in himself; and has given him authority to execute judgment also, because he is the Son of man. Marvel not at this: for the hour is coming, in the which all that are in the graves shall hear his voice, and shall come forth; they that have done good, unto the resurrection of life; and they that have done evil, unto the resurrection of damnation. I can of mine own self do nothing: as I hear, I judge: and my judgment is just; because I seek not mine own will, but the will of the Father which has sent me.
Christ as Mediator did the will of the Father, and yet also did his own will, for his will was always the same as his Father’s.
John 5:31. If I bear witness of myself, my witness is not true.
He did bear witness to himself by his miracles, but that was not the witness upon which he relied, nor was it the only witness to the truth of his mission.
John 5:32-40. There is another that bears witness of me; and I know that the witness which he witnesses of me is true. You sent unto John, and he bare witness unto the truth. But I receive not testimony from man: but these things I say, that you might be saved. He was a burning and a shining light: and you were willing for a season to rejoice in his light. But I have greater witness than that of John: for the works which the Father has given me to finish, the same works that I do, bear witness of me, that the Father has sent me. And the Father himself, which has sent me, has borne witness of me. You have neither heard his voice at any time, nor seen his shape. And you have not his word abiding in you: for whom he has sent, him you believe not. Search the scriptures; for in them you think you have eternal life: and they are they which testify of me. And you will not come to me, that you might have life.
They were great Bible-readers, great students of the letter, but they would not come to Christ; and hence the Scriptures themselves became a sepulcher in which they were entombed.
John 5:41-44. I receive not honor from men. But I know you, that you have not the love of God in you. I am come in my Father’s name, and you receive me not: if another shall come in his own name, him you will receive. How can you believe, which receive honor one of another, and seek not the honor that comes from God only?
Some men find it difficult to believe in Christ because they are always seeking honor for themselves; desire for the praise of men often blinds the mind and prejudices the spirit. How boldly our great Master speaks! There is no flattery on his lips. He is the faithful and true Witness, the very Word of God. Oh, that all men would give heed to his message!
This exposition consisted of readings from Genesis 45:9-28; and John 5:24-44.
Chapter 6 Verses 1-14
John 6:1-6. After these things Jesus went over the Sea of Galilee, which is the sea of Tiberias. And a great multitude followed him, because they saw his miracles which he did on them that were diseased. And Jesus went up into a mountain, and there he sat with his disciples. And the Passover, a feast of the Jews, was near. When Jesus then lifted up his eyes, and saw a great company come unto him, he says unto Philip, Whence shall we buy bread, that these may eat? And this he said to prove him: for he himself knew what he would do.
That verse is worth thinking over. How often does Christ seem to ask us riddles, and place us in difficulties, so that we begin to say, "What will come of this? How shall we escape from this temptation; or how shall we stand under this trial?" He himself knows what he will do; and it is a very blessed thing when our faith being tried, it shows itself to be strong enough to leave the burden with him who can bear it, and to leave the difficulty with him who can meet it: "He himself knew what he would do."
John 6:7. Philip answered him, Two hundred pennyworth of bread is not sufficient for them, that every one of them may take a little.
That is our way. When our faith is little, we begin calculating the pennyworths that are wanted, and we make them out to be so much more than we possess or can possibly scrape together. That is not faith, it is reason, — poor, dim, shallow reason, which forgets the Infinite, and begins to calculate its own limited and insufficient forges.
John 6:8-10. One of his disciples, Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother, says unto him, There is a lad here, which has five barley loaves, and two small fishes: but what are they among so many? And Jesus said, Make the men sit down. Now there was much grass in the place. So the men sat down, in number about five thousand.
When Christ bids men sit down, he has a dainty carpet for them to sit upon: "There was much grass in the place." One might have thought that some of those people would have refused to sit down, for it is not everybody who will sit at a table that has nothing on it. But God knows how to move the hearts of men, and so these people. If they had not strong faith, yet had they faith enough to do as they were bidden. I wish that we all had as much faith as that.
John 6:11. And Jesus took the loaves; and when he had given thanks, he distributed to the disciples, and the disciples to them that were set down; and likewise of the fishes as much as they would.
"As much as they would." Note those words, for they are the rule at Christ’s feasts. Of earthly things, he gives us as much as we need; and of heavenly things, as much as we would! "Open your mouth wide, and I will fill it." "According to your faith be it unto you."
John 6:12-13. When they were filled, he said unto his disciples, Gather up the fragments that remain, that nothing be lost. Therefore they gathered them together, and filled twelve baskets with the fragments of the five barley loaves, which remained over and above unto them that had eaten.
"Waste not, want not," Heavenly economy is to be practiced in the things of God. Christ is no niggard, but he is no waster.
John 6:14. Then those men, when they had seen the miracle which Jesus did, said, This is of a truth that prophet that should come into the world.
They were convinced through their stomachs. They came to this conviction merely through eating and drinking, and that faith which comes by the senses is no faith at all, or it is a sensual faith which cannot save the soul. These people, who came to this belief through eating, were very poor followers of Christ, as he said to them, "You seek me, not because you saw the miracles, but because you did eat of the loaves, and were filled."
This exposition consisted of readings from John 6:1-14; John 6:30-45.
Verses 1-21John 6:1-2. After these things Jesus went over the sea of Galilee, which is the sea of Tiberias. And a great multitude followed him, because they saw his miracles which he did on them that were diseased.
Many of them curiosity-mongers wanting to see more wonders wrought, others of them sick themselves, and anxious to be healed. Wherever Jesus went, a throng went with him.
John 6:3. And Jesus went up into a mountain, and there he sat with his disciples.
That was his frequent posture when his disciples were gathered around him. He sat at his ease, and talked to his hearers. He was not very demonstrative in his oratory, but spoke calmly and quietly, and left the truth to find its own way into the minds and hearts of men.
John 6:4-5. And the Passover, a feast of the Jews, was near. When Jesus then lifted up his eyes, and saw a great company come unto him, he says unto Philip, Whence shall we buy bread, that these may eat?
They were in a lonely place out in the wilderness, where the people had no means of obtaining food, and Jesus knew that they would soon be faint with hunger, so he consulted with Philip as to what was to be done. It is great kindness and condescension on our Lord’s part to consult with his followers; he often did it, not that he needed their advice or help, but because they needed to be taught how to think and how to act for the good of others.
John 6:6. And this he said to prove him: for he himself knew what he would do.
Observe the complex character of Christ; as man, he consulted with Philip; as God, he knows beforehand what he will do.
John 6:7. Philip answered him, Two hundred pennyworth of bread is not sufficient for them, that every one of them may take a little.
Two hundred pennyworth must have seemed an enormous amount to poor Philip, for all Christ disciples had made themselves poor by following him. The bag that Judas carried probably scarcely ever had as much as that in it. If it were all spent, it would not go far towards feeding five thousand men, beside the women and children.
John 6:8-9. One of his disciples, Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother, says unto him, There is a lad here, which has five barley loaves, and two small fishes: but what are they among so many?
These small fishes were commonly cured and dried by that lake, little fish very much resembling sardines or anchovies, and they were eaten dry as a relish with bread. This lad had five barley cakes and a couple of these little fish, that was all.
John 6:10. And Jesus said, Make the men sit down. Now there was much grass in the place. So the men sat down,--
Jesus would have everything done decently and in order. The people obeyed Christ’s command, and sat down, we are told by Mark, "in ranks, by hundreds, and by fifties." "There was much grass in the place." Our Lord has a carpet in his banqueting hall, such a carpet as Solomon in all his glory could not have made. "There was much grass in the place. So the men sat down,"-
John 6:10-11. In number about five thousand. And Jesus took the loaves; and when he had given thanks,
Among the Jews, it is always the master of the house who gives thanks. They do not call upon a child to say grace, but the father of the family, like a priest in his own house, stands up, and pronounces a blessing upon the food. It is a beautiful thought that Christ thus made himself, as it were the Father of that large family, the Head and Provider for those man; thousands of people.
John 6:11. He distributed to the disciples, and the disciples to them that were set down; and likewise of the fishes as much as they would.
"As much as they would." That is Christ’s measure for those who gather at his table; it is only your own will that limits the amount of grace that you may have.
John 6:12-13. When they were filled, he said unto his disciples, Gather up the fragments that remain, that nothing be lost. Therefore they gathered them together, and filled twelve baskets with the fragments, of the five barley loaves, which remained over and above unto them that had eaten.
I am sorry today that it is a mark of very poor people that they are often very wasteful people. These beggars, who had come only to be fed, were not satisfied to eat until they were satisfied, but they threw down pieces of bread, just as I frequently see, in the streets of London, great pieces of bread thrown away. It should not be so, for bread is the staff of life. Among the Egyptians, they are always peculiarly careful that never a portion of bread should be wasted, nor should it ever be as in a city like this where there are so many persons who are starving for lack of bread. But while I see the carelessness and wastefulness of the crowd, I also notice the carefulness and economy of Christ. He who could make food enough to feed the thousands at his will yet would not waste a crust. I think a large-hearted liberality should always be consistent with a strict economy. I have heard of one who called at a rich man’s door to ask for a subscription, and he heard him scolding the servant for wasting a match." Ah!" he thought, "I shall get nothing out of him." Yet he received from that very man a larger subscription than from anybody else upon whom he called during that day. Christ would give anything but he wasted nothing; let us imitate his example.
John 6:14. Then those men, when they had seen the miracle that Jesus did, said, This is of a truth that prophet that should come into the world.
But the faith that comes by the way of the stomach is not worth much. If people are converted by loaves and fishes, bigger loaves and bigger fishes will make them go the other way; converts made thus are of small worth.
John 6:15-17. When Jesus therefore perceived that they would come and take him by force, to make him a king, he departed again into a mountain himself alone. And when even was now come, his disciples went down unto the sea, and entered into a ship, and went over the sea toward Capernaum. And it was now dark, and Jesus was not come to them.
Then it was very dark. Ah, my dear friends, perhaps you know what it is to be in trouble, and to mourn an absent Lord. This is a direful description of a specially dark night for the disciples: "It was now dark, and Jesus was not come to them."
John 6:18-19. And the sea arose by reason of a great wind that blew. So when they had rowed about five and twenty or thirty furlongs, they see Jesus walking on the sea, and drawing near unto the ship: and they were afraid.
Do you wonder that they were filled with fear? It seemed so strange a sight,-a man walking on the waves of the sea.
John 6:20. But he says unto them, It is I be not afraid.
Then they must have felt at ease at once as soon as they knew that it was Jesus who was walking towards them upon the water. Lord, if it be you, fear would be foolish on our part; we are only too glad to have your company.
John 6:21. Then they willingly received him into the ship: and immediately the ship was at the land where they went.
No sooner was Jesus with them than they were where they wanted to be. The presence of Christ works wonders for us, we are soon at our haven when the Lord of Heaven comes to us.
Verses 1-41John 6:1-5. After these things Jesus went over the sea of Galilee, which is the sea of Tiberias. And a great multitude followed him, because they saw his miracles which he did on them that were diseased. And Jesus went up into a mountain, and there he sat with his disciples. And the Passover, a feast of the Jews, was near. When Jesus then lifted up his eyes, and saw a great company come unto him,
They had been hearing him all day, and he had withdrawn a little from them, but they pursued him up the hill, and I doubt not that as they toiled up the hill they showed their faintness and their weariness, which led the Savior to see how much they needed refreshment.
John 6:5-7. He says unto Philip, Whence shall we buy bread, that these may eat? And this he said to prove him: for he himself knew what he would do. Philip answered him, Two hundred pennyworth of bread is not sufficient for them, that every one of them may take a little.
Men’s calculations concerning divine things generally terminate in a deficit. Two hundred pennyworth is not sufficient. But Christ’s calculations always terminate in a balance over, as we shall see. "Gather up the fragments that remain, that nothing may be lost." We, at our best, fall short of the mark. Our blessed Master not only does enough, but in his house there is bread enough and to spare.
John 6:8-10. One of his disciples, Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother, says unto him, There is a lad here, which has five barley loaves, and two small fishes: but what are they among so many? And Jesus said, Make the men sit down. —
Or lie down, as it is, for they were accustomed to do that at feasts, and Christ would have them take their ease as well as enjoy their refreshment. "Make the men recline."
John 6:10. Now there was much grass in the place.
So it was a splendid dining-room. It was carpeted luxuriously. We learn from this that it was the Eastern spring time, for there is not much grass else; and there was therefore in Christ’s banqueting hall the ceiling-was of blue, and the floor of green grass. What more could they want, except the meat?
John 6:10-11. So the men sat down, in number about five thousand. And Jesus took the loaves:
— Common, coarse loaves of barley, not much esteemed even then as food.
John 6:11. And when he had given thanks,
Though out of doors, and "in the rough," as we say, he did not forget that. I know some that fall to their meals, like so many swine, and have not as much grace as chickens, that are sure to lift their heads whenever they take a drink, as if to bless God for every drop they receive.
John 6:11. He distributed to the disciples, and the disciples to them that were set down;
— Or reclining.
John 6:11. And likewise of the fishes as much as they would.
That is one of the rules of Christ’s feasting always — as much as they would. According to your appetite, according to your will, according to your faith, so be it unto you.
John 6:12. When they were filled, —
Had all they could desire.
John 6:12. He said unto his disciples, Gather up the fragments that remain, that nothing be lost.
Economy in the midst of bounty. However much we have, we are never warranted in wasting a single crumb. They had as much as they would, but they were not allowed to cast away the fragments.
John 6:13-14. Therefore they gathered them together, and filled twelve baskets with the fragments of the five barley loaves, which remained over and above unto them that had eaten. Then those men, when they had seen the miracle that Jesus did, said, This is of a truth that prophet that should come into the world.
Men are often convinced by the argument of selfishness. They had been fed, and now they believed. But faith that depends upon a full stomach will despair when they get hungry again. Always beware of that religion which is in dependence upon loaves and fishes. You know how it was with the children of Israel.
"Now they believed the word,
While rocks with rivers flow,
Then with their sins they grieved the Lord,
And he did bring them low."Oh, but we must not have a faith that depends upon what it can see, and upon what it can eat, and what it can drink. Oh, far the confidence in the blessed person of the Lord, and in the spiritual riches which he can communicate.
John 6:15. When Jesus therefore perceived that they would come and take him by force, To make him a king, he departed again into a mountain himself alone.
What, could ‘he not have used his kingship for the best of purposes? Might he not easily have routed the Romans, restored Israel to all her glory, conquered the Gentiles, and subdued the world, and set up a glorious church and state, with himself for the king, and himself at the head of the church? Ah, that has been the idol of a great many, and, like G will-o’-the-wisp, it has led many of the true people of God into bogs and sloughs, where they were likely to be lost. But our Master knew better than this, and was not to be tempted away from the true method by which his church is to be set up in the world. Therefore ":he departed again into a mountain himself, alone."
John 6:16-17. And when even was now come, his disciples went down unto the sea, And entered into a ship, and went over the sea toward Capernaum. And it was dark, and Jesus was not come to them.
That is a sentence that I should think some very gloomy people might hang upon, and about which they might groan in unison, "It was now dark, and Jesus was not come to them." Have you never been in that condition? Dark, dark, dark, as to circumstances, and as to feelings, and Jesus was not come to them. Now, something comes beside that.
John 6:18. And the sea arose by reason of a great wind that blew.
Misfortunes never come alone. An absent Savior, a roaring sea, and a bellowing wind. What will they do now?
John 6:19. So when they had rowed about five and twenty or thirty furlongs, they see Jesus—
Here he is. Here is the first of their blessings. The first mischief is removed, and the rest will soon go. They see Jesus.
John 6:19. Walking on the sea,
Oh, what a sight! A grander sight than to see him on the land; and it is a more glorious sight to see Christ in the time of trouble than it is in the time of prosperity. He is always sweet, but he is more marvelous when they see Jesus walking on the sea.
John 6:19. And drawing near unto the ship: and they were afraid.
Afraid of their best friend — trembling at their deliverer.
John 6:21. Then they willingly received him into the ship: and immediately the ship was at the land where they went.
The sea and the winds knew how not only to spare the vessel, but to carry it instantaneously to the place where they wished to be. But how often have you and I been rowing about, five-and-twenty or thirty furlongs, and we did not seem to be getting out of the storm at all; but the moment Christ has come, we have been where we wished to be. Oh, glory be to his name; there is no difficulty that you can be in, dear friends, but Christ can get you out of it in a moment, and bring you where you should be.
John 6:22-24. The day following, when the people which stood on the other side of the sea saw that there was none other boat there, save that one whereinto his disciples were entered, and that Jesus went not with his disciples into the boat, but that his disciples were gone away alone; (Howbeit there came other boats from Tiberias near unto the place where they did eat bread, after that the Lord had given thanks:) When the people therefore saw that Jesus was not there, neither his disciples, they also took shipping, and came to Capernaum, seeking for Jesus.
Was not that a pleasant sight? So it seemed, but it was not. "Seeking for Jesus." That is a good description of a man — seeking for Jesus. Ay, but they were only seeking for more bread. They looked at Him as a bread-giver, and they were after him for that.
John 6:25. And when they had found him on the other side of the sea, they said unto him, Rabbi, when came you hither?
They could not understand how he could have got there. Jesus answered them, and did not answer them. Some of Christ’s answers are evidently no answer at all. That is very often the best answer you can give.
John 6:26. Jesus answered them and said,
What, did he explain to them how ‘he got there? No, he would not gratify their curiosity. He came not for that end. He therefore gave them a home stroke, and said: —
John 6:26. truly, truly, I say unto you, You seek me. not because you saw the miracles, but because you did eat of the loaves, and were filled.
You are loafers — loaf-hunters. You seek not me, but mine. It is not for the good that! can give your souls, but it is that you may have another meal, that you are here. Yours is cupboard love. You come after what you can get.
John 6:27. Labor not for the meat which perished, but for that meat which endures unto everlasting life, which the Son of man shall give unto you: for him has God the Father sealed.
Now, you quite understand what Jesus meant? Seek after that: which will feed your souls. Do not hunt so much after bread for the body. Yet the Savior puts it very curiously. This is a double-shotted perplexity, a singular, curious kind of word. You are not to labor for that which you cannot get without labor, and you are to labor for that which you cannot get by labor. The Savior liked to put things in that sententious way, so that they might remember what he said. If they misunderstood him it was their own fault, for it is plain enough. God grant us grace to practice the meaning of these words. Why are you so eager to get a bit of barley bread and a fish? Oh, that you were half as eager to come and get the bread which comes from Heaven which will make a man live forever, and which will be food to him as long as he lives.
John 6:28-29. Then said they unto him, What shall we do, that we might work the works of God? Jesus answered and said unto them, This is the work of God, —
The chief work, the greatest work which you can do.
John 6:29. That you believe on him whom he has sent.
This is the point. You would like me to work miracles. You would be glad to have very wonderful, mysterious experience, but this is the thing you ought to seek after — the grandest, greatest thing that you can have, :’ that you believe on him whom he has sent."
John 6:30. They said therefore unto him, What sign show you then, that we may see, and believe you? what do you work?
Are you not wonderfully struck with the patience of Jesus? These people had seen his miracles, and they had eaten loaves and fishes, and yet they say to him, "What sign show you, then, that we may see and believe your work?" Oh, the matchless patience of the Lord, and the marvelous provocations of men.
John 6:31. Our fathers did eat manna in the desert; as it is written, He gave them bread from Heaven to eat,
Plainly hinted that they wanted more food.
John 6:32-34. Then Jesus said unto them, truly, truly, I say unto you, Moses gave you not that bread from Heaven; but my Father gives you the true bread from Heaven. For the bread of God is he which comes down from Heaven, and gives life unto the world. Then they said unto him, Lord, evermore give us this bread.
Not understanding him, and praying still for bread, but not for grace.
John 6:35-37. And Jesus said unto them, I am the bread of life: he who comes to me shall never hunger; and he who believes on me shall never thirst. But I said unto you, That you also have seen me, and believe not. All that the Father gives me shall come to me; and him that comes to me I will in no wise cast out.
What a striking truth that was, with which to reply to them. You only come after me for bread, but you do not come after spiritual things. You do not believe in me. But, even if you do not, I shall not be disappointed, and my work will not fail. God has an election of grace, and that election shall be carried out. "All that the Father gives me shall come to me." And then, as if to cheer them up again, he says, "Him that comes to me I will in no wise cast out."
John 6:38-41. For I came down from Heaven, not to do mine own will, but the will of him that sent me. And this is the Father’s will which has sent me, that of all which he has given me I should lose nothing, but should raise it up again at the last day. And this is the will of him that sent me, that every one which sees the Son, and believes on him, may have everlasting life: and I will raise him up at the last day. The Jews then murmured at him, because he said, I am the bread which came down from Heaven.
And there you see Christ has got no farther with them, but to leave them murmuring. And I believe that often the tame minister of God must expect to see no other result come of faithful testimony than for the people to murmur at him. But what if it be so? Will his Master blame him? No. No more than he blamed the Only Begotten. It trust be so that there may he a separation between the precious and the vile — that God’s chosen may be drawn out; while such as believe not, shall be judged, and, in their own consciences, shall be condemned.
Verses 14-40John 6:14-15. Then those men, when they had seen the miracle that Jesus did, said, This is of a truth that prophet that should come into the world. When Jesus therefore perceived that they would come and take him by force, to make him a king, he departed again into a mountain himself alone.
Our Lord Jesus had just wrought the miracle of feeding the five thousand men with five loaves and two small fishes, so he was very popular at that time. The people even wanted to come and take him by force, and make him a king, but he escaped from them, for he knew the value of that popularity. What was it but a puff of wind?" Probably, many of the very people, who tried then to crown him were among the crowds in Jerusalem who cried, "Crucify him! Crucify him!" And, nowadays there may be a great deal of anxiety to hear the gospel, yet very little result may follow from it. A crowded house of prayer is certainly a very hopeful sight, yet it may end in disappointment to those who are looking for souls to be won for the Savior.
John 6:16-26. And when even was now come, his disciples went down unto the sea, and entered into a ship, and went over the sea toward Capernaum. And it was now dark, and Jesus was not come to them. And the sea arose by reason of a great wind that blew. So when they had rowed about five and twenty or thirty furlongs, they see Jesus walking on the sea and drawing near unto the ship and they were afraid. But he says unto them, It is I be not afraid. Then they willingly received him into the ship: and immediately the ship was at the land where they went. The day following, when the people which stood on the other side of the sea saw that there was none other boat there, save that one whereinto his disciples were entered, and that Jesus went not with his disciples into the boat, but that his disciples were gone away alone; (Howbeit there came other boats from Tiberias near unto the place where they did eat bread, after that the Lord had given thanks:) When the people therefore saw that Jesus was not there, neither his disciples, they also took shipping, and came to Capernaum, seeking for Jesus. And when they had found him on the other side of the sea, they said unto him, Rabbi, when came you hither? Jesus answered them and said, Truly, truly, I say unto you, You seek me, not because you saw the miracles, but because you did eat of the loaves, and were filled.
How faithful and truthful the Master was! There was in him nothing of the politic concealment of his knowledge, and the endeavor to please everybody, which we see in so many. He speaks the truth whether it offends or pleases his hearers, and so should his servants do. "You seek me," said he, "not because you saw the miracles, but because you did eat of the loaves, and were filled."
John 6:27. Labor not for the meat which perishes, but for that meat which endures unto everlasting life, which the Son of man shall give unto you, for him has God the Father sealed.
He rebuked their excessive ardor in seeking meat for their bodies, and urged them rather to seek food for their souls. But did you ever notice what an extraordinary piece of advice our Savior gave to these people?" It is one of his paradoxes. He bade them not to labor for the very thing which they could not get without laboring, and to labor for that which they never could get by laboring. "Labor not for the meat which perishes:" yet how else can we have it?" But for that meat which endures unto everlasting life, which the Son of man shall give unto you." It is a free gift, and not the reward of labor, yet Christ told them to labor for it. Did he not mean just this, Let not your greatest efforts be expended upon the things of time and sense, but let them go out after eternal and spiritual blessings.
John 6:28. Then said they unto him, What shall we do, that we might work the works of God?
"What is the noblest work that we can do? What is that work which will please God most?"
John 6:29. Jesus answered and said unto them, This is the work of God, that you believe on him whom he has sent.
The grandest work that any man can do is to believe on the Savior whom God has sent. There are some who despise faith, but Christ was not of that number. He honored it exceedingly when he said, in effect "This is the Godlike work, the work which is nearest to God’s heart, that you believe on him whom he has sent.’" Dear friend, are you struggling after that which is high and noble? Would you do the best day’s work that was ever done in any mortal life? You run not to this or that invention of your own, but be content to believe on him whom God has sent. This is the first, the highest, the noblest work, the work which gives to God the greatest pleasure.
John 6:30. They said therefore unto him, What sign show you then, that we may see, and believe you? what do you work?
What strange questions for them to ask when he had amazed them with his wonderful works.
John 6:31. Our fathers did eat manna in the desert; as it is written, He gave them bread from Heaven to eat.
They talk about "bread" again, how they persist in coming back to that! You know the questions that men of the world are always asking, "What shall we eat, what shall we drink, and wherewithal shall we be clothed?" This is the worldlings’ wretched trinity.
John 6:32. Then Jesus said to them, Truly, truly, I say unto you, Moses gave you not that bread from Heaven; but my Father gives you the true bread from Heaven;
Moses did not give Israel the manna, God gave it. And it did not from Heaven; that is, from the celestial sphere, in the sense in which Christ, the true Bread, came from Heaven.
John 6:33. For the bread of God is he which comes down from ‘Heaven’, and gives life unto the world.
The Bread of God is Jesus Christ himself. The man who would feed so as to satisfy his spiritual nature, and live thereby, must feed upon Jesus Christ himself.
John 6:34. Then said they unto him, Lord, evermore give us this bread.
They did not understand the meaning of their own prayer. Sometimes, in our services, when people are very quickly convinced of sin, and fall to praying on a sudden, a wise conductor ought to inquire carefully whether it is not a mistaken prayer. I do not doubt that many of the cries and many of the professions made in enquiry-rooms are mistaken ones after all, and that we put down as the results of our work much of which we shall have cause to be ashamed when it comes to the time of testing.
John 6:35. And Jesus said unto them, I am the bread of life: he that comes to me shall never hunger and he who believes on me shall never thirst.
Hear this, poor starving people; the wants of your soul can all be met by Jesus Christ. If you have him, the hunger of your spirit shall be appeased, and the thirst of your heart shall be quenched.
John 6:36. But I said unto you. That you also have seen me, and believe not.
How the Savior brings the truth home to these people, and he might do the same to some of you. You pray, "Give us this bread;" and he replies, "I have given it to you, yet you have not eaten it. You have seen me, you have heard me, you know me, and yet you do not believe on me." If Christ were to appear in this building at this moment, might he not say to many of you, "You have heard of me from your childhood, and you know all you need to know about me, yet you have not believed in me"? Would God it were not so with so many of you!
John 6:37-40. All that the Father gives me shall come to me and him that comes to me I will in no wise cast out. For I came down from Heaven, not to do mine own will, but the will of him that sent me. And this is the Father’s will which has sent me, that of all which he has given me I should lose nothing, but should raise it up again at the last day. And this is the will of him that sent me, that every one which sees the Son, and believes on him, may have everlasting life: and I will raise him up at the last day.
This is the glorious gospel of the blessed God, — that everyone, who looks to Christ with the eye of faith, has everlasting life, and though his body may die, yet even for that there is everlasting life too, for Christ will raise him up again at the last day, Oh, that you would all believe on Jesus Christ and so find that life eternal!
Verses 22-40John 6:22-26. The day following, when the people which stood on the other side of the sea saw that there was none other boat there, save that one whereinto his disciples were entered, and that Jesus went not with his disciples into the boat, but that his disciples were gone away alone; (howbeit there came other boats from Tiberias near unto the place where they did eat bread, after that the Lord had given thanks) when the people therefore saw that Jesus was not there neither his disciples, they also took shipping, and came to Capernaum, seeking for Jesus. And when they had found him on the other side of the sea, they said unto him, Rabbi, when came you hither? Jesus answered them and said, Truly, truly, I say unto you, You seek me, not because you saw the miracles, but because you did eat of the loaves, and were filled.
Mixed motives bring multitudes together. How true our Master was, how outspoken! He never tried to win a disciple by keeping back the truth; and often he spoke very plainly indeed, as on this occasion: "You seek me, not because you saw the miracles, but because you did eat of the loaves, and were filled."
John 6:27. Labor not for the meat which perishes, but for that meat which endures unto everlasting life, which the Son of man shall give unto you: for him has God the Father sealed.
He seemed to say to them, "Do not come to me for bread and fish; I have given you that. Come for something better; come to me for spiritual food, food for your souls, food for eternity." It is with that object that we should go to the house of God; not to listen to this preacher or that, but to hear the Word of God, that we may live thereby.
John 6:28. Then said they unto him, What shall we do, that we might work the works of God?
"What are the best works that we can do? What are the most acceptable?" I wonder what they expected Christ to say. I am sure they did not look for the answer that they received.
John 6:29. Jesus answered and said unto them, This is the work of God, that you believe on him whom he has sent.
The greatest, the best, the most acceptable work in all the world is that you come and trust Christ. This saves you; nothing else will do so: "This is the work of God, that you believe on him whom he has sent."
John 6:30-31. They said therefore unto him, What sign show you then, that we may see, and believe you? what do you work? Our fathers did eat manna in the desert; as it is written, He gave them bread from Heaven to eat.
See how they came round to the old subject again, bread to eat. The Lord Jesus Christ may point them to something higher and better; but their carnal minds always return to that congenial topic, something to eat. Their stomach was lord of their heart.
John 6:32. Then Jesus said unto them, Truly, truly, I say unto you, Moses gave you not that bread from Heaven; but my Father gives you the true bread from Heaven.
"That which will really feed you, and feed you for all eternity." Moses could not give the people that bread; the Father only can give "the true bread from Heaven."
John 6:33. For the bread of God is he which comes down from Heaven, and gives life unto the world.
"The bread of God is he." What a strange expression, yet what a true one! The bread of Heaven is Christ himself. You must come and take him to yourself, and trust him for your salvation, and in that way feed upon him, or you can never have the heavenly bread which both gives life and sustains life.
John 6:34-39. Then said they unto him, lord, evermore give us this bread. And Jesus said unto them, I am the bread of life. He that comes to me shall never hunger; and he who believes on me shall never thirst. But I said unto you, That you also have seen me and believe not. All that the Father gives me shall come to me, and him that comes to me I will in no wise cast out. For I came down from Heaven, not to do mine own will, but the will of him that sent me. And this is the Father’s will which has sent me, that of all which he has given me I should lose nothing, but should raise it up again at the last day.
See how the salvation of Christ reaches right to the end of all things. You and I may die; but though we lie a while in the grave, the salvation of Christ will preserve us, to raise us up again at the last day. There shall not be a bone nor a piece of a bone, of a true believer, left in the enemies’ land.
All Israel and all that belongs to Israel, shall come out of this Egypt, through the blood of the Lamb; not a hoof shall be left behind.
John 6:40. And this is the will of him that sent me that every one which sees the Son, and believes on him, may have everlasting life: and I will raise him up at the last day.
May all of us see the Son, and believe on him, that we may have everlasting life, and that he may raise us up at the last day, for his dear name’s sake!
Amen.
This exposition consisted of readings from Psalms 89:1-37, And John 6:22-40.
Verses 22-59John 6:22-24. The day following, when the people which stood on the other side of the sea saw that there was none other boat there, save that one whereinto his disciples were entered, and that Jesus went not with his disciples into the boat, but that the disciples were gone away alone: (Howbeit there came other boats from Tiberias near unto the place where they did eat bread, after that the Lord had given thanks:) When the people therefore saw that Jesus was not there, neither the disciples, they also took shipping, and came to Capernaum, seeking for Jesus.
Everything looked very favorable, did it not? These people put themselves to considerable trouble in order to get where the Savior was; they were not satisfied to be away from him; they were "seeking for Jesus."
John 6:25-26. And when they had found him on the other side of the sea, they said unto him, Rabbi, when came you hither? Jesus answered them and said, Truly, truly, I say unto you, You seek me not because you saw the miracles but because you did eat of the loaves, and were filled.
He did not gratify their curiosity by telling them how or when he came there, for that was no concern of theirs. Neither is it the business of Christ’s preachers to spin ingenious theories about the gospel, or to tell pretty tales to amuse their hearers. Their business is to deal faithfully with men’s hearts and consciences as their Master did when he said to these people "You seek me, not because you saw the miracles." They said that at first, no doubt. Christ’s miracles dazzled them so they sought him in order to see more miracles wrought by him. This was not the highest motive for seeking the Savior, but they had found a still lower one; they were now following him because they "did eat of the loaves and were filled." Yet the Master did not reveal them, and thus he teaches us that it is better to follow him from the lowest motive than not to follow him at all. Perhaps some of us have been too severe upon certain people. We have said that they come to our place of worship out of mere curiosity. What if they do? It is well that they come at all, so let us not cut even the spider’s web that links a man in any sense with Christ. That web may grow into a thread, that thread into a cord, that cord into a cable and there may yet be an unbreakable union between that man and Christ. That which begins in an inferior way may lead to something higher and better. Still, it is wise to let people know that they are not deceiving Christ, even though they deceive themselves as to their motive in seeking him. So he said to them, —
John 6:27. Labor not for the meat which perishes, but for that meat which endures unto everlasting life, which the Son of man shall give unto you: for him has God the Father sealed.
They labored hard in order to get the bread that perishes, so Christ made them devote their energies to a better object. This is a very extraordinary verse if we regard the letter of it, and not the spirit. Christ told these people not to labor for that which they could only get by labor: "Labor not for the meat which perishes." Yet few men get their daily bread or meat without laboring for it. And then Christ told them to labor for that which nobody ever does get by laboring: "Labor for that meat which endures unto everlasting life." This is an instance of how the mere letter of the Word kills. We must take the spirit of it, and then we understand that what the Savior meant was this: "Do not be spending all your energies to get that which will melt away when you get it; but spend your time and strength in seeking after that which will last through all time, and be yours to all eternity."
John 6:28. Then said they unto him, What shall we do, that we might work the works of God?
They wanted to do the greatest of all works; for, by "the works of God" they evidently meant the most important, the most sublime, the greatest of all works: "What shall we do in order to work such works as these?"
John 6:29. Jesus answered and said unto them, This is the work of God, that you believe on him whom he has sent.
This is a wonderful statement, which is just as true now as when Christ uttered it in Capernaum. The greatest and best work that any of you can do is to believe on Jesus Christ; though, in another sense, this is not a work at all, but ceasing from your own works, and resting in the finished work of Jesus Christ. But if any man would do that which is most acceptable to the thrice-holy God, let him believe on Jesus Christ whom God has sent.
John 6:30. They said therefore unto him, what sign show you then, that we may see, and believe you? what do you work?
This was a shameful question to put to Christ when they had so recently been miraculously fed by him, and so had received the best sign of his divine power in the multiplication of the loaves and fishes.
John 6:31-34. Our fathers did eat manna in the desert; as it is written, he gave them bread from Heaven to eat. Then Jesus said unto them, Truly, truly, I say unto you, Moses gave you not that bread from Heaven, but my Father gives you the true bread from Heaven. For the bread of God is he which comes down from Heaven, and gives life unto the world. Then said they unto him, Lord, evermore give us this bread.
This would have been a good prayer if they had understood the meaning of the Savior’s words; but, as it was, it was a blind prayer. They did not know what Jesus meant when he spoke of the bread of God, which comes down from Heaven. They were thinking about the bread that perishes, the bread for the body, so they prayed blindly when they said, "Lord, evermore give us this bread." Do you not think that many a prayer which children are taught in their childhood, and which men and women continue to pray for years, may be as blind a prayer as this one was? They know not what they ask, and the question very naturally arises as to whether it is a prayer at all.
John 6:35. And Jesus said unto them, I am the bread of life: he that comes to me shall never hunger; and he who believes on me shall never thirst."
"I will take away his need by removing his hunger; I will take away his pain by removing his thirst."
John 6:36. But I said unto you, That you also have seen me, and believe not.
See, then, how little there was of advantage in the mere sight of Christ. Many seem to think that it must have been much easier for people to believe in Christ if they had actually seen him, but it was not so. There were multitudes that saw him, and saw his miracles, and even ate the bread which came from his wonder-working hand, yet they believed not. Faith does not come in that way, for it does not come by sight, but sight comes by faith. Seeing is not believing, but believing often is seeing; it opens the eyes so that they are able to see what before was hidden from them.
John 6:37. All that the Father gives me shall come to me;
God’s own elect shall surely come to Christ; they shall all believe in him, and be saved by him.
John 6:37. And him that comes to me I will in no wise cast out.
"Whoever he is that comes, I will never reject him. Whoever he may be that accepts me, and believes in me, he is mine, and I will never cast him away from me."
John 6:38-44. For I came down from Heaven, not to do mine own will, but the will of him that sent me. And this is the Father’s will which has sent me, that of all which he has given me I should lose nothing, but should raise it up again at the last day. And this is the will of him that sent me, that every one which sees the Son, and believes on him, may have everlasting life: and I will raise him up at the last day. The Jews then murmured at him, because he said, I am the bread which came down from Heaven. And they said, Is not this Jesus, the son of Joseph, whose father and mother we know? how is it then that he says, I came down from Heaven? Jesus therefore answered and said unto them, murmur not among yourselves. No man can come to me, except the Father which has sent me draw him.
"I did not expect that you would receive me; I did not imagine that you would believe me. You have not yet been drawn to me by the Father, so I knew that you would not come unto me." But he who is drawn by the Father will come to Christ, and Christ tells us what will be his future lot: —
John 6:44-46. And I will raise him up at the last day. It is written in the prophets, And they shall be all taught of God. Every man therefore that has heard, and has learned of the Father, comes unto me. Not that any man has seen the Father, save he which is of God, he has seen the Father.
He corrects the notion into which they might have fallen that they could ever see the Father as he himself had seen him. Into that vision none of us can ever enter, for there is a peculiar divine relationship between Jesus and the Father which we cannot know.
John 6:47. Truly, truly, I say unto you, —
Jesus uttered this great truth with very special emphasis: "Truly, truly, I say unto you," —
John 6:47. He who believes on me has everlasting life.
That text is worthy to be printed in letters of gold, and then the letters would be far inferior to the message itself. If it be written on all your hearts by the Holy Spirit, you will not need any other sermon than this divine text: "Truly, truly, I say unto you, He that believes on me has everlasting life."
John 6:48-51. I am that bread of life. Your Fathers did eat manna in the wilderness and are dead. This is the bread which comes down from Heaven, that a man may eat thereof, and not die. I am the living bread which came down from Heaven: if any man eat of this bread, he shall live forever: and the bread that I will give is my flesh, which I will give for the life of the world.
Here we have the doctrine of the great atoning sacrifice by which sin is put away, and that is not merely Christ incarnate, but Christ yielding up his life, dying in the room and place and stead of guilty sinners. That is the food, whereof, if any man eat, he shall live forever.
John 6:52. The Jews therefore strove among themselves, saying, How can this man give us his flesh to eat?
These Jews were still stumbling at the letter of Christ’s words; still in their blind carnality misunderstanding Christ.
John 6:53-56. Then Jesus said unto them, truly, truly, I say unto you, Except you eat the flesh of the Son of man, and drink his blood, you have no life in you. Whoever eats my flesh, and drinks my blood, has eternal life; and I will raise him up at the last day. For my flesh is meat indeed, and my blood is drink indeed. He who eats my flesh, and drinks my blood, dwells in me, and I in him.
Do not any of you interpret this teaching of Christ as the Jews did, after a carnal fashion, and fancy that we literally eat the flesh and drink the blood of Christ when we come to the communion table. The Lord’s supper was not instituted at the time that our Savior spoke these words, and he was speaking of quite another matter, the spiritual reception of Christ, the real and true feeding by faith with our spirit upon the Lord Jesus Christ.
John 6:57-59. As the living Father has sent me, and I live by the Father: so he who eats me, even he shall live by me. This is that bread which came down from Heaven: not as your fathers did eat manna, and are dead: he who eats of this bread shall live forever. These things said he in the synagogue, as he taught it in Capernaum.
Verses 25-51These people had crossed the Sea of Galilee, and gone to Capernaum, "seeking for Jesus." It seemed a very hopeful sign that they should be willing to make such efforts to find Christ, but see how the Lord Jesus himself regarded it.
John 6:25-26. And when they had found him on other side of the sea, they said unto him, Rabbi, when came you hither? Jesus answered them and said, Truly, truly, I say unto you, You seek; me, not because you saw the miracles, but because you did eat of the loaves, and were filled.
What very plain talk this is! Our Lord does not try to gain popularity by the concealment of truth, but he tells these people to their faces, "You are only following me because of what you get out of me;" "Oh!" some worldly-wise man would have said, "that is a very imprudent speech; it will drive the people away." Just so; and Christ seemed to say, on more than one occasion, "If people will be driven away by the truth. let them be driven away." John the Baptist had declared that Christ; had his fan in his hand, and that he would throughly purge his floor; and if that floor is to be purged, there must be a driving away of the chaff Our Lord’s example should teach us to speak in his name nothing less and nothing more than the truth in all love and kindness. After thus pointing out the true motive which made the people seek him, our Savior uttered a very singular paradox: —
John 6:27. Labor not for the meat which perishes, but for that meat which endures unto everlasting life, which the Son of man shall give unto you: for him has God the Father sealed.
Is it not strange that Christ says, "Labor not for the very thing which you cannot get without laboring for it," and then he says, "Labor for that which you cannot get by laboring for it"? He virtually tells us that it is so, by adding the words, "which the Son of man shall give unto you," plainly proving that it does not come as the result of human labor, but as the free gift of the Son of God. He who is wise will spell out the meaning of the paradox; but he who is blind will stumble over the letter of it, and not discern the spiritual interpretation.
John 6:28. Then said they unto him, What shall we do, that we might work the works of God?
"We want to do the best works, the noblest works, the most acceptable works in all the world; tell us what we: should do in order to perform a Godlike work."
John 6:29. Jesus answered and said unto them, This is the work of God,
"The highest and best work which you can accomplish is"
John 6:29. That you believe on him whom he has sent.
Faith is the noblest of the graces; it is the very essence of true worship; it contains within itself the germs of all excellence; and the man who believes in Christ has done that which is more pleasing to God than anything else in all the world.
John 6:30-31. They said therefore unto him, What sign show you then, that we may see, and believe you? what do you work? Our fathers did eat manna in the desert; as it is written, He gave them bread from, Heaven to eat.
Do you see the drift of their talk? They are still looking after the loaves and fishes; and, therefore, whatever Christ may say, they turn the discourse round that way. If they can get from Christ something to eat, they will believe in him; what groveling, earth-bound creatures they were!
John 6:32-33. Then Jesus said unto them, Truly, truly, I say unto you, Moses gave you not that bread from Heaven; but my Father gives you the true bread from Heaven. For the bread of God is he which comes down from Heaven, and gives life unto the world.
"The best and noblest bread,— the bread which has Deity in it,— the bread which can feed your souls, and sustain you with everlasting life, ‘the bread of God is he which comes down from Heaven, and gives life unto the world.’"
John 6:34. Then said they unto him, Lord, evermore give us this bread.
They said this, not knowing what they said, and not understanding what he meant. Bread for the body was all that they wanted; their cry was, "Give us bread, and we are contempt;" they had no spiritual appetite for Christ, "the bread of God."
John 6:35-36. And Jesus said unto them, I am the bread of life: he who comes to me shall never hunger; and he who believes on me shall never thirst. But I said unto you, That you also have seen me, and believe not.
These were the very people whom he had fed on the other side of the sea; yet they were craving for more. That kind of bread cannot stay their hunger for long. They had not received him as their Savior, else they would have been well content with him, and would have asked for nothing more.
John 6:37-39. All that the Father gives me shall come to me; and him that comes to me I will in no wise cast out. For I came down from Heaven, not to do mine own will, but the will of him that sent me. And this is the Father’s will which has sent me, that of all which lie has given me I should lose nothing, but should raise it up again at the last day.
Christ will not lose one whom the Father gave him, nay nor any part of one. He will not lose the body of any one of his people any more than he will lose the soul of one.
John 6:40. And this is the will of him that sent me, that every one which sees the Son, and believes on him, may have everlasting life: and I will raise him up at the last day.
Christ will never have finished his work upon believers until he has raised their bodies from the grave, and glorified them like his own resurrection body. He will never cease from the work which he has commenced on any one of his people until he has laid the topstone in the glorious perfections of Heaven; and this truth is: the joy of our hearts even now.
John 6:41. The Jews then murmured at him, because he said, I am the bread which came down from Heaven.
They muttered, murmured, whispered, growled among themselves at this saying of Christ.
John 6:42. And they said, Is not this Jesus, the, son, of Joseph, whose father and mother we know? how is it then that he says, I came down from Heaven?
This is just the way with men, they judge by outward appearances; and if the gospel comes to them as a thing beloved of poor men, if it be preached with much eloquence, if the service be without; the attractions of sweet; music or of gaudy attire, immediately they say there can be nothing in it. O blind bats, when God veils himself in human flesh, can it be otherwise?
John 6:43. Jesus therefore answered and said unto them, Murmur not among yourselves.
"I never thought you would believe in me; I never imagined that I should win your confidence."
John 6:44. No man can come to me, except the Father which has sent me draw him. —
"You are not drawn unto me; therefore it is clear that you are not the subjects of divine grace. You think you are judging me, but in so doing you are really judging and condemning yourselves." Whenever men sit in judgment on the gospel, they soon let us know what kind of spirit possesses them. It is not Christ who is on his trial, it is they themselves; and when they rail at him, they do but prove that the grace of the Father has never drawn them to him: "No man can come to me, except the Father which has sent me draw him:" —
John 6:44-46. And I will raise him up at the last day. It is written in the prophets, And they shall be all taught of God. Every man therefore that has heard, and has learned of the father, comes unto me. Not that any man has seen the Father, save he which is of God, he has seen the Father.
"Do not suppose that, even when you are taught of God, you will know the Father as I know him, or see him as I have seen him." That divine glance at, Deity is not for us.
John 6:47. Truly, truly, I say unto you, He who believes on me has everlasting life.
This was how our Lord spoke straight to the face of those who had derided him, and said, "Is not this Jesus, the son of Joseph, whose father and mother we know ?" With the strongest asseveration which he was in the habit of using, he says, "Truly, truly, I say unto you, he who believes on me has everlasting life."
John 6:48-51. I am that bread of life. Your fathers did eat manna in the wilderness, and are dead. This is the bread which comes, down from Heaven, that a man may eat thereof, and not die. I am the living bread which came down from Heaven: if any man eat of this bread, he shall live forever: and the bread that I will give is my flesh, which I will give for the life of the world.
Verses 30-45
John 6:30-32. They said therefore unto him, What sign show you then, that we may see, and believe you? what do you work? Our fathers did eat manna in the desert; as it is written, He gave them bread from Heaven to eat. Then Jesus said unto them, Truly, truly, I say unto you, Moses gave you not that bread from Heaven; but my Father gives you the true bread from Heaven.
Jesus did not say to them, "I gave that bread to your fathers in the wilderness," as he might truly have said. It was not Moses who fed their fathers in the wilderness, it was God who had fed them, and if they would but think, they would clearly see that it was so. But the Master took them on to another tack, and led their thoughts to a higher topic.
John 6:33-34. For the bread of God is he which comes down from Heaven, and gives life unto the world. Then said they unto him, Lord, evermore give us this bread.
Not knowing the meaning of their own request.
John 6:35-39. And Jesus said unto them, I am the bread of life: he who comes to me shall never hunger, and he who believes on me shall never thirst. But I said unto you, That you also have seen me, and believe not. All that the Father gives me shall come to me, and him that comes to me, I will in no wise cast out. For I came down from Heaven, not to do mine own will, but the will of him that sent me. And this is the Father’s will —
Many want to pry between the closed leaves of God’s secret purposes, to see what his will is. Now this is it: "This is the Father’s will" —
John 6:39-44. Which has sent me, that of all which he has given me, I should lose nothing, but should raise it up again at the last day. And this is the will of him that sent me, that every one which sees the Son, and believes on him, may have everlasting life: and I will raise him up at the last day. The Jews then murmured at him, because he said, I am the bread which came down from Heaven. And they said, Is not this Jesus, the son of Joseph, whose father and mother we know! how is it then that he says, I came down from Heaven; Jesus therefore answered and said unto them, Murmur not among yourselves. No man can come to me, except the Father which has sent me draw him:
Note how that doctrine of sovereign grace is used by Christ. He seems to wave it, like a lighted torch, in the faces of his adversaries, as if he said to them, "I did not expect you to understand me; I did not expect you to receive me. Do not think that you surprise me by your action. Imagine not that you frustrate my eternal purposes by rejecting me. I knew that you would not receive me; and that, as you are, you could not come to me, for ‘no man can come to me, except the Father which has sent me draw him.’"
John 6:44-45. And I will raise him up at the last day. It is written in the prophets, And they shall be all taught of God. Every man therefore that has heard, and has learned of the Father, comes unto me.
May we so hear, and so learn of the Father, that we may come to Jesus Christ!
This exposition consisted of readings from John 6:1-14; John 6:30-45.
Verses 41-65John 6:41. The Jews then murmured at him, —
That is, at the Christ, —
John 6:41-42. Because he said, I am the bread which came down from Heaven. And they said, Is not this Jesus, the son of Joseph, whose father and mother we know? how is it then that he says, I came down from Heaven?
They did know his mother; but they made a mistake, which may have seemed a very slight one to them, when they said that they knew his father. Yet that is how nearly all great errors spring from some slight and apparently trivial addition to the truth. They did know Mary, but they did not know that Jehovah was the Father of the Christ.
John 6:43-44. Jesus therefore answered and said unto them, Murmur not among yourselves, No man can come to me, except the Father which has sent me draw him: and I will raise him up at the last day,
Note the unflinching boldness of Christ. He did not say to these people, "Well, you have some cause for murmuring, and I will explain the matter to you." On the contrary, he faced them with the doctrine of sovereign grace, and told them that he did not expect them to understand him, for they could not do so except the Father, who had sent him, should draw their hearts towards him.
John 6:45. It is written in the prophets, And they shall be all taught of God. Every man therefore that has heard, and has learned of the Father, comes unto me.
So, in street, he said to them, "You have not been taught of God; the Father has never drawn you, else would you have received me." So does the brave Champion thrust the naked sword of truth into their very souls.
John 6:46-47. Not that any man has seen the Father, save he which is of God, he has seen the Father. Truly, truly, I say unto you, He who believes on me has everlasting life.
Let me read those precious words again, catch at them, you timid and trembling ones: "Truly, truly, I say unto you, He who believes on me has " — now, in present possession, — "everlasting life."
John 6:48-49. I am that bread of life. Your fathers did eat manna in the wilderness, and are dead.
He does not say, "Our fathers." He comes out, as it were, as much from the Jews as from the Gentile ungodly world, and he says, "Your fathers did eat manna in the wilderness, and are dead."
John 6:50-51. This is the bread which comes down from Heaven, that a man may eat there, and not die. I am the living bread —
Bread that contains life within itself, and is therefore most potent to sustain a life like itself: "I am the living bread" —
John 6:51-52. Which came down from Heaven: if any man eat of this bread, he shall live forever: and the bread that I will give is my flesh, which I will give for the life of the world. The Jews therefore strove among themselves, saying, How can this man give us his flesh to eat?
I wonder if they perceived that this declaration of Christ involved his death, for he did not speak of giving them his living body, but his "flesh." There are some who find their main comfort in the Incarnation of Christ; and,
certainly, that is a very comforting truth; but, without the death of Christ, it affords no nourishment for the soul. Atonement, atonement, — there is the kernel of the whole matter. Christ must die, and then he can give us his flesh to eat.
John 6:53-54. Then Jesus said unto them, Truly, truly, I say unto you, Except you eat the flesh of the Son of man, and drink his blood, you have no life in you. Whoever eats my flesh, and drinks my blood, has eternal life; and I will raise him up at the last day.
His soul shall live; his spirit shall never die; and though his body shall die, the force of the eternal life within the man shall quicken even his mortal body into an immortality like that of his spirit.
John 6:55-60. For my flesh is meat indeed, and my blood is drink indeed. He who eats my flesh, and drinks my blood, dwells in me, and I in him. As the living Father has sent me, and I live by the Father, so he who eats me, even he shall live by me. This is that bread which came down from Heaven: not as your fathers did eat manna, and are dead: he who eats of this bread shall live forever. These things said he in the synagogue, as he taught in Capernaum. Many therefore of his disciples, when they had heard this, said, This is an hard saying; who can hear it?
And a hard saying it really is until we are instructed of the Spirit of God to understand it. The Papist has made it into a gross and carnal saying, teaching men that they really, and actually, and corporeally, eat the flesh and drink the blood of Christ, which is horrible blasphemy, and nothing less. But they who are taught of God see the inward meaning of the truth peeping up from behind the letter, and know what it is to receive into their hearts, though not into their bodies, — into their thoughts, though not into their months, — the very body and blood of Christ.
John 6:61-63. When Jesus knew in himself that his disciples murmured at it, he said unto them, Does this offend you? What and if you shall see the Son of man ascend up where he was before? It is the spirit that quickens; —
The inward, Spiritual meaning gives life to the Word, and life to us also: "It is the spirit that quickens;" —
John 6:63. The flesh profits nothing: the words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life.
They are not carnal; they are not gross they have in them an inner sense which is full of life and spirit.
John 6:64-65. But there are some of you that believe not. For Jesus knew from the beginning who they were that believed not, and who should betray him. And he said, Therefore said I unto you, that no man can come unto me, except it were given unto him of my Father.
"No man " — no, not even an apostle, — not the one who ate bread with Christ, and was his familiar friend, — not even he could come without being drawn by God. And he did not come to Christ; in the sense in which our Lord used the Word, Judas never really came to him, but perished in his sin. The Father must draw us with cords divine, or else to the Son we shall never come.
Verses 41-66John 6:41-44. The Jews then murmured at him, because he said, I am the bread which came down from Heaven. And they said, Is not this Jesus, the son of Joseph, whose father and mother we know? how is it then that he says, I came down from Heaven? Jesus therefore answered and said unto them, Murmur not among yourselves. No man can come to me except the Father which has sent me draw him; and I will raise him up at the last day.
Christ never retracted a truth or diminished its force because it was rejected, but he rather seemed to say, "You refused this truth. I knew you would. You need not murmur: you are none of mine. If you had been, the Father would have drawn you. You will not come. So are you set against truth that you cannot see it. So blind are your eyes that you do not behold it. No man can come to me, except the Father, which has sent me, draw him."
John 6:45. It is written in the prophets, And they shall be all taught of God. Every man therefore that has heard, and has learned of the Father, comes unto me.
Beware, dear friends, of any learning Christ, except by divine teaching, for what we learn merely from the lips of our fellow-men will never be vitally learned or really understood. We must be all taught of God; and so we shall be if, indeed, we be among these whom the Father draws towards Christ. All his teachings draw that way, and when they are taught into the inner man — not no much to the mind as to the soul and heart then do we know the truth indeed.
John 6:46-47. Not that any man has seen the Father save he which is of God, he has seen the Father. Truly, truly, I say unto you, He who believes on me has everlasting life.
One of the richest passages surely of all holy Scripture. It is all marrow and fatness, but here you seem to have the quintessence. We have eternal life if we are believers not shall have it, but have it now. We have a life which is eternal. It is idle to talk of our losing it, because it would not be eternal if we did. We have a life within us which can by no possibility ever die, but must live on forever. "He who believes on me though he has many tremblings — though he may be the subject of many infirmities, yet he who believes on me has everlasting life." O my soul, exult in that glorious truth. You have everlasting life as surely as you have faith in Christ.
John 6:48 I am that bread of life.
The food on which that everlasting life lives — living bread for living souls.
O brethren, the dead letter is of no use to us. All the truth in the world, unto - "it be quickening, cannot feed our quickened natures. It in incarnate truth, even Christ that we must feed upon. "I am that bread of life."
John 6:49-50 Your fathers did eat manna in the wilderness, and are dead. This is the bread which comes down from Heaven, that a man may eat thereof, and not die.
For that manna of theirs was corruptible. We read that it bred worms and stank, and though it was an angels’ food for a time, yet it was but temporary. It only fed a temporary life, and, like that life, it passed away. But Jesus Christ is incorruptible, and they that live on him live on incorruptible food, which nourishes the incorruptible seed which lives and abides forever.
John 6:51-52. I am the living bread which came down from Heaven: if any man eat of this bread, he shall live forever: and the bread that I will give is my flesh, which I will give for the life of the world. The Jews therefore strove among themselves, saying, How can this man give us his flesh to eat?
They misunderstood the Master. They tarried in the letter, and did not reach to the spirit — the meaning, and that letter killed them, for "the letter kills: the spirit gives life." The inward meaning is that on which the Soul feeds. And so the unhappy Humanist believes that he can literally eat the flesh of Christ, which, if it were true, were monstrous and could be of no service to him. Of what value is one flesh more than another flesh, if it is carnally to be considered? He loses the inner meaning. Blessed are they who are drawn of the Father and taught of the Lord — who spy out what is, after all, so little concealed beneath the thin veil of the metaphor.
John 6:53. Then Jesus said unto them,
What? Do you think he explained it? No, he did not explain to these Jews. They were given up to judicial blindness. They had so long refused to see, that now they must not see, for on them was come the curse that, seeing they should not see, and hearing they should not perceive. Oh! how terrible this is when this falls on a man, and I think I know some upon whom it must have fallen. They have indulged the philosophical vein, always spiritualizing and cutting out the soul of truth, and they are given up to spiritualizing as many of the great German philosophers evidently have been, who cannot now receive a plain statement, however simple be the words, but, from their natural habit of continually twisting and tearing to pieces, they do so with everything; and a man may be an unbeliever so long that it will never be given to him to be a believer again. God grant we may never make scales for our own eyes, and so plug up the soul’s mental vision with the miry clay of sin, that henceforth, even though the eternal Christ flash the divine truth into our eyes, we shall only be dazzled by it into a greater darkness. So it was with these men. Jesus did not explain to them. He just repeated the truth more emphatically, and made it more offensive to them than before. May a preacher sometimes be offensive in his preaching? He must be. He must sometimes feel that such a truth will only move men’s wrath if he preach it. Nevertheless, we are not to put truth to the verdict of a jury; neither is truth to be submitted to what is called the "inner consciousness" of a set of sinners whose consciousness is all defiled. As well make a company of highwaymen a jury about theft, as make unconverted men to be a jury about what is truth. It cannot be. Christ does not condescend to that. He tells them the truth more fully and more offensively than before.
John 6:53. Truly, truly, I say unto you, Except you eat the flesh of the Son of man, and drink his blood,
Which he had not said before, and was more startling still.
John 6:53-57. You have no life in you. Whoever eats my flesh, and drinks my blood, has eternal life: and I will raise him up at the last day. For my flesh is meat indeed, and my blood is drink indeed. He who eats my flesh, and drinks my blood, dwells in me, and I in him. As the living Father has sent me, and I live by the Father: so he who eats me, even he shall live by me.
You see here three living persons — the living Father, and the living Son, and the living believer, and, truly, these three live one life, which comes from the Father by the Son into us, and we are made partakers of the divine nature, according to the apostle’s wondrous language, "having escaped the Corruption which is in the world through lust." This is a great mystery which only he understands who feels it within himself.
John 6:58-60. This is that bread which came down from Heaven: not as your fathers did eat manna, and are dead: he that eats of this bread shall live forever. These things said he in the synagogue, as he taught in Capernaum. Many therefore of his disciples, when they had heard this, said, This is an hard saying: who can hear it.
It was not merely the blinded Jews, but even his disciples who did not understand. Now, brethren, the test of a true disciple of Christ is that he is willing to believe what he does not understand. If you will only follow Christ’s words as far as you can comprehend them, the spirit of discipleship is not in you. You are the disciple of your own understanding. Christ is not master, but your judgment is master. But he who submits himself to the words of Christ often finds it profitable not to understand. Say you so? How is that? It is profitable to feel that we have come to the end of our own understanding. I have no doubt that a wise father’s talk is good to his children, even though the child does not as yet understand him. He will lay it up in his memory: he will understand one of these days, but the child — the true child heart — says, "I believe you, father, though you do puzzle me. You have given me a paradox which I cannot grasp, but I believe you: you are true." We do say that of Christ; and may we have evermore that spirit of a little child, without which we cannot receive the Kingdom of God. The other spirit is very rife in the world — the spirit that makes man, virtually, his own teacher. And, truly, I wonder not at it, because there was originally so much of submission of the judgment to the dictum of the church, or the dictum of the Pope, which is degrading, but to submit to Jesus and to his teaching — that is ennobling. May we have the same sacredly blind faith with regard to Christ which some have had to human authority, believing everything he speaks. But some of these disciples did not so.
John 6:61-62. When Jesus knew in himself that his disciples murmured at it, he said unto them, Does this offend you? What and if you shall see the Son of man ascend up where he was before?
What will you say then?
John 6:63. It is the spirit that quickens; the flesh profits nothing: the words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life.
"You are not to take them as if they were flesh, and understand them carnally. They do but embody my words do but embody a living soul of meaning, which it will be for you to receive if you are indeed quickened, and then it will quicken you, and you will understand me, and live in me."
John 6:64. But there are some of you that believe not.
And if they do not believe, then they miss the whole soul of the thing.
John 6:64-65. For Jesus knew from the beginning who they were that believed not, and who should betray him. And he said, Therefore said I unto you, that no man can come unto me, except it were given unto him of my Father.
No, not even though he were an apostle — though he came so near to Christ as to pray to him and hear his secret and most private communications, and to see his singular and special miracles yet he would not understand, except the Father gave it as a special act of grace.
John 6:66. From that time many of his disciples went back, and walked no more with him.
Did he want them? I trow not He desired not to have around him a mass of chaff, but the pure winnowed corn. Consequently he used his own word as the winnowing fan. And I believe, brothers and sisters, that wherever Christ is faithfully preached, preaching is the best form of church discipline.
Somehow or other, carnal minds get weary of it, and they go away, and those that have not a longing and a love for the truth drop off of themselves; so they walk no more with him.
Verses 41-71John 6:41. The Jews then murmured at him, —
That is, at our blessed Lord: "The Jews then murmured at him," —
John 6:41-42. Because he said, I am the bread which came down from heavens. And they said, Is not this Jesus, the son of Joseph, whose father and mother we know? how is it then that he says, I came down from Heaven!
There are always some who complain that the gospel is "too commonplace, too well-known." They already know all that is to be known about it, just as these people knew the mother and father of our Lord Jesus. How could he, who was the son of the carpenter, have come down from Heaven? But this ought to have commended him to them that though he was divine, he became so truly human, and so perfectly took upon himself our nature as to be the son of Joseph, — one whose father and mother they knew; and ought we not to be glad of a gospel plain enough for a child to grasp, simple enough for the most ignorant to be saved by it? Let us not seek after signs and mysteries, but graciously accept the gospel which the Lord himself gives us.
John 6:43-44. Jesus therefore answered and said unto them, Murmur not among yourselves. No man can come to me, except the Father which has sent me draw him: and will raise him up at the last day.
This was high ground for Christ to take; it was as much as to say, "You need not murmur; I did not expect that you would believe in me. I know that human nature is such that, without a divine work upon the heart, man cannot come to me, and will not believe in me. I am not disappointed, or deceived, when you murmur among yourselves, ‘No mall can come to me, except the Father which has sent me draw him.’;
John 6:45. It is written in the prophets, And they shall be all taught of God. Every man therefore that has heard, and has learned of the Father, comes unto me.
Nobody else will come to Christ; there is no real Christian in the world but is of God’s making. A Christian is a sacred thing, the Holy Spirit has made him so. It takes as much of God’s omnipotence to make a believer as to make a world; and only he who created the heavens and the earth can create even as much as a grain of true faith in the heart of man.
John 6:46. Not that any man has seen the Father, save he which is of God, he has seen the Father.
The Divine Son has seen the Father; you and I are to believe, we cannot see as yet.
John 6:47. Truly, truly, I say unto you, He who believes on me has everlasting life.
He has it even now in possession; a life that can never die out is in the breast of every man who believes in Christ. Oh, what a joy is this!
John 6:48. I am that bread of life.
Jesus is that bread which feeds the spiritual life, and sustains the everlasting life.
John 6:49-50. Your fathers did eat manna in the wilderness, and are dead. This is the bread which comes down from Heaven, that a man may eat thereof, and not die.
The bread that feeds the undying life is Christ Jesus himself, whom we do spiritually feed upon, and who is the nourishment of our souls.
John 6:51. I am the living bread which came down from Heaven: if any man eat of this bread, he shall live forever: and the bread that I will give is my flesh, which I will give for the life of the world.
Christ — God incarnate — is the nourishment of faith, the spiritual food of the everlasting life. The new life which God puts into us is not natural, so as to be fed upon natural food, like bread and meat; but it is spiritual, and it must live upon spiritual food. That food is nothing less than Christ Jesus himself.
John 6:52-56. The Jews therefore strove among themselves, saying, How can this man give us his flesh to eat? Then Jesus said unto them, Truly, truly, I say unto you, Except you eat the flesh of the Son of man, and drink his blood, you have no life in you. Whoever eats my flesh, and drinks my blood, has eternal life; and I will raise him up at the last day. For my flesh is meat indeed, and my blood is drink indeed. He who eats my flesh, and drinks my blood, dwells in me, and I in him.
These Jews would not understand Christ when he spoke very plainly. He did not therefore retract a single word that he had said, but as the first light had dazzled them, — and willingly were they dazzled by it, — he turned the lantern full upon their faces, and made them blind, for the excessive light of the explanation was too much for them. It was not Christ’s intent to save them; he was making the light itself to be blindness to them, because they had already refused him, and now the time was come when the heart of these people must be made yet more gross, that they should not see with their eyes, or hear with their ears. May the Lord never give us up to such a fate as that! It is a dreadful thing when the light of the gospel becomes the instrument of blinding men, and it does so still After a certain degree of willful rejection of it, that which would have been a savor of life unto life can be turned into a savor of death unto death by men’s closing their hearts against it. Yet I wonder and am astonished at our Lord and Master’s course of proceeding, that here, when the men do not and will not see, he does but speak the truth the more boldly. Let no man think that Jesus was here alluding to the eating of the bread and drinking of the wine in the Lord’s supper; that ordinance was not instituted at that time, and there could be no allusion to what did not then exist. It is quite in another sense, in a high spiritual sense, that our mind feeds upon the flesh and blood of Christ. That is to say, the fact that God was made flesh, — the fact that Christ died for sin, — these are the food of our souls, and thereon our faith grows, and our spirit is strengthened.
John 6:57-58. As the living Father has sent me, and I live by the Father: so he who eats me, even he shall live by me. This is that bread which came down from Heaven: not as your fathers did eat manna, and are dead: he who eats of this bread shall live forever.
This is spiritual feeding upon spiritual truth.
John 6:59-62. These things said he in the synagogue, as he taught in Capernaum. Many therefore of his disciples, when they had heard this, said, This is an hard saying; who can hear it? When Jesus knew in himself that his disciples murmured at it, he said unto them Does this offend you? What and if you shall see the Son of man ascend up where he was before?
Let our Master teach us what he pleases, nothing ought to offend a disciple of Christ. It is ours to sit at his feet, and receive all his words without caviling. But if we do not believe what he tells us upon some elementary points, what should we do if he were to reveal something more to us, and lead us into the higher and deeper doctrines of his Word?
John 6:63. It is the Spirit that quickens; the flesh profits nothing:
That is to say, it is the meaning of Christ’s words that gives life, not the words themselves; and if we stumble at the letter, and begin to ask, "How can we eat the flesh of Christ?" taking that expression literally, it will kill us. We need to get into the spirit of what he says, the true spiritual meaning of it, for that is where the life lies.
John 6:63-64. The words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life. But there are some of you that believe not.
Could that be truly said of any here? "There are some of you that believe not." If so, you know what becomes of unbelievers; you certainly cannot attain the blessings promised to faith. May God grant that, before this day is quite over, there may not be left one among you that believes not!
John 6:64-66. For Jesus knew from the beginning who they were that believed not, and who should betray him. And he said, Therefore said I unto you, that no man can come unto me, except it were given unto him of my Father. From that time many of his disciples went back, and walked no more with him.
So it seems that a man may be recognized as a disciple of Christ, and yet he may go back, and walk no more with him. Oh, that we may be real disciples — disciples indeed! Oh, that we may be part and parcel of Christ, true branches of the true Vine, living members of the living body of Christ!
John 6:67. Then said Jesus unto the twelve,-The choice and pick of all his followers:
"Then said Jesus unto the twelve,"—
John 6:67-68. Will you also go away? Then Simon Peter —
Who was the ready tongue of the apostles: "Then Simon Peter" —
John 6:68. Answered him, Lord, to whom shall we go? you have the words of eternal life.
That was a very conclusive way of answering one question by another: "Will you also go away?" "Lord, to whom shall we go? you have the words of eternal life." Brother, sister, if we wandered from Christ, where could we go? And how can we leave him when he has the words of eternal life?
John 6:69-71. And we believe and are sure that you are that Christ, the Son of the living God. Jesus answered them, Have not I chosen you twelve, and one of you is a devil? He spoke of Judas Iscariot the son of Simon : for he it was that should betray him, being one of the twelve.
Chapter 7 Verses 1-13
John 7:1-5. After these things Jesus walked in Galilee: for he would not walk in Jewry, because the Jews sought to kill him. Now the Jews’ feast of tabernacles was at hand. His brethren therefore said unto him, Depart hence, and go into Judea, that your disciples also may see the works that you do. For there is no man that does anything in secret, and he himself seeks to be known openly. If you do these things, show yourself to the world. For neither did his brethren believe in him.
It is a very painful truth, that those who were the near relations of the Savior were not believers in his divine mission; — at any rate, at first. He was truly a prophet who was without honor in his own country, and among his own kindred; and, on this occasion, they half taunted him concerning his claims. In effect, they said to him, "If indeed you are a prophet, get out into the world, and prove it. We hear that you profess to work miracles, then, why do you hide yourself away in this country place down here in Galilee? Begone to Jerusalem, and perform your wonders before the crowds in the capital;" — half hoping, perhaps, that his claims might prove to be true, yet not, at that time, at any rate, being themselves willing to become his disciples. See how perverse is the human heart. These men might even live in close companionship with Christ, and even be nearly related to him after the flesh, and yet not be converted to him. So the best of men need not wonder if they have unconverted relations, and we may not feel certain that there is any fault to be found in their example if others are not converted by it; for, certainly, there was no fault in the example of Christ, yet "neither did his brethren believe in him." Mark, also, that no earthly relationship is of any avail in the kingdom of Heaven: "for neither did his brethren believe in him." So that, although I may be the child of godly parents, and one born of a long line of saints, yet I am, because of that, no nearer to the kingdom unless I become myself a believer in Christ. Remember what Peter said on the day of Pentecost; you have often heard that passage of Scripture half-quoted, let me quote the whole of it to you; "For the promise is unto you, and to your children." If you stop there, you do not get the true sense of it. "The promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call." Therefore, that text teaches that there is no distinction between the children of believers and any other children. We must be called by the grace of God like the far-off ones, or else we shall not inherit eternal life.
John 7:6-8. Then Jesus said unto them, My time is not yet come: but your time is always ready. The world cannot hate you; but me it hates, because I testify of it, that the works thereof are evil. Go you up unto this feast: I go not up yet unto this feast; for my time is not yet full come.
Our Lord Jesus Christ did everything, as it were, by the clock. His life was an orderly one; it was all arranged in the eternal purpose of God. The very day in which he should go up to Jerusalem was marked down, and he took care that he did not go before the right time. Now, half the power of: a Christian life depends upon its being timely. The bringing forth of fruit in due season is one of the marks of the tree planted by the rivers of water; and one of the signs of the Son of man, who delighted in the law of the Lord, was that he said, "My time is not yet full come." When it did come, then he went.
John 7:9-10. When he had said these words unto them, he abode still in Galilee. But when his brethren were gone up, then went he also up unto the feast, not openly, but as it were in secret.
Not with the great caravan that traveled, sometimes, with tens of thousands of people together going up to the feast, but with his own disciples in a quieter way.
John 7:11-13. Then the Jews sought him at the feast, and said, Where is he? And there was much murmuring among the people concerning him: for some said, He is a good man: others said, Nay; but he deceives the people.
Howbeit no man spoke openly of him for fear of the Jews. There was a general fear of violence that would come upon any who professed themselves to be his followers.
Now turn to Paul’s Epistle to the Hebrews, the fifth chapter.
This exposition consisted of readings from John 7:1-13; and Hebrews 5.
Verses 14-53John 7:14. Now about the midst of the feast Jesus went up into the temple, and taught.
He was no coward, so he boldly showed himself in the midst of the throng in the temple.
John 7:15. And the Jews marveled, saying, How knows this man letters, having never learned?
Or, "How knows he the Scriptures? How has he come to be an instructed man, having never learned of the Rabbis? He has never passed through our schools of learning, so what can he know?"
John 7:16. Jesus answered them, and said, My doctrine is not mine, but his that sent me.
"I am not the inventor of what I say; I am but a messenger, delivering the message of him that sent me."
John 7:17. If any man will do his will, he shall know of the doctrine, whether it be of God, or whether I speak of myself.
Any man, who is seeking after that which is right, and laboring to do that which is right, is a good judge of the truth. A practical life of godliness makes a man a far better critic as to what truth is than all the learning of the schools can do.
John 7:18. He who speaks of himself seeks his own glory: but he who seeks his glory that sent him, the same is true, and no unrighteousness is in him.
If you ever hear a man speaking about the priesthood, meaning himself and his brethren; and about the Church, again meaning himself and his brethren; and about the sacraments, meaning certain performances by himself and his brethren; you may know at once that God did not send him. But he who speaks to the glory of God, and does not say, "Behold me; "but, "Behold the Lamb of God," he it is whom God has sent.
John 7:19. Did not Moses give you the law, and yet none of you keeps the law? Why go you about to kill me?
"Did not Moses say, ‘You shall not kill’? Then, you do not keep his law, though you profess such reverence for him, for, if you did, you would not go about to kill me."
John 7:20-21. The people answered and said, You have a devil: who goes about to kill you? Jesus answered and said unto them, I have done one work, and you all marvel.
"I did it on the Sabbath day, and you are all stumbling at that."
John 7:22-23. Moses therefore gave unto you circumcision; (not because it is of Moses, but of the fathers;) and you on the Sabbath day circumcise a man. If a man on the Sabbath day receive circumcision, that the law of Moses should not be broken; are you angry at me, because I have made a man every whit whole on the Sabbath day?
Surely, there was never a more triumphant answer than that.
John 7:24-25. Judge not according to the appearance, but judge righteous judgment. Then said some of them of Jerusalem, Is not this he, whom they seek to kill?
Perhaps some of the same people who had asked Christ, "Who goes about to kill you?" now inquired, "Is not this he, whom they seek to kill?"
John 7:26-27. But, lo, he speaks boldly, and they say nothing unto him. Do the rulers know indeed that this is the very Christ? Howbeit we know this man whence he is but when Christ comes, no man knows whence he is.
They had a notion—perhaps derived from that passage in Isaiah, "who shall declare his generation? "—that the birth of Christ would be hidden in mystery. At any rate, there was some cloudy idea floating about that it would be concealed.
John 7:28. Then cried Jesus in the temple as he taught, saying, You both know me, and you know whence I am:
"And yet you do not know me."
John 7:28-30. And I am not come of myself, but he who sent me is true, whom you know not. But I know him: for I am from him, and he has sent me. Then they sought to take him: but no man laid hands on him, because his hour was not yet come.
Something seemed to hold them back. Enraged as they were against him, a mysterious and mighty awe was upon them, so that they dared not touch him.
John 7:31-33. And many of the people believed on him, and said, When Christ comes, will he do more miracles than these which this man has done? The Pharisees heard that the people murmured such things concerning him; and the Pharisees and the chief priests sent officers to take him. Then said Jesus unto them, —
As they came to take him;—perhaps to the very officers sent by the Pharisees, Jesus said,—
John 7:33. Yet a little while am I with you, and then I go unto him that sent me.
"You may well let me alone now, for it will only be a little while, and then I shall be delivered into your hands, and you will no more be troubled with me."
John 7:34-35. You shall seek me, and shall not find me: and where I am, thither you cannot come. Then said the Jews among themselves, Where will he go, that we shall not find him? will he go unto the dispersed among the Gentiles, and teach the Gentiles?
That was always their fear. "Is he going to the Greeks? Will he be a teacher to them? Will he try to introduce them into the mysteries of our faith?"
John 7:36-37. What manner of saying is this that he said, You shall seek me, and shall not find me: and where I am, thither you cannot come? In the last day, that great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried,—
I think I see him standing up in the midst of the great throng. That congregation would soon be scattered, never to come together again; so he stood up in the most prominent place he could find, and, notwithstanding all their anger, and their desire to kill him, he cried,—
John 7:37-38. Saying, If any man thirst, let him come unto me, and drink. He who believes on me, as the scripture has said, out of his belly-
Or, "out of the very midst of him"
John 7:38. Shall flow rivers of living water.
What a glorious gospel sermon that was! It comes to us down through the ages, and is as true now as when Jesus spoke it. He, thirsty ones, come you to him, and drink; and he will slake your thirst, and create in you a well of living water which shall bubble up forever and ever.
John 7:39-40. (But this spoke he of the Spirit, which they that believe on him should receive: for the Holy Spirit was not yet given; because that Jesus was not yet glorified.) Many of the people therefore, when they heard this saying, said, Of a truth this is the Prophet.
The Prophet about whom Moses spoke.
John 7:41. Others said, This is the Christ.
The Messiah.
John 7:41-42. But some said, Shall Christ come out of Galilee? Has not the scripture said, That Christ comes of the seed of David, and out of the town of Bethlehem, where David was?
This was blessed testimony even out of the mouth of Christ’s enemies. They objected against Christ what was indeed the fact, for he did come of the seed of David, and from the town of Bethlehem. There was he born; and though they called him the Nazarene,—and he refused not the title,—though over his head Pilate wrote, "Jesus of Nazareth, the King of the Jews," yet is he the Son of David, and his birthplace was at Bethlehem, though some of them knew it not.
John 7:43-44. So there was a division among the people because of him. And some of them would have taken him; but no man laid hands on him.
He was immortal until his work was done. The hour for his death had not yet struck, and he must live on until the appointed time.
John 7:45-46. Then came the officers to the chief priests and Pharisees; and they said unto them, Why have you not brought him? The officers answered, Never man spoke like this man.
The charm of his eloquence, the dignity of his person, his awe-inspiring demeanor, and a singular something,—they knew not what,—that Divinity that does hedge about such a King as he was,—restrained their hands. They said, "Never man spoke like this man."
John 7:47. Then answered them the Pharisees, Are you also deceived?
"You sheriffs’ officers are generally hard-hearted enough; are you also deceived?"
John 7:48. Have any of the rulers or of the Pharisees believed on him?
This was as much as to say, "If we have not believed on him,—we who are the great dons of the nation,—the rulers and the Pharisees,—why, then, there cannot be anything in his claims. Just as some people seem to think that, unless there is a lord in a Society, unless there is an honorable somebody or other in the chair, there is nothing in it.
John 7:49. But this people who knows not the law are cursed.
They regarded the poor, common people as ignorant and accursed, whereas they, probably, knew as much about the law and the real spirit of it as these learned teachers did.
John 7:50. Nicodemus says unto them, (he who came to Jesus by night, being one of them,)
Being a member of the council,—
John 7:51. Does our law judge any man, before it hear him, and know what he does?
He only asked a question, that was all; and, timid Christian, if you are placed where you cannot say much for Christ, if you have too great a fear upon you to vindicate your Master at any considerable length, yet say what you can; and, perhaps, the simple asking of a question may suffice to defend him. Nicodemus did but rise, and ask, "Does our law judge any man, before it hear him, and know what he does?"
John 7:52. They answered and said unto him, Are you also of Galilee? Search, and look: for out of Galilee arises no prophet.
Which was a lie, for prophets had come out of Galilee. Still, they denied it; and they were indignant at having such a question put to them by Nicodemus.
John 7:53. And every man went unto his own house.
It was like a bombshell exploding in the midst of them; and often, a few brave words dropped into the midst of an assembly of bad men will explode among them, and scatter them hither and thither. Nicodemus had accomplished what, perhaps, he thought he should never do. He was indeed like his name on that occasion,—one of the conquering people,—for "every man went unto his own house." Nicodemus had scattered them all by his startling question. May each of us as bravely witness for Christ as we have opportunity!
Verse 30John 7:30-31. Then they sought to take him: but no man laid hands on him, because his hour was not yet come. And many of the people believed on him, and said, When Christ comes, will he do more miracles than these which this man has done?
Well might they ask that question, for Jesus had wrought such marvelous miracles that they could not imagine anything greater. Surely this must be the Christ; or if he were not, when the Christ did come could he and would he do any greater miracles than this man had done?
John 7:32. The Pharisees heard that the people murmured such things concerning him; —
Whispered these things, afraid to speak out boldly because of the Pharisees, and therefore they quietly said it among themselves, and, after all, there is no fire more to be dreaded than a smouldering fire.
John 7:32-33. And the Pharisees and the chief priests sent officers to take him. Then said Jesus unto them, Yet a little while am I with you, and then I go unto him that sent me.
That was a blessed way for Christ to describe his return to the heavenly world: "I go unto him that sent me." Possibly he said this to the very men who were sent to take him.
John 7:34. You shall seek me, and shall not find me: and where I am, thither you cannot come.
No officers can arrest him now that he has gone up into his Father’s glory; there is no fear of any of them being there to catch him in his speech, or to drag him before the ecclesiastical and secular judges, as they did when he was here;
John 7:35-36. Then said the Jews among themselves, "Where will he go, that we shall not find him? will he go unto the dispersed among the Gentiles, and teach the Gentiles? What manner of saying is this; that he said, You shall seek me and shall not find me: and where I am, thither you cannot come?
They appear to have had some intimation of that glorious love of Christ which was not to be confined within the bounds of the Jewish nation, yet they could not or would not understand his words.
John 7:37. In the last day, that great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried, —
Shouted, spoke with all his might; and he stood, although he usually sat to deliver his message. But now, as if his whole being was roused to it utmost energy, on account of the last day of the gathering having come, when perhaps the people would go home, and he would be unable thus to speak with them again, "Jesus stood and cried," —
John 7:37. Saying, "If any man thirst, let him come unto me, and drink.
O blessed invitation, how sweet it should be to every thirsty soul! "If any man" — prince or pauper, "any man" — moral or utterly debauched, "if any man thirst, let him come unto me," — not to ordinances, nor to human priests, "let him come unto me, and drink," as much as he will "without money, and without price."
John 7:38. He who believes on me, as the Scripture has said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water.
He will not only drink enough to satisfy his own thirst, but he will himself become a fountain, streams of grace shall be communicated to his fellow-men through him.
John 7:39. (But this spoke he of the Spirit, which they that believe on him should receive: for the Holy Spirit was not yet given; because that Jesus was not yet glorified.)
He was not given then; but later, on the day of Pentecost, he was given, and he has never been withdrawn.
John 7:40-43. Many of the people therefore, when they heard this saying, said, Of a truth this is the Prophet. Others said, This is the Christ. But some said, Shall Christ come out of Galilee? Has not the scripture said, That Christ comes of the seed of David, and out of the town of Bethlehem, where David was? So there was a division among the people because of him.
It is still true that Christ is a cause of division, as he himself foretold that he would be.
John 7:44. And some of them would have taken him but no man laid hands on him.
In the 30th verse of this chapter, and in the 20th verse of the next chapter, we are told why they did not take him: "His hour was not yet come." And, like their Lord, saints are immortal until their work is done.
John 7:45-48. Then came the officers to the chief priest and Pharisees; and they said unto them, Why have you not brought him? The officers answered, Never man spoke like this man. Then answered them the Pharisees, Are you also deceived? Have any of the rulers or of the Pharisees believed on him?
They professed to be the spiritual leaders of the nation, and expected all to follow them.
John 7:49-51. But the people who knows not the law are cursed. Nicodemus says unto them, (he who came to Jesus by night, being one of those,) Does our law judge any man, before it hear him, and know what he does?
Nicodemus asked a simple question, but they could not answer it without convicting themselves of disobeying that very law of which they pretended to be the exponents.
John 7:52-53. They answered and said unto him Are you also of Galilee? Search, and look: for out of Galilee arises no prophet. And every man went unto his own house.
John 8:1. Jesus went unto the mount of Olives.
Verse 53
John 7:53. And every man went unto his own house.
John 8:1. Jesus went unto the mount of Olives.
That is, as every man went to his own house to rest, so Jesus found rest in secret prayer on the Mount of Olives. There is a very striking contrast here; it is a pity to have brought the dividing saw right through the middle of such charming consecutive sentences.
John 8:2. And early in the morning he came again into the temple, and all the people came unto him; and he sat down, and taught them.
That is always the posture in the East; the teachers sit, and the hearers stand. We may have to try that plan one of these days; it might be better for me, and also for you. There might be less drowsiness, perhaps, if the congregation had to stand to listen to the preacher’s message.
John 8:3-4. And the scribes and Pharisees brought unto him a woman taken in adultery; and when they had set her in the midst, they say unto him, Master, this woman was taken in adultery, in the very act.
They did this only to entangle the Savior,— not because they wanted to learn anything of him, or to do this woman any good, or even to vindicate morality; but it was simply an effort to entrap him.
John 8:5-6. Now Moses in the law commanded us, that such should be stoned: but what say you? This they said, tempting him, that they might have to accuse him.
They could accuse him either way. If he sanctioned their stoning the woman, they would charge him with violating the Roman law; but if he said that she should not be stoned, then they would say that he differed from Moses, and set aside the law of God.
John 8:6-7. But Jesus stooped down, and with his finger wrote on the ground, as though he heard them not. So when they continued asking him, he lifted up himself, and said unto them, He who is without sin among you, let Him first cast a stone at her.
That sentence must have flashed like a drawn sword, keen as a razor, through the very midst of them. Here were men who had probably been living in abominable sin, yet they had brought this poor sinful woman to Jesus, and laid this accusation against her.
John 8:8. And again he stooped down, and wrote on the ground.
After be had fired that one red-hot shot, he waited until it had produced its due effect.
John 8:9. And they which heard it, being convicted by their own conscience, went out one by one, beginning at the eldest, even unto the last; and Jesus was left alone, and the woman standing in the midst.
They left her alone with Jesus in the midst of the place that the guilty crowd had forsaken in silent shame.
John 8:10-11. When Jesus had lifted up himself, and saw none but the woman, he said unto her, Woman, where are those your accusers? has no man condemned you? She said, No man, Lord. And Jesus said unto her, Neither do I condemn you: go, and sin no more.
He condemned the sin, his own pure and holy life was the best condemnation of that; but, as for the sinner, he had not come to condemn, but to forgive. His own declaration was, "The Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost."
This exposition consisted of readings from John 7:53; and John 8:1-11.
Chapter 8 Verses 12-39
John 8:12-13. Then spoke Jesus again unto them, saying, I am the light of the world: he who follows me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life. The Pharisees —
These wasps were always stinging him; when he drove them away once, they quickly returned to attack him again: "The Pharisees" —
John 8:13-15. Therefore said unto him, You bear record of yourself; your record is not true. Jesus answered and said unto them; Though I bear record of myself, yet my record is true: for I know whence I came, and where I go; but you cannot tell whence I come, and where go. You judge after the flesh; I judge no man.
He did not come for that purpose the first time; he will come, a second time, to judge all mankind.
John 8:16. And yet if I judge, my judgment is true: for I am not alone, but I and the Father that sent me.
You see, brethren, how our Lord Jesus claimed to be God, for he put himself here in such a connection with God as would be quite inconsistent for any mere man. This is what Paul meant when he said that Christ "thought it not robbery to be equal with God," he thought it ‘not a prize to be grasped, for it was already his.
John 8:17-18. It is also written in your law, that the testimony of two men is true. I am one that bear witness of myself, and the Father that sent me bears witness of me.
He did that by the miracles which Christ wrought; and they proved that he was indeed sent of God.
John 8:19. Then said they unto him, Where is your Father? Jesus answered, You neither know me, nor my Father: if you had known me, you should have known my Father also.
They thought they knew his reputed father Joseph; they thought they also knew all about Christ, the carpenter’s Son; but there is more in Christ, than carnal eyes can ever see. There is more in Christ than the most enlightened understanding, if it be but natural understanding, can ever perceive. These blind bats, the Pharisees, neither knew Christ nor the Father. If they had known him, they would have known the Father, for Christ is "the brightness of his glory, and the express image of his person."
John 8:20. These words spoke Jesus in the treasury, as he taught in the temple: and no man laid hands on him; for his hour was not yet come.
Like our Lord, every child of God is immortal until his work is done. This ought to divest us of every kind of fear. The enemy cannot lay hands upon a Christian until his Lord wills it: and when his hour has come, then it behooves not the child of God to resist the Father’s will.
John 8:21. Then said Jesus again unto them, I go my way and you shall seek me, and shall die in your sins: where I go, you cannot come.
Oh, what a terrible sentence is that! I pray that the Lord may never say that to any of us, "Where I go, you cannot come." That would be the death —knell of all our hopes, and would make our life one long banishment. Blessed be his name, we who have sought him, and have found him, know that; we shall not die in our sins; and where he has gone, we shall go also.
John 8:22-23. Then said the Jews, Will he kill himself? because he says, Where I go, you cannot come. And he said unto them, You are from beneath; I am from above:
You are of a groveling nature; your thoughts rise out of the abyss where every evil dwells.
John 8:23-24. You are of this world; I am not of this world. I said therefore, of you, that you shall die in year sins: for if you believe not that I am he, you shall die in your sins.
If you have no faith in Christ as the Son of God, "you shall die in your sins." What an awful thing it will be to die in your sins! What cerements for your eternal burial! What a robe of fire in which to lie down for your long sleep, and then to find no sleep because of it! "You shall die in your sins." I should like this short, stern sentence to ring in the ears of every unbeliever. This is not my word, but Christ’s own word, — the word of the most loving and tender Savior: "If you believe not that I am he, you shall die in your sins."
John 8:25-29. Then said they unto him, Who are you? And Jesus says, unto them, Even the same that I said unto, you from the beginning. I have many things to say and to judge of you: but he who sent me is true; and I speak to the world those things which I have heard of him. They understood not that he spoke to them of the Father. Then said Jesus unto them, When you have lifted up the Son of man, then shall you know that I am he, and that I do nothing of myself; but as my Father has taught me, I speak these things. And he who sent me is with me:
This made Christ’s life so calm, so deeply joyous amid all its sorrow. "He who sent me is with me." Servant of God, can you say the same? If so, it is your joy, your confidence your strength. God grant that we may each one of us realize that blessed presence of our Lord!
John 8:29. The Father has not left me alone,’ for I do always those things that please him.
Christ could truly say that. Oh, that it might be true of us, too!
John 8:30-31. As he spoke these words, many believed on him, Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on him, If you continue in my word, then are you my disciples indeed;
"’If you became my disciples because of what I said, will you believe what I shall yet say? Are you prepared to take in still further revelations, and to receive whatever I shall teach you? If so, ‘then are you my disciples indeed’"
John 8:32. And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.
Some who heard this message of our Lord caught at it; they were always on the watch for anything to cavil at and contradict, and therefore —
John 8:33-34. They answered him, We be Abraham’s seed, and were never in bondage to any man: how say you, You shall be made free? Jesus answered them, Truly, truly, I say unto you, Whoever commits sin is the servant of sin.
Or, "the slave of sin." There is the test of your position; if you do the devil’s dirty work, you are his servant. If you delight in sin then you can hear your fetters clank if the ears of your conscience are But open: "Whoever commits sin is the servant of sin."
John 8:35-37. And the servant abides not in the house for ever: but the Son abides ever. If the Son therefore shall make you free, you shall be free indeed. I know that you are Abraham’s seed;
"I know what a boast you make of that."
John 8:37-39. But you seek to kill me, because, my word has no place in you. I speak that which I have seen with my Father: and you do that which you have seen with your father. They answered and said unto him, Abraham is our father.
Jesus had admitted that, as a matter of temporal descent; but he denied it as a matter of real fact.
Verses 28-59John 8:28. Then said Jesus unto them; —
That is, to the Jews who were questioning and opposing him,-
John 8:28. When you have lifted up the Son of man, then shall you know that I am he, and that I do nothing of myself; but as my Father has taught me, I speak these things.
Blessed be God, there were many, after the crucifixion of Christ, who did. believe in him! Yet, alas! in others, the blindness of heart continued, and they would not see the Messiah in him who was crucified. We, who believe in the uplifted Savior, can see the Father in the Son; and to us, faith has become a most blessed thing; and we know that he does nothing of himself, and that, as the Father has taught him, so he speaks.
John 8:29. And he who sent me is with me:
I commend that short sentence to all my Master’s servants, for there is great comfort in it, Your Lord could say this, and so can you if you are truly employed in his service: "He who sent me is with me?
John 8:29. The Father has not left me alone;
There is another precious motto for you. Jesus could truly say, "The Father has not left me alone;" and, as he did not leave his only-begotten and well-beloved Son, so he will not leave any of his sons.
John 8:29. For I do always those things that please him.
Let us labor earnestly to be able to say that. If there is anything which would not please God, let us have nothing to do with it; if it would not please God, it ought not to please us. Blessed shall that servant of the Lord be, who can sincerely say, "I do always those things that please him."
John 8:30-32. As he spoke these words, many believed on him. Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on him, If you continue in my word, then are you my disciples indeed; and you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.
There is such a thing as a temporary faith; beware of it, I beseech you. Men appear to believe in Christ for a little while, like that seed which was sown upon the rock, which speedily sprang up, and just as quickly withered away. God-given faith is not temporary, but permanent: "If you continue in my word, then are you my disciples indeed." God gives us the faith which is able to endure the fire of persecution, and which continues steadfast even when exposed to the evil example of an ungodly world. "He who endures to the end shall be saved;" but temporary faith brings only delusion, and ends in destruction.
John 8:33-34. They answered him, We be Abraham’s seed, and were never in bondage to any man: how say you, You shall be made free? Jesus answered them, Truly, truly, I say unto you, Whoever commits sin is the servant of sin.
Depend upon it, acts of sin breed habits of sin; and habits are the chains which slaves wear. How many there are who are bound to their lusts with many fetters! Once, they seemed to enjoy the sin, and to hold it in subjection; but now it has bound them, and they cannot escape from it.
John 8:35-36. And the servant abides not in the house for ever: but the Son abides ever. If the Son therefore shall make you free, you shall be free indeed.
If he sets you free from sin, you will never go back to its slavery again. There is no emancipation like that which Jesus brings, for it is eternal; when he snaps the fetter, he sets the believer free forever.
John 8:37-38. I know that you are Abraham’s seed; but you seek to kill me, because my word has no place in you. I speak that which I have seen with my Father: and you do that which you have seen with your father.
It is a common characteristic of children to tell what they see; what they witness at home, they are sure to tell abroad. If you are a child of God, you will act and speak like your Father does; and if you are a child of the devil, you will act and speak like him. Our parentage may be discovered by our acts and our words: "I speak that which I have seen with my Father: and you do that which you have seen with your father."
John 8:39. They answered and said unto him, Abraham is our father. Jesus says unto them, If you were Abraham’s children, you would do the works of Abraham.
"That is, if you were the true spiritual children of faithful Abraham, you would act as he did."
John 8:40-42. But now you seek to kill me, a man that has told you the truth, which I have heard of God: this did not Abraham. You do the deeds of your father. Then said they to him, We be not born of fornication; we have one Father, even God. Jesus said unto them, If God were your Father, you would love me: for I proceeded forth and came from God; neither came I of myself, but he sent me.
If any man has a right idea of God, and really loves God, if he will study the character of Christ, he will see that Christ is the very image of God in human flesh, and he will fall in love with Christ. That result is inevitable. Men form wrong ideas of God; and then, when they read the life of Christ,
they see no likeness between the Christ and their conception of God; nor is there any. But if they would take their idea of God from God’s own Word, then they would see that, in the person of the Man of Nazareth, the Divine character truly shines out, but it is toned down so as to meet the human eye without the excessive glare that would blind it. But it is the same Light of Light, the same Love of Love, the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ, "for in him dwells all the fullness of the Godhead bodily," he is the express image of God, and he who truly knows God will know that Christ also is God, for Father and Son are one.
John 8:43-47. Why do you not understand my speech? even because you cannot hear my word. You are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father you will do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaks a lie, he speaks of his own: for he is a liar, and the father of it. And because I tell you the truth, you believe me not. Which of you convinces me of sin! And if I say the truth, why do you not believe me? He who is of God hears God’s words: you therefore hear them not, because you are not of God.
What a wonderful character was the character of Christ! We get a strange light cast upon it as we read this dialogue in which he endured such contradiction of sinners against himself. My brethren, in Christ there is all the tenderness of a woman; but do not think that he is effeminate, far from it. What masculine force, what vigor what power, there is in him! There are some people who, if we speak plainly against error, tell us that we are uncharitable, and that we have not the spirit of Christ. Is it so? Did there ever fall from any lips more burning words than those which we find here, when he is brought into conflict with his foes? The fact is, he is meek and lowly, but he is most courageous; he is genial and kind, but he is honest and true. He speaks with suavity and gentleness; but, at the same time, there is great force about every expression that he uses. He does not mince matters when he is dealing with sin. There is no velvet on his lips; he utters no honeyed phrases. Naked truth flashes, like a scimitar from its scabbard, when he has to deal with those who oppose the truth. "Because I tell you the truth, you believe me not. Which of you convinces me of sin? And if I say the truth, why do you not believe me? He who is of God hears God’s words: you therefore hear them not, because you are not of God."
John 8:48. Then answered the Jews, and said unto him, Say we not well that you are a Samaritan, and have a devil?
You know this form of answer; it is an old trick, when there is no case, abuse the plaintiff. So, when there is no answer to what Christ has said, call him a Samaritan, and say that he has a devil.
John 8:49-51. Jesus answered, I have not a devil; but I honor my Father, and you do dishonor me. And I seek not mine own glory: there is one that seeks and judges. Truly, truly, I say unto you, If a man keep my saying, he shall never see death.
What glorious gospel brilliance Christ suddenly flashes upon these men! He promises even to them that, if they will keep his saying, they shall live forever, they shall be partakers of an eternal, unquenchable life. It might have seemed to us to be like casting pearls before swine to proclaim that great truth to such hearers; but our Master’s infinite wisdom does not permit us to think so.
John 8:52-56. Then said the Jews unto him, Now we know that you have a devil. Abraham is dead, and the prophets; and you say, If a man keep my saying, he shall never taste of death. Are you greater than our father Abraham, which is dead? and the prophets are dead: whom make you yourself? Jesus answered, If I honor myself, my honor is nothing: it is my Father that honors me; of whom you say, that he is your God: yet you have not known him,’ but I know him: and if I should say, I know him not, I shall be a liar like unto you: but I know him, and keep his saying. Your father Abraham rejoiced to see my day: and he saw it, and was glad.
He will not answer their questions, for they do not ask that they may learn. They ask that they may cavil; so he multiplies his riddles. He lets the light blind them yet more, Now he speaks, not so much of the undying life of believers, as of his own eternal existence, long before the prophets and Abraham of whom they had spoken.
John 8:57-58. Then said the Jews unto him, You are not yet fifty years old, and have you seen Abraham? Jesus said unto them, Truly, truly, I say unto you, Before Abraham was, I am.
Before there was any Abraham, there was this glorious Christ of ours existing as the Eternal I AM, in all the infinity of his glory. Now comes a thoroughly characteristic Jewish answer, —
John 8:59. Then took they up stones to cast at him: but Jesus hid himself, and went out of the temple, going through the midst of them. and so passed by.
They believed that he claimed to be God, as he certainly did, and therefore they tried to stone him; and there is no foothold for those who say that Christ was a very good man, but only a man. If he was not the Son of God, he was not a good man, for no good man would have left upon his followers, and upon his foes, too, the impression that he claimed to be God, if he was not; and no good man could have claimed to be God if he was not really so. Rank him either among the grossest of impostors, or else as the Son of God, — one or the other. There is no halting-piece between the two. Blessed be your name, O Son of Mary, you are also the Son of the Highest, and as such we worship and adore you!
Verses 29-59Christ thus spoke to his adversaries.
John 8:29. And he who sent me is with me: the Father has not left me alone: for I do always those things that please him.
Brethren, what Christ could say, I trust many of his servants can also say in a like manner. "He who sent me is with me." What power, what pleasure, must the presence of God give to his servants! "The Father has not left me alone." Oh! how blessed to feel that behind us is the sound of our Master’s feet, and that in us is the temple of his presence! We cannot, however, say, as Christ did, "I do always those things that please him," for, alas! we have the remembrance of sin this morning, and have to confess it in his sight. But let us also remember that he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins.
John 8:30-31. As he spoke these words, many believed on him. Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on him, If you continue in my word, then are you my disciples indeed;
It is not a mere profession that makes a man a saint; there must be a continuance of well-doing. We bind lads apprentice for a little time, but no man belongs to Christ unless he belongs to him forever. There must be an entire giving up of one’s self, in life and unto death, to the Lord’s cause.
John 8:32-34. And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free. They answered him, We be Abraham’s seed, and were never in bondage to any man: how say you, You shall be made free? Jesus answered them, Truly, truly, I say unto you, Whoever commits sin is the servant of sin.
There is this in the original, "Whoever makes sin." It is not exactly, "Whoever commits it," because if so, all would be the servants of sin, and God would have no sons at all. But it says in the original "Whoever makes sin," that is, whoever makes it his choice, and makes it the delight of his soul, whoever does this is the servant of sin, and is no son of God.
John 8:35. And the servant abides not in the house forever: but the Son abides ever.
He may be in the house, and have slender privileges for a time, but these soon go away.
John 8:36. If the Son therefore shall make you free, you shall be free indeed.
And give you the privileges of sons.
John 8:37-38. I know that you are Abraham’s seed, but you seek to kill me, because my word has no place in you. I speak that which I have seen with my Father: and you do that which you have seen with your father.
Men always act according to their natures. We shall find the polluted fountain sending forth filthy streams. We do not expect to hear sweet singing from a serpent, nor, on the other hand, do we expect hissing from the bird, but every creature is after its own kind. Christ, coming from the Father, reveals God: ungodly men, coming from the devil, reveal the devil.
John 8:39-42. They answered and said unto him, Abraham is our father. Jesus says unto them, If you were Abraham’s children, you would do the works of Abraham but now you seek to kill me, a man that has told you the truth, which I have heard of God: this did not Abraham. You do the deeds of your father. Then said they to him. We be not born of fornication; we have one Father, even God. Jesus said unto them, If God were your Father, you would love me: for I proceeded forth and came from God; neither came I of myself, but he sent me.
You would see in me a brother; you would perceive in me the attributes of God, and, being made like unto God as his sons, would, love the God-head in me.
John 8:43-44. Why do you not understand my speech? even because you cannot hear my word. You are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father you will do.
Christ does not speak very gentle words at all times. A deeply-rooted disease needs a sharp medicine, and he gives it. He uses the knife sometimes, and if there be a deadly ulcer that must be cut away, he knows how to do it with all the sternness of which his loving heart is capable.
John 8:44. He was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth, because there was no truth in him.
The first murder was committed by his suggestion. Cain was guilty of it, but Satan instigated it. He has ever been a man-killer, and so Christ says that inasmuch as they sought to kill him, they were worthy sons of their parent. "There is no truth in him."
John 8:44. When he speaks a lie, he speaks of his own:
It is his own idiom. You may always know him by it.
John 8:44. For he is a liar, and the father of it.
The father of all liars, and of all lies.
John 8:45-46. And because I tell you the truth, you believe me not. Which of you convinces me of sin? And if I say the truth, why do you not believe me?
Oh! matchless argument! Now were they silent indeed. His whole life was before them; he had not lived in secret and yet he could appeal to his whole life, from the first day even to this time, and say, "Which of you convinces me of sin?" It is this that weakens our testimony for God that we are so imperfect and full of sin. Let us seek to imitate the Master, for the more clean we are from these imperfections, the more shall we be able to shut the mouths of our adversaries.
John 8:47-48. He who is of God hears God’s words: you therefore hear them not, because you are not of God. Then answered the Jews and said unto him, Say we not well that you are a Samaritan, and have a devil.
Always abuse your adversary if you cannot answer him: this is always the devil’s tactic. When he cannot overthrow religion, then he seeks to append opprobrious titles to those who profess it. It is an old and stale trick, and has lost much of its force. Our Savior did not answer the accusation of his being a Samaritan, but inasmuch as what they said about his having a devil would touch his doctrine, he answered that.
John 8:49-51 Jesus answered, I have not a devil; but I honor my Father, and you do dishonor me. And I seek not mine own glory: there is one that seeks and judges. Truly, truly, I say unto you. If a man keep my saying, he shall never see death.
The sting of it shall be taken away; he may fall asleep; he will do so, but he shall not see death.
John 8:52-56. Then said the Jews unto him, Now we know that you have a devil Abraham is dead, and the prophets: and you say, If a man keep my saying, he shall never taste of death. Are you greater than our father Abraham, which is dead? and the prophets are dead: whom make you yourself? Jesus answered, If I honor myself, my honor is nothing: it is my Father that honors me; of whom you say that he is your God: yet you have not know him; but I know him: and if I should say, I know him not, I shall be a liar like unto you: but I know him, and keep his saying. Your father Abraham rejoiced to see my day; and he saw it, and was glad.
There is a great force in the original language here, "He was glad." There was an excessive joy which holy men had in looking forward to the coming of Christ. I do not think that we give ourselves enough room for joy in our religion. There are some persons who think it the right thing to restrain their emotions. They have no burstings forth of joy, and seldom a shout of sacred song. But oh! my brethren, if there is anything that deserves the flashing eye, and the leaping foot, and the bounding heart, it is the great truth that Jesus Christ has come into the world to save sinners, even the chief. Let us be glad so often as we make mention of his name.
John 8:57. Then said the Jews unto him, You are not yet fifty years old, and have you seen Abraham?
Why, he was hardly thirty, but sorrow had made him appear old.
John 8:58. Jesus said unto them, Truly, truly, I say unto you, Before Abraham was I am.
Here he claims his Deity to the fullest extent, and those who can read the New Testament, and profess to believe it, and yet not see Christ as a claimant of Deity, must be sinfully blind.
John 8:59. Then, took they up stones to cast at him: but Jesus hid himself, and went out of the temple, going through the midst of them, and so passed by.
This is always the sinner’s argument against the right: first, hard words, and then stones.
This exposition consisted of readings of readings from John 8:29-59. Mark 14:1-9. John 12:1-7.
Verses 31-59John 8:31. Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on him, If you continue in my word, then are you my disciples indeed;
For there were many, in Christ’s day, coming to him for a while, and then going away from him; professing to believe, and then stumbling when Christ proclaimed some doctrine which struck them as being strange and hard to receive. Our Lord Jesus tells them that constancy is necessary to true discipleship. It is of no use to start running in the race unless we continue in the course until the prize is won. We are not true pilgrims to Heaven merely because we cross the threshold of our door; we must keep on, and on, and on, until we reach the golden streets of the New Jerusalem.
John 8:32. And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.
That is the result of being a disciple of the Lord Jesus Christ. With Christ, who is the truth, to be our Teacher, and the Holy Spirit to bless his words, we come to know the truth; and the operation of the truth upon the heart is to deliver us from the bondage of sin and of error.
John 8:33. They answered him, We be Abraham’s seed, and were never in bondage to any man: how say you, You shall be made free?
What a falsehood this was of theirs! They were at that very time in bondage to the Romans; they had been subdued and conquered: and, a little while after, they themselves confessed that they had no king but Cesar. Men are not very chary about telling falsehoods when they wish to resist Christ: they will do anything rather than believe on him.
John 8:34. Jesus answered them, Truly, truly, I say unto you, Whoever commits sin is the servant of sin.
The man who habitually lives in sin is not a free man, for he is still a slave to sin. If he finds pleasure and delight in disobeying God, he has no right to talk about being a free man. His chains are rattling on his wrists; what can he know about freedom?
John 8:35. And the servant abides not in the house forever; but the son abides even.
A servant may be dismissed from the household, but a son may not. If we were only servants of God, we might fall from grace, and perish; but if we are the sons of God, we never shall. If we ever did, in truth, call God "Father," we shall always be able to use that blessed title, for the relationship of fatherhood is not a temporary one, sad cannot come to an end.
John 8:36. If the Son therefore shall make you free, you shall be free indeed.
If you have the freedom of sonship, you are free indeed. There are none so free in our Father’s house as his children are.
John 8:37-39. I know that you are Abraham’s seed; but you seek to kill me, because my word has no place in you. I speak that which I have seen with my Father: and you do that which you have seen with your father. They answered and said unto him, Abraham is our father. Jesus says unto them, If you were Abraham’s children, you would do the works of Abraham.
The real descendants of "the father of the faithful" are themselves faithful; that is, believers. The father of believers has believers for his children: "If you were Abraham’s children, you would do the works of Abraham." Our Lord had admitted that these Jews were Abraham’s seed according to the flesh; but he proved that they were not Abraham’s seed in the high and spiritual sense, since they were not like him whom they claimed for a father.
John 8:40-41. But now you seek to kill me, a man that has told you the truth, which I have heard of God: this did not Abraham. You do the deeds of your father.
He had not told them who that father was; but as it is a standing rule that men do the deeds of their father, the genuineness of the descent which they claimed could be tested by their likeness to their father.
John 8:41-42. Then said they to him, We be not born of fornication; we have one Father, even God. Jesus said unto them, If God were your Father, you would love me:
Any man who is born of God must love Jesus Christ. The purity of his motives, the loveliness of his character, the charms of his person, would all be sure to win the heart of a man who was truly born of God.
John 8:42-43. For I proceeded forth and came from God; neither came I of myself, but he sent me. Why do you not understand my speech? even because you cannot hear my word.
"You are dull of comprehension, you are hardened in heart, you are proud in spirit, you are just the opposite of everything that is good, and therefore you cannot hear my word," says Christ; "and this is proof positive that you do not love God, and that you are not the children of God."
John 8:44. You are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father you will do.
Remember from whose lips these words fell, even from the lips of the gentle Jesus. Honest speech is the surest token of a loving heart; but, nowadays, if a man preaches the truth plainly and faithfully, men say that he is hard and unkind; but if a man glosses over the truth, and alters it according to his own idea of what will please men, then they say, "He is a kindly-disposed and large-hearted man." I should be disposed to doubt whether he has any heart at all, if he will sooner see sinners damned than offend them by proclaiming the truth. I thank God that some of us care little about offending those who offend God. If men will not yield themselves unto the Lord, we want not their friendship, but we will strive to make them uneasy in their rebellion, and if they resolve to be lost, we will at least be clear of their blood.
John 8:44. He was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaks a lie, he speaks of his own: for he is a liar, and the father of it.
Falsehood is his natural element. When Satan deceives, he only acts according to his nature, which is blackened with falsehood through and through.
John 8:45-46. And because I tell you the truth, you Believe me not. Which of you convinces me of sin?
What a grand challenge! None of us can speak like that, except in a very modified sense; but Christ, standing before his enemies, who gnashed their teeth at him, and would have given their eyes to be able to fix come fault upon him, yet boldly says to them, "Which of you convinces me of sin?"
John 8:46-51. And if I say the truth, why do you not believe me? He who is of God hears God’s words: you therefore hear them not, because you are not of God. Then answered the Jews, and said unto him, Say we not well that you are a Samaritan, and have a devil? Jesus answered, I have not a devil; but I honor my Father, and you do dishonor me. And I seek not mine own glory: there is one that seeks and judges. Truly, truly, I say unto you, If a man keep my saying, he shall never see death.
This statement quite staggered them; yet it is true. To believers,— It is not death to die; they simply pass out of this world into a larger and yet more glorious life. They descend not to death, but they rise to immortality.
John 8:52-53. Then said the Jews unto him, Now we know that you have a devil. Abraham is dead, and the prophets; and you say, If a man keep my saying, he shall never taste of death. Are you greater than our father Abraham, which is dead? and the prophets are dead: whom make you yourself?
"What do you pretend to be? Someone greater than Abraham and the prophets?"
John 8:54-56. Jesus answered, If I honor myself, my honor is nothing: it is my Father that honors me; of whom you say, that he is our God: yet you have not known him; but I know him: and if I should say, I know him not, I shall be a liar like unto you: but I know him, and keep his saying. Your father Abraham —
"As you call him "—
John 8:56-57. Rejoiced to see my day: and he saw it, and was glad. Then said the Jews unto him, you are not yet fifty years old, and have you seen Abraham?
They allowed a wide margin in specking of our Savior’s age, for he was only thirty-three years old. It may be true that the sorrows of his life had so marred his countenance that he looked more like a man of fifty than one of three-and-thirty. I cannot tell, nor do I know whether that is what they meant; but it is singular that they should have said to him, "You are not yet fifty years old."
John 8:58. Jesus said unto them, Truly, truly, I say unto you, Before Abraham was, I am.
They had asked him, "Whom make you yourself?" and now they have his answer: "Before Abraham was, I am," says Christ. It is the very name by which God revealed himself to Moses at the burning bush, "I AM." Yet Jesus takes this title to himself: "Before Abraham was," — not, "I was;" notice that; but, "I am;" as if his life was one continued present existence, as indeed it is, for with God there is no past or future, but all things are ever-present to his infinite mind. When Jesus said, "Before Abraham was, I am," he claimed the Godhead, he declared that he was certainly God, self-existent from all eternity.
John 8:59. Then took they up stones to cast at him:
They counted him a blasphemer, and so he was if he was not all he claimed to be. I have heard of some who reverence Christ, but do not believe him to be God; but how can that be? He evidently made himself out to be God, and this was the great charge the Jews brought against him. For this, indeed, they put him to death, because he made himself equal with God. If he was not equal with God,— if he was not really God,— he led men to think that he was; and if this was false, it was a great sin not consistent with the holy character of Christ. If he was not God, he was the grossest impostor who ever visited this world. But he was God, and nothing less; yet because he claimed this, the Jews took up stones to cast at him.
John 8:59. But Jesus hid himself, and went out of the temple, going through the midst of them, and so passed by.
Glory be to his holy name forever and ever!
Verses 37-59We will read, from the Revised Version, two passages which record attempts made to kill our Lord before his time had come. You will see, from the sermon, why we read them. (See Luke 4:16-30)
John 8:37-59. I know that you are Abraham’s seed; yet you seek to kill me, because my word has not free course in you. I speak the things which I have seen with my Father: and you also do the things which you heard from your father. They answered and said unto him, Our father is Abraham. Jesus says unto them, If you were Abraham’s children, you would do the works of Abraham. But now you seek to kill me, a man that has told you the truth, which I heard from God: this did not Abraham. You do the works of your father. They said unto him, We were not born of fornication; we have one Father, even God. Jesus said unto them, If God were your Father, you would love me: for I came forth and am come from God; for neither have I come of myself, but he sent me. Why do you not understand my speech? Even because you cannot hear my word. You are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father it is your will to do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and stood not in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaks a lie, he speaks of his own: for he is a liar, and the father thereof. But because I say the truth, you believe me not. Which of you convicts me of sin? If I say truth, why do you not believe me? He who is of God hears the words of God: for this cause you hear them not, because you are not of God. The Jews answered and said unto him, Say we not well that you are a Samaritan, and have a devil? Jesus answered, I have not a devil; but I honor my Father, and you dishonor me. But I seek not mine own glory: there is one that seeks and judges. Truly, truly, I say unto you, If a man keep my word, he shall never see death. The Jews said unto him, Now we know that you have a devil. Abraham is dead, and the prophets; and you say, If a man keep my word, he shall never taste of death. Are you greater than our father Abraham, which is dead? and the prophets are dead: whom make you yourself? Jesus answered, If I glorify myself, my glory is nothing: it is my Father that glorifies me of whom you say, that he is your God; and you have not known him: but I know him; and if I should say, I know him not, I shall be like unto you, a liar: but I know him, and keep his word. Your father Abraham rejoiced to see my day; and he saw it, and was glad. The Jews therefore said unto him, You are not yet fifty years old, and have you seen Abraham? Jesus said unto them, Truly, truly, I say unto you, Before Abraham was, I am. They took up stones therefore to cast at him: but Jesus hid himself, and went out of the temple.
This exposition consisted of readings of readings from Luke 4:16-30; and John 8:37-59. (R.V.)
Chapter 9 Verses 1-7
John 9:1-7. And as Jesus passed by, he saw a man which was blind from his birth. And his disciples asked him, saying, Master, who did sin, this man, or his parents, that he was born blind? Jesus answered, Neither has this man sinned, nor his parents: but that the works of God should be made manifest in him. I must work the works of him that sent me, while it is day: the night comes, when no man can work. As long as I am in the world, I am the light of the world. When he had thus spoken, he spat on the ground, and made clay of the spittle, and he anointed the eyes of the blind man with the clay, and said unto him, Go, wash in the pool of Siloam, (which is by interpretation, Sent.) He went his way before, and washed, and came seeing.
I will not say anything now about this miracle, as it will form the subject of my discourse.
This exposition consisted of readings from Mark 10:46-52; and John 9:1-7.
Verses 1-14John 9:1-3. And as Jesus passed by, he saw a man which was blind from his birth. And his disciples asked him, saying, Master, who did sin, this man, or his parents, that he was born blind? Jesus answered, Neither has this man sinned, nor his parents:
That is to say, their sin was not the cause of his blindness.
John 9:3-14. But that the works of God should be made manifest in him. I must work the works of him that sent me, while it is day: the night comes, when no man can work. As long as I am in the world, I am the light of the world. When he had thus spoken, he spat on the ground, and made clay of the spittle, and he anointed the eyes of the blind man with the clay, and said unto him, Go, wash in the Pool of Siloam, (which is by interpretation, Sent.) He went his way therefore, and washed, and came seeing. The neighbors therefore, and they which before had seen him that he was blind, said, Is not this he who sat and begged? Some said, This is he: others said, He is like him: but he said, I am he. Therefore said they unto him, How were your eyes opened? He answered and said, A man that is called Jesus made clay, and anointed mine eyes, and said unto me, Go to the pool of Siloam, and wash: and I went and washed, and I received sight. Then said they unto him, Where is he? He said, I know not. They brought to the Pharisees him that aforetime was blind. And it was the Sabbath day when Jesus made the clay, and opened his eyes.
This gracious act of Christ was made another occasion of complaint on the part of the Pharisees, and it is the sixth instance in which we are very specially and definitely informed that our Lord Jesus Christ wrought miracles of healing on the Sabbath-day. Oh, that he would do similar works in our midst even now in a spiritual sense, if not literally!
This exposition consisted of readings from Luke 4:33-36; Luke 6:6-11; Luke 13:10-17; Luke 14:1-6; John 5:1-9; ND 9:1-14.
Verses 1-38John 9:1. And as Jesus passed by, he saw a man which was blind from his birth.
The man could not see Jesus, but sight came to the man from Jesus. If there are any here who cannot look to Christ as yet, our prayer is that he may look on them as he looked on this blind man.
John 9:2. And his disciples asked him, saying, Master, who did sin, this man, or his parents, that he was born blind?
Beloved, if you had Christ with you, you could occupy your time better than in asking such questions as this; and I think that, when we go to Holy Scripture, we can do better than pry into things of small practical importance, or even into great mysteries. However, in this case, since the disciples were liable to fall into grave error, our Lord gave them instruction upon the matter that perplexed them.
John 9:3. Jesus answered, Neither has this man sinned, nor his parents: but that the works of God should be made manifest in him.
In other words, this man is not blind as the result of sin in himself, or in his parents. He is blind in order that God may have a platform for the display of his gracious power in healing him.
John 9:4-5. I must work the works of him that sent me, while it is day: the night comes, when no man can work. As long as I am in the world, I am the light of the world.
Our Savior felt that he was commissioned as a servant of his Father, sent here to do a certain work, and he must be doing it. It is well for God’s servants to feel a holy compulsion. It does not take away from them the freedom of their action, and their delight in the service of God; but still it exercises a powerful influence over a man when he feels, "Woe is me, if I preach not the gospel;" or when, like the Lord Jesus, he says, "I must work the works of him that sent me." Did the Well-beloved, the Prince of Heaven, come under compulsion? Did he put himself under that "must" which is for the king? Then you and I may well put ourselves under holy bondage for the Lord. Then, do not hinder me; do not tell me that I am too feeble in health; "I must work the works of him that sent me."
John 9:6-7. When he had thus spoken, he spat on the ground, and made clay of the spittle, and he anointed the eyes of the blind man with the clay, And said unto him, Go, wash in the pool of Siloam, (which is by interpretation, Sent.) He went his way therefore, and washed, and came seeing.
Our Lord often works miracles without means, and sometimes with means which appear to be quite inappropriate. It would seem to be more easy to blind a man with clay than to open his eyes with it; and there are some who assert that the gospel plainly spoken would lead men into sin, but it does not. It is "the power of God unto salvation to every one that believes." If you go to work in the name of God, if you put the clay on the sinner’s eyes, and bid him go and wash, you will see what will happen.
John 9:8-11. The neighbors therefore, and they which before had seen him that he was blind, said, Is not this he who sat and begged? Some said, This is he: others said, He is like him: but he said, I am he. Therefore said they unto him, How were your eyes opened? He answered and said, A Man that is called Jesus made clay, and anointed mine eyes, and said unto me, Go to the pool of Siloam, and wash: and I went and washed, and I received sight.
Does he not tell his story well? If he had not been a blind man whose eyes had just been opened, he would have exaggerated somewhere or other. I never heard a man tell a tale with absolute correctness; it is not the way of people, they are sure to put in some little item by way of garnishing, for there is a bump of romance in most men’s heads; but this shrewd, strictly honest man tells the story briefly, but leaves out no important particular.
John 9:12-15. Then said they unto him, Where is he? He said, I know not. They brought to the Pharisees him that aforetime was blind. And it was the Sabbath day when Jesus made the clay, and opened his eyes. 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.
That was short and sweet; and when you have to deal with Pharisees, do not give them much. They are not worth it, and they are sure to misuse it. When he spoke to the common people, he enlarged, and gave them details; but now that he comes to talk to these pragmatical professors, he cuts it down to as few words as possible.
John 9:16. Therefore said some of the Pharisees, This man is not of God, because he keeps not the Sabbath day. Others said, How can a man that is a sinner do such miracles? And there was a division among them.
Yes, and there is a division among the enemies of Christ always; they cannot agree among themselves. If they could always lay their heads together, and agree, they might have greater power; but the Edomites draw their swords against the children of Ammon, and they are sure to slay one another in the long run. There were also some among these Pharisees who had a conscience, men like Nicodemus and Joseph of Arimathea; and they asked, "How can a man that is a sinner do such miracles?"
John 9:17. They say unto the blind man again, What say you of him, that he has opened your eyes? He said, He is a prophet.
He must be a prophet. He could not have worked such a miracle as that if he had been a common man: "He said, He is a prophet."
John 9:18. But the Jews did not believe concerning him, that he had been blind, and received his sight, until they called the parents of him that had received his sight.
You see, John gives to the Pharisees the name which they arrogated to themselves: "we are Jews." But they were not true Jews. They called themselves Jews, and so John speaks of them as "the Jews." It often happens that a certain clique or party will run away with a name which does not belong to them any more than it does to a great many who differ from them very widely. These Pharisees pretended that they would not believe the miracle. It was manifest before their eyes; but yet they would not believe it until they called his parents.
John 9:19-21. And they asked them, saying, Is this your son, who you say was born blind? how then does he now see? His parents answered them and said, We know that this is our son, and that he was born blind: but by what means he now sees, we know not; or who has opened his eyes, we know not: he is of age; ask him: he shall speak for himself.
This was very shrewd on their part; but I think that I must add that it was very cowardly to throw all the testimony on their son. There are some parents who, if their children do right, if they follow Christ, seem to leave them to take care of themselves.
John 9:22. These words spoke his parents, because they feared the Jews: for the Jews had agreed already, that if any man did confess that he was Christ, he should be put out of the synagogue.
Excommunicated; and they could not bear to be cut off from the respectable society which they had hitherto enjoyed.
John 9:23-24. Therefore said his parents, He is of age; ask him. Then again called they the man that was blind, and said unto him, Give God the praise: we know that this man is a sinner.
Does it not sound pretty from their Pharisaic lips? Arch hypocrites pretending to teach a man who knew much better than themselves! "We know that this man is a sinner. You did not know it, but we know it and as we know it, and we are doctors, you must believe it."
John 9:25. He answered and said, Whether he be a sinner or no, I know not: one thing I know, that, whereas I was blind, now I see.
He could not be beaten out of that. You cannot argue a man out of an experience of this kind; and if the Lord Jesus Christ has ever opened your eyes, dear friend, nobody can make you doubt that blessed fact.
John 9:26-27. Then said they to him again, What did he to you? how opened he your eyes? He answered them, I have told you already, and you did not hear: wherefore would you hear it again? will you also be his disciples?
He threw a little sarcasm into that last question. The man was a very remarkable person, a simple-hearted, honest man, but withal quite able to hold his own in any company.
John 9:28. Then they reviled him,
It is a bad case, so abuse the plaintiff. There is nothing to be said for our side, so let us abuse the man who has had his eyes opened.
John 9:28-30. And said, You are his disciple; but we are Moses’ disciples. We know that God spoke unto Moses: as for this fellow, we know not from whence he is. The man answered and said unto them, Why herein is a marvelous thing, that you know not from whence he is, and yet he has opened mine eyes.
Does not that manifestation of miraculous power show where he must have come from? Could he have come from anywhere but from God?
John 9:31-33. Now we know that God hears not sinners: but if any man be a worshiper of God, and does his will, him he hears. Since the world began was it not heard that any man opened the eyes of one that was born blind. If this man were not of God, he could do nothing.
Well argued! The case is proven indeed.
John 9:34. They answered and said unto him, You were altogether born in sins, and do you teach us?
Cannot you hear them say it? "A blind beggar, who has just begun to see, ‘Do you teach us?’ — D.D.’s, men who are learned in the law, ‘Do you teach us?’" Well, brethren, if a man has only one eye, he may teach those who have not any, for the old proverb says, "In the realm of the blind, the man with one eye is king." Yet there is another proverb on this subject, and that is, "In the realm of the blind, the man with one eye gets hanged." That was likely to be the case here; the blind Pharisees could not bear the man who could see. He knew too much for them.
John 9:34-36. And they cast him out. Jesus heard that they had cast him out; and when he had found him, he said unto him, Do you believe on the Son of God He answered and said, Who is he, Lord, that I might believe on him?
He wanted instruction. Christ may have done much for a man, but he may not as yet fully know the Lord. There may be some here tonight upon whom Christ has wrought a great deal, and yet you do not know him as you will know him: "Do you believe on the Son of God?"
John 9:37-38. And Jesus said unto him, You have both seen him, and it is he who talks with you. And he said, Lord, I believe. And he worshiped him.
That is the way with a genuine believer, he worships Christ. Why? Because he believes him to be God. It would be idolatry to worship Christ if he were only man, and Christ would have been an impostor if he had allowed this man to worship him if he had not been God. But he was God; and we, believing him to be God, worship Christ as very God of very God, to whom be praise forever and ever! Amen.
Verses 1-41John 9:1. And as Jesus passed by, he saw a man which was blind from his birth.
Therefore the man could not see Jesus, but the more important matter was that Christ could see the blind man. And you, dear heart, may not yet have learned to look on Christ, but he can look on you in your blindness, and a look from him will speedily work a wondrous change in you.
John 9:2. And his disciples asked him, saying, Master, who did sin, this man, or his parents, that he was born blind?
Many of Christ’s disciples are still occupied in asking questions that serve no practical purpose, like this one, "Master, who did sin, this man, or his parents, that he was born blind?"
John 9:3. Jesus answered, Neither has this man sinned, nor his parents:
That is to say, sin on their part was not the cause of his blindness.
John 9:3. But that the works of God should be made manifest in him
Human nature is a platform for the manifestation of divine work. The more in need you are, dear friend, the more room there is for God’s mercy to operate upon you.
John 9:4-7. I must work the works of him that sent me, while it is day: the night comes, when no man can work. As long as I am in the world, I am the light of the world. When he had thus spoken, he Spat on the ground, and made clay of the spittle, and he anointed the eyes of the blind man with the clay, and said unto him, Go, wash in the pool of Siloam, (which is by interpretation, Sent.) He went his way therefore, and washed, and came seeing."
Christ used very simple means to cure this man’s blindness, very unlikely means, apparently, to produce the desired effect. It might have seemed, indeed, that the man would have been wore in the dark than ever when his eyes were plastered over with clay, yet the Lord chose to work in that way.
And so, when the poor preacher feels as if he was nothing and nobody, and that his agency may rather hinder his Master’s work than help him yet still his Lord can work through his weakness, and get to himself glory notwithstanding his servant’s infirmities.
John 9:8-9. The neighbors therefore, and they which before had seen him that he was blind said, Is not this he who sat and begged? Some said, This is he: others said, He is like him: but he said, I am he.
"There is no question about my identity, I am the same man whom you have seen sitting and begging, and I now come before you with my sight fully restored."
John 9:10-11. Therefore said they unto him, How were your eyes opened? He answered and said, a man that is called Jesus made clay, and anointed mine eyes, and said unto me, Go to the pool of Siloam, and wash: and I went and washed, and I received sight.
It was only a short story, but it was very sweet to him, and he told it with no excess of detail, but with all its salient points. He was a sharp, shrewd man of few words, but those few words were weighty. Friend when you tell the story of Christ and his love to you, do not embellish it with flowers of speech. There is enough in what Christ has done to make it shine without any fine words of your. The beauty of Christ’s work is such that it is most adorned when unadorned.
John 9:12. Then said they unto him, Where is he? He said, I know not.
There are a good many things concerning Christ which you may not know, but if you know that he has opened your eyes, you may be well content with the knowledge of that until he shall be pleased to reveal more about himself to you.
John 9:13. They brought to the Pharisees him that aforetime was blind.
I am sure that this was a very distressing sight to them, for there was nothing that ever grieved their hearts more than for Christ’s power to be displayed. They did not want to see the blind man whose eyes Christ had opened; if the miracle brought Christ any glory, it brought them just so much misery.
John 9:14-15. And it was the Sabbath day when Jesus made the clay, and opened his eyes. Then again the Pharisees also asked him how he had received his sight.
That seemed to be the principal question with them; they always wanted to know the manner in which Christ’s cures were wrought.
John 9:15. He said unto them, He put clay upon mine eyes, and I washed, and do see.
That is shorter than his previous account of the miracle. When Pharisees ask a carping question, the shorter the answer the better; it is a pity to cast pearls before swine.
John 9:16-17. Therefore said some of the Pharisees, This man is not of God because he keeps not the Sabbath day. Others said, How can a man that is a sinner do such miracles? And there was a division among them. They say unto the blind man again, What say you of him, that he has opened your eyes! He said, He is a prophet.
He was a brave man, who dared to say what he believed whether he offended or pleased. He did not know much, but what he did know he did know, and he was quite certain about it. There are some men whose breadth of knowledge is as remarkable as its shallowness. It is like water upon the meadows when a river overflows its banks, and covers a wide area, but there is scarcely an inch of depth. Give us the narrower river that is deep, and that can bear onwards to the ocean a noble fleet, rather than the wide expanse of useless, shallow water.
John 9:18-21. But the Jews did not believe concerning him, that he had been blind, and received his sight, until they called the parents of him that had received his sight. And they asked them, saying, Is this your son, who you say was born blind? how then does he now see? His parents answered them and said, We know that this is our son, and that he was born blind: but by what means he now sees, we know not; or who has opened his eyes, we know not: he is of age; ask him: he shall speak for himself.
They were timid, but they were also shrewd enough to let their son speak for himself, as he was quite able to do.
John 9:22-24. These words spoke his parents, because they feared the Jews: for the Jews had agreed already, that if any man did confess that he was Christ, he should be put out of the synagogue. Therefore said his parents, He is of age ask him. Then again called they the man that was blind, and said unto him Give God the praise: we know that this man is a sinner.
They thought they could get over him by giving him a little of what they called good advice: "Praise God, but be quiet concerning this man; depend upon it, he is a sinner."
John 9:25-28. He answered and said, Whether he be a sinner or no, I know not: one thing I know, that, whereas I was blind, now I see. Then said they to him again, What did he to you? how opened he your eyes? He answered them, I have told you already, and you did not hear: wherefore would you hear it again? will you also be his disciple? Then they reviled him, —
Of course, that is the usual way with those who are in the wrong. Abuse the plaintiff when you cannot answer his case. "Then they reviled him," —
John 9:28-30. And said, You are his disciple but we are Moses’ disciples. We know that God spoke unto Moses: as for this fellow, we know not from whence he is. The man answered and said unto them, Why herein is a marvelous thing, that you know not from whence he is, and yet he has opened mine eyes.
Where could he have come from but from God? Who could have wrought such a miracle unless he had been sent from God?
John 9:31-33. Now we know that God hears not sinners: but if any man be a worshiper of God, and does his will, him he hears. Since the world began was it not heard that any man opened the eyes of one that was born blind. If this man were not of God, he could do nothing.
That was very forcibly spoken. Oh, that all of us, whose eyes Christ has opened, would speak for him as bravely as this man did! Our cure has been quite as clear and quite as notable as his was, so let us not be ashamed to testify for him before gainsayers and opposers.
John 9:34. They answered and said unto him, You were altogether born in sins, and do you teach us?
"Such learned men as we are, with such culture and such penetration as we have, ‘do you teach us?’"
John 9:34. And they cast him out.
It was a great mercy for him that they did excommunicate him, one of the greatest blessings that could come to him was that of being cast out of the synagogue, and being cast out of the society of such men as those Pharisees were.
John 9:35. Jesus heard that they had cast him out; —
Jesus knew all that had happened to this man, but someone probably related the story to him; and our Lord knows all about each one of us, and he knows whether anyone here is suffering for his sake or for the truth’s sake. Jesus knew that they had cast him out; —
John 9:35. And when he had found him, —
For he always finds those whom the world or false professors have cast out, —
John 9:35-36. He said unto him, Do you believe on the Son of God? He answered and said, Who is he, Lord, that I might believe on him?
He was a sensible man, and he had the sense to perceive that knowledge rightly used leads to faith. He desired to know in order that he might believe; and if you ever say that you cannot believe, but are anxious to do so, then make inquiry as to what is to be believed, examine the evidence concerning it, and so faith will come to you by the operation of God’s good Spirit.
John 9:37-40. And Jesus said unto him, You have both seen him, and it is he who talks with you. And he said, Lord, I believe. And he worshiped him. And Jesus said, For judgment I am come into this world, that they which see not might see; and that they which see might be made blind. And some of the Pharisees which were with him heard these words, and said unto him, Are we blind also?
"Are we blind?" It seemed impossible to them that it could be so. Jesus answered them with scathing words: —
John 9:41. Jesus said unto them, If you were blind, you should have no sin: but now you say, We see; therefore your sin remains.
"If what you have done had been done in utter ignorance, you would have been comparatively guiltless; but you have sinned against light and knowledge, with a most determined antipathy to the grace of God, and therefore your sin remains in all its scarlet hue to condemn you."
Chapter 10 Verses 1-18
John 10:1-2. Truly, truly, I say unto you, He who enters not by the door into the sheepfold, but climbs up some other way, the same is a thief and a robber. But he who enters in by the door is the shepherd of the sheep.
The true Shepherd cares for the flock, the false ones are thieves and robbers who only care for the flesh or the fleece.
John 10:3. To him the porter opens and the sheep hear his voice: and he calls his own sheep by name, and leads them out.
John the Baptist was the porter who opened the door of Christ’s earthly ministry by bearing witness that he was the Son of God.
John 10:4-5. And when he puts forth his own sheep, he goes before them, and the sheep follow him: for they know his voice. And a stranger will they not follow, but will flee from him: for they know not the voice of strangers.
Christ is the great Leader of his people, and they will never go astray so long as they follow him. The sheep of Christ recognize their Shepherd’s voice, and come at his call; but "strangers" call to them in vain.
John 10:6-7. This parable spoke Jesus unto them: but they understood not what things they were which he spoke unto them. Then said Jesus unto them again, Truly, truly, I say unto you, I am the door of the sheep.
No one metaphor can fully describe our glorious Lord, for he is both Shepherd and Door to the sheep, and all else that they need.
"O my Savior! Shield and Sun,
Shepherd, Brother, Husband, Friend, —
Every precious name in one,
I will love you without end."
John 10:8-10. All that ever came before me are thieves and robbers: but the sheep did not hear them. I am the door: by me if any man enter in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out, and find pasture. The thief comes not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.
The thief came to take away life, but Christ came to give life, and that abundant life which shall last forever and ever; but see what it cost him to give that life: —
John 10:11-13. I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd gives his life for the sheep. But he who is an hireling, and not the shepherd, whose own the sheep are not, sees the wolf coming, and leaves the sheep, and flees: and the wolf caches them, and scatters the sheep. The hireling flees, because he is an hireling, and cares not for the sheep.
Just now the contrast was between the Shepherd and the thief. Here it is between the Shepherd and the hireling. The hireling cares for himself; the Shepherd cares for the sheep and provides for them and cares for them even at the cost of his life.
John 10:14-15. I am the good shepherd, and know my sheep, and am known of mine. As the Father knows me, even so know I the Father: and I lay down my life for the sheep.
There is mutual knowledge between the Shepherd and the sheep, and between the Father and the Son.
John 10:16. And other sheep I have, which are not of this fold: them also I must bring, and they shall hear my voice: and there shall be one fold, and one shepherd.
Or, more correctly, "one flock, one Shepherd." The flock would never be complete without those "other sheep" which the Shepherd says he must bring into the fold, and which he says shall hear his voice. Not one of them will be missing in the day when they pass again under the hand of him that tells them.
John 10:17-18. Therefore does my Father love me, because I lay down my life, that I might take it again. No man takes it from me, but I lay it down of myself. I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it again. This commandment have I received of my Father.
The voluntariness of Christ’s sacrifice is its glory, and well may his Father love him because of it; and well may we, who are eternally to benefit by his death, also love him.
Verses 1-30John 10:1. Truly, truly, I say unto you,
Now we may be absolutely certain that there is something of the utmost importance wherever Christ uses the solemn asseveration of "Truly, truly," — the same word is "Amen, amen" and it has been well observed that if it were not for Christ’s "Amens," our "Amens" would be of little value. It is because he who is the Amen, the Faithful and True Witness, pleads in Heaven that our "Amens" are accepted there. If, dear friends, Christ pays an earnest attention to our "Amens," how much more ought we to attend to his, specially when he doubles them — "Amen, amen, I say unto you."
John 10:1-3. He who enters not by the door into the sheepfold, but climbs up some other way, the same is a thief and a robber. But he who enters in by the door is the shepherd of the sheep. To him the porter opens; and the sheep hear his voice: and he calls his own sheep by name, and leads them out.
Here the people of God are compared to sheep. Their harmlessness and gentle character, their feebleness and quiet in the fold, their profitable uses, their defenseless state, requiring someone always to watch over them, the patience with which they are led to the shearer or to the slaughter, and the constancy with which they are associated with sacrifice, render sheep a most excellent symbol of the people of God. Doubtless the fold is the Church, within this fold all the saints of God are gathered, not always in the visible, but always in the invisible and indivisible Church of Christ. None may set up to be shepherds of this fold except those who come in a proper and fitting way, and that is not by a pretended apostolical descent, that is, not by a commission which they have received from their own assumption, but by a commission direct from Christ — coming in through him as by the door. The great true Shepherd, the antitype of all shepherds is Christ himself. To him the porter opens. All the prophecies, which, like porters, kept the gates, opened at once to Christ; all godly hearts, which, like the porters of the gate, were watching for the coming of the true Shepherd, opened at once to Jesus; whether it were Anna or Simeon, they at once confessed him. The sheep hear his voice, and he calls his own sheep by name, and leads them out. We are told by Eastern travelers that in the large district folds into which the sheep-farmers put their different flocks, while they are all assembled in one common flock, the shepherd of any one flock has but to make his appearance and begin to speak, and his sheep at once recognize him. Though another person should dress up in his garments they would take no notice of him; they know their shepherd by his voice.
John 10:4. And when he puts forth his own sheep, he goes before them, and the sheep follow him: for they know his voice.
The genius of the law is driving; the spirit of the Gospel is leading, and the joyful imitation follows.
John 10:5. And a stranger will they not follow, but will flee from him: for they know not the voice of strangers.
Heretics attract their companies, but the faithful followers of Christ never go after them. They cleave to the truth, which is the voice of Christ, and they will not be persuaded by the most marvelous lying wonders, nor by the greatest arrogance, to depart from him who is their all.
John 10:6-8. This parable spoke Jesus unto them: but they understood not what things they were which he spoke unto them. Then said Jesus unto them again, Truly, truly, I say unto you, I am the door of the sheep. All that ever came before me are thieves and robbers: but the sheep did not hear them.
They made loud professions of being the true Messiah, and some of them gathered great multitudes, and rebelled against the Roman power, but the true sheep, who waited for the true Shepherd, did not hear them.
John 10:9-14. I am the door: by me if any man enter in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out, and find pasture. The thief comes not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly. I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd gives his life for the sheep. But he who is an hireling, and not the shepherd, whose own the sheep are not, sees the wolf coming, and leaves the sheep, and flees: and the wolf caches them, and scatters the sheep. The hireling flees, because he is an hireling, and cares not for the sheep. I am the good shepherd, and know my sheep, and am known of mine.
This good Shepherd proves himself to be so by his actions. Remember, brethren, how carefully he watches his sheep from the tower of the flock, not one of them ever being absent from his eye for a single moment. How graciously he guides those sheep, leading them always by a right way that he may bring them to safety at the last. How plentifully does he pasture his flock, making them to lie down in green pastures beside the still waters. And oh! how gloriously does he defend his flock, dashing into the thickest of their foes, snatching the lamb out of the jaws of the lion and out of the paw of the bear. And we must not conclude this list of his deeds without remembering how readily he has bought that flock, and how well he has washed that flock, in blood flowing from his own veins, that he might present them all at the last, not one of them being wanting, nor one of them impure, but each of them like sheep that come up fresh from the washing. "I know my sheep." It is not as if salvation was left to haphazard. He knew them before they were created. Having foreordained he did foreknow. He knew them when they did not know themselves, when they were wallowing in the mire like swine, he knew them still. He knows them now — unknown to fame, unregistered, perhaps, in the books of the visible Church "I know my sheep wherever they may be." Then notice the next sentence, for this is the practical way by which you may judge whether you are his or not: "I am known of mine." They know him as their only hope and trust, they know the sweetness of fellowship with him. They know the power of his arm, the efficacy of his blood, the faithfulness of his heart. They know the preciousness of his cross, and the glory of his grown.
John 10:15-16. As the Father knows me, even so know I the Father: and I lay down my life for the sheep. And other sheep I have, which are not of this fold: them also I must bring, and they shall hear my voice; and there shall be one fold, and one shepherd.
No recognition of free-will here. Christ speaks as one who has the hearts of men in his control. He knows who are his that as yet are not called. He does not say he hopes they will yield to hear his voice, but they shall. Oh, irresistible grace, what can stand against you? The blood-bought shall all be blood-washed; the foreordained and foreknown shall yet know him who has saved them by his blood. In this we ought constantly to rejoice. The feebleness of the minister is no barrier to the carrying out of God’s purpose, nor is the hardness of the human heart any impediment to the completion of the divine degree. "Them also must I bring." There is a heavenly necessity that all the chosen should be saved.
John 10:17; John 10:26. Therefore does my Father love me, because I lay down my life, that I might take it again. No man takes it from me, but I lay it down of myself. I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it again. This commandment have I received of my Father. There was a division therefore again among the Jews for these sayings. And many of them said, He has a devil and is mad, why hear you him? Others said, These are not the words of him that has a devil. Can a devil open the eyes of the blind? And it was at Jerusalem the feast of the dedication, and it was winter. And Jesus walked in the temple in Solomon’s porch. Then came the Jews round about him, and said unto him, How long do you make us to doubt? If you be the Christ, tell us plainly. Jesus answered them, I told you, and you believed not: the work that I do in my Father’s name, they bear witness of me. But you believe not, because you are not of my sheep, as I said unto you.
Believing does not make them sheep, but being sheep by divine election proves them to be such.
John 10:27-30. My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me. And I give unto them eternal life, and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand. My Father, which gave them me, is greater than all; and no man is able to pluck them out of my Father’s hand. I and my Father are one.
Happy are they, then, who have received the character of sheep, for thus they prove themselves to be the chosen of God, and in the hand of Christ, and in his Father’s grasp, they are eternally secure.
"If in my Father’s love,
I share a filial part.
Send down your Spirit like a dove
To rest upon my heart."
This exposition consisted of readings from John 10:1-30 and Hebrews 1:1-14.
Chapter 11 Verses 1-26
John 11:1. Now a certain man was sick, named Lazarus, of Bethany, the town or Mary and her sister Martha.
In God’s book, towns are most remarkable for saints that dwell in them. "The town of Mary and her sister Martha." A day will come when a city shall be more illustrious for a saint than for a Caesar — be more renowned for deeds of faith than for deeds of battle. It was "the town of Mary and her sister Martha."
John 11:2-3. (It was that Mary which anointed the Lord with ointment, and wiped his feet with her hair, whose brother Lazarus was sick). Therefore his sisters sent unto him, saying, Lord, behold, he whom you love is sick.
They did not say anymore. They felt that it was quite enough to tell him that Lazarus was sick, and they left it to the tender heart of Jesus to do whatever seemed good in his sight. Some prayers would be all the better if they were shorter — all the better if they did not so much declare our own will as declare our confidence in the good will of Christ. I like the omissions of Martha’s and Mary’s prayer.
John 11:4. When Jesus heard that, he said, This sickness is not unto death, but for the glory of God, that the Son of God might be glorified thereby.
Our Savior sneaks in a different style from us. He should have said that the sickness was unto death, but, ultimately, to the glory of God. But he who sees the end from the beginning streaks with a grandeur of style which could not be imitated by us. So the Lord speaks of things, not as they seem to be, nor even as they are in the present moment, but as they shall be in the long run. "Not unto death, but that the Son of God might be glorified."
John 11:5. Now Jesus loved Martha, and her sister, and Lazarus.
Yet Lazarus died. Jesus loved Lazarus, yet Lazarus was sick. Jesus was not of that cruel sort of people, of whom we have some in these days, who call themselves saints, and who attribute all sickness among God’s people to their sin or to their want of faith. Not he. Here was one that was sick, but Jesus loved him just as much for all that.
John 11:6. When he had heard therefore that he was sick, he abode two days still in the same place where he was.
Notice the connection. "Jesus loved Martha, and her sister, and Lazarus"; and yet when he had heard that Lazarus was sick, "he abode two days still in the same place where he was." Sometimes true love may think fit to make us wait. It may be the truest love on God’s part to let us lie sick, and not to come post-haste to us to make us well. Ay, the truest love may demand that the sickness should turn to death, for out of the death he may bring the greater glory. The Lord acts not upon the scale of man, for he sees not as man sees. He sees the end as well as the beginning.
John 11:7. Then after that says he to his disciples, Let us go into Judea again.
— and that because he loved Martha, and her sister, and Lazarus. If that love in its wisdom made him tarry, yet that love in its sincerity at last moved him to seek the house of grief.
John 11:9. Jesus answered, Are there not twelve hours in the day?
Is there not a time in which the sun will not go down — in which it is safe and right for men to work?
John 11:9-10. If any man walk in the day, he stumbles not, because he sees the light of this world. But if a man walk in the night, he stumbles, because there is no light in him.
There is a singular turn, is there not, in that expression? We expected it to be "Because he sees not the light of the world," instead of which the Savior says, "Because there is no light in him" — because in spiritual things our light not only comes from above, but it shines within; and without that inner light we are sure to stumble.
John 11:11. These things said he: and after that he says unto them, Our friend Lazarus sleeps: but I go, that I may awake him out of sleep.
It is the Savior’s way to use terms concerning his miracles, which, so far from exaggerating them, even appear to depreciate them. He is about to raise a man from the dead, but he says, "Our friend Lazarus sleeps; but I go that I may awake him out of sleep." I am afraid that our tendency is always to describe our actions in the largest possible terms consistent with truth; perhaps, sometimes forgetting those last words. But the Savior describes truthfully what he does, but still in terms which, like his humanity, seem to veil the glory. Wonderfully condescending is it of him to speak thus: —
John 11:12. Then said his disciples, Lord, if he sleep, he shall do well.
It is considered to be a sign of getting better when a patient can sleep.
John 11:13-16. Howbeit Jesus spoke of his death: but they thought that he had spoken of taking of rest in sleep. Then said Jesus unto them plainly, Lazarus is dead. And I am glad for your sakes that I was not there, to the intent you may believe; nevertheless let us go unto him. Then said Thomas, which is called Didymus, unto his fellow disciples, Let us also go, that we may die with him.
A singular mixture of faith and unbelief. He so believes his Master that he is willing to die with him. He so doubts him that, although the Savior had plainly told him that he was immortal until his work was done, yet he is afraid that his Master and all of them will be put to death. Oh, the Lord knows us better than we know ourselves, and the Lord accepts us notwithstanding our infirmities.
John 11:17. Then when Jesus came, he found that he had lain in the grave four days already.
So that he was probably dead as soon as the messengers arrived to tell the Savior that he was ill.
John 11:18. Now Bethany was near unto Jerusalem, about fifteen furlongs off.
Just a nice little walk which our Savior had often taken in the evening after the toils of the day in Jerusalem. He had loved to make Bethany his quiet resting-place. "Fifteen furlongs off."
John 11:19-20. And many of the Jews came to Martha and Mary, to comfort them concerning their brother. Then Martha, as soon as she heard that Jesus was coming, went and met him: but Mary sat still in the house.
Because she had not heard that Jesus was come, or else, no doubt, she would have been there as soon as Martha.
John 11:21. Then said Martha unto Jesus, Lord, if you had been here, my brother had not died.
They had often said to one another, "Oh, we wish the Lord were come." They had sent for him. They felt sure that he would come. But, alas, their brother had died before the Master had arrived; and now this thought which was uppermost in their hearts is uppermost in their speech, "Lord, if you had been here, my brother had not died."
John 11:22. But I know, that even now, whatever you will ask of God, God will give it you.
There is faith there, and there is unbelief too. She believes that Christ can have what he wills of God, but she does not recognize his own personal Godhead — his own power to work resurrection.
John 11:23-26. Jesus says unto her, Your brother shall rise again. Martha says unto him, I know that he shall rise again in the resurrection at the last day. Jesus said unto her I am the resurrection, and the life: he who believes in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live: And whoever lives and believes in me shall never die. Believe you this?
She looked upon the resurrection and the life as things that were to be in some dim and misty future. "No," says Christ, "I am the resurrection and the life. Not only do I get these things by prayer from God, but I am these things." And then he goes on to explain it. He says, "I am the resurrection. He who believes in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live. I am the life. Whoever lives and believes in me shall never die. Believe you this?" He has taken her out of the thought of this poor common animal-life into the thought of the spiritual and higher life, which is, indeed, to the soul what the resurrection is to the body. It was well for the Savior thus to teach her higher truth than as yet she knew.
Verses 1-44John 11:1. Now a certain man was sick, named Lazarus, of Bethany, the town of Mary and her sister Martha.
To many people, it may have seemed an event of no particular importance that "a certain man was sick, named Lazarus, of Bethany," but great consequences often depend upon what appear to us to be very minor matters, and we must not despise the least of the Lord’s people, nor think slightingly of anything that concerns them. When a king or an emperor is ill, the news is published in all the papers; but when a friend of the Lord Jesus, a man "named Lazarus of Bethany," was sick, that event was recorded in the Bible because of something very remarkable which was to follow that sickness. Lazarus was a son of God, and grace makes greater distinctions than earthly rank and worldly honors ever can make.
John 11:2-3. (It was that Mary which anointed the Lord with ointment, and wiped his feet with her hair, whose brother Lazarus was sick.) Therefore his sisters sent unto him, saying, Lord, behold, he whom you love is sick.
So you see that those whom Jesus loves may be themselves ill, or may have dear ones who are ill; ay, and the illness may be sent by God as a token and testimony of his affection for them. Men polish gems, but they do not take the trouble to polish common pebbles, and God sends affliction to his own beloved ones for their good and for his own glory.
John 11:4. When Jesus heard that, he said, This sickness is not unto death,-
That was not to be the end of it; God had quite another purpose in view in allowing Lazarus to be sick: "This sickness is not unto death,"-
John 11:4. But for the glory of God, that the Son of God might be glorified thereby.
Jesus knew that Lazarus would die, but he also knew that his death would only be a kind of interlude; the great design of God was not to take Lazarus home at that time, but to glorify his Son in the resurrection of Lazarus from the dead.
John 11:5. Now Jesus loved Martha, and her sister, and Lazarus.
Happy was the family at Bethany of which it could be said that all the members of it were dear to Christ. Is it so with your household, Martha? Or is it only Mary who is thus loved? Has Lazarus been left out? Then pray for your brother as these gracious sisters sent to tell Jesus about Lazarus.
John 11:6. When he had heard therefore that he was sick, he abode two days still in the same place where he was.
We cannot always understand what our Master does. It seemed a strange thing that, when Jesus heard that Lazarus was sick, he stopped where he was, yet there was a good reason for the delay, Christ was waiting in wisdom and in love. I think I see Mary and Martha, day after day wondering where Jesus could be; perhaps thinking hard thoughts of him, and saying, "He loved us, and he loved our brother, why did he not come directly we sent to him?"
John 11:7-10. Then after that says he to his disciples, Let us go into Judea again. His disciples say unto him, Master, the Jews of late sought to stone you; and go you thither again? Jesus answered, Are there not twelve hours in the day? If any man walk in the day, he stumbles not, because he sees the light of this world. But if a man walk in the night, he stumbles, because there is no light in him.
Christ felt that his day was not over, and that he could not die before his work was done, and therefore he did not fear the stones cast by unbelieving foes. So, my brother, at all risks go on with your God-given work; you will live through your twelve hours, and you will not live a moment longer. Be so much a believer in predestination that, even if duty calls you to risk your life, you will bravely do it, knowing that you are in the hands of God, and that your life cannot end until your appointed twelve hours have expired.
John 11:11. These things said he: and after that he says unto them, Our friend Lazarus sleeps;-
"Our friend." Why, Lazarus was Christ’s friend. Yes; but those who are Christ’s friends are our friends too if we belong to Christ. I have recently met with a large number of persons from different countries; but, the moment we discovered that we loved the same Lord, we seemed to be as intimate as if we had been next-door neighbors for the last fifty years.
"Our friend Lazarus sleeps;"-
John 11:11-14. But I go, that I may awake him out of sleep. Then said his disciples, Lord, if he sleep, he shall do well. Howbeit Jesus spoke of his death: but they thought that he had spoken of taking of rest in sleep. Then said Jesus unto them plainly, Lazarus is dead.
Let me remind you, my dear brethren who preach the gospel, that you will have to preach very plainly, for you see that even the apostles could not understand a figure of speech. When Christ said, "Our friend Lazarus sleeps," they mistook his meaning, so he had to say plainly, "Lazarus is dead." That is how we must preach the gospel; not only so that our hearers can understand it, but so that they cannot misunderstand it.
John 11:15-16. And I am glad for your sakes that I was not there, to the intent you may believe, nevertheless let us go unto him. Then said Thomas, which is called Didymus, unto his fellow disciples, Let us also go, that we may die with him.
Thomas always took a dark view of things, so he thought his Master was going to be killed; but he was a brave disciple, for he said to the other disciples, "Let us also go, that we may die with him." There are still many very timid despondent disciples, but they cling to Christ, and, if necessary, they would die for him, as Thomas was willing to die with him. God bless you, Thomas! There are worse men than you, and not many better.
John 11:17. Then when Jesus came, he found that he had lain in the grave four days already.
You know that, in the East, they have to bury the dead almost immediately because of the heat of the climate; so that Lazarus was, not long after he was dead, put away in the family vault.
John 11:18. Now Bethany was near unto Jerusalem, about fifteen furlongs off:
An easy walk of somewhere about two miles.
John 11:19-20. And many of the Jews came to Martha and Mary, to comfort them concerning their brother. Then Martha, as soon as she heard that Jesus was coming, went and met him: but Mary sat still in the house.
You will often hear people praising Mary at the expense of Martha, but although Mary is commended for sitting at Christ’s feet, Martha here was the first to meet her Lord. The varying characters of different persons come out best at different times. Mary is best at sermon-time, she forgets the cups and the platters, but Martha is the more practical in the time of grief. She is active, and does not give way as Mary does. She is not so contemplative, and not so crushed as Mary is, so she is the first to go to meet her Lord.
John 11:21. Then said Martha unto Jesus, Lord, if you had been here, my brother had not died.
There seems to have been just a tinge of reproach in Martha’s words, and Mary said exactly the same words to their dear Master and Friend a little later; and I have often heard Martha and Mary talk in this fashion: "Oh, if we had only had another doctor!" or, "If our dear friend had not gone to the seaside;" or, possibly, "If he had gone to the seaside, he might not have died." Well now, beloved friends, you have grief enough in having lost your relative or friend without adding to it by these unwise suppositions about what might have happened if you had done something else. Do not fall into that mistake and wound yourselves and grieve your best friend by unnecessary and useless regrets.
John 11:22-24. But I know, that even now, whatever you will ask of God, God will give it you. Jesus says unto her, Your brother shall rise again. Martha says unto him, I know that he shall rise again in the resurrection at the last day.
She could not believe the joyful meaning that Christ meant to convey to her when he said, "Your brother shall rise again."
John 11:25. Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection,-
Note that our Lord did not say, "I am he who raises the dead;" but, "I am the resurrection,"-
John 11:25-27. And the life: he who believes in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live: and whoever lives and believes in me shall never die. Believe you this? She says unto him, Yes, Lord: I believe that you are the Christ, the Son of God, which should come into the world.
Will not many of you make Martha’s grand confession of faith your own? Believe in Jesus, and then you will be able to believe anything and everything that he says.
John 11:28. And when she had so said, she went her way, and called Mary her sister secretly, saying, The Master is come, and calls for you.
Martha’s title for Christ might be rendered, "The Teacher, The authoritative Teacher," yet I am glad our translators put it "The Master."
John 11:29. As soon as she heard that, she arose quickly, and came unto him.
The coming of Christ had such an effect upon her that she arose from amid the ashes of her sorrow, and went out to meet her dear Lord and Master.
John 11:30-31. Now Jesus was not yet come into the town, but was in that place where Martha met him. The Jews then which were with her in the house, and comforted her, when they saw Mary, that she rose up hastily and went out, followed her, saying, She goes unto the grave to weep there.
It is significant that these mourners did not follow Martha when she went to meet Jesus, but they did follow Mary. Sometimes, sinners who are not converted by listening to one preacher, are blessed by the testimony of two. One sister may not be able to lead her brother to Christ yet God may enable two to do it. Jesus sent out his seventy disciples "two and two," and the apostles are usually mentioned in pairs,-Simon and Andrew, James and John, Phillip and Bartholomew and so on; and we shall find that two Christians can often accomplish what one alone could not do.
John 11:32-33. Then when Mary was come where Jesus was, and saw him, she fell down at his feet, saying unto him, Lord, if you had been here, my brother had not died. When Jesus therefore saw her weeping, and the Jews also weeping which came with her, he groaned in the spirit, and was troubled,
His heart was full of sympathy; he felt the grief of these mourners, and sorrowed with them.
John 11:34-35. And said, Where have you laid him? They said unto him, Lord, come and see. Jesus wept.
In the original, a very blessed and expressive word is used here concerning Christ’s weeping; quite a different word from that used to describe the weeping of Mary and the Jews. It should be a constant comfort to the sorrowing Church of God that "Jesus wept."
John 11:36-39. Then said the Jews, Behold how he loved him! And some of them said, Could not this man, which opened the eyes of the blind, have caused that even this man should not have died? Jesus therefore again groaning in himself comes to the grave. It was a cave, and a stone lay upon it. Jesus said, Take you away the stone. Martha, the sister of him that was dead, says unto him, Lord, by this time he stinks: for he has been dead four days.
"Will you expose that corrupt corpse to the air? "Ah, me! what poor foul creatures we are through the Fall! See what we may, any of us, become in a few days, so that even the one who loves us best will have to say of us, "Bury my dead out of my sight."
John 11:40-41. Jesus says unto her, Said I not unto you, that, if you would believe, you should see the glory of God? Then they took away the stone from the place where the dead was laid. And Jesus lifted up his eyes, and said, Father, I thank you that you have heard me.
That groaning in spirit was Christ’s prayer to his Father, that inward tumult of his soul was his earnest supplication; and now he thanks his Father that he has heard him. Yet Lazarus was still dead, and lying, a mass of corruption, in the grave. Oh, for faith to bless God for the mercies that are on the way to us!
John 11:42; John 11:44. And I knew that you hear me always: but because of the people which stand by I said it, that they may believe that you have sent me. And when he thus had spoken, he cried with a loud voice, Lazarus, come forth. And he that was dead came forth, bound hand and foot with grave clothes: and his face was bound about with a napkin. Jesus says unto them, Loose him, and let him go.
See what wonders our Lord can work, and ask him to work similar miracles in the spiritual realm, and to raise to life those who are dead in trespasses and sins.
Verses 27-46Our Lord’s greatest miracles were ever the reward of faith.
John 11:27. She says unto him, Yes, Lord I believe that you are the Christ, the Son of God, which should come unto the world.
By which she as good as said, "I believe that, and I believe everything else. I have an implicit faith in you. Whatever you say, whatever you have said or shall say, I am prepared to believe it all. for I believe in you. I believe that you are the Christ, the Son of God, which should come into the world."
John 11:28. And when she had so said, she went her way, and called Mary her sister secretly,
Because she knew that the Jews hated the Savior, she could not tell what would come of it if they knew of his coming, so she whispers to her:
John 11:28-30. Saying, The Master is come, and calls for you. As soon as she heard that, she arose quickly, and came unto him. Now Jesus was not yet come into the town, but was at that place where Martha met him.
Their cemeteries were outside the town, and probably the Savior was near the very grave where Lazarus slept.
John 11:31-32. The Jews then which were with her in the house, and comforted her, when they saw Mary, that she rose up hastily and went out, followed her, saying, She goes unto the grave to weep there. Then when Mary was come where Jesus was, and saw him, she fell down at his feet, saying unto him, Lord, if you had been here, my brother had not died
Her thought was just the same as the thought of Martha, but she did not say so much as Martha. She never did. Martha had a dialogue with the Savior, but Mary bowed at his feet.
John 11:33. When Jesus therefore saw her weeping, and the Jews also weeping which came with her, he groaned in the spirit, and was troubled, and said, Where have you laid him? They said unto him, Lord. come and see. Jesus wept. Then said the Jews, Behold how he loved him! And some of them said, Could not this man, which opened the eyes of the blind, have caused that even this man should not have died? Jesus therefore again groaning in himself comes to the grave.
Many have asked why Christ groaned. Why, brethren, it is the way in which he gives life — by his own death. We say sometimes of one who does a great action, "It took so much out of him." So it did out of the Savior. He must groan that Mary, and Martha, and Lazarus may rejoice. It is not without the stirring of his very life that he gives life to the dead.
John 11:38-39. It was a cave and the stone lay upon it. Jesus said, Take you away the stone, Martha, the sister of him that was dead, said unto him, Lord, by this time he stinks: for he has been dead four days.
"It were a pity to roll away the stone."
John 11:40-41. Jesus says unto her, Said I not unto you, that, if you would believe, you should see the glory of God? Then they took away the stone from the place where the dead was laid. And Jesus lifted up his eyes, and said, Father, I thank you that you has heard me.
That is grand praying, is it not? Sometimes we ought to say, "Just so." "Father, I thank you that you have heard me."
John 11:42-44. And I knew that you hear me always. but because of the people which stand by I said it, that they may believe that you have sent me. And when he had thus spoken he cried with a loud voice, Lazarus come forth. And he who was dead came forth, bound hand and foot with grave clothes: and his face was bound about with a napkin.
He probably slipped himself off from the ledge in the tomb upon which he been laid, and there he appeared before them bound so that he could not move farther.
Verses 45-57Lazarus had been publicly raised from the dead. A great number of persons saw the miracle, and there was never any question about its having been wrought.
John 11:45-46. Then many of the Jews which came to Mary, and had seen the things which Jesus did, believed on him. But some of them went their ways to the Pharisees, and told them what things Jesus had done.
We could hardly have conceived it possible that men would have been guilty of such conduct as this to post off to Christ’s enemies, and lay it as an accusation against him, that he had raised a man from the dead.
John 11:47-48. Then gathered the chief priests and the Pharisees a council, and said, What do we? for this man does many miracles. If we let him thus alone, all men will believe on him: and the Romans shall come and take away both our place and nation.
They pretended that if Jesus Christ gathered to himself a great party, the Romans would take umbrage at it — pounce upon the whole nation and destroy it, for fear of its revolting from under their sway. A gross falsehood throughout.
John 11:49-50. And one of them, named Caiaphas, being the high priest that same year, said unto them, You know nothing at all. Nor consider that it is expedient for us, that one man should die for the people, And that the whole nation perish not.
That was his advice. You are, none of you, up to the mark. You do not handle this thing rightly. Let us kill this man. Let him be put to death —not that he deserves it, but that it is expedient that it should be, lest our nation should be destroyed; and this is the way that governors and kings have been accustomed to think — not "Is it right?" but "Is it expedient "and we may always pray to God that we may have a Government that will do that which is right, and not be guided by the evil direction of that which is expedient. One has well said that if the death of a righteous man would save ten thousand, yet it would be an atrocious thing that he should be put to death unwillingly for the saving of any. The right is, after all, expedient. Yet Caiaphas did not know what he said. He was speaking a great truth.
John 11:51. And this spoke he not of himself: but being high priest that year, he prophesied that Jesus should die for that nation:
He did not understand his own words. He was saying a great deal more than he meant to say — for it was expedient — blessedly expedient — that Jesus should die willingly and of his own accord, giving himself up to death for the sake of his people.
John 11:52-53. And not for that nation only, but that also he should gather together in one the children of God that were scattered abroad. Then from that day forth they took counsel together for to put him to death.
One bold wicked man can often sway the counsels of men who are equally bad, but more cowardly. It had not yet come to this — that they would hurt him to the death; but now they take counsel to put him to death.
John 11:54. Jesus therefore walked no more openly among the Jews; but went thence unto a country near to the wilderness, into a city called Ephraim, and there continued with his disciples.
We do not find that he wrought miracles there or preached, but in a holy and devout retirement, it may be, he prepared his mind for the last great week — the week of his passion and his death. It is generally best for us to imitate him in this; and when we have some great work to do — something that will need all the grace that we can get, it is well to make a retreat —get into retirement, and school the heart, and seek to drink in fresh strength that we may be prepared for that which lies before us.
John 11:55-56. And the Jews’ Passover was near at hand: and many went out of the country up to Jerusalem before the Passover, to purify themselves. Then sought they for Jesus, and spoke among themselves, as they stood in the temple, What think you, that he will not come to the feast?
They had heard much of him in the country. Country people coming to town want to hear the great minister — to see the great Prophet: so that is their question, "Will he come to the feast?"
John 11:57. Now both the chief priests and the Pharisees had given a commandment, that, if any man knew where he were, he should show it, that they might take him.
They could not deny the miracle: they could arrest and punish the miracle-worker.
Chapter 12 Verses 1-7
John 12:1-2. Then Jesus six days before the Passover came to Bethany, where Lazarus was which had been dead, whom he raised from the dead. There they made him a supper;
It was in the house of Simon the Leper; a near acquaintance, perhaps a relative of this beloved family, for we find that Martha served, but Lazarus was one of them that sat at the table with him. The two families had coalesced for this festival, and well they might, for one case someone had been healed of leprosy, and in the other case Lazarus had been raised from the dead. It was a holy, happy feast.
John 12:2-3. And Martha served: but Lazarus was one of them that sat at the table with him. Then took Mary a pound of ointment of spikenard, very costly, and anointed the feet of Jesus.
The other evangelist said "anointed his head." And they are both right. She anointed his head and his feet.
John 12:3. And wiped his feet with her hair: and the house was filled with the odor of the ointment.
Everybody perceived and enjoyed it, and understood what costly ointment it must be which loads the air with so delicate a perfume.
John 12:4. Then says one of his disciples, Judas Iscariot, Simon’s son, which should betray him.
I wonder whether he was son of that Simon the Leper, and whether a spiritual leprosy did cleave to him. That, we know, was the case.
John 12:5-6. Why was not this ointment sold for three hundred pence, and given to the poor? This he said, not that he cared for the poor; but because he was a thief and had the bag, and bare what was put therein.
Observe that the sharpest critics of the works of good men are very often no better than they should be. This Judas is indignant with what Mary does, and claims that he cares for the poor, but all the while he is thief. Whenever a man is very quick, condemning gracious men and women, you may be quite as quick in condemning him. He is a Judas usually.
This exposition consisted of readings of readings from John 8:29-59. Mark 14:1-9. John 12:1-7.
Verses 1-8John 12:1-2. Then Jesus, six days before the Passover came to Bethany, where Lazarus was which had been dead, whom he raised from the dead. There they made him a supper, and Martha served: but Lazarus was one of them that sat at the table with him.
Martha served: she had not given that up. She was a wondrous housewife, and she did well to keep to her occupation. Lazarus had been dead, and had been raised again. But he was not the center of interest: "He who raised him up was there."
John 12:3-7. Then took Mary a pound of ointment of spikenard, very costly, and anointed the feet of Jesus and wiped his feet with her hair: and the house was filled with the odor of the ointment. Then says one of his disciples, Judas Iscariot, Simon’s son, which should betray him, Why was not this ointment sold for three hundred pence, and given to the poor? This he said, not that he cared for the poor; but because he was a thief and had the bag, and bare what was put therein. Then said Jesus, Let her alone: against the day of my burying has she kept this.
Somebody or other always seemed to object to Mary. If Martha does not do it, Judas will. To be found guilty of excess of love to Christ is such a blessed criminality that I wish we might be executed for it. It were sweet to be put to death for such a crime. It was that that Christ died of. He was found guilty of excess of love.
John 12:8. For the poor always you have with you; but me you have not always.
It is not every day that you can do something personally and distinctly for Christ himself, and therefore, whenever the occasion serves you be sure to be there to avail yourself of it. True, you can serve him indirectly by aiding his poor saints. Still, something for him — for him himself — should often be devised as Mary devised this service that day.
This exposition consisted of readings from Psalms 63.; Luke 10:38-42; and John 12:1-8.
Verses 1-43John 12:1. Then Jesus six days before the Passover came to Bethany, where Lazarus was which had been dead, whom he raised from the dead.
The days Christ was to spend upon the earth were getting to be very few so he paid another visit to that Bethany home where he was always so welcome, and more so than ever since he had raised Lazarus from the dead.
John 12:2-3. There they made him a supper; and Martha served: but Lazarus was one of them that sat at the table with him. Then took Mary a pound of ointment of spikenard, very costly, and anointed the feet of Jesus, and wiped his feet with her hair: and the house was filled with the odor of the ointment.
All the members of the re-united family were present, Martha busy as usual with the domestic duties which fell to her share, Lazarus in close attendance upon the Master who had wrought so great a miracle upon him, and Mary in her own sweet and gracious way pouring out the wealth of her affection in honor of the Master.
John 12:4-6. Then says one of his disciples, Judas Iscariot, Simon’s son, which should betray him, Why was not this ointment sold for three hundred pence, and given to the poor? This he said, not that he cared for the poor; but because he was a thief, and had the bag, and bare what was put therein.
The question of Judas was a most unworthy one, but the motive that prompted the question was worse still. Little did he care for the poor; but if he could have had the selling of that very costly ointment of spikenard, he would have made that an opportunity of enriching himself.
John 12:7-8. Then said Jesus, Let her alone: against the day of my burying has she kept this. For the poor always you have with you: but me you have not always.
Christ was himself ever caring for the poor, so he would not discourage any effort on their behalf, but just then, one of his most devoted disciples desired to render to him special honor, and he would not let her be rebuked; but on the contrary, he pointed out the deep symbolical meaning of her loving action.
John 12:9. Much people of the Jews therefore knew that he was there: and they came not for Jesus’ sake only, but that they might see Lazarus also, whom he had raised from the dead.
Their curiosity was but natural, for few of them could have seen anyone who had been raised from the dead. It is well when a saved soul, who has been spiritually raised from the dead, becomes a center of attraction together with the Lord who has wrought such a miracle of mercy upon him.
John 12:10-11. But the chief priests consulted that they might put Lazarus also to death; Because that by reason of him many of the Jews went away, and believed on Jesus.
They would have committed a double murder if it had been possible, and would have put to death both Jesus and Lazarus, who was a living witness to the wonder-working power of the Christ whom they would not receive as the promised Messiah. When men hate Christ, they also hate those whom he has blessed, and will go to any lengths in seeking to silence their testimony.
John 12:12-13. On the next day much people that were come to the feast, when they heard that Jesus was coming to Jerusalem, Took branches of palm trees, and went forth to meet him, and cried, Hosanna: Blessed is the King of Israel that comes in the name of the Lord.
It is significant that John is the only one of the four Evangelists who mentions the palm fronds that were carried by the people in this triumphal procession in honor of Christ, and it was to John that the vision was given of the "great multitude, which no man could number, of all nations, and kindreds, and people, and tongues," who "stood before the throne, and before the Lamb, clothed with white robes, and palms in their hands, and cried with a loud voice, saying, Salvation to our God which sits upon the throne, and unto the Lamb."
John 12:14-16. And Jesus, when he had found a young donkey, sat thereon; as it is written, Fear not, daughter of Zion: behold, your King comes, sitting on an ass’s colt. These things understood not his disciples at the first: but when Jesus was glorified, then remembered they that these things were written of him, and that they had done these things unto him.
It is strange that Christ’s own disciples did not at once remember this plain prophecy when it was so literally fulfilled, yet, before we condemn them, let us recollect how "slow of heart" we also have been "to believe all that the prophets have spoken."
John 12:17. The people therefore that was with him when he called Lazarus out of his grave, and raised him from the dead, bare record.
They could not help testifying in his favor after they had seen him work such a notable miracle as the raising of Lazarus from the dead.
John 12:18-19. For this cause the people also met him, for that they heard that he had done this miracle. The Pharisees therefore said among themselves, Perceive you how you prevail nothing? Behold, the world is gone after him.
When they saw our Lord riding in state through the streets, and the people waving palm branches and shouting in his honor, they said, "The world is gone after him." That was only very partially true, and for a very short time; but the day will come when the whole world shall go after him Christ’s divine attractions shall be felt throughout the earth, and all the Pharisees then in the world will not be able to prevent the people from going after him; and-
"Come what may To stand in the way That day the world shall see."
John 12:20-21. And there were certain Greeks among them that came up to worship at the feast: The same came therefore to Philip, which was of Bethsaida of Galilee, and desired him, saying, Sir, we would see Jesus.
They were proselytes, who had learned to worship Jehovah. Something more than mere curiosity must have moved them to want to see Jesus. Having heard of his raising the dead, they had a desire, and a very proper desire, to know more of him, so they asked to be introduced to him by one who, though not a Greek, had a Greek name, and who may therefore have served as a kind of bridge for these Greeks to reach the Savior.
John 12:22-23. Philip comes and tells Andrew: and again Andrew and Philip tell Jesus. And Jesus answered them, saying, The hour is come that the Son of man should be glorified.
Christ’s passion and death were getting very near when these Gentiles came to him, and he saw, in that company of Greeks, the vanguard of that great army that shall yet come to him out of every nation under Heaven. In the prospect of that great ingathering, he looked beyond the impending shame and suffering, and spoke even of the hour of his death as the time when he should be glorified.
John 12:24. Truly, truly, I say unto you. Except a corn of wheat fall into the ground and die, it abides alone: but if it die, it brings forth much fruit.
This was Christ’s way to glory, and it must be our way to glory too. The grain of wheat must fall into the ground, and die, or else it cannot bring forth fruit. Just so must it be with you and with me, and in proportion as we learn to die to self we shall live to the glory of God.
John 12:25. He who loves his life shall lose it.
If you keep yourself to yourself, you will lose yourself.
John 12:25. And he who hates his life in this world shall keep it unto life eternal.
Brethren and sisters in Christ, if we are really to glorify Christ on the earth, we must be willing to lose our reputation, our good name, our comfort, and indeed everything that we have, for Christ’s sake. This is the only way truly to live. If, for your own sake, you begin to keep back anything from Christ, that is the way to die. You would then be like the grain of wheat that is laid by, and preserved, and which, therefore, can never grow or multiply. Surrender yourself; be willing to be nothing; be willing to die if only the truth may live. Care nothing about honor and glory for yourself; care only about the honor and glory of your Master. Learn the meaning of the Master’s paradox. As you bury yourself, you will multiply yourself. As you are put out of sight, like a grain of wheat that is sown in the ground, you have your only opportunity of growth and increase; heavily-laden ears of corn shall spring up from the grain which has been buried in the earth.
John 12:26-28. If any man serve me, let him follow me; and where I am, there shall also my servant be: if any man serve me, him will my father honor. Now is my soul troubled; and what shall I say? Father, save me from this hour: but for this cause came I unto this hour. Father, glorify your name.
In the 27th verse, our Savior asked himself the question, "What shall I say?" here he gives his own answer, "Father, glorify your name." When you know not what to pray for, you can always safely pray, "Father, glorify your name." As you stand where the cross-roads meet, and you ask, "Which way shall I choose?" pray, "Father, glorify your name." This incident seems like a rehearsal of Christ’s passion. Here we see that natural fear of death which came across the Savior’s mind because he was so really and truly man. If his pains had not been real pains, but had been pleasant and congenial to him, there would have been no self-sacrifice in his suffering; but the fact that they cast upon his spirit the dark shadow of death only proves to us what sharp pains they were; but instead of asking for a way of escape from them, he surrendered himself to them, gave himself up as a willing victim with this prayer upon his lips, "Father, glorify your name." And now see what happened.
John 12:28-29. Then came there a voice from Heaven, saying, I have both glorified it, and will glorify it again. The people therefore, that stood by, and heard it, said that it thundered: others said, An angel spoke to him.
This was one of the three occasions on which testimony was openly borne to Christ by his Father; first at his baptism, then at his transfiguration, and now here at the rehearsal of his great sacrifice. We learn, from this narrative, that the voice of God is not understood by everybody. Some of those that stood by said that it thundered, and others said that an angel spoke to him. It is necessary that you should be a child of God if you are to know your Father’s voice. Though God is speaking, at this moment in the clearest tones, none will recognize his voice, or understand his words, but those who are taught by his Holy Spirit.
John 12:30-31. Jesus answered and said, This voice came not because of me, but for your sakes. Now is the judgment of this world; now shall the prince of this world be cast out.
See how the eye of faith reads things differently from the eye of sense. You and I would have said, "Now is Christ coming to his lowest point. Now is his name to be cast out from among men, and his cause to be crushed as the result of his death." But Christ reads the signs of the times very differently. "Now," says he, "in the hour of my shame, and suffering, and death, is the judgment of this world: now shall the prince of this world be cast out." It was only by Christ being apparently conquered that Satan could be really vanquished, and there is often no way of victory for a saint except through defeat. When self is slain, then do we truly live.
John 12:32-33. And I, if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all men unto me. This he said, signifying what death he should die.
The Pharisees said, "The world is gone after him;" but Jesus says, "No not while I am riding in state through the streets of Jerusalem; but when I am lifted up, and hung upon the cross, then shall it indeed be true, ‘I, if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all men unto me.’" The crucified Christ of Calvary is the mighty magnet that is to attract multitudes of trembling, doubting, ruined sinners, who by grace shall be drawn unto him, and find eternal life in him.
John 12:34-35. The people answered him, We have heard out of the law that Christ abides forever: and how say you, The Son of man must be lifted up? who is this Son of man? Then Jesus said unto them, Yet a little while is the light with you. Walk while you have the light, lest darkness come upon you: for he that walks in darkness knows not where he goes.
What a sad condition to be in, not to know where you are going! Are there not some of you, whom I am now addressing, who do not know where you are going? Yet, if you would but take the trouble to look, you might easily know that, so long as you continue in the paths of sin, you are going down to the chambers of death. Oh, that God’s Holy Spirit would give you sufficient light to enable you to see where you are going! You surely do not want to take "a leap in the dark." Oh, that you may have the grace to turn from the downward way, and to seek the heavenward road!
John 12:36-41. While you have light, believe in the light, that you may be the children of light. These things spoke Jesus, and departed, and did hide himself from them. But though he had done so many miracles before them, yet they believed not on him: That the saying of Isaiah the prophet might be fulfilled, which he spoke, Lord, who has believed our report? and to whom has the arm of the Lord been revealed? Therefore they could not believe, because that Isaiah said again, He has blinded their eyes, and hardened their heart; that they should not see with their eyes, nor understand with their heart, and be converted, and I should heal them. These things said Isaiah, when he saw his glory, and spoke of him.
You know that wonderful sixth chapter of Isaiah’s prophecy, and you know how wonderfully he has spoken there of the glory of Christ; but what a terrible thing it is that even Christ should be driven to blind men’s eyes, to take the light away from them because they proved themselves unworthy of it! May that never be the case with any of us; but while we may see, let us see; and may God give us more light!
John 12:42-43. Nevertheless among the chief rulers also many believed on him; but because of the Pharisees they did not confess him, lest they should be put out of the synagogue: For they loved the praise of men more than the praise of God.
What a shameful thing that was! Yet you will still find that there are many persons who, even though they believe the truth, dare not own it, but must hide in obscurity until the times grow easier. However, Christ’s death fetched out many who had been his disciples in secret. Joseph of Arimathea and Nicodemus could not keep in the background any longer and, doubtless, the thoughts of many other hearts were then revealed.
Verses 12-36John 12:12-15. On the next day much people that were come to the feast, when they beard that Jesus was coming to Jerusalem, Took branches of palm trees, and went forth to meet him, and cried, Hosanna: Blessed is the King of Israel that comes in the name of the Lord. And Jesus, when he had found a young donkey, sat thereon; as it is written, Fear not, daughter of Zion · behold, your King comes, sitting on an ass’s colt.
Even in the little glory of a temporal kind, which was given to the Lord Jesus Christ when he was "here among men" as Mrs. Luke’s hymn puts it, his humility and meekness were very manifest, thus fulfilling the prophecy recorded in Zechariah 9:9 : "Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion; shout, O daughter of Jerusalem: behold, your King comes unto you; he is just, and having salvation; lowly, and riding upon an donkey, and upon a colt the foal of an donkey." Oh, that all his people would always be of such a lowly spirit, not seeking great things for themselves, but condescending to men of low estate, remembering that it was their Master who said to his disciples, "Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart; and you shall find rest unto your souls."
John 12:16. These things understood not his disciples at the first: but when Jesus was glorified, then remembered they that these things were written of him, and that they had done these things unto him.
I wonder whether, when Christ comes back to earth, in the glory of his Father with the holy angels, we also shall not understand a great many things which are complete mysteries to us now. Perhaps, it will be said of us then, "These things understood not his disciples at the first: but when Jesus was glorified, then remembered they that these things were written of him, and that they had done these things unto him." That first glory of his ascension to Heaven shed a flood of light upon the life of Christ, as doubtless the greater glory of his second advent will shed a yet brighter light upon our understanding of the things of Christ which quite surpass our comprehension now.
John 12:17-19. The people therefore that was with him when he called Lazarus out of his grave, and raised him from the dead, bare record. For this cause the people also met him, for that they heard that he had done this miracle. The Pharisees therefore said among themselves, Perceive you how you prevail nothing? behold, the world is gone after him.
No doubt many of his disciples thought so too, yet how mistaken were both the friends and the foes of Christ, for you recollect, brothers and sisters, that Christ’s triumphal entry into Jerusalem was followed, within less than a week, by a far different scene, when the same crowd that cried "Hosanna!" shouted "Away with him, away with him, crucify him!" The world, that was supposed to have gone after him, nailed him to the cross; so short-lived is human popularity. So short-lived also is the admiration of Christ by carnal minds, for they do admire him after a fashion, they cannot help doing so. There have been written lives of Christ, which have been full of admiration of him, yet equally full of opposition to his Deity. We must not always regard it as an encouraging sign when men praise Christ; for very soon, if the root of the matter be not in them, and they do not accept him as their Lord and Master, they will change their note, and instead of "Hosanna!" it will be "Away with him, crucify him!"
John 12:20-21. And there were certain Greeks among them that came up to worship at the feast: The same came therefore to Philip, which was of Bethsaida of Galilee, and desired him, saying, Sir we would see Jesus.
I do not know why these Greeks went to Philip, who was of Bethsaida of Galilee, unless it was because he had a Greek name. Yet Andrew and Peter also had Greek names. If I went to Paris, and wanted to see the President, and knew that there was somebody in the cabinet who had an English name, I should probably say, "Well, either he is an Englishman, or he comes of English parentage, so he may take an interest in me, and get me the introduction I want." Perhaps that was the reason why these Greeks came to Philip. I cannot think of any other; but I know that, if you want to get to Christ, you will always find some way of doing it, and that the reason why so many people do not get to him, is because they do not want to do so. You may all come to Jesus Christ if you will. But, alas! until his grace controls it, and changes it, your will inclines you to stay further away from Christ rather than to come to him.
John 12:22. Philip comes and tells Andrew: and again Andrew and Philip tell Jesus.
Andrew and Philip appear to have been staunch friends and fellow-laborers; and it is always well when Christian men can work for Christ with congenial companions. My poor perplexed brother, if you cannot get to Jesus Christ by yourself, it will be a good thing for you to say to some Philip, "Sir, I would see Jesus." Perhaps Philip will tell his friend Andrew, and then Philip and Andrew will go together, and tell Jesus, and so you will get to him. It is a great help in prayer, when you are yourself unable to pray, to get someone, whom you know to be a Christian, and who has sympathy with you, to come and pray with you.
John 12:23-24. And Jesus answered them, saying, The hour is come, that the Son of man should be glorified. Truly, truly, —
"Amen, amen," —
John 12:24-25. I say unto you, Except a corn of wheat fall into the ground and die, it abides alone: but if it die, it brings forth much fruit He who loves his life shall lose it;
Or, as it should be rendered, "He who loves his life loses it " That is not the true way to live; and in his selfish attempt to live to himself, he is losing his life.
John 12:25-26. And he who hates his life in this world shall keep it unto life eternal. If any man serve me, let him follow me;
The best service you can render to Christ is to imitate him. If you want to do what will please him do as he did.
John 12:26. And where I am, there shall also my servant be:
You cannot expect better lodgings than that; so, as Christ had to live here amid sorrow, and sin, and shame, you must be willing to do the same; but, as Christ was afterwards exalted to indescribable honor, so shall it be with you if you are his true servant
John 12:26. If any man serve me, him will my Father honor.
For such is the Father’s love to his Son, that he delights to honor all those who become his Son’s faithful servants.
John 12:27. Now is my soul troubled; and what shall I say? Father, save me from this hour: but for this cause came I unto this hour.
There was a conflict in the Savior’s heart, — the weakness of his true manhood — striving with the strength of his infinite affection to his people, and also to his Father. We must never forget that He "was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin." If it had been no pain to him to die as the Substitute for sinners, there would have been no atoning sacrifice in his death; and if no dread had overtaken him at the thought of death, it would have proved that he did not die as we do; and, therefore, he would not have been able to take our place as he did. Notice how the Savior speaks of the struggle that was going on in his soul. "What shall I say?" Do you ever have to ask that question when you are trying to pray? If so, do not be astonished, for even your Lord and Master said the same. "What shall I say?" — as if he paused to consider what form his prayer should take, — "shall I say, Father save me from this hour? No; but I will say, For this cause came I unto this hour."
John 12:28. Father, glorify your name.
That is a grand answer to the Savior’s question, "What shall I say?" And, when you do not know how to pray, you may always present that petition, "Father, glorify your name." You have some dear one at home very ill; you would be glad if the precious life might be spared, yet you are not sure whether you may ask for it? Well then, say, "Father, glorify your name." Possibly, you are passing through a great trial, and you would be glad to escape from it; yet you do not know whether it is the divine will that you should do so. Well then, you may, at any rate, put up this prayer, "‘Father, glorify your name.’ Whatever is most for your glory, let that be my will as it is your will."
John 12:28 Then came there a voice from Heaven, —
An audible voice, for those who stood by could hear it: "There came a voice from Heaven," —
John 12:28-30. Saying, 1 have both glorified it, and will glorify it again. The people therefore, that stood by, and heard it, said that it thundered: others said, An angel spoke to him. Jesus answered and said, This voice came not because of me, but for your sakes.
"You needed to be strengthened as to the divine character and authority of my mission; you required to be comforted with the full assurance that I shall indeed be glorifying my Father even when I die upon the cross of Calvary."
John 12:31. Now is the judgment of this world:
This is a wonderful sentence, — as if, in Christ’s death, the world was judged, and condemned; and so it was; nothing ever so convicted the world of high treason against God as when men said of the Lord Jesus Christ, God’s well-beloved Son, "This is the Heir; come, let us kill him, and the inheritance shall be ours." The shedding of the blood of Christ upon the cross is the crimson evidence of the deep transgression of human nature: "Now is the judgment of this world." There is another rendering of this text, retaining the Greek word, "Now is the crisis of this world
John 12:31. Now shall the prince of this world be cast out.
Thank God for that! His throne was shaken to its fall when Christ died on Calvary. All the powers of darkness suffered eternal defeat in the hour that men and devils imagined they had gained the victory.
John 12:32-33. And I, if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all men unto me. This he said, signifying what death he should die.
Yet they did not understand it, even then, clear as it now appears to us that he spoke concerning his lifting up upon the cross.
John 12:34-36. The people answered him, We have heard out of the law that Christ abides forever: and how says you, The Son of man must be lifted up? who is this Son of man? Then Jesus said unto them, Yet a little while is the light with you. Walk while you have the light, lest darkness come upon you: for he who walks in darkness knows not where he goes. While you have light, believe in the light, that you may be the children of light These things spoke Jesus, and departed, and did hide himself from them.
Verses 19-43
Our Lord raised Lazarus from the dead; and this miracle made a great sensation among the people. They came to meet Jesus, waving palm branches before him, and all Jerusalem was on a stir.
John 12:19-22. The Pharisees therefore said among themselves, Perceive you how you prevail nothing? behold, the world is gone after him. And there were certain Greeks among them that came up to worship at the feast: The same came therefore to Philip, which was of Bethsaida of Galilee, and desired him, saying, Sir, we would see Jesus. Philip comes and tells Andrew: and again Andrew and Philip tell Jesus.
These were probably Gentiles, who were staying at Jerusalem; perhaps, proselytes who had come up to the feast. They were touched by the common feeling; they desired to see this wonderful Man who had raised to life one who had been dead four days. They proceeded courteously; they went to one of Christ’s disciples who, coming from Galilee of the Gentiles, would be likely to sympathize with them, and they sought an introduction to Jesus. This Philip obtained for them with the help of Andrew.
John 12:23. And Jesus answered them, saying, The hour is come, that the Son of man should be glorified.
He knew that the hour was come when he must die. Looking through the dark glass of death, he saw what its result would be, and he called it glory. These few Greeks were the advance guard of the great Gentile army of the Lord; he regarded their coming in that sense.
John 12:24. Truly, truly, I say unto you, Except a corn of wheat fall into the ground and die, it abides alone: but if it die, it brings forth much fruit.
Telling them that the source of his glory would be his death. The reason why the people would hear of him, and come to him, was that he would be hanged on the cross. The grain of wheat, when put into the ground, if it remains as it is, will never increase; it must die if it is to bring forth fruit. What is death? The end of existence? None but thoughtless persons imagine that. Death is the resolution of any living substance into its primary elements. It is the division of the soul from the body; originally, it was the division of the soul from God. In a grain of wheat, death is the separation of the particles of which it is composed, that the life-germ may feed upon that which was provided for it. "If it die," in the true sense of the word, in being separated into its constituent elements, then "it brings forth much fruit." Christ’s way to glory was through the grave he must go down that he might mount to the throne.
John 12:25. He who loves his life shall lose it; and he who hates his life in this world shall keep it unto life eternal.
Live for this world, and you shall lose this world and the next, too; live for the world to come, and you shall in the highest sense gain both worlds.
John 12:26. If any man serve me, let him follow me;
That is the best kind of service; to do what Christ did, and to do what Christ bids you do: "If any man serve me, let him follow me."
John 12:26. And where I am, there shall also my servant be: if any man serve me, him will my Father honor.
Follow Christ, then, to the cross; follow him to the grave; follow him in his humiliation; and then the Father will honor you even as he honored his Son.
John 12:27. Now is my soul troubled;
Or, puzzled. This hour of his glory was the hour of his passion, too.
John 12:27. And what shall I say?
Such sorrow was in his heart that he asked, "What shall I say?" Great trouble brings astonishment, amazement, bewilderment with it; and the human soul of Christ felt as ours feels when in great agony.
John 12:27. Father, save me from this hour: but for this cause came I unto this hour.
Nature suggests the cry, "Father, save me from this hour." Grace comes behind the flesh, being a little slower to speak; but it corrects the errors of the flesh, and says, "For this cause came I unto this hour."
John 12:28. Father, glorify your name.
What a prayer! Jesus swallows up his temptation to escape the cup by this all-absorbing petition, "Father, glorify your name."
John 12:28-29. Then came there a voice from Heaven, saying, I have both glorified it, and will glorify it again. The people therefore, that stood by, and heard it, said that it thundered:
They only heard the sound, and it was like thunder in their ears.
John 12:29. Others said, An angel spoke to him.
They distinguished the sound of someone speaking; but they did not recognize the voice of God.
John 12:30. Jesus answered and said, This voice came not because of me, but for your sakes.
"To make you believe that God is with me, and that I am his Son."
John 12:31-34. Now is the judgment of this world: now shall the prince of this world be cast out. And I, if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all men unto me. This he said, signifying what death he should die. The people answered him, We have heard out of the law that Christ abides forever: and how say you, The Son of man must be lifted up? who is this Son of man?
As if it could not be true that Christ, in his divine nature, abides forever, and yet, as Man, could be lifted up to die. It was a sneering question, "Who is this Son of man?" Our Lord did not answer it, thus teaching us that some people are not worth answering. Instead of replying to their question, Jesus gave them a practical admonition.
John 12:35-36. Then Jesus said unto them, Yet a little while is the light with you. Walk while you have the light, lest darkness come upon, you: for he who walks in darkness knows not where he goes. While you have light, believe in the light, that you may be the children of light. These things spoke Jesus, and departed, and did hide himself from them.
When people determine to reject Christ, he leaves them; why should he tarry where he is rejected? He "departed, and did hide himself."
John 12:37-41. But though he had done so many miracles before them, yet they believed not on him; That the saying of Isaiah the prophet might be fulfilled, which he spoke, Lord, who has believed our report? and to whom has the arm of the Lord been revealed? Therefore they could not believe, because that Isaiah said again, He has blinded their eyes, and hardened their heart; that they should not see with their eyes, nor understand with their heart, and be converted, and I should heal them. These things said Isaiah, when he saw his glory, and spoke of him.
Christ is in the Old Testament in many places where, as yet, even we have never seen him. I doubt not that he lies hidden away in many a Psalm, and many a prophetic utterance that has not yet been fully expounded, or even comprehended by our finite minds. Oh, for eyes to see him where he sits in his ancient state: What a solemn fact this is, though, that God does allow men to be given over to blindness of eyes and hardness of heart! I sometimes fear that it is so with this age. Men will not see; they will not believe; they are desperately set on skepticism. It has become a fashion with them. Like a torrent, it sweeps through the very churches that bear the name of Christ. My fear is God in his wrath may give up our land to this curse, and then where will our hope be?
John 12:42-43. Nevertheless among the chief riders also many believed on him; but because of the Pharisees they did not confess him, test they should be put out of the synagogue: for they loved the praise of men more than, the praise of God.
I wonder whether in this throng there are any of this kind, who do believe in Christ, and yet never come out and confess him because they love the praise of men more than the praise of God. If so, I venture to say that they are found among what are called the more respectable people, the men of light and leading, the chief rulers. Among the common people there is very little of this evil. They will generally confess what they believe, and bravely come forward to declare that they belong to Christ. It is the chief rulers, the gentlemen of the Sanhedrin, who, if they believe in Christ in their hearts, do not confess him, lest they should be put out of society, for they love the praise of men more than the praise of God.
Verses 20-41Our Lord had raised Lazarus from the dead, and this miracle had excited great attention in Jerusalem. In consequence of this, the people had led him in triumph through the streets, and everywhere there was great excitement. Everybody was speaking of the wonderful miracle which he had wrought.
John 12:20-21. And there were certain Greeks among them that came up to worship at the feast: the same came therefore to Philip, which was of Bethsaida of Galilee and desired him, saying, Sir, we would see Jesus.
There is no doubt that these men were Gentiles, — probably proselytes. They had come up to worship at the feast, and their curiosity had been excited, and their interest had been awakened, by what they had seen and heard about Jesus. There appears to have been at least some measure of reverence for him in their minds. Hence they addressed one of his disciples, whose purely Greek name may lead us to suppose that he had some Greek relatives. They said to Philip, "Sir, we would see Jesus."
John 12:22-23. Philip comes and tells Andrew: and again Andrew and Philip tell Jesus. And Jesus answered them, saying, The hour is come, that the Son of man should be glorified.
They did not expect him to say that. Surely, the coming of a few Greeks to see him was not very much in the way of glorification. But, to him, the coming of these Greeks was a sort of prophecy of the myriads of other Gentiles who would, by-and-by, come to his feet; and, therefore, he looked forward to that death which should be the means of their salvation. Christ came into the world to preach the gospel, but he came on a greater errand than that, namely, to provide a gospel that could be preached; and he knew that the time was approaching when he must provide that gospel by dying upon the cross. See how he proceeds: —
John 12:24. Truly, truly, I say unto you, Except a corn of wheat fall into the ground and die, it abides alone: but if it die, it brings forth much fruit.
The preservation of the corn is the prevention of its increase; but the putting of it into the ground, the losing of it, the burial of it, is the very means of its multiplication. So our Lord Jesus Christ must not care for himself, and he did not. He surrendered himself to all the ignominy of the death of the cross, he died, and was buried in the heart of the earth, but he sprang up again from the grave, and ever since then myriads have come to him through his death, even as these Greeks came to him in his life. Now, as it was with Christ, so is it to be with us; at least, in our measure.
John 12:26. He who loves his life shall lose it; and he who hates his life in, this world shall keep it unto life eternal.
His love is ruinous to his true life; but to destroy self-love, to make a sacrifice of ourselves, is the truest way really to preserve ourselves.
John 12:26-27. If any man serve me, let him follow me; and where I am, there shall also my servant be: if any man serve me, him will my Father honor. Now is my soul troubled; and what shall I say? Father save me from this hour: but for this cause came I unto this hour.
This seems to be a sort of rehearsal of the dread scene soon to be enacted in Gethsemane. At the sight of these Greeks, our Savior seems to have been led specially to think, as we have already said, of that death by which they, and multitudes like them were to be redeemed. Thinking of it, he enters so fully into it, by a sort of foretaste, that he feels something of the same shiver and throe of anguish which came upon him in Gethsemane. He seems to say here, "Father, save me from this hour," just as he said there, "If it be possible, let this cup pass from me." Yet he says here, "But for this cause came I unto this hour. Father, glorify your name," — just as he afterwards said in the garden, "Nevertheless, not as I will, but as you will."
John 12:28-29. Father, glorify your name. Then came there a voice from Heaven, saying, I have both glorified it, and will glorify it again. The people therefore, that stood by, and heard it, said that it thundered: others said, an angel spoke to him.
This was the third time that mysterious voice had been heard; — first, at his baptism; the second time, on the Mount of Transfiguration; and, now a few days before he died upon the cross. The voice of God had been heard on a much earlier occasion, — at Sinai; and then it was attended with thunder, as it was here. Those who had not ears to understand the voice of God only perceived the loudness of its thunder peals; but there were others, like John himself, who understood what the Lord said: "I have both glorified it, and will glorify it again."
John 12:30-31. Jesus answered and said, This voice came not because of me but for your sakes. Now is the judgment of this world: now shall the prince of this world be cast out.
The old Roman empire seemed to stand as fast as the eternal hills, but God had come to judge the whole state of affairs as it was then in the world; and, inasmuch as Christ the pure and perfect Son of God was condemned to die, that action condemned the society of that period. Yes, the whole of the ungodly world, in taking its part in crucifying Christ, bore evidence against itself, and pronounced sentence upon itself as being guilty of the death of the Christ of God. "Now shall the prince of this world be cast out." The overthrow of the usurper began from that time, and that overthrow of the devil is still going on; and, blessed be God, it will reach its completion one of these days, and we shall yet rejoice in a new Heaven, and a new earth, on which the trail of the serpent shall never be traced.
John 12:32. And I, if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all men unto me.
Christ on the cross draws all men up to himself. I have heard this text quoted as if it referred to Christ being extolled in preaching. Well, it is true that, when Christ is lifted up in the ministry, there is an attractive power; but that is not the first meaning of the text. Let us read on: —
John 12:33. This he said, signifying what death he should die.
He alluded to his crucifixion, which is the great attractive center of mankind.
John 12:34-35. The people answered him, We have heard out of the law that Christ abides forever: and how say you, The Son of man must be lifted up? who is this Son of man? Then Jesus said unto them, Yet a little while is the light with you. Walk while you have the light, lest darkness come upon you: for he that walks in darkness knows not where he goes. While you have light, believe in the light, that you may be the children of light.
It is always well to use the light that we already have. If any man will use the light he already has, God will be sure to give him more. That is a good saying of an old Puritan, "If you have starlight, thank God for it, and he will give you moonlight; and when you have moonlight, give thanks to God for it, and he will give you sunlight." And so it shall be. Nothing is worse than sinning against light. If it is only the light of conscience, even if you know it is not perfect, yet, nevertheless, never sin against it; for, if you do-you will quench it, and to quench the light you have, is the way to effectually prevent your having any more: "While you have light, believe in the light, that you may be the children of light."
John 12:36-41. These things spoke Jesus, and departed, and did hide himself from them. But though he had done so many miracles before them, yet they believed not on him: That the saying of Isaiah the prophet might be fulfilled, which he spoke, Lord, who has believed our report? and to whom has the arm of the Lord been revealed? Therefore they could not believe, because that Isaiah said again, He has blinded their eyes, and hardened their heart; that they should not see with their eyes, nor understand with their heart, and be converted, and I should heal them. These things said Isaiah, when he saw his glory, and spoke of him.
There is such a thing as judicial blindness. If men can see, and yet will not see, God is at last so provoked by their wickedness that he takes away the light altogether, and removes from them the very faculty of sight. It is not surprising that it should be so, for it was so with the generation in which Christ lived. They had so long rejected the true prophet, — so long refused to listen to the voice of God, that, at last, he abandoned them to their own ways; and nothing worse can happen to a man than to be abandoned of God. If God casts you off, you are lost indeed.
Verses 20-50Our Lord had gained a sudden popularity through raising Lazarus from the dead, and the people had attended him with great enthusiasm as he rode through the streets of Jerusalem. For the time, things looked very bright with him, but he knew that he was soon to suffer and to die, and the overshadowing of that great eclipse was already upon his heart. Note how he looked forward to it, and how he spoke concerning it.
John 12:20-22 And there were certain Greeks among them that came up to worship at the feast: The same came therefore to Philip, which was of Bethsaida of Galilee, and desired him, saying, Sir, we would see Jesus. Philip comes and tells Andrew: and again Andrew and Philip tell Jesus.
Probably these persons were proselytes to the Jewish faith. They had renounced their idols, and they had come to worship the only true God; and now they had a wish to see Jesus,-not out of idle curiosity, but because they felt a certain degree of respect for him. They wanted to know more of his teaching, and to learn whether he was indeed the promised Messiah. The disciples encouraged these seekers; they would not have brought mere curiosity-mongers to their Master, but they saw that there was something better in these Greeks; so they consulted together, and their opinion was that they must tell Jesus about them.
John 12:23. And Jesus answered them, saying, The hour has come that the Son of man should be glorified.
He was about to die, yet he speaks of his death as being glorified. For the joy that was set before him, he seems to overlook the intervening humiliation in the prospect of the glory that would come of it through the salvation of multitudes of strangers from the very ends of the earth. He looks on these Greeks as the vanguard of a great army of Gentiles who would continue to come to him, and pay him homage. Hear what he says next:-
John 12:24. Truly, truly, I say unto you, Except a corn of wheat fall into the ground and die, it abides alone; but if it die, it brings forth much fruit.
He knew that he must die, for his living, and preaching, and miracle working would never produce such results as his death would accomplish. He must go down into the ground, out of sight, and there must lie like a buried grain of wheat, that out of him there might spring a great harvest to the glory of God; and these Greeks were like a first handful, a wave-sheaf unto God, a promise of the great harvest that would be the result of his death: "If it die, it brings forth much fruit."
John 12:25-26. He who loves his life shall lose it: and he who hates his life in this world shall keep it unto life eternal. If any man serve me, let him follow me; and where I am, there shall also my servant be: if any man serve me, him will my Father honor.
It is an honor to be allowed to serve Christ, but God will bestow still further honor upon those who faithfully serve him.
John 12:27-29. Now is my soul troubled; and what shall I say? Father, save me from this hour: but for this cause came I unto this hour. Father, glorify your name. Then came there a voice from Heaven, saying, I have both glorified it, and will glorify it again. The people therefore, that stood by, and heard it, said that it thundered: others said, An angel spoke to him.
How ready they were to find an explanation for that "voice from Heaven" which they could not comprehend! Some "said that it thundered: others said, An angel spoke to him." But here is Christ’s own interpretation of the mystery:--
John 12:30-31. Jesus answered and said, This voice came not because of me, but for your sakes. Now is the judgment of this world: now shall the prince of this world be cast out.
Satan may have thought that he had triumphed when Christ was crucified, but that death upon the cross was the death-blow to the devil’s usurpation.
John 12:32-33. And I, if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all men unto me. This he said, signifying what death he should die.
There is no magnet like the death of Christ. He is able still to draw men unto him because of the attractive force of his atoning sacrifice.
John 12:34-36. The people answered him, We have heard out of the law that Christ abides forever: and how say you, the Son of man must be lifted up? who is this Son of man? Then Jesus said unto them, Yet a little while is the light with you. Walk while you have the light, lest darkness come upon you: for he that walks in darkness knows not where he goes. While you have light, believe in the light, that you may be the children of light. These things spoke Jesus, and departed, and did hide himself from them.
At first sight, this may not seem to have been an answer to their question, "Who is this Son of man?" Yet it was a very direct answer, for he was "the Light of the world;" and as the light was soon to be withdrawn from them, there was all the greater need of Christ’s injunctions, "Walk while you have the light, lest darkness come upon you.. While you have light, believe in the light, that you may be the children of light."
John 12:37-41. But though he had done so many miracles before them, yet they believed not on him: That the saying of Isaiah the prophet might be fulfilled, which he spoke, Lord, who has believed our report? and to whom has the arm of the Lord been revealed? Therefore they could not believe, because that Isaiah said again, He has blinded their eyes, and hardened their heart; that they should not see with their eyes, nor understand with their heart, and be converted, and I should heal them. These things said Isaiah, when he saw his glory, and spoke of him.
Isaiah was sent upon a painful errand, to tell the people that they should hear, but they should not understand; that they should see, but they should not perceive; and so it happened to Israel as a nation, and to this day Israel rejects the true Messiah. Oh, that none of us may imitate their evil example by negligence and contempt of the revelation of God, lest after playing with Scripture, and trifling with the Christ of God, the Lord should at last in anger declare that we should see, but should not perceive, that we should hear, but should not understand.
John 12:42-43. Nevertheless among the chief rulers also many believed on him; because of the Pharisees they did not confess him, lest they should be put out of the synagogue: For they loved the praise of men more than the praise of God.
Are there any here who believe in Christ, but who have never confessed him, lest they should be put out of the synagogue, and lose the praise of men? Are you afraid of your family, your father, or your husband; or is there some friend who would be angry with you if you confessed Christ? If so, be no longer such a coward, I pray you, but come out boldly, and confess him who will not be ashamed to confess you before his Father and the holy angels.
John 12:44-50. Jesus cried and said, He who believes on me, believes not on me, but on him that sent me. And he who sees me sees him that sent me. I am come a light into the world, that whoever believes on me should not abide in darkness. And if any man hear my word, and believe not, I judge him not: for I came not to judge the world, but to save the world. He who rejects me, and receives not my words, has one that judges him: the word that I have spoken, the same shall judge him in the last day. For I have not spoken of myself, but your Father which sent me, he gave me a commandment, what I should say, and what l should speak. And I know that his commandment is life everlasting: whatever I speak therefore, even as the Father said unto me, so I speak.
Verses 37-50
John 12:37. But though he had done so many miracles before then, yet they believed not on him.
They had an opportunity of seeing with their eyes; what the Christ could do. He had even raised the dead in the midst of them, and yet this is the sorrowful statement.
John 12:38-40. That the saying of Isaiah the prophet might be fulfilled, which he spoke, Lord, who has believed our report? and to whom has the arm of the Lord been revealed? Therefore they could not believe, because that Isaiah said again, He has blinded their eyes, and hardened their heart; that they should not see with their eyes, nor understand with their heart, and be converted, and I should heal them.
This passage is very frequently quoted in the Old Testament: it was so exceedingly apropos to the condition of the unbelieving Jews. They were willfully blinded. They could see it; they were forced to hear it; there was much that even touched their hearts; but they hardened their heart against it, and to this day they remain the same.
John 12:41-43. These things said Isaiah, when he was his glory, and spoke of him. Nevertheless among the chief rulers also many believed on him; but because of the Pharisees they did not confess him, lest they should be put out of the synagogue; For they loved the praise of men more than the praise of God.
And this is a common disease to this day. There are many who know the truth, who, nevertheless, keep very quiet about it. They do not like to be despised; they cannot endure to seem to be separate from their fellow men; it is not respectable to be decided for Christ, and to come out from among them, so they love the praise of men more than the praise of God.
John 12:44. Jesus cried and said, He who believes on me, believes not on me, but on him that sent me.
Faith in Christ is faith in God, he who trusts the Son has accepted the witness of the Father.
John 12:45. And he who sees me sees him that sent me.
Wonderful expression. Perhaps, we never fully realize it. Christ is seeable. God is not, but when we see the Christ, we do virtually see all of God that we may desire to see: the Invisible has made himself visible in Christ — in him dwells all the fullness of the Godhead bodily.
John 12:46. I am come a light into the world, that whoever believes on me should not abide in darkness.
True faith in Christ sheds light on everything concerning which light is desirable. You shall understand things when you have come unto the right standpoint, when you have gotten to believe in Christ. I wonder not that those who doubt concerning him, doubt about everything; if they will not have this light, how shall they see?
John 12:47. And if any man hear my words, and believe not, I judge him not: for came not to judge the world, but to save the world.
Under this present dispensation, it is not the time of judgment. The Lord leaves you that are unbelievers to yourselves. He does not come as yet to judge you; there is a second coming, when he will be both judge and witness, and condemner, of those who have rejected him; but at present it is a dispensation of pure mercy. "He who rejects me, and receives not my words, has one that judges him." There is a great God above who reckons this to be among the greatest of all human crimes, that they reject his Son. We speak of unbelief very lightly, and there are some who trifle with it as if it had no moral quality at all, but God does not so.
John 12:48. He who rejects me, and receives not my words, has one that judges him: the word that I have spoken, the same shall judge him in the last day.
Look, you, to that, the gospel which you refuse will judge you at the last day. We know that the Lord Jesus Christ shall judge the world, says Paul, "according to my gospel," and he who sins against the gospel of love will certainly involve himself in the most solemn condemnation. He perishes that sins against the law, he dies without mercy at the mouth of one or two witnesses. Of how much sorer punishment shall he be thought worthy that sins against love, and rejects the Savior?
John 12:49. For I have not spoken of myself; but the Father which sent me, he gave me a commandment, what I should say, and what I should speak.
God at the back of Christ. Omnipotence supporting love. The expostulations of Christ, not left to our will to do as we like with them, but solemnly sanctioned by the royalties of God, so that to refute them is treason against the majesty of Heaven.
John 12:50. And I know that his commandment is life everlasting: whatever I speak therefore, even as the Father said unto me, so I speak.
The eternal authority of God is at the back of the testimony of Christ. Oh! that men would not be so unwise as to reject it Now in our reading at the 41st verse we met with these words: "These things, said Isaiah, when he saw his glory and spoke of him." Now let us read the passage which gives us an account of Isaiah’s seeing the glory of Christ.
This exposition consisted of readings from John 12:37-50; Isaiah 6. John 12:37-50.
Chapter 13 Verses 1-17
John 13:1. Now before the feast of the Passover, —
Or, just as it was about to begin, —
John 13:1. When Jesus knew that his hour was come that he should depart out of this world unto the Father, having loved his own which were in the world, he loved them unto the end.
That is a very beautiful description of Christ’s death: "His hour was that he should depart out of this world unto the Father," — just as though he was merely going on a journey, leaving one land for another; and if this be a fair description of such a stormy passage as that of our Lord Jesus, who died for our sins upon Calvary’s cross, it must with equal truth describe the death of any of the children of God. There is also an appointed time for us to depart, and to be with Christ which is far better than remaining here. The loosing of the cable, the spreading of the sail, the crossing over the narrow sea, the coming to the eternal haven, and the abiding there, — what Christian heart needs to dread this? How much better is it even to look forward to it with ardent anticipation! Think much of the abiding lore of Christ: "Having loved his own" — his by election, his by redemption, for he regarded that as already done which was about to be accomplished, — "Having loved his own which were in the world," — not yet in Heaven, but still in the midst of trial, still imperfect, even as you and I are, — " he loved them unto the end," or "unto the perfection," as it might be rendered. The Alpha of his love, which we find in eternity, bids us believe that we shall find the Omega of it nowhere but there.
John 13:2-4. And supper being ended, the devil having now put into the heart of Judas Iscariot, Simon’s son, to betray him; Jesus knowing that the Father had given all things into his hands, and that he was come from God, and went to God; He rises from supper, and laid aside his garments; and took a towel, and girded himself.
Notice the wonderful contrast revealed to us in these verses. Our Lord Jesus Christ had a very vivid realization that he had come from God, and was going back to God, and that all things had been given into his hand; yet, while he knew that, and had a more than ordinary consciousness of his own dignified nature and position, he condescended to wash his disciples feet. Though many years elapsed between the event and the time when John recorded it, all the details seem to have been still present in his memory so that he distinctly mentions each separate act: "he rises from supper, and lays aside his upper garment, and takes a towel, and girds himself."
John 13:5. After that he pours water into a basin,
The one that ordinarily stood in the guest-chamber for the washing of the hands and feet of the guests.
John 13:5-6. And began to wash the disciples’ feet, and to wipe them with the towel with which he was girded. Then comes he to Simon Peter: and Peter says unto him, Lord, do you wash my feet?
You must lay the stress on the pronouns in order to get the full forge of the original. "Lord, do YOU wash my feet?" The contrast is between Peter’s Master and himself.
John 13:7-8. Jesus answered and said unto him, What I do you know not now, but you shall know hereafter. Peter says unto him, You shall never wash my feet.
That is, Never, as long as I live, shall you do such a thing as that."
John 13:8-10. Jesus answered him, If I wash you not, you have no part with me. Simon Peter says unto him, Lord, not my feet only, but also my hands and my head. Jesus says to him, He who is washed needs not save to wash his feet, but is clean every whit: and you are clean, but not all.
We have often, in commenting, noticed Peter’s fault; perhaps we have noticed that too much. Let us now notice Peter’s excellence. I admire his humility in thinking it too mean an office for Christ to wash his feet; it seems to me to be a most proper feeling which prompted him to ask, "Do you wash my feet?" It seemed an overwhelming condescension of love which he could scarcely permit. No doubt he spoke too positively when he said to Christ "You shall never wash my feet;" but, still, his motive in speaking thus was a good one. It was because he could not allow his Lord to stoop so low; he thought it ill manners to permit such an one as Christ to wash the feet of such an one as the poor fisherman, Peter. I have already said that there was something that was not right, and yet that was perfectly natural to this "rock" disciple, and this "dove" disciple, who was such a strange mixture of boastfulness and fickleness, yet do not forget how much good there was in him. I wish all of us were half as good as Peter. That was a grand utterance, "Wash not my feet only, but also my hands and my head." He meant, "Lord, let me have all the cleansing I can, not only such as the washing of my feet would bring, but such as the washing of my head and my hands also would bring. Let me be clear of everything which would prevent full fellowship with you, for I long to be one with you altogether." Then our Savior meekly, gently, quietly explained that there was no need for the washing of his head and his hands, for his whole being had already been renewed by the one great act of regeneration; and as he had been cleansed from sin by the free gift of pardon at the time when he first believed, there was no need of any repetition of the spiritual bathing, all that was required was the washing of his feet, — a beautiful distinction always to be observed. He that believes in Christ is fully forgiven. He is like a man who has gone into the bath, and washed, but, when he steps out of the bath, and put his foot on the ground, he often soils it, so that, before he robes himself, he needs to wash his feet again. That is our condition as believers in Jesus; we are washed in his precious blood, and are whiter than snow; but these feet of ours constantly touch this defiling earth, so they need every day to be washed. Christ our Lord Jesus said to Peter, "He who is washed needs not save to wash his feet, but is clean every whit: and you are clean, but not all."
John 13:11. For he knew who should betray him; therefore said he, You are not all clean.
They were all washed so far as their feet were concerned, but not all of them had been cleansed in the saved bath which removes the stains of sin.
John 13:12-17. So after he had washed their feet, and had taken his garments, and was set down again, he said unto them, Know, you what I have done to you? You call me Master and Lord: and you say well; for so I am. If I then, you Lord and Master, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another’s feet. For I have given you an example, that you should do as I have done to you. Truly, truly, I say unto you, The servant is not greater than his lord; neither he who is sent greater than he who sent him. If you know these things, happy are you if you do them.
Blessed are they who, when they understand the meaning of Christ’s example, imitate it in their own lives.
Verses 1-19John 13:1. Now before the feast of the Passover, when Jesus knew that his hour was come that he should depart out of this world unto the Father, having loved his own which were in the world, he loved them unto the end.
Our Lord Jesus Christ had a clear foresight of all he had to endure. Future things are happily hidden from our eyes. We do not even know the moment when we shall die, nor how it will be. It is well that it is so but our Lord was able to anticipate his sufferings, by knowing all about them: "Jesus knew that his hour was come." It was all appointed, and nothing happens to any of us by accident, chance is banished from the believer’s creed. There is an appointed "hour" for each one of us, and it will come in due season. "Jesus knew that his hour was come, that he should depart out of the world unto the Father." What a beautiful way of describing death! Christ’s death was certainly a more trying one than ours will be, so that this description may apply to ours as well as to his.
John 13:2. And supper being ended,
I suppose that was the Paschal supper.
John 13:2. The devil having now put into the heart of Judas Iscariot, Simon’s son, to betray him;
What a horrible purpose for Satan to put into the heart of Judas even in the presence of Jesus! I hope that the devil will not put any such purpose into your hearts or into mine while we are in this house of prayer, but no place is sacred from his intrusion, he will come in anywhere. Even where Christ himself is at the head of the table, Judas may be sitting at that same table, and Satan may then and there put into his heart the horrible purpose of betraying his Master.
John 13:3-4. Jesus knowing that the Father given all things into his hands, and that he was come from God, and went to God, He rises from supper, and laid aside his garments; and took a towel, and girded himself.
Notice those words, "Jesus knowing,... he took a towel, and girded himself." If he had not known how great he was, there would not have been such condescension in his action, but he knew who he was, and what the Father had entrusted to him: "The Father had given all things into his hands." You might suppose that he would rise up, in a very dignified manner, and put on a purple robe and a golden belt, but, instead of that, he rose from the supper table, laid aside his garments, and took a towel, and girded himself. He knew that he had come forth from God, and that he was going back to God, and he performed this action on the way home to his Father. O dear brothers and sisters, if Christ thus stooped, how humble ought we to be! No office should be counted too lowly, no work for his servants should seem to be too humiliating, since Jesus "took a towel, and girded himself."
John 13:5. After that he pours water into a basin, and began to wash the disciples’ feet, and to wipe them with the towel with which he was girded.
You see that Jesus does his work well. He omits none of the details of it. He puts himself in the place of a slave, and he performs a slave’s duty very thoroughly. I am afraid that, sometimes, we do our work for him in a slovenly way, but Jesus was not satisfied with simply washing his disciples’ fees, he must do the wiping, too. I do bless him that he did so for this is a picture of what he has done for us. He has washed our feet, and he often repeats the gracious act. The feet that Jesus washes he will wipe; he has not begun his task without intending to finish it. I know that he will complete in my soul the work which he has undertaken, for he fulfilled on the feet of his disciples the office he had undertaken: " He began to wash the disciples’ feet, and to wipe them with the towel with which he was girded."
John 13:6. Then comes he to Simon Peter: and Peter says unto him, Lord, do you wash my feet?
I do not wonder that he said that; would not you have been equally astonished had you been there? Peter had some faint idea who Christ was, he had confessed him in such a way that Jesus had said to him "Blessed are you, Simon Bar-Jonah: for flesh and blood has not revealed it unto you, but my Father which is in Heaven." Knowing so much about Christ, Peter did marvel at his action; he felt so astonished that he asked "Do you wash my feet?"
John 13:7. Jesus answered and said unto him, What I do those know not now; but you shall know hereafter.
I have heard this saying of our Lord applied to affliction; and it is very true that what Jesus does we do not at present understand, but we shall know by-and-by. I do not think, however, that this sentence is very applicable that way, for there was no affliction in having the feet washed. The fact is, brethren, though it is a very humbling thing to say, we do not understand that which Jesus does, even his simplest actions are a mystery to us, we have never gone into the very depths of them so as to comprehend them. "What I do, — even though I only wash your feet, plain and simple operation as that is, — you know not now; but you shall know hereafter." Our knowing times, dear friends, are to come. We need not be so very anxious to know at present, this is the time of love. I would forego the filling of my head for a while if I could have my heart full; but, alas, we are generally so busy trying to attain merely head knowledge! My most intense longing is for a growing heart, a heart that truly loves the Savior. That is the way for the head to learn, for knowledge that comes by the way of the heart, and so enters the head, is the best of knowledge. Jesus said to Peter, "What I do you know, not now; but you shall know hereafter."
John 13:8. Peter says unto him, Those shall never wash my feet.
That is just like Peter. If John had not told us who it was that said this, we should have known that it was Peter. He was always in such a hurry, and he spoke so quickly, that he made many mistakes, yet he was always so honest and so true that his Master forgave his faults, and helped him to correct them.
John 13:8. He answered him, If I wash you not, you have no part with me.
If Christ does not cleanse us, we do not belong to him. If he does not, day by day, exercise a purifying influence over us, we are not his.
John 13:9. Simon Peter says unto him, Lord, not my feet only, but also my hands and my head.
How that pendulum swings to and fro! It went this way just now: "You shall never wash my feet." Now it goes right away to the other extreme: "Lord, not my feet only, but also my hands and my head." Go more gently, Peter, be more quiet. Why do you go so far in one direction and then rush off so far in another way? Your Master knows better than you know what is right for you.
John 13:10. Jesus says to him, He who is washed needs not save to wash his feet, but is clean every whit: and you are clean, but not all.
Dear friends, when we believe in Christ, we are washed in the fountain filled with blood, and we are clean; but this world is such a sinful place that we cannot walk through it for even a day without some of its mire and dust clinging to us. Besides, God’s lilies are so pure that they are hardly fit to bloom in such a defiling atmosphere. Oh, how we need that the dew should wash the lily when the night comes on! How greatly we need to have the foot-washing administered to us every day! We need not repeat the first great washing, the bath by which our sins were cleansed; when that was done, it was done once for all. Our sin was pardoned as before a Judge; but we want it to be taken away as before our Father, for we are now under his loving discipline. Christ further said to his disciples, "You are clean, but not all." Does he say that to us at this time? "You are clean, but not all." Where sits the man, in this house of prayer, who is not clean, the sinner who has not yet been washed by Jesus Christ? Where sits the woman who is not clean? The Lord have mercy upon you, dear friends! You know that, in the olden days, they put a red cross on the door of the house where the plague was. We cannot put a cross upon you; but I pray you to consider yourselves as marked men and marked women in the sight of God, and I pray the Lord to take that mark away by causing you to be washed, that you may be clean every whit. How quickly he can wash the foulest sinners! He who believes in Jesus is washed in the precious blood, and he is clean. God cleanse us all for his great name’s sake!
John 13:11-15. For he knew who should betray him; therefore said he, You are not all clean. So after he had washed their feet, and had taken his garments, and was set down again, he said unto them, Know you what I have done to you? You call me Master and Lord: and you say well; for so I am. If I then, your Lord and Master, have washed your feet; you also ought to wash one another’s feet. For I have given you an example, that you should do as I have done to you.
Christ’s actions are the pattern for us to imitate! Oh, that we followed them more closely!
John 13:16. Truly, truly, I say unto you, The servant is not greater than his lord; neither he who is sent greater than he that sent him.
Sometimes, we think that we are a deal too great to wash anybody’s feet; we should like to see a person propose it to us, such big people as we are! If we talk like that, there is great need that we should be taken down. That would be the true way to rise in the likeness of Jesus. Oh, that we were lowlier in humility! We should be higher in grace if we were.
John 13:17. If you know these things, happy are you if you do them.
Peter wanted to know them; Jesus would have us do them.
John 13:18. I speak not of you all: I know whom I have chosen:
Christ has a chosen people, though some will not believe it. Yet it is so, for he says, "I know whom I have chosen."
John 13:18-19. But that the scripture may be fulfilled, He who eats bread with me has lifted up his heel against me. Now I tell you before it come, that, when it is come to pass, you may believe that I am he.
"That I am." So, you see, even the great trouble of the early Church the betrayal by Judas, was used by Christ for the strengthening of his disciples’ faith. He foretold that it would be as it came to pass. So, dear friends, in these latter days, many forsake the gospel, but Jesus told us that it would be so. He taught his servants to write that there would be a falling away, and that in these last days there would be scoffers; and as we read the prophecies, and compare them with the fulfillment, even the doleful fact itself confirms our faith in our Lord. God bless to us this brief reading of his own Word! Amen.
Chapter 14 Verses 1-12
John 14:1. Let not your heart be troubled:
This is one of those verses that you may read as slowly as you like, and spell out every letter, and find honey in it all.
John 14:1. You believe in God, believe also in me.
As Jews, they had already known and seen the power of God. They were now to rise to the faith of Christians, and to believe in Jesus their Savior.
Even though they should see him die, they were not to doubt him: "You believe in God, believe also in me."
John 14:2. In my Father’s house are many mansions:
So there is room for many, there are homes for many, there is wealth for many; "In my Father’s house are many mansions:"
John 14:2. If it were not so, I would have told you.
The Savior seems to say to his disciples, "I keep nothing back from you; had there been some sorrowful fact to be revealed to you, I would at length have told you of it."
John 14:2. I go to prepare a place for you.
"There must be a Heaven, for I am going there myself, and I am going on purpose to make it ready for you."
John 14:3. And If I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there you may be also.
That is the first and simplest idea of Heaven, to be with Christ; and I think it is the last and sublimest idea of Heaven, too,—to be with Christ: "that where I am, there you may be also."
John 14:4-5. And where I go you know, and the way you know. Thomas says unto him, Lord, we know not where you go; and how can we know the way?
The apostles blundered, and lost themselves in the words of their Master, instead of entering into the spirit of what he said; so we must not wonder if we often do the same. Unless we wait upon God to be instructed by his Spirit, even the plainest passages of Scripture may be obscure to us.
John 14:6-7. Jesus says unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man comes unto the Father, but by me. If you had known me, you should have known my Father also. And from henceforth you know him, and have seen him.
Jesus had been talking about the many mansions, and now he talks about the Father. Is the Father, then, the same as Heaven? Ay, indeed; to come to the Father is to come to perfect blessedness, to know the fullness of his eternal love, and to enjoy it in face-to-face communion;—this is Heaven.
What higher bliss can we desire?
John 14:8-9. Philip says unto him, Lord, show us the Father, and it suffices us. Jesus says unto him, Have I been so long time with you, and yet have you not known me, Philip? he who has seen me has seen the Father; and how say you then, Show us the Father?
Do we, then, see the Father when we see Christ? And is the Father’s presence Heaven? Then, Christ is Heaven; and to be with him is Heaven. It is even so. He is the way to Heaven, the truth of Heaven, the life of Heaven. He is heaven’s everything.
"His track I see, and I’ll pursue
The narrow way, until him I view;"
And when I view him, shall I not have seen the Father, and have entered into the Father’s rest?
John 14:10-12. Believe you not that I am in the Father, and the Father in me? the words that I speak unto you, I speak not of myself: but the Father that dwells in me, he does the works. Believe me that I am in the Father, and the Father in me: or else believe me for the very works’ sake. Truly, truly, I say unto you, He who believes on me, the works that I do shall he do also; and greater works than these shall he do; because I go unto my Father.
In consequence of Christ’s going to the Father, and the Spirit of God descending upon Christ’s disciples, they are enabled to outdo their Master in some forms of holy service. For instance, some of them brought more to the faith than Christ himself had done during his lifetime, and so realized the fulfillment of this promise, "The works that I do shall he do also; and greater works than these shall he do; because I go unto my Father."
This exposition consisted of readings from John 14:1-12 : and Colossians 1:1-19.
Verses 1-20This is a chapter which I suppose most of us know by heart, full of comfort, a very river of delight.
Remember that our Lord spoke this to his own beloved ones — to the inner circle. It was not addressed to the general public. It is not a sermon to the world. It is a discourse to those who had lived with him, and were now sorrowing because he was about to leave them by a cruel death. Thus he begins: —
John 14:1. Let not your heart be troubled: you believe in God, believe also in me.
"You have believed in God, whom you have never seen. Believe in me when you cannot see me. Believe that I still am — that I still am working for your good. You have believed in God, though he has not manifested himself to you in his person as I have done. Now when I am no longer seen of you, believe in me as you believe in the invisible God." It is well for us to have the same faith in Christ that we have in the everlasting God. This is the cure for the heart trouble. You are sure to be troubled in heart unless you have much faith in God. "Let not your heart be troubled. You believe in God, believe also in me."
John 14:2. In my Father’s house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you.
Our Lord was going away, but he was going away with a purpose, and a grand purpose too — a purpose which had to do with the everlasting future of his beloved ones. "I go to prepare a place for you."
John 14:3. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself, that where I am, there you may be also.
And he will come again, beloved. That is our grandest hope. We are looking for his coming. It is very sweet to know that we shall be forever with the Lord if we die before his coming; but still the hope of God’s people is the coming of the Lord, the resurrection of the dead — his taking to himself all his redeemed to be forever with him.
John 14:4. And where I go you know, and the way you know.
We know where Christ has gone. Every step we can follow. The way we know. It always reconciles us to a friend’s going away if we know where he has gone — know all about him. A mother tells me that she has missed her boy now for twelve months, and never heard from him. That is sorrow; but when we know that our son has gone to the other side of the world, and we know why he has gone, and where he has gone, and what is coming of it, we are greatly comforted. So Jesus says, "Where I go, you know, and the way you know."
John 14:5. Thomas says unto him, Lord, we know not where you go; and how can we know the way?
There is always somebody who has not learned the lesson. I am afraid that it is not one Thomas, but a great many Thomases that still have to say, "We know not." Although Christ himself be the teacher, we are always poor learners.
John 14:6. Jesus says unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man comes unto the Father, but by me.
There is nothing good except by Christ. They that hate Christ very soon hate God. They get rid of the Christ of the gospel, and they soon get rid of God out of creation too, and there is no coming to the Father in any way or fashion except by Christ. He has gone to the Father, but he is also the way to the Father.
John 14:7-8. If you had known me, you should have known my Father also: and from henceforth you know him, and have seen him. Philip says unto him, Lord, show us the Father, and it suffices us.
There is a Philip as well as a Thomas. It does not seem that, even with Christ for a teacher, we should learn much without the Holy Spirit. The greatest blessing, after all, is not the bodily presence of the Savior, though we learn something from that, but it is the indwelling and the teaching of the Holy Spirit which we most of all need.
John 14:9-11. Jesus says unto him, Have I been so long time with you, and yet have you not known me, Philip? he who has seen me has seen the Father; and how say you then, Show us the Father? Believe you not that I am in the Father, and the Father in me? the words that I speak unto you I speak not of myself: but the Father that dwells in me, he does the works. Believe me that I am in the Father, and the Father in me: or else believe me for the very works’ sake.
The eternal union between Christ and the Father should never be forgotten by us. He seems to sink himself, but the well-beloved Son will have it that his words are not his own, but come from the Father. I cannot help remarking how different this is from some who profess to be the ministers of Christ. They must be original; they must be great thinkers. Every man nowadays makes his own gospel, but the Savior was no original — the grandest of all intellects, and yet he says, "The words that I speak unto you I speak not of myself, but the Father that dwells in me, he does the works. Believe me that I am in the Father, and the Father in me, or else believe me for the very work’s sake."
John 14:12. Truly, truly, I say unto you, He who believes on me, the works that I do shall he do also; and greater works than these shall he do; because I go unto my Father.
While the Master was here in his humiliation he healed a few poor Jews, and raised here and there a dead one, but he purposely veiled the splendor of his godhead. But now that he has gone up on high, he does greater wonders by his servants than he himself personally did, for he said to a few poor fishermen, "Go and break up the Roman Empire," and they did it. They preached the gospel, and the gods of the heathen that sat upon their thrones for ages were cast to the moles and the bats. And there are greater victories yet before the Church of God. You ought not to measure our passage by the past, but believe that "greater works than these shall you do, because I go unto my Father."
John 14:13. And whatever you shall ask in my name, that will I do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son.
We do not believe enough in the power of prayer. I sometimes feel staggered when I meet with good people, undoubtedly good people, who still look upon it as a new thing that we should believe that God hears our prayers. But this is the fundamental of Christian experience. Hew can we live without the mercy-seat? And if that mercy-seat be nothing but a vain show, and prayer be only a pious but useless exercise, what is there in the Christian religion at all? We have heard some very wise people say that prayer is no doubt beneficial to those who offer it; but to suppose that it has any effect upon the mind of God is absurd. Do you not see, brethren, that they think us all idiots. They must do so, for do you suppose that any but an idiot would go on praying at all if he did not believe that it had some effect upon the mind of God, and that it did prevail with God? I would as soon stand and whistle out of my bedroom window for half an hour, as I would kneel down and pray for half an hour, if there were to be no result coming from it, and so would every sensible man. But we know of a surety that God hears prayer. We cannot imagine our Lord deceiving us, and he must have done so if it is not so, for he says, "Whatever you shall ask in my name, that will I do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son."
John 14:14. If you shall ask anything in my name, I will do it.
But there is a deal of praying that never reaches to the name of Christ. Even to pray for Christ’s sake does not reach to the point of praying in Christ’s name. If I go and transact business in the name of such a person, that is a different thing from merely asking to be allowed to do my own business for the sake of that person. But when you are authorized to use the name of Christ — as it were, to write his signature to your checks — oh! what power there is in prayer at that time! "If you shall ask anything in my name, I will do it." But you cannot ask everything in that name. You are obliged to draw back from some prayers, and say, "No; Christ would never authorize me to put his name to that." You see there is a blessed checks upon the universality of prayer — a most necessary and useful checks — for we would not dare to ask some things in that wondrous name.
John 14:15-17. If you love me, keep my commandments. And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you forever; Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it sees him not, neither knows him: but you know him; for he dwells with you, and shall be in you.
He dwelt with the apostles, but was not in them until after Christ rose from the dead. But now you and I knew his indwelling. He has made our bodies to be the temples of the Holy Spirit.
John 14:18. I will not leave you comfortless:
Orphans.
John 14:18. I will come to you.
He does this by his Spirit, but still he means more than that. It is not a spiritual coming merely; it is a personal coming. "I will come to you."
John 14:19-20. Yet a little while, and the world sees me no more; but you see me: because I live, you shall live also. At that day you shall know that I am in my Father, and you in me, and I in you.
Wondrous unity — Christ in the Father, we in him, and Christ in us. Who understands this? He only who is taught of the Holy Spirit.
Verses 1-21We have often read this chapter, both in our private meditations, and at our public worship; but we cannot read it too often. It is sweet as honey and the honeycomb. It contains the very quintessence of consolation. Every word in the chapter is rich, and full of meaning. Perhaps they understand it best who cannot read it quickly, but are obliged to spell over every word of it, and so are like those who feast upon marrow and fatness.
John 14:1. Let not your heart be troubled: you believe in God, believe also in me.
That is the cure for heart trouble, and all other trouble, too, — believing in God, and believing in his Son, Jesus Christ. Faith is the double cure of trouble, for it delivers us altogether from the trouble, and, at the same time, it helps us to find sweetness in it as long as we have to endure it. Notice that our Savior says, "Let not your heart be troubled." If your heart can be preserved from trouble, you will not be greatly tried by it. Trouble is in your house, perhaps; but, if so, let it not get into your heart. The waves beat all round your vessel, but let not the vessel itself leak, and take in the water: "Let not your heart be troubled."
John 14:2. In my Father’s house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you.
This was very largely the cause of their trouble; they were full of sorrow because their Lord and Master was going away from them; yet he was going for their good. It was with a set purpose that he was leaving them, and the same reason still keeps him away from us. We are not to mourn for him as we might for one slain in battle, who would never come back to us. He has gone for a little while to another country, to the great Father’s house, upon a most gracious and necessary errand: "I go to prepare a place for you." The Spirit of God is down here to prepare us for the place; the Son of God is up yonder to prepare the place for us.
John 14:3. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there you may be also.
Do not tell us about a purgatory for Christ’s people, a limbo in which they are to be awhile to be prepared to share his glory. No, he will come at the right time, and take them to be where he is, and they shall have the very place that Jesus has: "I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there you may be also." Do you want a better rest than that after all your work and warfare here below? Does not this prospect cheer you while you are journeying down the hill of life?
John 14:5. And where I go you know, and the way you know.
"You know that I am going to the Father, and you know that I am myself the way to the Father; I am going whence I came."
John 14:6. Thomas says unto him, Lord, we know not where you go; and how can we know the way? Jesus says unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life:
"I am all that you want on your way to Heaven, the truth that will make Heaven for you, and the life which you will enjoy with me forever in Heaven. I give you all that while you are yet here below."
John 14:6. No man comes unto the Father, but by me.
There is no getting to God except through Christ. Those who say that we can go to Heaven without a Mediator know not what they say, or say what they know to be false. There can be no acceptable approach to the Father except by Jesus Christ the Son.
John 14:7. If you had known me, you should have known my Father also:
For Christ is also "the mighty God, the everlasting Father." All the character of God is seen in the Christ of God, and he who truly comes to Christ has really come to the Father.
John 14:7. And from henceforth you know him, and have seen him.
I hope that this may be said of many of us, that we do truly know God; and, since we have seen Christ by faith, we have seen the Father also.
John 14:8. Philip says unto him, Lord, show us the Father, and it suffices us.
What a comfort these questions and blunders of Thomas and Philip ought to be to us, for it is clear that we are not the only dolts in Christ’s school; and if he could bear with them, he can bear with us also. Like them, how little do we retain of that which he teaches us! We are taught much, but we learn little, for we are such poor scholars. Our memory holds but little, and our understanding still less of what we have been taught, and we are all too apt to want something that we can see, just as Philip said, "Lord, show us the Father, and it suffices us."
John 14:9-11. Jesus says unto him, Have I been so long time with you, and yet have you not known me, Philip? he who has seen me has seen the Father; and how say you then, Show us the Father? Believe you not that I am in the Father, and the Father in me? the words that I speak unto you I speak not of myself: but the Father that dwells in me, he does the works. Believe me that I am in the Father, and the Father in me: or else believe me for the very works’ sake.
Note how the Master continued to urge his disciples to believe. Again and again he returned to that vital point: Believe you? "Believe me...: believe me." This he did because there is no relief from heart-trouble but by believing the everlasting truth of God, and especially by believing him who is "the truth." The believer alone has true peace of heart; the unbeliever is tossed to and fro on the billows of the great ocean of doubt; how can he rest? There is nothing for him to rest upon. Happily, Christ is still saying, "Come unto me, and I will give you rest;" and they are truly wise who accept his gracious invitation.
John 14:12. Truly, truly, I say unto you, He who believes on me, the works that I do shall he do also; and greater works than these shall he do; because I go unto my Father.
When Christ had gone back to the Father, he opened all heaven’s treasures for his people; he bestowed the Spirit of all grace, and so his servants were helped to do even greater works than he himself did while he was upon the earth. We cannot add anything to his atonement; that work must forever stand as complete and unique; but there are other forms of service, in which he engaged in his earthly ministry, in which his servants have gone far beyond him. The Lord Jesus Christ never preached a sermon after which three thousand were converted and baptized in one day; to a large extent he kept his personal ministry within the bounds of Palestine; but, after his resurrection, when the Spirit was poured out at Pentecost, then, in the power of the Spirit, greater works than his were wrought the wide world over.
John 14:13-14. And whatever you shall ask in my name, that will I do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If you shall ask anything in my name, I will do it.
Is that promise true to every man? Certainly not. It was made by Christ to his own disciples, and not to all of them absolutely; but only to them as they believe in him, as they are filled with his Spirit, and as they keep his commandments. There are some of God’s children who have little power with him in prayer, — some who walk so disorderly that, since they do not listen to God’s words, he will not listen to theirs. Yet he will give them necessities, as you give even to your naughty and disobedient children; but he will not give them the luxury of prevailing prayer, and that full fellowship with him which comes through abiding in him. Such luxuries he saves for his obedient children, who are filled with his Spirit. Even under the old dispensation, David wrote, "Trust in the Lord, and do good; so shall you dwell in the land, and truly you shall be fed. Delight yourself also in the Lord; and he shall give you the desires of your heart;" and in a very special sense, under the new dispensation, that spirituality of mind, which enables us to delight in God, is a necessary antecedent to our obtaining the desires of our heart in the high and spiritual sphere of prayer.
John 14:15-17. If you love me, keep my commandments. And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you forever; Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it sees him not, neither knows him:
The world is carnal, it is unspiritual; therefore, it is unable to see or to know the Spirit of God. A man without a spiritual nature cannot recognize the Holy Spirit; he must be born again before he can do so. You who are only soul and body need to receive that third and loftier principle — the spirit which is wrought in us by the Spirit of God. Until you have it, this verse applies to you: "The Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it sees him not, neither knows him."
John 14:17. But you know him;
Christ’s own disciples know him.
John 14:17-19. For he dwells with you, and shall be in you. I will not leave you comfortless: I will come to you. Yet a little while, and the world sees me no more; but you see me: because I live, you shall live also.
Oh, what a rich promise! How, then, can Christ’s people ever perish? Until Christ himself perishes, no child of his can ever be lost.
John 14:20. At that day you shall know that I am in my Father, and you in me, and I in you.
Three wondrous mysteries of union, — Christ in the Father, the Church in Christ, and Christ in his Church.
John 14:21. He who has my commandments, and keeps them, he it is that loves me: and he who loves me shall be loved of my Father, and I will love him, and will manifest myself to him.
May we be such lovers of Christ that he may love us, and manifest himself unto as, for his name’s sake! Amen.
Verses 1-31John 14:1. Let not your heart be troubled: you believe in God, believe also in me.
You will be troubled; that cannot be helped. But let not your heart be troubled. You are like a ship, and all the water in the sea cannot hurt a ship, if it is kept outside of her. Let not your heart be troubled. How are you to prevent it? Faith is the remedy. You believe already; believe more. "You believe in God; believe also in me." "You have a trust in the infinite power of God; believe in me as the incarnation of his infinite love."
John 14:2. In my Father’s house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you.
There is no room for you on earth; there will be in Heaven. If troubles should so multiply that it seems impossible to live in them, you shall be carried away where you shall live above them "In my Father’s house are many mansions." You may depend upon the love of Christ beloved, for if there were anything dark, mysterious, distressing, which would lead you to despair, he would not have kept it back. He treats you frankly. "If it were not so I would have told you. I go, and you are sorry that I go. It is the source of your sorrow. But I go to prepare place for you."
John 14:3. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there you may be also.
Oh! this is ground for sweet comfort, and it ought to yield it to us tonight. He has gone, but he will come again; he has not left us forever. Space divides us for awhile; but, skipping over the mountains like a roe and a young deer, he will come again, even to this poor world, and to us, his waiting church, he will come again. Therefore, have patience. Let not your heart be troubled. Jesus Christ will come very soon.
John 14:4. And where I go you know, and the way you know.
You know where Christ is gone. You know how to get at him. The throne on which he sits is the throne of grace. He is gone to the Father, and your prayers will find the Father. You know the way. Then frequent it; and though as yet in your bodies you cannot reach to him, yet in spirit you can. "Where I go you know, and the way you know."
John 14:5. Thomas says unto him, Lord, we know not where you go; and how can we know the way?
Which was a contradiction of his Master, which Thomas ought not to have uttered. He should have put it much rather in the form of a question for explanation, than of such a fiat denial. His Master said, "Where I go you know." He said, "We know not where you go." But we must take care that we do not contradict Christ. Our unbelief would be shamed out of us, if we were to look at it and examine it. I am persuaded that your faith will be justified the more you examine it, until you will discover that faith in God is nothing, after all, but sanctified common sense. So unbelief will appear to be more shameful the more you examine it, until you discover at length that it is nothing but garish folly. An outrage upon the first principles of wisdom is distrust of God.
John 14:6-7. Jesus says unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man comes unto the Father, but by me. If you had known me, you should have known my Father also: and from henceforth you know him, and have seen him.
This, then, is the main point of knowledge with us, to know Christ. All the studies in the world are vain, compared with the study of Christ crucified. This is the most excellent of all the sciences. He who knows Christ knows the way, the truth, the life, yes, and God himself.
John 14:8-9. Philip says unto him, Lord show us the Father, and it suffices us. Jesus says unto him, Have I been so long time with you, and yet have you not known me, Philip? he who has seen me has seen the Father; and how say you then, Show us the Father?
The best view of God we can ever have is Christ in the person of his Son. There is more seen of God than in all nature; yes and in all history added to nature. God has given us a full-length portrait of himself in Jesus; while in all his works, we have no more then a mere miniature of him. Oh! that we knew Christ more; then should we know the Father.
John 14:10-12. Believe you not that I am in the Father, and the Father in me? the words that I speak unto you I speak not of myself: but the Father that dwells in me, he does the works. Believe me that I am in the Father, and the Father in me: or else believe me for the very works’ sake. Truly, truly, I say unto you, He who believes on me, the works that I do shall he do also; and greater works than these shall he do; because I go unto my Father.
Oh! what strength there is in faith. These are the same people who are not to be troubled. They are to rise so much above trouble of heart, that they are to become performers of works like to Christ. Yes, and since Christ has gone, and he has endowed us with the Holy Spirit, we are to do yet greater works than he did. Oh! to know the possibilities of our nature; to know what God can do by us. What appears to us as we are, as unable to be done, we may be enabled to do through the spirit of God which is in Christ Jesus.
John 14:13-14. And whatever you shall ask in my name, that will I do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If you shall ask anything in my name, I will do it.
It does not mean that every prayer will be answered. The power to ask a thing in Christ’s name is not given to everybody. It is not merely to say at the end of your prayer, "for Christ’s sake." It is another thing; it is to be able to feel that, as Christ stood in your place, so you dare stand in Christ’s place; and what you have asked, you have asked in his name, feeling that what you have asked is such that Christ would have asked it. Now, when you can feel that, and can feel that Christ puts his seal on what you have asked, then, you ask in his name. A person cannot always speak in the name of another; cannot do it at all unless he has received an authorization so to do. Then he stands as that person’s deputy; stands in his place; speaks in his name. I am sure that nine out of ten of the prayers of Christians are not offered in the name of Christ, and could not be. It would be a sin against Christ for such prayers to be supposed to be the prayers of Christ. But when we talk of the Spirit of God, and we dare ask in the name and use the seal of Christ to set his signature at the bottom of our petition, then, brethren, depend upon it Christ will do it.
John 14:15. If you love me, keep my commandments.
Oh! some of us would have liked him to have said, "If you love me, give all your money; go into a convent. If you love me, perform some wonderful action. Go into the streets and preach; where you would be hooted. Go to some foreign country and get yourself made a martyr of." No, no; "If you love me, keep my commandments. Stop at home near your father and mother. If you love me, love my disciples. Let love rule you. And in that place in life in which I have set you, try to honor my name by exhibiting my character. If you love me, keep my commandments."
John 14:16-19. And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you forever; Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it sees him not, neither knows him: but you know him: for he dwells with you, and shall be in you. I will not leave you comfortless: I will come to you. Yet a little while, and the world sees me no more; but you see me: because I live, you shall live also.
"Yet a little while and the world sees me no more; but you see me." Now, when the world does not see him, we still see him. He is present to our faith, though passing from our sight. "Because I live, you shall live also." Is he a dead Christ? Then he has a dead people for his church. He is a living Savior: he has a living people; and they shall no more die than he shall die; "for he, being raised from the dead, dies no more; death has no more dominion over him." "Because I live, you shall live also."
John 14:20. At that day you shall know that I am in my Father, and you in me, and I in You.
What a wonderful union this is — Christ in the Father; the saints in Christ, and Christ in the saints. These be riddles which are not meant for the children of this world; but they who are the children of God shall understand them, shall live upon them.
John 14:21. He who has my commandments, and keeps them, he it is that loves me:
Not he who preaches about them, talks much about them; boasts about a higher life and all sorts of things; but "he who has my commandments and keeps them, he it is that loves me: and he who loves me shall be loved of my Father, and I will love him, and will manifest myself to him."
John 14:21-22. And he who loves me shall be loved by my Father, and I will love him, and will manifest myself to him. Judas says unto him, not Iscariot, Lord, how is it that you will manifest yourself unto us, and not unto the world?
If you do manifest yourself to us, who are only a few poor fishermen, you does not extend your kingdom so; but if you would manifest yourself to the world in all your glory, surely they would be surprised and overwhelmed, and your kingdom would thus come. But that is not Christ’s way. His manifestations are for his own: not for glitter, but for edification. He comes to bless them; not that he may be ostentatious among men.
John 14:23. Jesus answered and said unto him, If a man love me, he will keep my words: and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him.
Oh! what an honored man that — for the Father and the Son to be his guests, to make an abode in his heart.
John 14:24-28. He who loves me not keeps not my sayings; and the word which you hear is not mine, but the Father’s which sent me. These things have I spoken unto you, being yet present with you. But the Comforter, which is the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatever have said unto you. Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world gives, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid. You have heard how I said unto you, I go away, and come again unto you. If you loved me, you would rejoice, because I said, I go unto the Father: for my Father is greater than I.
Christ had stooped to take a lower place for our sakes.
John 14:29-31. And now I have told you before it come to pass, that, when it is come to pass, you might believe. Hereafter I will not talk much with you: for the prince of this world comes, and has nothing in me. But that the world may know that I love the Father: and as the Father gave me commandment, even so do, Arise, let us go hence.
Verses 15-31
John 14:15. If you love me, keep my commandments.
We cannot expect the Holy Spirit to dwell with us unless we are obedient to the commands of Christ. Our Savior here tells us much about the spirit of truth, but he begins with this test of our love to him, " If you love me, keep my commandments."
John 14:16. And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you forever;
Not a different Comforter, but the Comforter who is now with us, is of the same nature, and works after the same manner, as the Lord Jesus himself, who was our first Advocate, Helper, Paraclete, Comforter: I give you these four words instead of one, because they are all wrapped up in the original word ‘Paraclete’-" that he may abide with you forever and ever." The Lord Jesus could not abide with us forever, it was expedient for him that he should go to Heaven to prepare a place for us. But the Holy Spirit will not go; he will remain in this dispensation, even to the end of it,-"that he may abide with you forever."
John 14:17. Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it sees him not, neither knows him; but you know him; for he dwells with you, and shall be in you.
The world knows nothing about the Holy Spirit; it can hear the gospel, it can hear the outward word, but the living, mystic, inward Spirit the world knows nothing of.
John 14:18-19. I will not leave you comfortless: I will come to you. Yet a little while and the world sees me no more; but you see me: because I live, you shall live also.
"While I am away the Holy Spirit shall be your Comforter, you shall not be like orphans without father or friend." Jesus will come a second time. This is our joyful hope, but meanwhile, while he is away, we are not without a Comforter. " Yet a little while, and the world sees me no more." What a wonderful thing! The children of God always see Jesus spiritually. " But you see me; because I live, you shall live also." There is life in a look, and our continued sight of Christ brings us continued life through Christ. Because he lives, there is a loving, living, lasting union between us and Christ.
John 14:20. At that day you shall know that I am in my Father, and you in me, and I in you.
Three wonderful unions, Christ in the Father, his people in Christ, Christ in his people. If you are instructed of the Lord, you will understand this text. This is such knowledge as the universities cannot teach; it is such knowledge as the most-learned doctors cannot attain to by themselves.
Only the Spirit of God can teach us these things.
John 14:21. He who has my commandments, and keeps them, he it is that loves me: and he who loves me shall be loved of my Father, and I will love him, and will manifest myself to him.
He must have obedience. Christ cannot come and comfortably manifest himself to those who are living out of order and disregarding his words. Take heed, children of God, of disobedience; it is a discipline of the divine family that if we disobey we should lose the comfortable presence of our Lord. " I will manifest myself to him."
John 14:22-23. Judas says unto him, not Iscariot, Lord, how is it that you will manifest yourself unto us, and not unto the world? Jesus answered and said unto him, If a man love me, he will keep my words: and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him.
Christ and his Father dwell with obedient people: "We will dwell with him, and make our abode with him." Oh, that we might carefully watch our thoughts, our words, our acts, lest we grieve our Lord. He will manifest himself to us when we yield ourselves to him. When we obey his will, it will be his will to honor us with his constant presence.
John 14:24. He who loves me not keeps not my sayings:
There is much talk of loyalty to Christ, but the teachings of Christ are despised. The teachings of his apostles are the teachings of Christ they are but a prolongation and exposition of what Christ taught. In rejecting them we reject Christ. He will not have it that we can be loyal to him and yet refuse his teaching.
John 14:24. And the word which you hear is not mine, but the Father’s which sent me.
It is a wonderful denial of originality on the part of Christ. If anybody could have spoken his own word, it was surely the Christ of God. But he was a messenger, and he delivered his message. Now, if it be so with Christ, how much more so with us who are very inferior messengers. We ought to be very careful that we do not deliver our own thoughts, or suggestions, excogitations and philosophies. "The word which you hear is not mine," (that I can most emphatically say,) "but the Father’s which sent me." You see, when we deliver a message which is not ours but the Father’s, we feel safe about it; we feel sure of its success, whereas, if we were the makers of it, we should often question whether we had not told you falsely: but if we can fall back upon the Word of God, and prove it from what the Father has said, then do we feel we are no longer responsible.
John 14:25-26. These things have I spoken unto you, being yet present with you. But the Comforter, which is the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatever I have said unto you.
That is the teaching. The Holy Spirit does not reveal anything fresh to us. He brings to our remembrance what has already been said and written in the inspired Word. Whereas the Book conveys to us the outward sense, the Holy Spirit conveys to us the inner meaning. The embodiment of truth you have in this Book, but the truth itself, dealing with the conscience, and heart, and spirit must be led home by the Author of the Book, by the Holy Spirit himself.
John 14:27. Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you:
Have you got it, brothers and sisters? Are you at peace at this moment? "I am very much troubled," says one. Well, you are to have tribulation here; but you are to have peace with it. In the world you shall have tribulation, but in Christ you shall have peace. If you have got the bitter herbs, do not be satisfied with bitter herbs, ask for the Paschal Lamb.
John 14:27. Not as the world gives, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.
Come, tell your trouble to your Lord, ask the Holy Spirit to exercise the office of Comforter upon you now at this very moment.
John 14:28. You have heard how I said unto you, I go away, and come again unto you. If you loved me, you would rejoice, because I said, I go unto the Father: for my Father is greater than I.
The Lord Jesus had taken a subordinate place, he had become the servant of the Father, the messenger for the Father, but he was going back to reassume his glory. That ought to be a subject of joy to us. Let us bless Jesus that he is not here. If he were here in his former state he would be in his humiliation; but now he has gone to his glory. Let us rejoice in this.
John 14:29. And now I have told you before it came to pass, that, when it is come to pass, you might believe.
Jesus warned his disciples of all that was to happen in his death and in his departure. I believe that the Spirit of God often gives inward warnings to God’s people of troubles that are to come,-monitions, so that they may be prepared for the trouble when it comes, and may feel as if he had told them before it came to pass.
John 14:30. Hereafter I will not talk much with you; for the prince of this world comes, and has nothing in me.
He would have very few words, for he was going to the bloody sweat and scourging and death: his words might well be few, for his actions would speak more loudly than words.
John 14:31. But that the world may know that I love the Father; and the Father gave me commandment, even so I do. Arise, let us go hence.
And they left the supper-table to go to the garden, the garden of his agony. Let us be willing to go wherever God calls us.
Verses 21-31In this "sacred farewell" talk of our Lord’s, he gives us many a revelation of the soul’s way of fellowship with him.
John 14:21-22. He who has my commandments, and keeps them. he it is that loves me: and he who loves me shall be loved of my Father, and I will love him, and will manifest myself to him. Judas says unto him, not Iscariot, Lord, how is it that you will manifest yourself unto us, and not unto the world?
Many a time have we asked that question with great admiration of the special sovereign grace of God, that he should manifest himself to us, and not to the world. It is an unanswerable question. It is "even so, Father, for so it seemed good in your sight."
John 14:23. Jesus answered and said unto him, If a man love me, he will keep my words: and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him.
Where the grace of God has created love between us and Christ, there is a window through which Christ can manifest himself to us. Why he gave us that love we do not know, but when he has given us that love he will not deny us communion with himself.
John 14:24-26. He who loves me not keeps not my sayings: and the word which you hear is not mine, but the Father’s which sent me. These things have I spoken unto you, being yet present with you. But the Comforter, which is the Holy Spirit whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatever I have said unto you.
The Holy Spirit does not teach us any new doctrine. Fix that in your minds, for in the present age we have numbers of persons who talk about being inspired with the Holy Spirit, and who come with all kinds of crudities and fooleries. Believe them not. The Holy Spirit says no other and no more than the Lord Jesus Christ himself said, "He shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance whatever I have said to you." The canon of revelation is closed. None can add to it without a curse. Do not accept any testimony that would add to it. Keep you to what is here found, and pray the Holy Spirit to lead you into the clear understanding of it.
John 14:27-28. Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world gives, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid. You have heard how I said unto you, I go away, and come again unto you. If you loved me, you would rejoice, because I said, I go unto the Father: for my Father is greater than I.
Christ had himself less than the Father in his state of humiliation, and now he is returning to the Father to be re-clothed with honor and majesty. Should we not rejoice in that?
John 14:29-31. And now I have told you before it come to pass, that, when it is come to pass, you might believe. Hereafter I will not talk much with you: for the prince of this world comes, and has nothing in me. But that the world may know that I love the Father; and as the Father gave me commandment, even so do I. Arise, let us go hence.
And he went; to his death bravely determined, to do the Father’s will, though it meant the drinking up of that bitter cup, which made his very soul to tremble within him. God give us such love to Christ as Christ had to the Father.
Chapter 15 Verses 1-8
On the way from the supper table to the garden of Gethsemane, or while still lingering in the upper room, our Lord spoke this wondrous parable.
John 15:1. I am the true vine,-
All other vines are but shadows of Christ. They represent Christ, but he is himself the substance. the essence, the one great reality. He is the truth of all things that exist: "I am the true Vine." Does anybody ask which is the true Church? All who are vitally joined to Christ are in the true Church, for he says, "I am the true Vine,"-
John 15:1. And my Father is the gardener.
He cares for the Church with infinite wisdom and love. No one else can care for that true Vine as the Father-the Husbandman-does.
John 15:2. Every branch in me that bears not fruit he takes away:
If there be any, who are only nominally in Christ, and who therefore bear no fruit, their doom is to be taken away; for, in order to final perseverance and eternal safety, there must be fruit-bearing.
John 15:2. And every branch that bears fruit, he purges it, that it may bring forth more fruit.
Pruning, then, is for fruit-bearers. If the branch were dead, what would be the good of pruning it? Say not, dear friends that your afflictions must be caused by your sins; nay, rather they may come in consequence of your virtues. Because you do bear fruit, it is worth while for the Gardener to use his knife upon you, that you may bring forth more fruit.
John 15:3-4. Now you are clean through the word which I have spoken unto you. Abide in me, and I in you.
Give good heed to that sweet word, beloved brethren, "Abide in me." Do not seem to get into Christ, and then depart from him. Add constancy to all your other graces.
John 15:4-5. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can you, except you abide in me. I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in me, and I in him, the same brings forth much fruit for without me you can do nothing.
You know how the branch is in the vine, it is a component part of the vine; but do not forget that the vine is also in the branch,-that the sap, which is the very life of the vine, flows into every living branch. So we are in Christ, and Christ is in us, and he says to us, as the marginal reading has it, "Severed from me, you can do nothing." What! not even a little, Lord? Can we not do something good, something acceptable apart from you? No; "Without me, you can do nothing."
John 15:6. If a man abide not in me, he is cast forth as a branch, and is withered; and men gather them, and cast them into the fire, and they are burned.
That is all that can be done with fruitless vine-branches. You cannot make anything of them. Other trees yield timber, and are useful for various purposes; but, with the vine, it is as the prophet Ezekiel says, "Son of man, What is the vine tree more than any tree, or than a branch which is among the trees of the forest? Shall wood be taken thereof to do any work? or will men take a pin of it to hang any vessel thereon? Behold, it is cast into the fire for fuel; the fire devours both the ends of it, and the midst of it is burned. Is it meet for any work?" It is useless if it is fruitless; and so is it with us, if we do not bear fruit unto God, we are of no service to him whatever.
John 15:7. If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, you shall ask what you will, and it shall be done unto you.
Here is the secret of prevailing prayer. It is not every man who chooses to pray, who shall have whatever he asks of God; but the successful pleader is the man who abides in Christ, and in whom Christ’s words abide. God will not hear our words if we disregard his words. We cannot expect our prayers to be prevalent if we are severed from our Lord.
John 15:8. Herein is my Father glorified, that you bear much fruit; so shall you be my disciples.
"Much fruit" should be produced by the disciples of the much-doing Christ.
The true Vine was full of fruit, and it scarcely can be believed that we are branches of that Vine if we exhibit only a little fruit. It is "much fruit" that proves our union to this Vine.
Verses 1-11John 15:1. I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener.
If you want to know where the true Church is, Christ here tells you: "I am the true vine." All who are in Christ are in the true Church. If you want to know who is the Father of the Church, its Keeper and Guardian, Christ here tells you: "My Father is the gardener." Hence, I feel persuaded that the true vine, the Church, will never die, for it is Christ; and I am also persuaded that it will never be uprooted, for Jesus says, "My Father is the gardener;" and that fact is a guarantee that he will take care of it.
John 15:2. Every branch in me that bears not fruit he takes away:
In some sense, men and women may be in Christ by a mete outward profession; but if they have no evidence of a real union to Christ, if they produce no fruit, they will be taken away, some by death, and others by apostasy; but they will be taken away.
John 15:2. And every branch that bears fruit, he purges it, that it may bring forth more fruit!.
From these words, it is clear that, many of the afflictions which we have to endure are not brought upon us because we are unfruitful, but because we are bearing fruit.
John 15:3-4. Now you are clean through the word which I have spoken unto you. Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine, no more can you, except you abide in me.
Dear friends, beware of a Christless Christianity. Beware of trying to be Christians without living daily upon Christ. The branch may just as well try to bear fruit apart from the vine as for you to hope to maintain the reality of Christian life without continual fellowship with the Lord Jesus Christ.
John 15:5-6. I am the vine, you are the branches: he who abides in me, and I in him, the same brings forth much fruit: for without me you can do nothing. If a man abide not in me, he is cast forth as a branch, and is withered; and men gather them, and cast them into the fire, and they are burned.
The vine must either bear fruit or be good for nothing; and you, believer, must be vitally united to Christ, and bear fruit in consequence of that union or else you will be like those fruitless vine-branches, of which our Lord said that "men gather them, and cast them into the fire and they are burned,"
John 15:7. If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, you shall ask what you will and it shall be done unto you.
Do not take that verse as a promise of unlimited answers to prayer, for it is nothing of the kind. Remember the "if" that qualifies it: "If you abide in me, and my words abide in you," for a man who is truly in Christ, as the branch is in the vine, and who is feeding upon Christ’s words, will be so influenced by the Holy Spirit that he will not ask anything which is contrary to the mind of God. Consequently, his prayers, though in one sense unrestricted, are really restricted by the tenderness of his conscience, and the sensitiveness of his spirit to the influence of the mind of God. There are some Christians who do not get their prayers answered, and who never will as long as they do not comply with this condition, "If you abide in me, and my words abide in you." If you do not take notice of Christ’s words, he will not take notice of your words. He is not going to open his door to every stranger who chooses to give a runaway knock at it, but he will pay attention to his own children who pay attention to him.
John 15:8. Herein is my Father glorified, that you bear much fruit; so shall you be my disciples.
"You shall be known to be my disciples." Everybody will perceive that you must be branches of that fruitful vine, Christ Jesus, if you bear much fruit.
John 15:9. As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you: continue you in my love.
How wondrously Jesus loves those who are truly, his! As the Father loved him, so does he love us: that is, without beginning, without measure, without variation, without end. "Continue you in my love;" that is, live in it, enjoy it, drink it in, be influenced by it.
John 15:10. If you keep my commandments, you shall abide in my love;
"You shall live in the realization of my love if you live in obedience to me."
John 15:10-11. Even as I have kept my Father’s commandments, and abide in his love. These things have I spoken unto you, that my joy might remain in you, and that your joy might be full.
For, when Christ is not pleased with us, we are not likely to have joy in ourselves, Oh, that we may so live as to please Christ!
Verses 1-17Thus speaks the Lord Jesus: —
John 15:1. I am the true vine,
Many questions have been raised about which is the true Church; the Savior answers them, "I am the true vine." All who are united, really united, to the ever-living Savior are members of the true Church. Find you them where you may, if they are one with Christ, they are his — they are parts of the divine vine; they are belonging to his Church.
John 15:1. And my Father is the gardener.
It is the Father’s province, by the Holy Spirit and by the works of Providence, to see to the prosperity of the Church. "My Father is the gardener." All preachers, all teachers, are but, so to speak, the pruning tool in the hand of the great vine-dresser. "My Father is the gardener."
John 15:2. Every branch in me that bears not fruit he takes away:
It is a necessary part of vine-dressing to remove the superfluous shoots. Too much wood-making, which does not lead to fruit-bearing, is but a waste of strength. And so in the Church there are those that bear no fruit, and for a while they appear to be fresh and green, and they who are the under-vine-dressers dare not take them away. But the Father does it —sometimes by removing them by death; at other times by permitting them openly to expose their own character, until they are then amenable to the discipline of the Church, and are removed.
John 15:2. Every branch in me that bears not fruit he takes away and every branch that bears fruit —
What of that? "He purges it (prunes it) that it may bring forth more fruit." "I cannot understand," said one to me the other day, "why I am so very sorely afflicted. I have been searching myself to discover what sin can have been the cause of it." Now, beloved, if that be your question tonight, there may be a sin to be put away, and, if so, God forbid that I should prevent your searching; but remember, on the other hand, affliction is no evidence of sin, but oftentimes of the very contrary, It is the fruit-bearing branch that gets the pruning. You are so good a branch that God would gladly have you better. You have such capacities for bearing fruit, that he wants to see those capacities developed. The lapidary does not chase upon the wheel the stone that is not precious, but that which is, and so real affliction is no mark, therefore, of your want of grace, but of your having it. "Every branch that bears fruit, he purges it, that it may bring forth more fruit."
John 15:3. Now you are clean--
For so it should be.
John 15:3. Through the word which I have spoken unto you.
While Christ was with his disciples he kept his vine continually pruned by the word which he spoke. That word cut off the non-fruit-bearing-branches, for we read that after that saying there were some that went back, and walked no more with him, for they said, "’This is a hard saying; who can bear it?" That was the word pruning off the useless branches. And there were others who were grieved by his Word. These, were good people, and it did them good. It was a godly sorrow that led to bringing forth fruits meet for repentance.
John 15:4. Abide in me and I in you.
There is the great canon of the Christian life. Hold fast to Christ. Not only live with him, but live in him. "Abide in me." And on! let Jesus not be merely your companion now and then, on holy occasions, but let him abide in you; make your heart a temple; let him find his sweetest rest his home in you.
John 15:4. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can you, except you abide in me.
It is keeping in Christ, then, that is the vital relater. There is the root of the whole business, to be still one with Jesus by vital union, deriving the sap of our life entirely from him.
John 15:5. I am the vine, you are the branches: He who abides in me, and I in him, the same brings forth much fruit:
This double abiding gives a double harvest. Christ in me, and I in Christ — I must be fruitful. Oh! beloved, look well to this. I am afraid we get at a distance from Christ. There is more danger of this in old professors than there is in young beginners. The young beginner is warm of heart. The very novelty of the thing keeps him near his Master, but oh! take care of slackening; you that have been long pilgrims, take care of slackening. It is so easy to grow cold in this cold world, and it is so hard to maintain the holy spiritual fervent, without which there is no spiritual health.
John 15:5. He who abides in me, and I in him, the same brings forth much fruit: for without me you can do nothing.
Not "you will do less," or "you will do least," but you can do nothing —nothing good, nothing spiritual, nothing acceptable, if severed from Jesus.
John 15:6. If a man abide not in me, he is cast forth as a branch, and is withered: and men gather them, and cast them into the fire, and they are burned.
And oh! how many come to this end! They did seem to be all that the fruit-bearing branches are, but they were never saved souls, for saved souls always bring forth fruits of righteousness. Their salvation is proved by their fruitfulness. But these appeared to be all that the others were, and after a while they were discovered, and cast into the fire and burned.
John 15:7. If you abide in me, and my words abide in you,
My very words. You must treasure up Christ’s teaching; you must obey his precepts. If you do this, "You shall ask what you will, and it shall be done unto you." In this chapter we are taught once or twice that the power of prayer depends very much upon the closeness of our communion with Christ, and the completeness of our obedience to him. We are saved by faith in the Redeemer, but the joy of salvation, the very dignity and glory of it, will only come to those men who jealously watch themselves, and zealously obey their Lord and Master.
John 15:8-9. Herein is my Father glorified, that you bear much fruit; so shall you be my disciples. As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you:
What a glorious word! I scarcely know a text more deep, more full than this. After the same manner as God the Father loves the Son — after that same sort does the Son love us. Hear you the words again, "As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you; continue you in my love." He confirms us in it, and bids us live in the enjoyment of it.
John 15:10. If you keep my commandments, you shall abide in my love.
You shall know it; you shall live in it; it shall be the atmosphere you breathe.
John 15:10-11. Even as I have kept my Father’s commandments, and abide in his love. These things have I spoken unto you, that my joy might remain in you.
Christ would have his people happy; happy, however, with a holy joy, which is not, therefore, a dim and second-rate joy. It is the very joy of Christ, God’s people are to enjoy.
John 15:11-16. That my joy might remain in you. and that your joy might be full. This is my commandment, That you love one another, as I have loved you. Greater love has no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends. You are my friends, if you do whatever I command you. Henceforth I call you not servants; for the servant knows not what his lord does: but I have called you friends; for all things that I have heard of my Father I have made known unto you. You have not chosen me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you, that you should go and bring forth fruit, and that your fruit should remain: that whatever you shall ask of the Father in my name, he may give it you.
A second time he puts this remarkable prevalence of prayer side by side with walking in the Lord’s commandments. Oh! you that miss success in your life and work, may you not trace your failure to your forgetfulness of God. Shall God do your will, if you will not do his will? Shall he wait on you, if you will not wait on him? Will he not (must you not expect that he will) walk contrary to you if you walk contrary to him? May Spirit make you pure in life, for then shall you be successful at the mercy-seat!
John 15:17. These things I command you, that you love one another.
Jesus! send us this spirit of love, we pray you. Amen.
Verses 1-27Many of you know the words of this chapter by heart; you could repeat them without a mistake. May the savor of them abide in your hearts even as the letter of them abides in your memory!
John 15:1. I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener.
We thank you, O Savior, for this blessed answer to the oft-repeated question, "Which is the true Church?"Are you one with Christ? Then are you a part of the true vine. If we have but real, vital personal, having connection with Christ, to whatever section of the visible Church we may belong, we are part of "the true vine." And we are told, in the next sentence, who is the great Caretaker of the Church? Some of us are much occupied in Christ’s service, and there is a tendency with all of us to get, like Martha, "numbered" even in serving for him. We are apt to fancy that the burden of all the churches lies upon our shoulders, but, beloved, this is a great mistake. Jesus said, "I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener," or vine-dresser. He will take the utmost possible care of it, for it is very dear to him. There is not a branch in that vine which the Father does not love with infinite affection; and as for the majestic stem, even Jesus, he loves him beyond measure.
John 15:2. Every branch in me that bears not fruit he takes away:
This operation is always going on. God is continually taking away from the Church, in some way or other, non-fruit-bearers. We know that these do not truly belong to Christ, for fruit must come from vital union to him but it is a trial to the Church to have non-fruit-bearing branches. These are taken away, sometimes by death, sometimes by judgment, sometimes by the open discovery of their secret sin, the culmination of their backslides in overt acts of transgression. "Every branch in me that bears not fruit he takes away:" but side by side with this action another process is constantly going on: —
John 15:2. And every branch that bears fruit, he purges it, that it may bring forth more fruit.
Is this, then, dear friend, one reason why you are being chastened, —because you are a fruit-bearing branch? If you bore no fruit, you would be left unpruned, because the knife would do its sterner work upon you by taking you altogether away. If you really do bring forth fruit to God, you must expect to have trial, trouble, affliction, and that full often.
John 15:3. Now you are clean through the word which I have spoken unto you.
That was a "word" which had sorely grieved them, and cut them to the quick, so that the Savior had to say to them, more than once, "Let not your heart be troubled." (See the 1st, and the 27th, verses of the preceding chapter.) They had felt the sharp edge of the pruning-knife, so Jesus said to them, "Now you are clean (purged or pruned) through the word which I have spoken unto you."
John 15:4. Abide in me, and I in you.
The main thing is not restless activity, running here and there, and doing this, and that, and the other thing; it is abiding in Christ, persevering, constant cleaving to Christ, by virtue of a vital union with him: "Abide in me, and I in you."
John 15:4. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can you, except you abide in me.
You may hurry, and flurry, and worry; but you will lose by it. Keep close to Christ. Never let your heart be dissociated from intimate communion with him. So shall you bring forth fruit, but not else.
John 15:5-6. I am the vine, you are the branches: He who abides in me, and I in him, the same brings forth much fruit: for without me you can do nothing. If a man abide not in me, he is cast forth as a branch, and is withered: and men gather them, and cast them into the fire, and they are burned.
The vine is of use for nothing but fruit-bearing; and if it does not bear fruit, it is good for nothing except to be burned. In the social economy of life, a man may be of some use however bad he may be; but a man who is in the nominal Church of Christ, and yet does not bring forth fruit unto God, is of no use whatever. There is nothing to be done with him but to gather him up with the sere autumn leaves, and the decaying stalks of vegetation, to be burned in the corner outside the wall. How trying is the smoke that comes from such a burning as that! We pastors sometimes get it into our eyes, and it fills them with bitter tears. I know of nothing that is more grievous to us than this putting out of the unworthy, this casting the fruitless vine branches into the fire that they may be burned.
John 15:7. You abide in me, and my words abide in you, —
You see that doctrinal vitality is necessary to true union to Christ. Some, in these days, talk about a spiritual attachment to the person of Christ, while they shoot their envenomed darts against the dogmas of Christ; but that will not do. "If you abide in me, and my words abide in you," — my words of doctrine, precept, or promise, then—
John 15:7. You shall ask what you will, and it shall be done unto you.
This is the secret of successful prayer. Christ listens to your words because you listen to his words. If you are conformed to his will, he will grant you your will. Disobedient children, when they pray, may expect to get the rod for an answer. In true kindness, God may refuse to listen to them until they are willing to listen to him.
John 15:8. Herein is my Father glorified, that you bear much fruit;
What a wonderful vine that must be whose branches glorify God! Who ever heard of such a thing? The very branches do this, and they do it by bearing fruit. How this ought to excite us to desire to bear Christian graces, and to do Christian service, and to endure with resignation the Lord’s will, for those are the clusters that hang upon this vine.
John 15:8. So shall you be my disciples.
For Christ is not merely a fruit-bearer, but a bearer of much fruit. If we are to be Christ’s disciples indeed, we must not be content with doing something for him, but we must do everything that is possible to us; and God can strengthen us until we shall get beyond our natural possibilities into a still loftier realm.
John 15:9. As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you: continue you in my love.
As truly as the Father loves the Son, so truly does Jesus love us; nay, more than that, in the same manner as the Father loved the Son, — that is, without beginning, without cessation, without change, without end, without measure, — so does Jesus love us. There are many vast texts in the Bible, but I have often questioned whether there is a bigger text than this, — a vaster abyss of meaning shall not be found in these few words, "As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you." "Continue you in my love." Recognize it, enjoy it, walk in consistency with it, reflect it: "Continue you in my love."
John 15:10. If you keep my commandments, you shall abide in my love, even as I have kept my Father’s commandments, and abide in his love.
I said just now that the doctrinal words of Christ were to be regarded by us. So, dearly-beloved, the precepts or commands of God must ever be regarded. It is an idle tale for men to talk of a mythical visionary love to Christ which does not result in obedience to his will. We must keep his commandments, or we cannot truly say to him, "You know all things, you know that I love you."
John 15:11. These things have I spoken unto you, that my joy might remain in you, and that your joy might be full.
Good children are truly happy when their parents are happy in them. When they, through the good teaching and example of their parents, bring honor and joy to their parents, then they are sure to be themselves joyful. Oh, that we might so live that Christ’s joy might abide in us, for then our joy would be full.
John 15:12. This is my commandment, That you love one another as I have loved you.
Are you doing this, brethren and sisters in Christ, really loving one another? Do you never pick holes in each other’s character? Do you never judge a fellow-Christian harshly? If you do these things, chide yourself, and cease from this evil habit at once, for your Lord says to you, "This is my commandment, That you love one another, as I have loved you."
John 15:13. Greater love has no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.
"You are my friends, if you do whatever I command you." I lift you above the rank of servant, and make you my table companions, privileged to sit at the table with me in communion. I put you down on my list of associates and familiars, with whom I take sweet counsel, and in company with whom I walk to the house of God. "You are my friends, if you do whatever I command you." This condition applies to the whole range of Christ’s commands. We are not to omit any one of them, nor to make a little nick in our conscience as some do, nor to neglect what seems to be a comparatively small duty; for neglected duties, even of the lesser kind, often set upon us as little stones in a boot do upon a traveler. They lame him, they may not prevent him from traveling, but they mar his comfort on the road. Be scrupulous, brethren, lest, through the neglect of what some regard as scruples, you should bring upon yourselves great sorrows.
John 15:14-16. You are my friends, if you do whatever I command you. Henceforth I call you not servants; for the servant knows not what his lord does: but I have called you friends; for all things that I have heard of my Father I have made known unto you. You have not chosen me, but I have chosen you,
"That is where the love began, — not with you, but with me."
John 15:16. And ordained you, that you should go and bring forth fruit, and that your fruit should remain:
There are some people who are very fond of quoting the first part of this verse, they are very glad to hear a sermon upon the free, sovereign grace of God. They cannot too often repeat the words, "You have not chosen me, but I have chosen you;" but they do not talk so much about the next clause: "and ordained you, that you should go and bring forth fruit, and that your fruit should remain." Let us accept all God’s words as he has given them to us, and keep up the due proportion of the whole. Note that Christ is not speaking here of spasmodic piety, the religion that can only be kept up by popular preaching, and great meetings, and much excitement, and all that sort of thing; but of the religion of principle that bears its clusters tomorrow as well as today, and even months and years hence, — the religion that bears its fruit every month, and the leaf whereof does not wither. May we be such branches in the true vine that our fruit shall thus remain.
John 15:16. That whatever you shall ask of the Father in my name, he may give it you.
For, where the fruit remains, power in prayer will remain. If we are constantly living unto God, we shall find ourselves privileged to have the ear of God; and when we pray to him, he will grant us the desire of our hearts.
John 15:17. These things I command you, that you love one another.
Our Lord repeated the command, for he knew how prone even his disciples would be to disobey it.
John 15:18. If the world hate you, you know that it hated me before it hated you.
It is no new thing for the ungodly to hate the godly, so let us not be surprised if that is our portion.
John 15:19-20. If you were of the world, the world would love his own: but because you are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world, therefore the world hates you. Remember the word that I said unto you, The servant is not greater than his lord. If they have persecuted me, they will also persecute you; if they have kept my saying, they will keep yours also.
It ought to be quite sufficient for the servant if he is treated as his Lord was; what higher honor than that could he wish to have?
John 15:21. But all these things will they do unto you for my name’s sale, because they know not him that sent me.
They professed to know God, and some of them even thought that they were rendering acceptable service to God when they rejected his Son, whom he had sent unto them.
John 15:22-24. lf I had not come and spoken unto them, they had not had sin: but now they have no cloak for their sin. He that hates me hates my Father also. If I had not done among them the works which none other man did, they had not had sin: but now they have both seen and hated both me and my Father.
Our Lord did not mean that they would have been sinless if he had not come to them, but that his coming, and their rejection of him, had enormously increased and intensified their sinfulness.
John 15:25. But this comes to pass, that the word might be fulfilled that is written in their law, They hated me without a cause.
They fulfilled what had been written long before, even as they afterwards did when they put Christ to death.
John 15:26-27. But when the Comforter is come, whom I will send unto you from the Father, even the Spirit of truth, which proceeds from the Father, he shall testify of me: And you also shall bear witness, because you have been with me from the beginning.
The witness of the Spirit of truth still continues, and Christ’s disciples are still privileged to be co-witnesses, even will the Holy Spirit himself; let us take care to avail ourselves of this privilege whenever we can.
Verses 9-27John 15:9. As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you:
Oh, drink this nectar down! It is as when Cleopatra dissolved the pearl into a single draught; for here is the choicest pearl of truth that ever was dissolved into a single verse to be a delicious draught for his people to drink: "As the Father has loved me," — as surely as the Father has loved me; and, then, "as"— that is,— in the same manner "as the Father has loved me," — without beginning, without ending, Without measure, without change, "so have I loved you."
John 15:9-10. Continue you in my love. If you keep any commandments, you shall abide in my love;
Note this point of the Lord’s discipline; — not that Christ ever casts away his people, but that he does take from them the sweet sense of his love, the realization of it, if they are disobedient to him, and keep not his commandments.
John 15:10-11. Even as I have kept my Father’s commandments, and abide in his love. These things have I spoken unto you, that my joy might remain in you,
That he might joy in us,— feel a sacred delight in thinking of us as he does when he sees us keeping his commandments, and treasuring up his words, and so living in his love, and being mighty in prayer.
John 15:11. And that your joy might be full.
If Christ is not pleased with us, we cannot be glad; and if he has no joy in us, we cannot have joy in him. These two things rise and fall together. When the father of the family looks with joy upon his boy, then the boy is happy; but when the father has no joy in his son, then be sure of this, the son has no joy in his father, but he is sad at heart. O God, may we never grieve you, for if we do, we shall be ourselves grieved; at least, I trust that we shall, we would not have it otherwise. But, oh! that we might have the testimony that Enoch had before his translation, that we have pleased God!
Then shall we have true pleasure in ourselves.
John 15:12-14. This is my commandment, That you love one another, as I have loved you. Greater love has no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends. You are my friends, if you do whatever I command you.
Obedience, then, is rewarded with a holy friendship, for Christ becomes in the highest sense our Friend; but we are not his friends until we cease to delight in sin, and turn away from it into the paths of holiness.
John 15:15. Henceforth I call you not servants; for the servant knows not what his lord does: but I have called you friends; for all things that I have heard of my Father I have made known unto you.
The servant works in a building, and it is enough for him that he is laying part of a line of brick or stone. Perhaps he has never seen the design of the structure, nor had a wish to do so. But you and I have the great Architect constantly coming to us to tell us what the building is to be, and to explain to us his plans, and so we work with greater pleasure and joy than a mere laborer might. The very heart of Christ is laid bare to his people: "The secret of the Lord is with them that fear him." Happy are his people; glad to be his servants,— gladder still to be his friends.
John 15:16. You have not chosen me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you, that you should go and bring forth fruit, and that your fruit should remain: that whatever you shall ask of the Father in my name, he may give it you.
There you see divine election leading on to fruit-bearing, and perpetuated in perseverance: "that your fruit should remain." It brings also to every one of its objects this conspicuous favor, prevailing power in prayer: "that whatever you shall ask of the Father in my name, he may give it you."
John 15:17. These things I command you, that you love one another.
O you professors, who have no love to one another, you are breaking the King’s commandment! You are living in direct violation of a plain command that is most dear to his heart. Oh, that we might constantly hear it and obey it! "These things I command you, that you love one another."
John 15:18. If the world hate you, you know that it hated me before it hated you.
That is what you have reason to expect, and you may feel honored if they treat you as they have treated your Lord.
John 15:19-22. If you were of the world, the world would love his own: but because you are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world, therefore the world hates you. Remember the word that I said unto you, The servant is not greater than his lord. If they have persecuted me, they will also persecute you; if they have kept my saying, they will keep yours also. But all these things will they do unto you for my name’s sake, because they know not him that sent me. If I had not come and spoken unto them, they had not had sin: but now they have no cloak for their sin.
There is an awful increase of sin produced by Christ speaking to a man; and if any of you have been very near to the Kingdom, and your conscience has been aroused, and your mind has been impressed by the truth, and yet you have gone back to your sin, you have multiplied that sin a thousandfold. The times of your ignorance God may have winked at; but now you are sinning against light and knowledge; and unless you repent, terrible will be your doom.
John 15:23-26. He who hates me hates my Father also. If I had not done among them the works which none other man did, they had not had sin: but now have they both seen and hated both me and my Father. But this comes to pass, that the word might be fulfilled that is written in their law, They hated me without a cause. But when the Comforter is come,
And he has come; he is here, he has never been taken away; he still abides with and in the Church.
John 15:26. Whom I’ll send unto you from the Father, even the Spirit of truth, which proceeds from the Father, he shall testify of me:
By this mark you may know whether that which has been taught you is of the Spirit of God. If it does not testify of Christ, if he is not the head and front of it all, there is nothing in it for you to accept. If any man comes to you with what he calls a revelation, if it is not all concerning Christ, by this shall you judge it; it is not of the Spirit of God if it does not testify of Christ.
John 15:27. And you also shall bear witness, because you have been with me from the beginning.
May we all bear witness according as we have been with Christ, for there is no bearing witness to Christ unless we have first been with him.
Verses 12-27John 15:12. This is my commandment, That you love one another, as I have loved you.
O beloved, do keep this commandment! Overlook each other’s infirmities. Bear with each other’s faults. Love one another as Christ has loved us.
John 15:13-15. Greater love has no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends. You are my friends, if you do whatever I command you. Henceforth I call you not servants; for the servant knows not what his lord does: but I have called you friends; for all things that I have heard of my Father I have made known unto you.
"I have explained myself to you in such a way that I have proved that you are my friends. A master sets his servant to work without explaining what his object is in that work, but I have explained to you what my Father’s design is. Therefore, you are my friends."
John 15:16-21. You have not chosen me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you, that you should go and bring forth fruit, and that your fruit should remain: that whatever you shall ask of the Father in my name, he may give it you. These things I command you, that you love one another. If the world hate you, you know that it hated me before it hated you. If you were of the world, the world would love his own: but because you are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world, therefore the world hates you. Remember the word that I said unto you, The servant is not greater than his lord. If they have persecuted me, they will also persecute you; if they have kept my saying, they will keep yours also. But all these things will they do unto you for my name’s sake, because they know not him that sent me.
Remember the word that I said unto you, The servant is not greater than his lord. If they have persecuted me, they will also persecute you; if they have kept my saying, they will keep yours also. But all these things will they do unto you for my name’s sake, because they know not him that sent me. We cannot expect, therefore, to receive honor, and to wear a crown of gold where Jesus wore a crown of thorns.
John 15:22-24. If I had not come and spoken unto them, they had not had sin: but now they have no cloak for their sin. He that hates me hates my Father also. If 1 had not done among them the works which none other man did, they had not had sin:
They would have been comparatively free from sin.
John 15:24-26. But now have they both seen and hated both me and my Father. But this comes to pass, that the word might be fulfilled that is written in their law, They hated me without a cause. But when the Comforter is come, whom I will send unto you from the Father, even the Spirit of truth, which proceeds from the Father, he shall testify of me:
Notice that blessed truth,—that even that Divine Person, the Holy Spirit, when he comes to visit us, has nothing better to speak of than our Lord Jesus Christ: "He shall testify of me." Even the Holy Spirit, when he exercises the function of the Comforter, testifies of Christ. Is he not the consolation of Israel? Well did the poet write
"You dear Redeemer, dying Lamb,
We love to hear of you;
No music’s like your charming name,
Nor half so sweet can be."
John 15:27. And you also shall bear witness, because you have been with me from the beginning
Chapter 16 Verses 1-14
John 16:1-3. These things have I spoken unto you, that you should not be offended. They shall put you out of the synagogues: yes, the time comes, that whoever kills you will think that he does God service. And these things will they do unto you, because they have not known the Father, nor me.
True followers of Christ must not reckon upon having the world’s commendation. At first, the Jews persecuted the Christians; then the Romans took up the cruel work, and others have continued it, in some form or other, even to this day, for the persecution of the saints has not yet ceased. There are many who still have hard times, and have to endure trials of cruel mockings for Christ’s sake. If you resolve to follow Christ men will be sure to call you old-fashioned, ridiculous, Puritanic, and I know not what besides, yet what does it matter to you if they do? Your Master foretold that it would be so.
John 16:4. But these things have I told you, that when the time shall come, you may remember that I told you of them. And these things I said not unto you at the beginning because I was with you.
Christ did not deceive his disciples concerning the treatment that would be meted out to them. He did not promise that the road to Heaven would be an easy path, or flatter his followers with the notion that the cross, which they had to carry after him, had no weight in it; "These things have I told you, that when the time shall come, you may remember that I told you of them."
John 16:5-6. But now I go my way to him that sent me, and none of you asks me, Where go you? But because I have said these things unto you, sorrow has filled your heart.
They were thinking more of their loss by his going away from them than of his gain in going back to his Father. If they had thought of the glory into which he was so soon to enter, they would have ceased to sorrow, and would have rejoiced with exceeding joy, but they seem to have loved themselves better than they loved their Lord; hence his absence, which ought to have given them many reasons for rejoicing, became to them a cause for grief.
John 16:7. Nevertheless I tell you the truth; It is expedient for you that I go away:
"It is not merely for my own glory that I am going away, but my absence from you will be better for you than my continued bodily presence with you could possibly be."
John 16:7. For if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you; but if I depart, I will send him unto you.
"And he will be of more service to you than I could be even if I were to remain with you." The presence of the Spirit of God in the Church is better for the present dispensation than even the bodily presence of Christ would be.
John 16:8-12. And when he is come, he will reprove the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment of sin, because they believe not on me; of righteousness, because I go to my Father, and you see me no more; of judgment, because the prince of this world is judged. I have yet many things to say unto you, but you cannot bear them now.
"You have not yet received the Spirit of God as you shall do after my departure, and then your capacities shall be enlarged, so that you shall be able to understand deep truths which are altogether beyond your comprehension at present."
John 16:13. Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will show you things to come.
Is not that wonderful? As Jesus Christ said that he did not bear witness to himself, but spoke the words which his Father had given him, so the Spirit of God does not speak of himself, but he bears witness to the truth which Christ has revealed, and also makes known "things to come." But he will never reveal anything contrary to that which Christ has revealed in his Word. That which is to be revealed is that truth which was from the beginning. As we are taught it by the Divine Spirit, it becomes fresh truth to us, though it was ever in Christ’s eternal mind.
John 16:14. He shall glorify me: for he shall receive of mine, and shall show it unto you.
Oh, that this blessed Spirit may continually show the things of Christ to us!
Verses 1-16John 16:1. These things have I spoken unto you, that you should not be offended.
Or, "made to stumble." Christ would not have you who are his people caused to stumble by anything that happens to you. He wants you to walk without tripping; his angels bear you up in their hands lest at any time you should dash your foot against a stone. He himself, as your Guardian, comes and speaks beforehand to let you know what is to occur to you, that you may not be caused to stumble by any fresh trial that may assail you.
John 16:2. They shall put you out of the synagogues: yes, the time comes, that whoever kills you will think that he does God service.
Christ’s disciples were to expect opposition of the most cruel kind. They were to be put away from those with whom they had long worshiped; they were even to run the risk of losing their lives; but Jesus foretold what would happen to them, that they might not be stumbled at it. Such was their Lord’s love to them that he would not have them attacked unawares; by his grace, they would hold on, and hold out, they would persevere to the end; but there would have to be a struggle, and to help them in the fight, Jesus tells them all about it before it begins. We say, "Forewarned, forearmed." So the disciples were; and so are you. Your Lord tells you that you will not get to Heaven without trials: "In the world you shall have tribulation." And he tells you this that it may not surprise you when it comes, that it may not act upon you like a sudden gust of wind that would upset a little ship; but that you may just keep everything in trim looking for the storm to come: "These things have I spoken unto you, that you should not be caused to stumble."
John 16:3. And these things will they do unto you, because they have not known the Father, nor me.
The persecuting Jews professed to be worshipers of Jehovah; but they did not know the Christ, whom he sent, and, therefore, in very truth they did not know the Father either. How can you expect that those who do not know the Father will know the Son, or any of the other children of the divine family? As they rejected the Elder Brother, will they not also reject the younger ones? Is the disciple to be above his Master, or the servant to be treated better than his Lord? Think not so; and therefore expect that you will not be known, even as the Father and the Son were not known.
"Tis no surprising thing,
That we should be unknown:
The Jewish world knew not their King,
God’s everlasting Son."John 16:4. But these things have I told you, that when the time shall come, you may remember that I told you of them. And these things I said not unto you at the beginning, because I was with you.
Our Lord did tell his disciples something about "these things." He did warn them to expect opposition, but he did not dwell upon that theme, he did not expatiate upon it. He did not at first give that prominence to it which he was about to do, and he explains to his disciples why he had not talked much upon that topic: "because I was with you." It did not matter how they were opposed so long as he was with them; his society more than made up for anything they might have to suffer; and, dear child of God, if you now enjoy the presence of Christ, and the power of his Spirit, you need not mind what happens to you.
John 16:5-6. But now I go my way to him that sent me; and none of you asks me, Where go you? But because I have said these things unto you, sorrow has filled your heart.
They were cast down because he was going away from them. Love awoke fear. It was a hard thing for them to have to miss him; they could not tell what might happen to them when their Leader was gone from their midst. Do you wonder that they were filled with sorrow? Yet there was no real cause for grief; there was rather reason for rejoicing when they understood the true lesson of Christ’s departure. There is no real cause for your sorrow, dear friends. If you knew all things, you would rejoice exceedingly in that very thing that now most troubles you.
John 16:7. 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.
And the Comforter is better for us than the personal presence of Christ. We do not always think so; but it is true. It is better for the Church to have the Holy Spirit in the midst of her, than for Christ to be here in the bodily presence on the earth.
John 16:8. And when he is come, he will reprove the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment:
The world is not as yet convinced, but it is convicted; though it does not own its guilt, there is more than sufficient evidence to prove it guilty in the sight of God.
John 16:9. Of sin, because they believe not on me;
What must be the depth of human wickedness that sinners will not accept a Divine Savior! This is the crowning, crushing proof of human guilt: "They believe not on me."
John 16:10. Of righteousness, because I go to my Father, and you see me no more;
Christ was righteous, the righteous One, whom men rejected, for he has gone up to the Fathers side, where he could not have been if he had not perfected righteousness. The very going back of Christ to the Father’s throne proves that righteousness does exist, and convicts men of sinning against it.
John 16:11. Of judgment, because the prince of this world is judged.
The gospel judges him, and dethrones him; and as there has been a judgment of the world’s king, so there will be a judgment of the world itself.
John 16:12. I have yet many things to say unto you, but you cannot bear them now.
Some teachers overload their hearers with truth until I might truly say that they pile on the agony. Truth which cannot be received is often most irksome and burdensome to the hearer; when the mind is not in a fit condition to bear any more instruction, it is cruel work to impose it. Our Lord Jesus did not so overburden his disciples: "I have yet many things to say unto you, but you cannot bear them now."
John 16:13. Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself;
This is a very wonderful expression: "He shall not speak of himself." We have plenty of men, nowadays, who boast that they do speak of or from themselves; that is to say, they profess to borrow from no one, not even from God. They are original thinkers, inventors; they bring forth fresh things out of the depth of their wonderful minds; but even the Holy Spirit is here said not to "speak of himself."
John 16:13. But whatever he shall hear, that shall he speak;
That is just our business, to hear God’s message, and then to speak it; and if the Holy Spirit does this, and if Jesus did it, we also may be glad to do the same. We are no inventors of great novelties; we are simply the message-bearers of the Most High, the declarers of the old truths which God has revealed to us.
John 16:13-16. And he will show you things to come. He shall glorify me: for he shall receive of mine, and shall skew it unto you. All things that the Father has are. mine: therefore said I, that he shall take of mine, and shall show it unto you. A little while, and you shall not see me: and again, a little while, and you shall see me, because I go to the Father.
How wonderful this is! We are to see Jesus because he has gone to the Father. It looks as if that were a reason why we should not see him; but we see him better by faith, now that he has gone to the Father, than we could have seen him while he was here below covered with the veil of his humiliation. Yet it is hardly surprising that the disciples were puzzled by their Lord’s words: "A little while, and you shall not see me: and again, a little while, and you shall see me:" and, "Because I go to the Father."
Verses 1-20This chapter contains some of the most precious words that the Lord Jesus uttered before he died upon the cross.
John 16:1. These things have I spoken unto you, that you should not be offended.
Or, as the Revised Version translates it, "be made to stumble." Christ would not have his children stumble. There is an offence of the cross, but he would not have us needlessly offended. How careful is our dear Savior not to give us offence! We ought to be very careful not to offend him; but what condescension it is on his part that he should be careful of offending us, or of permitting us to be offended, or made to stumble.
John 16:2. They shall put you out of the synagogues: yes, the time comes, that whoever kills you will think that he does God service.
Can you remain faithful to your Master then, when you lose your position, or your character, or men put you out of the synagogue? When you nearly lose life itself, and when they shall think they are doing God’s service by seeking to kill you, can you stand true to Christ then? The Master knew that days of bitter persecution would soon come upon his followers, so he strengthened them against those evil times that were approaching.
John 16:3. And these things will they do unto you, because they have not known the Father, nor me.
It is ignorance that makes men hate God’s people and his Son: "They have not known the Father, nor me." Truly did Paul say, "I did it ignorantly in unbelief;" and for such persecutors there is full and free forgiveness. When they turn unto the Lord, even this sin shall be forgiven them; but they will not forgive themselves for having committed it; and, like Paul, they will count themselves the chief of sinners because they persecuted the Church of God.
John 16:4. But these things have I told you, that when the time shall come, you may remember that I told you of them.
"You will then see my foresight, my care for you, my prophetic power. To be forewarned is to be forearmed. You will not be taken by surprise." If any of you who have lately been converted should meet with great opposition, do not be surprised; Jesus has told you to expect it; and if the fire should get seven times hotter, count it no strange thing that the fiery trial has happened unto you. It has happened unto others before you, and will happen to others after you; therefore be prepared for it.
John 16:4. And these things I said not unto you at the beginning, because I was with you.
"While I was with you, you could run to me, and tell me all about your trials and difficulties. If anybody was hard with you, I could come to your help, and comfort you. You did not need to know these things before, so I did not tell you of them. You do need to know them now, and now I tell you of them."
John 16:5. But now I go my way to him that sent me;
Christ was going to the cross, and to the grave, and afterwards to Heaven.
John 16:5. And none of you asks me, Where go you?
For want of asking that question, Christ’s disciples were full of grief.
Sometimes we do not ask enough questions. We ask too many questions of doubt; it would be well if we were to ask a few more questions of believing curiosity. There are some things that we ought to wish to know; and Christ encourages his people to come to him for information.
John 16:6. But because I have said these things unto you, sorrow has filled your heart.
When a poor Christian friend is dying, you are full of sorrow because he is going away from you. Why do you not ask where he is going? If he is going home to Heaven and to glory, why, then be comforted about him; you have no cause for distress on his account.
John 16:7. Nevertheless I tell you the truth; It is expedient for you that I go away.
"It is better for you that I should be absent than that I should be present." Their Lord was their joy, their Leader, their Teacher, their Comforter. He is going away, and he tells them that his absence will be a gain to them. "It is expedient for you that I go away."
John 16:7. For if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you; but if I depart, I will send him, unto you.
Now, it is better for us to have the Comforter than to have Christ here in bodily presence; for if Christ were here tonight, in this Tabernacle, where could we put him so as to be equally near each one of us? I should certainly want him up here on the platform; and you, up there in the top gallery, would say, "Well, we are a long way off; why should he not come up here?" You see, if it is bodily presence that is enjoyed, some must be near, and some must be far off; but now that Christ has gone up to Heaven, his Spirit is here. Where is that Spirit? On the platform, I hope, and everywhere else. Any of you who desire it may have the Holy Spirit’s presence. The Lord says," I will put my Spirit within you." Better than the bodily presence of Christ is the real, though spiritual, presence of the Holy Spirit.
John 16:8. And when he is come, he will reprove the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment:
What, a Comforter reprove? Yes. The Holy Spirit never comforts until he has reproved. There must be a reproof of sin before there can be comfort in Christ. And while the Spirit comforts saints, he reproves the world.
John 16:9. Of sin, because they believe not on me;
The greatest sin in all the world is, not believing on Jesus. Our Lord did not say, "Of sin, because of the evil of drunkenness." That is a great sin, a cursed sin, and there are other great sins; but Christ said, "Of sin, because they believe not on me." That is the root sin, the foundation sin, the sin that keeps a man in his sin.
John 16:10. Of righteousness, because I go to my Father, and you see me no more;
It is God’s righteousness that takes Christ up to Heaven. He has been here; he has lived a perfect life; he has died a sacrificial death; and God has shown his acceptance of him, for he has gone to his reward.
John 16:11. Of judgment, because the prince of this world is judged.
When Christ came here, there was a crisis, a judgment; and sin was judged and condemned; and the prince of the world, the chief sinner in the world, received his death-blow: "the prince of this world is judged."
John 16:12. I have yet many things to say unto you, but you cannot bear them now.
See how Christ teaches us slowly, wisely, prudently. There are some things which some of you young Christians do not know; you could not bear them if you did know them. You shall know them when you can bear them. A man with a doctrine that he cannot handle is often like a child with a tough piece of meat which he cannot bite. Give the child milk, or the crumb of the loaf. Do not put crusts into his mouth until he has teeth to bite them; do not give him meat until he can digest it. See the gentle Savior’s way of imparting instruction. He teaches us much, but not too much at a time.
John 16:13. Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will show you things to come.
See, my dear brethren in the ministry, how little store the Holy Spirit sets by originality. We have men nowadays straining to be original. Strain the other way, for listen, "He shall not speak of himself," — not even the Holy Spirit, — "He shall not speak of himself; but whatever he shall hear, that shall he speak." He is the Repeater of the Father’s message, not the inventor of his own. So let it be with us ministers. We are not to make up a gospel as we go along, as I have heard some say. We are not to shape it to the times in which we live, and suit it to the congregations to which we speak. God forbid! Let this be true of every one of us, "He shall not speak of himself; but whatever he shall hear, that shall he speak"
John 16:14. He shall glorify me
The Holy Spirit does that; therefore, surely we, who are the preachers of the gospel, should aim at the same object: "He shall glorify me." It should be our one desire to magnify and glorify our Lord Jesus Christ.
John 16:14-16. For he shall receive of mine, and shall show it unto you. All things that the Father has are mine: therefore said I, that he shall take of mine, and shall show it unto you. A little while, and you shall not see me; and again, a little while, and you shall see me, because I go to the Father.
That was a very simple statement, every Sunday-scholar understands it now; but the twelve apostles did not understand it when they heard it.
John 16:17-18. Then said some of his disciples among themselves, What is this that he says unto us, A little while, and you shall not see me: and again, a little while, and you shall see me: and, Because I go to the Father? They said therefore, What is this that he says, A little while? we cannot tell what he says.
They said this "among themselves." This was not a wise course, for what can ignorance learn of ignorance? Here were disciples questioning one another; none of them knew anything, and yet they were trying to teach one another. If they had all gone to their Master, how much more quickly would they have understood his words! Take everything to Jesus. Try everything by the Word of God. Do not believe what you hear because I say it, or because somebody else says it. Go to the Word of God to learn what you need to know, and to the Spirit of God to teach you the meaning of what you read.
John 16:19-20. Now Jesus knew that they were desirous to ask him, and said unto them, Do you inquire among yourselves of that I said, A little while, and you shall not see me: and again, a little while, and you shall see me? Truly, truly, I say unto you, That you shall weep and lament,
Christ would die; he would go away and be unseen. On the cross he would depart out of this life; in the tomb he would be hidden from his disciples: "You shall weep and lament."
John 16:20. But the world shall rejoice:
But not for long; the world’s joy at Christ’s death was soon over.
John 16:20. And you shall be sorrowful, but your sorrow shall be turned into joy.
I think we may leave off our reading at this verse, with these words to flavor our mouth all this week: "Your sorrow shall be turned into joy." God grant that it may be so with many here present, for Christ’s sake! Amen.
Verses 1-22John 16:1. These things have I spoken unto you, that you should not be offended.
"That you should not be scandalized when you see me put to death, and when you miss my bodily presence from your midst. I want to prepare you for the shame and death that lie before me, and also to prepare you for all that lies before you, for many of you will have to drink of my cup, and to be baptized with my baptism. These things have I spoken unto you, that you should not be offended," or ashamed, or scandalized, or caused to stumble, when they come to pass."
John 16:2. They shall put you out of the synagogues; yes, the time comes, that whoever kills you will think that he does God service.
That terrible "time" did come very soon, and the Jewish and other persecutors hunted down the Christians in almost every place where they could be found. Nothing would satisfy their cruel foes but the blood of multitudes of martyrs, and many of the persecutors actually thought that they were doing God service while they were putting his children to torture and death.
John 16:3-4. And these things will they do unto you, because they have not known the Father, nor me. But these things have I told you, that when the time shall come, you may remember that I told you of them.
To be forewarned is to be forearmed, especially when the Lord Jesus Christ gives the forewarning; and his disciples were thus to be forearmed and braced up for the coming conflict.
John 16:4. And these things I said not unto you at the beginning, because I was with you.
"I needed not, at the beginning of my ministry, to trouble you about these things. Even then, you and I were hated by evil men, but I was with you, so I was able to protect you from them." The persecutors could not slay Christ’s sheep, as they desired to do, as long as their Shepherd was still with them, so his warning words were not needed while he was in their midst. Christ does not teach us everything at once; if he did, we might be so confused that we should not learn anything. Perhaps we have sometimes wished that our ears could hear more than they now do; but it is most probable that, if we could hear more, we should really understand less than we now do. Have you, at any time, had your hearing more than usually acute? If so, you must then have heard a thousand sounds which it would have been better for you not to have heard; for they so confused and confounded one another that you did not hear anything distinctly. It is just so with the mind; it is capable of receiving a certain quantity of truth; but if too much truth be placed before it at once, it produces confusion in the mind’s ear and in the mind’s eye, and we really hear less, see less, and understand less than we should do if less truth were set before us. The Master knew that his disciples were like narrow-necked bottles, which must be gradually filled, so he only revealed the truth to them as they were able to receive it.
John 16:5-6. But now I go my way to him that sent me; and none of you asks me, Where go you? But because I have said these things unto you, sorrow has filled your heart.
Sorrow sometimes prevents us from learning the lessons that Christ wishes to teach us. You remember that, in the garden of Gethsemane, Christ’s disciples were "sleeping for sorrow," and so they lost some of the lessons that they might otherwise have learned. Those who are in great trouble are often in that dazed condition in which half-awakened persons are; and there is a measure of sleepiness about us all in times of sorrow. It was so with the disciples on this occasion, and therefore they did not ask their Lord what they might have asked him if sorrow had not filled their hearts: "None of you asks me, Where go you?"
John 16:7-9. 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. And when he is come, he will reprove the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment: Of sin, because they believe not on me;
Which is the head of all sin, the root of all sin, the sin which lies in front of the door of mercy, and blocks the sinner’s way. Oh, that the Spirit of God would convince all here, who are not believers on the Lord Jesus Christ, that they are living in the greatest of all sins "because they believe not on Christ"!
John 16:10. Of righteousness, because I go to my Father, and you see me no more;
Of course, Christ would not have been received back by his Father if he had not completed the work of righteousness which his Father gave him the commission to perform. The risen and glorified Savior is the great testimony to the righteousness both of Christ and of his gospel.
John 16:11. Of judgment, because the prince of this world is judged.
Christ has already judged the prince of the powers of evil, so you may depend upon it that he will also judge all those who are under the dominion of the traitor prince who has usurped his Master’s position and authority. Christ has summoned the dread lord of evil to his bar, and judged him. Think not, O you who are his servants, that any of you will be able to elude the vigilance of the great Judge of all! Judgment will assuredly come to the common soldiers of the prince of darkness since their captain himself has been judged and condemned.
John 16:12. I have yet many things to say unto you, but you cannot bear them now.
Here again observe the reticence of the Savior for his disciples’ good, still graciously keeping from them what they could not bear to hear; and are not you, beloved, thankful that you do not, at this moment, know what is to happen to you in the future? It is wise for each one of us to say, —
"My God, I would not wish to read
My fate with curious eyes;
What gloomy lines are writ for me,
Or what bright scenes arise."It is best for you, at present, to know but little. Prize what you do know, and be content to leave all that is not yet revealed, for "the secret things belong unto the Lord our God: but those things which are revealed belong unto us and to our children for ever."
John 16:13. Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth:
All that you need to know, and may know, he will teach you. If you cannot find your way into the heart of any truth, the Spirit of God has the clue to it, so ask him to guide you into it. There is such a thing as seeing the outside of a truth; that is good as far as it goes, but the blessedness lies in getting to the inside of the truth, the very kernel and core of it.
John 16:13-14. For he shall not speak of himself; but whatever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will show you things to come. He shall glorify me:
That is the distinctive mark of the Spirit of God. If any man says that he speaks by the Spirit, you can test him in this way, — does what he says glorify Christ? If not, away with him, for he is not speaking as the Holy Spirit speaks.
John 16:14-18. For he shall receive of mine, and shall show it unto you. All things that the Father has are mine: therefore said I, that he shall take of mine, and shall show it unto you. A little while, and you shall not see me: and again, a little while, and you shall see me, because I go to the Father. Then said some of his disciples among themselves, What is this that he says unto us, A little while, and you shall not see me: and again, a little while, and you shall see me: and, Because I go to the Father? They said therefore, What is this that he says, A little while? we cannot tell what he says.
These disciples of Christ were almost as ignorant as the rank outsiders were. Though they had been with Jesus for three years, they had not learned what is clear enough to every Sunday-school child today, and what is certainly perfectly understood by all who are taught of God. They said, "What is this that he says unto us, A little while, and you shall not see me: and again, a little while, and you shall see me: and, because I go to the Father? They said therefore, What is this that he says, A little while? we cannot tell what he says."
John 16:19-22. Now Jesus knew that they were desirous to ask him, and said unto them, Do you inquire among yourselves of that I said, A little while, and you shall not see me: and again, a little while, and you shall see me? Truly, truly, I say unto you, That you shall weep and lament, but the world shall rejoice: and you shall be sorrowful, but your sorrow shall be turned into joy. A woman when she is in travail has sorrow, because her hour is come: but as soon as she is delivered of the child, she remembers no more the anguish, for joy that a man is born into the world. And you now therefore have sorrow: but I will see you again, and your heart shall rejoice, and your joy no man takes from you.
Verses 1-33
John 16:1. These things have I spoken unto you, that you should not be offended.
The temptation is, when Christ is despised and rejected, for our hearts to begin to sink, and for our faith to fail. Therefore did Christ warn his disciples that they "should not be offended."
John 16:2. They shall put you out of the synagogues: yes, the time comes, that whoever kills you will think that he does God service.
The best of men are but men at the best, and they are very apt to fail when they find persecution hot against them, especially when even religious men, of a certain kind, count it to be a religious duty to persecute the people of God.
John 16:3. And these things will they do unto you, because they have not known the Father, nor me.
This verse reminds us of our Lord’s prayer on the cross, "Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do." Persecution of God’s people usually arises from ignorance of God the Father and God the Son.
John 16:4. But these things have I told you, that when the time shall come, you may remember that I told you of them. And these things I said not unto you at the beginning, because I was with you.
"I was your Protector; by my personal presence, I so sustained your hearts that it did not matter what trouble you fell into; but now I am going away, and therefore I give you this warning."
John 16:5-6. But now I go my way to him that sent me; and none of you asks me, Where go you? But because I have said these things unto you, sorrow has filled your heart.
We sometimes endure a needless sorrow, for the asking of a single question might remove it. Our Lord says to his disciples, "If you knew where I was going, and understood my motive in going, your sorrow at my departure would be assuaged."
John 16:7. Nevertheless I tell you the truth; It is expedient for you that I go away:
"It is for your profit to lose my personal presence, precious as that has been to you."
John 16:7. For if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you; but if I depart, I will send him unto you.
The word "Comforter" might just as well have been translated "Advocate." The Holy Spirit is that Divine Advocate who pleads the cause of God in us, and for us, and so comforts us. He it is who is now with Us. If Jesus Christ were still upon earth in the flesh, he could only be in one place at one time. If he were in this assembly, he could not also be in Jerusalem or in New York; but the Comforter can be in all the gatherings of the Lord’s people, and with each individual believer, the wide world over.
John 16:8-12. And when he is come, he will reprove the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment of sin, because they believe not on me; of righteousness, because I go to my Father, and you see me no more; of judgment, because the prince of this world is judged. I have yet many things to say unto you, but you cannot bear them now.
Teachers, learn wisdom from Christ. He did not try to teach his disciples everything at once; but, by teaching them one truth, he prepared them for another truth. Let us do the same with those whom we try to teach, let us dispense to them the simpler truths first, and afterwards those that are deeper and more mysterious.
John 16:13-14. Howbeit when he the Spirit of truth is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself, but whatever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will show you things to come. He shall glorify me: for he shall receive of mine, and shall show it unto you.
That spirit, which does not glorify Christ, is not the spirit of God. Hereby shall you discern between the spirit of error and the Spirit of truth.
John 16:15-16. All things that the Father has are mine: therefore said I, that he shall take of mine, and shall show it unto you. A little while, and you shall not see me: and again a little while, and you shall see me, because I go to the Father.
This is what our whole life is: "a little while." But in that little while there are little whiles of sadness, and little whiles of gladness, — little whiles in which we have Christ with us, and little whiles in which we see him, but find him not. Blessed be God, we are going away from the land of these changing little whiles up to the place where the sun shines in its strength for ever and ever.
John 16:17-18. Then said some of his disciples among themselves, What is this that he says unto us, A little while, and you shall not see me: and, again, a little while, and you shall see me: and, Because I go to the Father? They said therefore, What is this that he says, A little while? we cannot tell what he says.
Sometimes, when you are reading the Bible, you will come across a text of which you will say to yourselves, "What is this? We cannot tell what he says." But do not give up reading the Bible because you cannot understand it. There is a great deal that a father says which his child cannot comprehend, yet it is a part of the child’s education to be with his father, and to hear some things that he does not at first understand; but by-and-by, it all becomes clear. So, believer, what you know not now you shall know hereafter.
John 16:19. Now Jesus knew that they were desirous to ask him
They did not ask him, but they desired to do so, and a desire is a prayer. Where our blessed Master is present, the very desires of his people are prayers, even though their lips remain closed.
John 16:19-20. And said unto them, Do you inquire among yourselves of that I said, A little while, and you shall not see me: and again, a little while, and you shall see me? Truly, truly, I say unto you, That you shall weep and lament, but the world shall rejoice: and you shall be sorrowful, but your sorrow shall be turned into joy.
Oh, what a blessed promise!
John 16:21-24. A woman when she is in travail has sorrow, because her hour is come: but as soon as she is delivered of the child she remembers no more the anguish, for joy that a man is born into the world. And you now therefore have sorrow: but I will see you again, and your heart shall rejoice, and your joy no man takes from you. And in that day you shall ask me nothing. Truly, truly, I say unto you, Whatever you shall ask the Father in my name, he will give it you. Hitherto have you asked nothing in my name: ask, and you shall, receive, that your joy may be full.
They had asked very little, and they had never asked even that little in Christ’s name; and there are but few Christians who do so even now. They ask for Christ’s sake, which is a good plea, but to ask in Christ’s name is better still, — when you feel conscious that you have Christ’s authority to use his name, and so can put the King’s own signature at the bottom of your petitions. There are some prayers to which a man dares not to set Christ’s seal; but when the prayer is such that Christ himself might have offered it, then we may present it in his name, and we may be certain that we shall receive what we have asked.
John 16:25-28. These things have I spoken unto you in proverbs: but the time comes, when I shall no more speak unto you in proverbs, but I shall show you plainly of the Father. At that day you shall ask in my name: and I say not unto you, that I will pray the Father for you: For the Father himself teaches you, because you have loved me, and have believed that I came out from God. I came forth from the Father, and am come into the world: again, I leave the world, and go to the Father.
Here are four unfathomable depths: "I came forth from the Father," —there is Christ’s eternal pre-existence. "And am come into the world," —there is his incarnation. "Again, I leave the world," — there is his death, resurrection, and ascension into the glory of God. "And go to the Father," — there is his exaltation to the Father’s right hand.
John 16:29. His disciples said unto him, Lo, now speak you plainly, and speak no proverb.
Did you never, when reading the Bible, come across a text, that was opened up to you so sweetly that you vied out just as these disciples did "Lo, now speak you plainly, and speak no proverb."
John 16:30-31. Now are we sure that you know all things, and need not that any man should ask you: by this we believe that you came forth from God. Jesus answered them, Do you now believe?
Listen, you who imagine that you are so strong in faith, and every grace, that you think you are almost perfect: "Do you now believe?"
John 16:32. Behold, the hour comes, yes, is now come, that you shall be scattered, every man to his own, and shall leave me alone:
Ah, me! these were the men who said they believed in him; yet, in his time of trial, they fled like cowardly unbelievers. God help us, and sustain us, or we shall do as they did!
John 16:32-33. And yet I am not alone, because the Father is with me. These things I have spoken unto you that in me you might have peace. In the world you shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.
Verses 16-33
John 16:16. A little while, and you shall not see me: and again, a little while, and you shall see me, because I go to the Father.
Remember that the disciples were on the verge of great trouble. Their Leader and Friend was about to be taken away from them by a cruel death. They were to be tried as they had never been tried before. The Savior therefore prepared their minds for the trial. I have often noticed that, before a great trouble comes, the Spirit of God secretly comforts in a very remarkable manner those who are to be tried. Perhaps, tonight, without knowing it, we may be near some great affliction or sorrow. If so, may the Lord store us with comfort and strength for the coming hour of need!
John 16:17-18. There said some of his disciples among themselves, What is this that he says unto us, A little while, and you shall not see me: and again, a little while, and you shall see me: and, Because I go to the Father? They said therefore, What is this that he says, A little while? we cannot tell what he says.
It was only too plain. We often do not understand our Master because we imagine that there is some deep significance in his words when their meaning lies upon the very surface. If you would understand the gospel as you understand the common talk of life, it would be wise. If we could but bring men to believe God as a child believes its mother, practically and really, then their salvation would be a very simple and speedy matter.
John 16:19-20. Now Jesus knew that they were desirous to ask him, and said unto them, Do you inquire among yourselves of that I said, A little while, and you shall not see me: and again, a little while, and you shall see me? Truly, truly, I say unto you, That you shall weep and lament, but the world shall rejoice:
Sometimes the world appears to have the best of it. Its mouth is full of laughter while the child of God cannot speak for sorrow. Ah! well, there is time enough for a change. We may very well let those laugh today who will have to gnash their teeth forever. Judge not God by your present circumstances. Take the rough with the smooth. Be willing to go to Heaven up the bleak side of the hill.
John 16:20. And you shall be sorrowful, but your sorrow shall be turned into joy.
So, the more of it the better. If your sorrow is to be turned into joy, then the more sorrow, the more joy. Happy is he who endures trial, since his trial is to be turned into happiness.
John 16:21-22. A woman when she is in travail has sorrow, because her hour is come: but as soon as she is delivered of the child, she remembers no more the anguish, for joy that a man is born into the world. And you now therefore have sorrow:
But your sorrow is the pang of life.
John 16:22. But I will see you again, and your heart shall rejoice, and your joy no man takes from you.
The joy that comes by sorrow in connection with Christ is the joy of which we shall never be bereaved. Let us thank God that there is a joy which no man can take away. Happy are they who have it.
John 16:23. And in that day you shall ask me nothing. Truly, truly, I say unto you,
Whatever you shall ask the Father in my name, he will give it you. This is a grand promise. If we dare ask in the name of Christ, and it is not everything that we could ask for in his name ¾if our petition is such that we honestly judge that we may put Christ’s name to it; if it is a thing that Christ would have asked; if it is a thing that Christ could have asked, let us ask in Christ’s name, and the Father will give it.
John 16:24. Hitherto have you asked nothing in my name:
You have not been bold enough. You have asked a few petty things, but you have never fully made use of Christ’s name. How many Christians have never learned to pray in the name of Christ! They say at the end of their petition, "For Christ’s sake." That is good as far as it goes. I may ask a man to give me such and such a thing for the sake of another; that is good pleading so far as it goes. But if I dare to use the authority that my friend gives me to put his name at the bottom of my request, that is another and a higher thing. To ask in the name of Christ, to plead under his authority, this is to pray indeed.
John 16:24. Ask, and you shall receive, that your joy may be full.
"That your joy may be full," a ripe joy, a joy that fills your being, that sparkles in your eye, dances in your feet, leaps in your heart, an unutterable, inexpressible joy: "That your joy may be full."
John 16:25-26. These things have I spoken unto you in proverbs: but the time comes, when I shall no more speak unto you in proverbs, but I shall show you plainly of the Father. At that day you shall ask in my name: and I say not unto you, that I will pray the Father for you:
Though that be true,
John 16:27. For the Father himself loves you,
What a delightful little sentence! "The Father himself loves you."
John 16:27. Because you have loved me, and have believed that I came out from God.
God’s first love to us is from himself alone. Then there is another love that grows in his heart because of our love to his Son. You love your child. The reason lies in your own heart. After a while, that dear, loving, affectionate child has won a farther place in your affection, and you love him because of his choice and special love to you. Remember that Psalm, "Because he has set his love upon me, therefore will I deliver him: I will set him on high, because he has known my name." Our love of God wins from him another love, of a different sort, although it comes from the same fountain as the first: "For the Father himself loves you, because you have loved me, and have believed that I came out from God."
John 16:28-30. I came forth from the Father, and am come into the world: again, I leave the world, and go to the Father. His disciples said unto him, Lo, now speak you plainly, and speak no proverb. Now are we sure that you know all things, and need not that any man should ask you: by this we believe that you came forth from God.
One does not see any reason why they should have been made so strong in faith just then. But we were not there to hear Christ’s words. There is many a message, which depends upon the tone and manner of the speaker for its influence over the people who hear it. When you read the story afterwards, without the earnest manner and the living tone of the speaker, you do not see why it had such a strange effect upon his hearers. So we do not quite see here, by the calm reading of this narrative, why the disciples leaped all of a sudden into such confidence.
John 16:31. Jesus answered them, Do you now believe?
He did not feel so sure of their faith as they did. We often think we have great heaps of the gold of faith; and it glitters very brightly, but it is not the precious metal after all. So Jesus said, "Do you now believe?"
John 16:32. Behold, the hour comes, yes, is now come, that you shall be scattered, every man to his own, and shall leave me alone: and yet I am not alone, because the Father is with me.
These poor creatures, who were so bold and so oversure, would all be runaways. If persecution were to arise in our day, I wonder how many of us would be found true men. Ah! you think you are true blue; but you would run at the first touch of water, not to mention fire. Are there not many of us who are but poor believers? If our faith were sharply tried, would it stand the test?
John 16:33. These things I have spoken unto you, that in me you might have peace. In the world you shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.
Christ wants his disciples to have peace. Are you fretting tonight? Are you afraid of Monday? Are you fearful about the trials of the week? Christ wants you to be at peace. Be quiet. Be quiet. Let all be still within your heart, and wait your Father’s will. "In the world you shall have tribulation:" on God’s threshing-floor the flail will be kept going. If you are a child of God, you will have to suffer. The Captain of our salvation was made perfect through sufferings; and good soldiers of Jesus Christ must expect to pass through the same experience. As long as you are here, you will be tried: "In the world you shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world." Think of that; the Christ who is about to sweat great drops of blood, and to die on the cross of Calvary, says, "I have overcome." It is not Julius Caesar’s" Veni, vidi, vici;" but it is Christ’s "Veni, vidi, vici;" ¾"I came, I saw, I conquered:" "I have overcome." And as he has overcome, so shall you, if you be his true follower.
Chapter 17 Verses 1-12
John 17:1. These words spoke Jesus, and lifted up his eyes to Heaven, and said, Father, the hour is come;
This is in a very special sense our Lord’s prayer. What a word that is from the lips of Jesus, "Father"! This was the night of his deepest sorrow and his heaviest woe, but he begins his prayer with this tender expression, "Father, the hour is come;" the hour of darkness, the hour of his passion and death, had now arrived.
John 17:1. Glorify your Son, that your Son also may glorify you:
Did Jesus look upon his suffering as his glory? He does not merely pray, "Sustain your Son," but, "Glorify your Son." In truth, our Lord’s lowest stoop was his highest glory. He was never more resplendent than when he hung upon the cross, that was his true spiritual throne, so he prayed, "Glorify your Son," — Enable him to bear the agony, and to pass through it to the glory." "That your Son also may glorify you." The death of Christ was a great glorifying of God. We see his love and his justice rendered more glorious in the death of Christ than they would have been by any other method.
John 17:2. As you have given him power over all flesh, that he should give eternal life to as many as you have given him.
In this verse you get the doctrines of general and particular redemption blended. By his death, Christ obtained power over all flesh; his death had some relation to every man, but the special object of it was the salvation of the elect. The purpose of the shower is to water one particular field; but the rain falls everywhere, so plenteous is the bounty of God. The object of Christ’s atonement is to purchase eternal life for those who were given to him by his Father; but he has also obtained power over all flesh.
John 17:3. And this is life eternal, that they might know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom you have sent.
To know God, is eternal life. If you know God, if you know Jesus Christ whom he has sent, you are spiritually quickened. That knowledge has brought to you, nay, it is, in itself, the new life: "This is life eternal," — not life for a few years but life eternal. Mark the final perseverance of the saints, how they shall hold on and hold out forever.
John 17:4. I have glorified you on the earth: I have finished the work which you gave me to do.
Jesus regards his work as already done, although he had yet to die, to pay the ransom price for his people, yet by a leap of holy faith he says, "I have finished the work which you gave me to do."
John 17:5. And now, O Father, glorify you me with your own self with the glory which I had with you before the world was.
Jesus had laid aside his glory for our sakes, now he asks that, his work being regarded as done, his glory may be given to him again.
John 17:6. I have manifested your name unto the men which you gave me out of the world: your they were, and you gave them me: and they have kept your word.
God’s people belong to him, he gives them to his Son, Christ gives them his word, and they keep it: "They have kept your word." Do we keep God’s word? Do we hold to it? Do we make it the guide of our whole life? Do we seek to obey it? This is the token of God’s chosen people.
John 17:7-12. Now they have known that all things whatever you have given me are of you. For I have given unto them the words which you gave me; and they have received them, and have known surely that I came out from you, and they have believed that you did send me. I pray far them: I pray not for the world, but for them which you have given me; for they are your. And all mine are your, and your are mine; and I am glorified in them. And now I am no more in the world, but these are in the world, and I come to you. Holy Father, keep through your own name those whom you have given me, that they way be one, as we are. While I was with them in the world, I kept them in your name: those that you gave me I have kept, and none of them is lost, but the son of perdition; that the scripture might be fulfilled.
Christ always has kept his people, he still keeps his people, and he will keep his people forever. The sheep shall be delivered into the hand of the Father in full number, there shall not be one of them missing in that day when they shall pass under the rod of the great Shepherd.
We cannot read all this prayer of our Lord tonight; we must now go, in the language of the next chapter, with the Master into the garden of his grief.
This exposition consisted of readings from John 17:1-12; John 18:1-14.
Verses 1-26John 17:1. These words spoke Jesus, and, lifted up his eyes to Heaven, and said, Father, the hour is come;
The hour to which he had so long looked forward, the hour which he had anticipated with ardent desire: "The hour is come." On the very night that Jesus prayed this prayer, Luke’s record tells us, "When the hour was come, he sat down, and the twelve apostles with him. And he said unto them,
With desire I have desired to eat this Passover with you before I suffer;" So he began his great intercessory prayer, "Father, the hour is come, —
John 17:1-2. Glorify your Son that your Son also may glorify you: as you have given him power over all flesh, that he should give eternal life to as many as you have given him.
In these words we have both the general and the special aspects of redemption. Christ has received power over all flesh, but with this peculiar design, that he should give eternal life to as many as his Father has given him. Who are they who have been given to him by his Father? All who come to him by faith, even as he said, "All that the Father gives me shall come to me." To all of these Jesus gives eternal life.
John 17:3. And this is life eternal, that they might know you the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom you have sent.
Do you know God? Do you know Jesus Christ? Are you on speaking terms, on loving terms, with them? Are they your friends? Then, you have eternal life; for "this is life eternal, that they might know you the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom you have sent."
John 17:4-6. I have glorified you on the earth: I have finished the work which you gave me to do. And now, O Father, glorify you me with your own self with the glory which I had with you before the world was. I have manifested your name unto the men which you gave me out of the world: your they were, and you gave them me; and they have kept your word.
What a sweet thing for the Lord Jesus to say of that poor, much-erring company of disciples, "They have kept your word"! "They have not been all they might have been, nor all they ought to have been, but, O my Father, they have kept your word!" I trust that we may be found faithful to the truth that the Holy Spirit has taught us, and obedient to its precepts, that our Lord may be able to say to his Father concerning us also, "They have kept your word."
John 17:7-8. Now they have known that all things to whatever you have given me are of you. For I have given unto them the words which you gave me; and they have received them, and have known surely that I came out from you, and they have believed that you did send me.
See how the Lord Jesus himself takes all his teaching from the Father. You never hear from him any boast about being the originator of profound thoughts. No, he just repeated to his disciples the words he had received from the Father: "I have given unto them the words which you gave me." If Jesus acted thus, how much more must the messengers of God receive the word from the Lord’s mouth, and speak it as they receive it!
John 17:9-10. I pray for them: I pray not for the world but for them which you have given me, for they are your. And all mine are your, and your are mine: and I am glorified in them.
Is not this a wonderful prayer? If anybody, possessing the greatest possible inventive faculty, were asked to produce a prayer which could be fitly prayed by a person who was both God and man, it would be an impossible task. This chapter has about it all the air of truthfulness, it ought to be sufficient to convince any man that Christ was God and man. There is such a wonderful mixing of the two natures, without any confusion of ideas, so manifestly does he plead as man, and yet so clearly does he also pray as none but the Son of God could pray, that he must be the God-man, the one mediator between God and man.
John 17:11-12. And now I am no more in the world, but these are in the world, and I come to you. Holy Father, keep through your own name those whom you have given me, that they may be one, as we are. While I was with them in the world, I kept them in your name: those that you gave me I have kept, and none of them is lost, but the son of perdition; that the scripture might be fulfilled.
It was known and foretold that Judas would be lost; therefore, the Savior, the great Keeper of the sheep, is not to be held responsible for the loss of "the son of perdition", who was never committed to his charge.
John 17:13-17. And now come I to you, and these things I speak in the world, that they might have my joy fulfilled in themselves. I have given them your word; and the world has hated them, because they are not of the world, even as I am not of the world. I pray not that you should take them out of the world, but that you should keep them from the evil. They are not of the world, even as I am not of the world. Sanctify them through your truth: your word is truth.
Our Divine Lord seems to think nothing about his own sufferings; all his thoughts are occupied with that which concerns his people. All his prayers are for them, that they may be made holy, and that so God may be glorified in them.
John 17:18-19. As you have sent me into the world, even so have I also sent them into the world. And for their sakes I sanctify myself,
Or, "I set myself apart."
John 17:19-20. That they also might be sanctified through the truth. Neither pray I for these alone, but for them also which shall believe on me through their word;
They were only a handful of disciples, but you cannot tell what a multitude will believe on Christ through their word. There were but twelve apostles; yet John beheld a hundred and forty and four thousand of all the tribes of the children of Israel, and after that he beheld a great multitude which no man could number, of all nations, and kindreds, and people, and tongues, standing before the throne, and before the Lamb, clothed with white robes, and with palms in their hands. The Savior doubtless linked his little band of disciples with the ancient promise, "There shall be an handful of corn in the earth upon the top of the mountains, the fruit thereof shall shake like Lebanon." What great events from little causes spring! Whenever you are doing good, remember not only those who are immediately saved, but the others who will be blessed through them, even as our Savior said, "Neither pray I for these alone, but for them also which shall believe on me through their word." We who have believed on Jesus, through the word preached or written by the apostles, are also included in this prayer of their Lord and ours. Notice what our Savior asked of his Father for them and for us: —
John 17:21. That they all may be one; as you, Father, are in me, and I in you, that they also may be one in us: that the world may believe that you have sent me.
And when Christians, being one in Christ, and one in the truth, shall become more manifestly one in heart, and life, and faith, what glad days we may hope to see!
John 17:22-23. And the glory which you gave me I have given them: that they may be one, even as we are one: I in them, and them in me, that they may be made perfect in one; and that the world may know that you have sent me, and have loved them, as you have loved me.
This is a wonderful expression, where will you find anything like it! It is indeed marvelous that God should have loved his people even as he loved Christ his Son, yet that is what the Lord Jesus here says: "You have sent me, and have loved them, as you have loved me."
John 17:24-26. Father. I will that they also, whom you have given me, be with me where I am, that they may behold my glory, which you have given me: for you loved me before the foundation of the world. O righteous Father, the world has not known you: but I have known you, and these have known that you have sent me. And I have declared unto them your name,
"Your character, your work," —
John 17:26. And will declare it: that the love with which you have loved me may be in them, and I in them.
This prayer is for you, and for me, as much as for the twelve apostles. May the Lord fulfill it in all of us as well as in them, for his dear name’s sake!
Amen.
Verses 15-26We will read this evening a portion of two prayers offered by our Divine Lord and Master on that night in which he was betrayed. The first is that memorable intercessory prayer of his recorded in the seventeenth chapter of the Gospel according to John.
John 17:15. I pray not that you should take them out of the world, but that you should keep them from the evil.
Christ did not pray that his disciples should be taken out of the world. It is very seldom that we ought to present such a petition. If that had been a proper prayer for us to offer, it would have been authorized by the Master. There are times when, in great pain of body, or in deep depression of spirit, the believer, like Elijah under the juniper tree, requests for himself that he may die. If you ever do pray such a prayer, utter it very softly, for the Master does not authorize it, and that is a matter that must be left to the Lord of life and death. Jesus says here, "I pray not that you should take them out of the world, but that you should keep them from the evil." Sin is the real evil of the world; the danger of our being entangled in worldly customs, or dropping into the evil ways of an ungodly generation. Christ does pray that we may be kept from the evil that is in the world; and we also may and must pray that the Lord will keep us from the evil by which we are surrounded, and especially from the evil one who seeks our destruction.
John 17:16. They are not of the world, even as I am not of the world.
"They are of another race: they are swayed by other motives, they have another life; they have another destiny; ‘They are not of the world.’" Is that true of you, dear hearer? We are reading out of God’s Book, remember. This is the description of Christ’s people; does it describe you? "They are not of the world: "they are not worldly, they are other-worldly; their thoughts and hearts are set upon the world to come".
John 17:17. Sanctify them through your truth: your word is truth.
What! Do they need to be sanctified? They are not of the world, and are kept from the evil in the world; do they need to be sanctified? Yes we shall always need sanctifying until we reach our heavenly home, where sin cannot enter. Every day we need the sanctifying influence of the Holy Spirit to lead us unto holiness. "Sanctify them through your truth: your word is truth." It is only the truth of God that can beget holiness; false doctrine is never the medium of sanctification. You can tell which are false doctrines, and which are the true, by our Lord’s own test: "By their fruits you shall know them." The same men who reject the old-fashioned doctrines also rebel against the old-fashioned style of living; loose living generally goes with loose doctrine. There never was an age in which the doctrines of grace were despised but, sooner or later, licentiousness prevailed. On the other hand, when we had Puritan teaching, we had also pure and holy living. This prayer is still needed for all Christ’s disciples, "Sanctify them through your truth: your word is truth."
John 17:18. As you have sent me into the world, even so have I also sent them into the world.
This is the original Missionary Society, and the model for all others; Christ sent, missioned, of the Father, and every saint missioned of Christ. Are you carrying out your mission, O you people of God? How dare you call yourselves by that name if you have no mission to anybody? If you are living here for yourself alone, how can you belong to Christ, who never lived a moment for himself, but always lived wholly for others?
John 17:19. And for their sakes I sanctify myself,
"I set myself apart, as one who is consecrated, dedicated, devoted to a grand design."
John 17:19. That they also might be sanctified through the truth.
This is our Lord’s prayer for his disciples. In the ninth verse we read, "I pray for them: I pray not for the world, but for them which you have given me; for they are your."
Now our Lord Jesus prays for those who are to be his people. I wonder whether there are any of them here tonight.
John 17:20. Neither pray I for these alone, but for them also which shall believe in me through their word;
There is a great company of people who are not at present believers, but who shall yet believe on Christ through the testimony of those who are already believers on him. O God, call out many such through our word I pray.
John 17:21. That they all may be one;
This is Christ’s prayer for all those who shall believe on him, that they may be converted, and brought into the one Church together with those who are already there:" that they all may be one."
John 17:21. As you, Father, are in me, and I in you, that they also may be one in us: that the world may believe that you have sent me.
Christ would have all his people joined in communion with himself, and with his Father; and when that is the case, then will men know that Christ came into the world for a definite purpose: "that the world may believe that you have sent me."
John 17:22-23. And the glory which you gave me I have given them; that they may be one, even as we are one: I in them, and you in me, that they may be made perfect in one;
Christ is the incarnation of God, and the Church should be the incarnation of Christ. Oh, when shall this great prayer be answered?
John 17:23-26. And that the world may know that you have sent me, and have loved them, as you have loved me. Father, I will that they also, whom you have given me, be with me where I am, that they may behold my glory, which you have given me: for those loved me before the foundation of the world. O righteous Father, the world has not known you: but I have known you, and these have known that you have sent me. And I have declared unto them your name, and will declare it: that the love with which you have loved me may be in them, and I in them.
A very short time after our Divine Lord offered this intercessory supplication, he prayed a very different prayer, in a strangely-altered style. You will find it in the Gospel according to Matthew, chapter twenty-six. Remember that there was a very short interval between the utterance of the majestic prayer I have been reading, and the presentation of the cries and tears of which we are now to read.
This exposition consisted of readings from John 17:15-26; And Matthew 26:36-46.
Chapter 18 Verses 1-9
John 18:1. When Jesus had spoken these words, he went forth with his disciples over the brook Kidron, where was a garden, into the which he entered, and his disciples.
Our Lord could not cross that "brook Kidron" without being reminded of the time when David went that way in the hour of his sorrow, though he knew that he had to face a far greater trial than that of David. The very brook would remind him of his approaching sacrifice, for through it flowed the blood and refuse from the temple.
John 18:2. And Judas also, which betrayed him, knew the place: for Jesus often resorted thither with his disciples.
The place of our Lord’s frequent retirement for private prayer was well known to Judas, who had often gone there with his Lord and his fellow disciples.
John 18:3. Judas then, having received a band of men and officers from the chief priests and Pharisees, comes thither with lanterns and torches and weapons.
How completely the traitor must have been in the power of Satan, and how hardened and callous he must have grown, that he could lead "thither" the men who were going to arrest the Savior! Truly it was by wicked hands that Christ was taken, and crucified, and slain; yet, unconsciously, these evil men were carrying out "the determinate counsel and foreknowledge of God." How strangely were they equipped for their deed of darkness! "With lanterns and torches and weapons." They were coming to the Light of the world bearing "lanterns and torches"; and armed with "weapons" that they might use against "the Lamb of God." If he had wished to deliver himself, all their "weapons" would have been in vain, and their "lanterns and torches" would not have revealed him, even with the help of the full moon, which was probably shining at the time.
John 18:4-5. Jesus therefore, knowing all things that should come upon him, went forth, and said unto them, Whom seek you? They answered him, Jesus of Nazareth. Jesus says unto them, I am he. And Judas also, which betrayed him, stood with them.
Notice, dear friends, that the word "he" is in italics, showing that it is not in the original. Our Lord here twice used the name of Jehovah, I AM,— as he did on certain other memorable occasions. It was most fitting that, as he was going out to die, he should declare that it was no mere man who was about to suffer on the cross, but that, while he was truly man, he was also "very God of very God."
John 18:6. As soon then as he had said unto them, I am he, they went backward, and fell to the ground.
The simple utterance of his name drove them from him, and smote them to the earth; what would have happened if he had put forth his almighty power?
John 18:7-9. Then asked he them again, Whom seek you? And they said, Jesus of Nazareth. Jesus answered, I have told you that I am he: if therefore you seek me, let these go their way: that the saying might be fulfilled, which he spoke, Of them which you gave me have I lost none.
This exposition consisted of readings from John 17.; and John 18:1-9.
Verses 1-14John 18:1. When Jesus had spoken these words, he went forth with his disciples over the brook Kidron,
A dark, foul brook, through which flowed the blood and refuse from the temple. King David crossed that brook one night in bitter sorrow; and now the Savior crossed it when it was near to midnight: "He went forth with his disciples over the brook Kidron."
John 18:1-2. Where was a garden, into the which he entered, and his disciples. And Judas also, which betrayed him, knew the place: for Jesus often resorted thither with his disciples.
Our Lord went there to pray, and Judas knew that this was his custom. Are we such men of prayer that others know where we pray? Have you some familiar place where you go to meet your Lord? I am afraid that many know where we trade, and many know where we preach, but perhaps, few know where we pray. God grant that we may be often at the mercy-seat! We should be better men and women if we were more frequently at the throne of grace.
John 18:3. Judas then, having received a band of men and officers from the chief priests and Pharisees, comes thither with lanterns and torches and weapons.
"Lanterns" to give light to the Sun, "torches" to find out the Light of the world; "Weapons" with which to fight with the Lamb of God, the unarmed Sufferer. Strange treatment this for him who came to save and bless!
John 18:4-5. Jesus therefore, knowing all things that should came upon him, went forth, and said unto them, Whom seek you? They answered him, Jesus of Nazareth. Jesus says unto them, I am he.
Or, "I am." It is remarkable that Jesus should, in his betrayal, twice use this expression, thus uttering the very name of Jehovah.
John 18:5. And Judas also, which betrayed him, stood with them.
What a hardened wretch he must have been to be able to stand with them! One would have thought that, having betrayed his Master, he would have hidden himself away for shame, but no, "Judas also, which betrayed him, stood with them." His heart must have been steeled.
John 18:6. As soon then as he had said unto them, I am he, they went backward, and fell to the ground.
Christ’s almighty power cast them down at once. He needed not to lift his hand or even his finger; he only said, "I am," and "they went backward, and fell to the ground."
John 18:7. Then asked he them again, Whom seek you, And they said, Jesus of Nazareth.
Do they return again to the fray? Having once felt Christ’s divine power, do they summon courage enough to attack him again? Yes, for there is no limit to the malice and impudence of the human heart.
John 18:8-10. Jesus answered, I have told you that I am he: if therefore you seek me, let these go their way: that the saying might be fulfilled, which he spoke, Of them which you gave me have I lost none. Then Simon Peter—
Always ready to boil over, ever full of zeal and rash impetuosity, Peter —
John 18:10. Having a sword drew it, and smote the high priest’s servant, and cut off his right ear. The servant’s name was Malchus.
Peter struck at his head; he was not content with trying to wound, he meant to kill Malchus, and he did "cut off his right ear."
John 18:11-14. Then said Jesus unto Peter, Put up your sword into the sheath: the cup which my Father has given me, shall I not drink it? Then the band and the captain and officers of the Jews took Jesus, and bound him, and led him away to Annas first; for he was father in law to Caiaphas, which was the high priest that same year. Now Caiaphas was he, which gave counsel to the Jews, that it was expedient that one man should die for the people.
Saying a great deal more than he thought he was saying, for he uttered a great Gospel truth when he said, "It was expedient that one man should die for the people."
This exposition consisted of readings from John 17:1-12; John 18:1-14.
Verses 1-27John 18:1. When Jesus had spoken these words, he went forth with his disciples over the brook Kidron, where was a garden, into the which he entered, and his disciples.
From our Lord’s example, we should learn, when trouble is near, to meet it with composure. Our Savior did not sit still; but, as the hour approached for his betrayal and death, "he went forth with his disciples." The passing over the black brook of Kidron, through which flowed the filth of the temple, was very significant. King David had crossed that brook long before when he had been driven from his home by Absalom’s rebellion, and now the greater David went "over the brook Kidron, where was a garden." He specially wanted solitude just then, for one of the best preparations for suffering is to get alone with God. Learn this lesson also from your Lord’s example, and as he put Gethsemane before Calvary, if you can put an hour of prayerful contemplation before your expected suffering, it will be a great help to you.
John 18:2. And Judas also, which betrayed him, knew the place: for Jesus often resorted thither with his disciples.
That dark and gloomy olive garden was no pleasure garden that night. It had often been a place of retirement and of prayer for the Master. What happy memories his disciples must have had of being with him there for a season of prayer! It was a very choice privilege for them to be with him when he preached, but it must have been, if possible, a still greater privilege to be with him when he prayed. It is not recorded that his disciples ever said to him, "Lord, teach us how to preach;" but at least one of them was so struck with his prayers that he said, "Lord, teach us to pray." We may well ask him to do that for us now. Perhaps some of you would like to be taught how you can become great; it is much more important for you to be taught to become prayerful.
John 18:3. Judas then, having received a hand of men and of officers from the chief priests and Pharisees, comes thither with lanterns and torches and weapons.
It does not matter much about the band of men and officers with lanterns and torches and weapons, but the dreadful part of the narrative is that they were led by one who had been a disciple of Christ, one who had been numbered with the apostles. Is Christ still betrayed by his professed friends? Yes, it is so, but may you and I never be guilty of that terrible crime! Yet why should we not unless the grace of God should prevent it? We are of the same flesh and blood as Judas; and although we might not be tempted by a sum of money, we may be tempted by a sinful pleasure or by a sinful shame. Lest we should be led astray, let us pray that we may not enter into temptation, and especially ask that we may be preserved from betraying our Lord, as Judas did.
John 18:4. Jesus therefore, knowing all things that should come upon him, went forth, and said unto them, Whom seek you?
Because of his divinity, be knew all that would come upon him, but what a wondrous manhood his was that, although he knew all that would befall him, he went forth calm and composed, resigned to his Father’s will and said to those who had come to seize him, "Whom seek you?" I think he is saying to some of us, "whom seek you?" We have not come here to slay him; we have not come here to fight against him, and lead him away to crucify him; yet I hope that we can truly say that we have come seeking Jesus. If this be really your heart’s desire, it shall surely be fulfilled to you.
John 18:5. They answered him, Jesus of Nazareth. Jesus says unto them, I am he.
Or, rather, "I Am," pronouncing the words with a divine dignity which had a startling effect upon them.
John 18:5-6. And Judas also, which betrayed him, stood with them. As soon then as he had said unto them, I am he, they went backward, and fell to the ground.
It seems as if our Lord intended to let them realize something of his divine power and glory, for the utterance of that august expression, I am which is his Father’s name, staggered them, and they fell to the ground. Do you not wonder that they did not rise up, and go away and leave him after they had fallen at his feet and asked his forgiveness? They did not so act, for the power of fear when it is not accompanied by love is very small. There was enough power in it to make them fall down to the ground, but there was not power enough in it to make them fall at Christ’s feet confessing their sin.
John 18:7-8. Then asked he them again, Whom seek you? And they said, Jesus of Nazareth. Jesus answered, I have told you that I am he: if therefore you seek me, let these go their way:
It is very cheering to us to think of our Lord meeting all the enemies of his people, gathering up all their weapons into his own heart that his people might go free. You and I, if we had been in such a case, would have been hurried and worried, and our fears would have made us selfish. We should have forgotten our poor friends who were with us; but Jesus thought not of himself, he thought of his poor trembling disciples, and therefore he said, "If therefore you seek me, let these go their way."
John 18:9. That the saying might be fulfilled which he spoke, Of them which you gave me have I lost none.
He had only said that just a little while before, but this verse shows us that the New Testament is as sure to be fulfilled as the Old Testament. It was a new saying, not then written, yet it had all the life and power of God in it; so it must live, and must be fulfilled.
John 18:10. Then Simon Peter having a sword drew it, and smote the high priest’s servant, and cut off his right ear. The servant’s name was Malchus.
Here is every prospect of a fight. Simon Peter has begun it, and the armed men will be eager to continue it. We always have our Simon Peters about, — men of emotion, men of impulse, men of impetuosity. They are not a bad sort of Christians, and I do not know what we should do without them. Our cold, frozen thinkers would not do much without our warmhearted Peters to help to thaw them. Still, Peter was only one of the twelve apostles; and though they call him the head of the church, he made a very poor head of the church just then. He drew a sword, and began to use that carnal weapon by cutting off the right ear of Malchus. It was a great mercy that the Lord was there to heal the ear, and to forbid the use of the sword in his defense.
John 18:11. Then said Jesus unto Peter, Put up your sword into the sheath: the cup which my Father has given me, shall I not drink it?
Here is another helpful lesson for any of you who have a trial before you. Do not seek to set the trial aside, use no wrong means to escape from affliction; drink your ordained cup. Though Peter’s sword is handy, put it up into its sheath, and do not use it. Bear and forbear, on and on and on to the end of the chapter. Drink the cup that your Father gives you. However bitter it is, it is sweetened by the fact that he gives it to you. Shall not a true son of God drink the cup that his Father presents to him? There can be no harm in it, and it must work you some real good; so put up your sword, and lift the cup to your lips, and drink it to the dregs.
John 18:12. Then the band and the captain and officers of the Jews took Jesus, and bound him, —
When you are bound with sickness, or bound with weakness, or bound in any other way, do not complain. Your Master was bound, and I think we ought to be willing to be anything that Christ was. What was good enough for him is good enough for us. "They took Jesus, and bound him," —
John 18:13-14. And led him away to Annas first; for he was father in law to Caiaphas, which was the high priest that same year. Now Caiaphas was he, which gave counsel to the Jews, that it was expedient that one man should die for the people.
Christ could not die without the question of expediency turning up. I never knew any great sin in the world, nor any great heresy, nor any great combination of men to maintain it without the question of expediency coming under consideration. Expediency is the great Christ-killer. Many nowadays say to us, "Do not preach against error; it is not expedient to do so. Do not break away from evil associations; it is not expedient." How many there are of even good men who do certain thing, not because they are right, but because they are expedient! But, believers in Jesus, in the name of your Lord I implore you to hate expediency, since it put Christ to death. It was a wicked expediency that would murder Christ in order to save a nation; but it did not really do so after all, for the guilt of slaying Christ brought upon the nation the glaring crime of deicide.
John 18:10. And Simon Peter followed Jesus, and so did another disciple: that disciple was known unto the high priest, and went in with Jesus into the palace of the high priest.
This other disciple was, no doubt, John, who thus veiled himself as he did on other occasions.
John 18:16. But Peter stood at the door without.
It would have been better for him if he had kept there, he would probably have been more out of the way of temptation than he was inside the palace of the high priest.
John 18:16. Then went out that other disciple, which was known unto the high priest and spoke unto her that kept the door, and brought in Peter.
John doubtless acted thus out of kindness to Peter, but he was the means of bringing his friend into a place where he was not strong enough to keep his feet. You and may act like that, perhaps, in perfect innocence, and even with commendable kindness; yet we may be unintentionally doing our friends a great wrong. I notice that John seems to have been the first of the apostles to associate with Peter after that terrible fall of his; and in his record of Peter’s denial of his Lord he does not mention his cursing and swearing as Matthew and Mark do. He appears to have felt great tenderness towards Peter; perhaps all the more so because he had been the innocent means of getting him into the place of temptation.
John 18:17. Then says the damsel that kept the door unto Peter, Are not you also one of this man’s disciples? He says, I am not.
As, Peter! Ah, myself! If anyone is trusting in himself, he may soon utter a falsehood concerning his Lord, as Peter did. Keep us, O God, by your grace, or else it will be so with us. It was nothing but a poor maidservant that cowed this brave Peter; the man whose sword was drawn just now in his Master’s defense is not able truthfully to answer the maid’s question, "Are not you also one of this man’s disciples? He says, I am not."
John 18:18. And the servants and officers stood there, who had made a fire of coals, for it was cold: and they warmed themselves and Peter stood with them and warmed himself.
While his Lord and Master was being maltreated and abused over yonder at the end of the hall, Peter was warming himself at the servant’s fire. Ah! he was getting cold spiritually while warming himself physically; and it sometimes happens that, when men are warming their bodies, they are at the same time cooling their hearts. I have known a man warm himself at a very big fire through coming into possession of a large amount of property, but he has also grown very cold spiritually for these coals of fire do not warm the heart.
John 18:19-21. The high priest then asked Jesus of his disciples and of his doctrine. Jesus answered him, I spoke openly to the world I ever taught in the synagogue, and in the temple, where the Jews always resort; and in secret have I said nothing. Why ask you me? ask them which heard me, what I have said unto you: behold, they know what I said.
Our Lord’s teaching was never deceptive, he did not say one thing and mean another. He could truly appeal to his hearers concerning his teaching. It is a great thing for a preacher to be able to feel that his hearers know what he has said to them. We cannot always say that, for some of them forget, and some of them do not understand what we say. Some of them do not give sufficient attention to know what it is that is said, but Christ’s preaching was so clear and plain that he could truly say, "Ask them which heard me, what I have said unto them: behold, they know what I said."
John 18:22-23. And when he had thus spoken, one of the officers which stood by struck Jesus with the palm of his hand, saying Answer you the high priest so?
Jesus answered him, Not as Paul did, "God shall smite you, you whited wall." The Master is superior to the disciple at all points. Jesus said: —
John 18:23. If I have spoken evil, bear witness of the evil: but if well, why smite you me?
Let us pray that, whenever we are despitefully treated, we may keep our temper, and be as composed as our Lord was; and if we must make an answer to our accusers, let it be as discreet and as justifiable as this answer of our Lord was.
John 18:24. John 18:26. Now Annas had sent him bound unto Caiaphas the high priest. And Simon Peter stood and warmed himself.
John thus resumes the narrative concerning Peter from the 17th verse:
"Simon Peter stood and warmed himself."
John 18:25. They said therefore unto him.
Two or three or more of them speaking at a time said to him: —
John 18:26-27. Are not you also one of his disciples? He denied it, and said, I am not. One of the servants of the high priest, being his kinsman whose ear Peter cut off, says, Did not I see you in the garden with him? Peter then denied again:
Ah, me! they who lie once will be all too apt to lie again; those who deny Christ once will be apt to go to still greater lengths in their denial of him. May they be stopped as Peter was!
John 18:27. And immediately the rooster crew.
May the rooster crow for some who have been asleep up until now, and warn them that the night is far spent, and that it is time for them to awake out of sleep, and wash their eyes with tears, and repent of having denied their Lord!
Verses 12-24The passages, which we are about to read from three of the Evangelists, make up a continuous narrative of our Lord’s trial before the high priest. First, John gives us an account of our Savior’s appearance before Annas, of which I need not say much, as I recently preached upon it.
John 18:12-14. Then the band and the captain and officers of the Jews took Jesus, and bound him, and led him away to Annas first; for he was father in law to Caiaphas, which was the high priest that came year. Now Caiaphas was he, which gave counsel to the Jews, that it was expedient that one man should die for the people.
John 18:19-21. The high priest then asked Jesus of his disciples, and of his doctrine. Jesus answered him, I spoke openly to the world; I ever taught in the synagogue, and in the temple, where the Jews always resort; and in secret have I said nothing. Why ask you me? Ask them which heard me, what I have said unto them: behold, they know what I said.
What an admirable answer that was! Whatever he might have said about his doctrine, they would have twisted into a ground of accusation against him, so he simply said, "Mine has been public teaching, open to all. I was not found in holes and corners, secretly fomenting sedition. I spoke in the streets; I spoke in the synagogue; I spoke in the temple; ask those who heard me to tell you what I said." What more convincing answer could he have given?
John 18:22-24. And when he had thus spoken, one of the officer, which stood by struck Jesus with the palm of His hand, saying, Answer you the high priest so? Jesus answered him, If I have spoken evil, bear witness of the evil: but if well, why smite you me. Now Annas had sent him bound unto Caiaphas the high priest.
So there we see him standing, bound, before Caiaphas, the acting high priest for that year.
Now follow the narrative as given by Mark. (See Mark 14:53-65)
This exposition consisted of readings from John 18:12-14; John 18:19-26; Mark 14:53-65; and Luke 22:63-71; Luke 3:1.
Verses 12-27John 18:12-13. Then the band and the captain and officers of the Jews took Jesus and bound him, and led him away to Annas first; for he was father in law to Caiaphas, which was the high priest that same year.
Annas had been high priest before, and he seems to have been regarded still as high priest and to have been a leading spirit among the adversaries of Christ. The old sinner would not go to bed that night until he had seen the man whom he hated brought bound before him. Sometimes hatred becomes a more powerful passion than even love; and here, while the disciples of Jesus all fled in terror, Annas, the Savior’s bitter foe, was wide awake, and awaiting his arrival with those who had taken him captive.
John 18:14. Now Caiaphas was he, which gave counsel to the Jews, that it was expedient that one man should die for the people.
Therein uttering a prophecy which he did not himself fully understand, speaking like another Balaam, through whom God spoke the truth, as once he did through the donkey that Balaam rode. Sometimes, God makes the basest men the unconscious utterers of truth which they do not themselves comprehend.
John 18:15. And Simon Peter followed Jesus, and so did another disciple:
Here is John’s usual modesty, he will not mention his own name, but simply speaks of "another disciple."
John 18:15-16. That disciple was known unto the high priest, and went in with Jesus into the palace of the high priest. But Peter stood at the door without.
John boldly followed Jesus, and so was safe, Peter stood at a distance from his Lord, and so was in danger.
John 18:16-18. Then went out that other disciple which was known unto the high priest and spoke unto her that kept the door and brought in Peter. Then says the damsel that kept the door unto Peter. Are not you also one of this man’s disciples? He says, I am not. And the servants and officers stood there, who had made a fire of coals, for it was cold: and they warmed themselves; and Peter stood with them, and warmed himself.
Peter was in bad company; while he was warming his body, his soul was growing cold to his Master. Men cannot go into bad company without getting some hurt. It is said by a quaint old writer that, if men go to Ethiopia, they may not become Ethiopians, but by the scorching of the sun they will grow blacker than they were before. It is always better to keep out of harm’s way if we can. He who would not fall into a ditch should take care not to walk near the edge of it; so, if Peter wanted to stand fast, he should not have gone where he would be sure to be tempted.
John 18:19. The high priest then asked Jesus of his disciples, and of his doctrine.
This was a sort of preliminary examination before the Sanhedrin should try him officially.
John 18:20-22. Jesus answered him I spoke openly to the world; I ever taught in the synagogue and in the temple, where the Jews always resort; and in secret have I said nothing. Why ask you me? ask them which heard me, what I have said unto them: behold they know what I said. And when he had thus spoken one of the officers which stood by struck Jesus with the palm of his hand saying, Answer you the high priest so?
Here we get an exposition of one of Christ’s own sayings. You know that he said, "Whoever shall smite you on your right cheek, turn to him the other also." Of course, Christ would carry out his own precept, so we see that he did not mean that his disciples were literally to turn the other cheek to those who struck them, but that they were to bear such treatment patiently, and not to give a railing answer. See how Jesus himself turned the other cheek.
John 18:23. Jesus answered him, If I have spoken evil, bear witness of the evil: but if well, why smite you me?
Nothing could have been more calm or more dignified, and, at the same time, more full of the spirit of forgiveness.
John 18:24-27. Now Annas had sent him bound unto Caiaphas the high priest. And Simon Peter stood and warmed himself. They said therefore unto him, Are not you also one of his disciples? He denied it, and said, I am not. One of the servants of the high priest being his kinsman whose ear Peter cut off, says, Did not I see you in the garden with him? Peter then denied again: and immediately the rooster crew.
We know that the Lord turned, and looked upon Peter. He did not speak a word, perhaps lest Peter should fall into the hands of those who were round about him; but his look was sufficient to kindle in Peter the fires of repentance, and he went out to weep bitterly over his shameful denial of his Lord.
Verses 15-27John 18:15. And Simon Peter followed Jesus, and so did another disciple:
That is John, of course; he never mentions his own name if he can help it.
John 18:15-16. That disciple was known unto the high priest, and went in with Jesus into the palace of the high priest. But Peter stood at the door without. Then went out that other disciple, which was known unto the high priest, and spoke unto her that kept the door, and brought in Peter.
I always fancy that John had a greater tenderness for Peter because he was the means of getting him into the palace of the high priest. Peter could not have got in if he had been alone, but John was known to the high priest, and so secured his admission. He must always have felt sorry that he took Peter into a place where he was so strongly tried. Hence John sought him out after his great fall; when perhaps the other apostles were inclined to leave him by himself, John cheered him up, and brought him back to the faith.
John 18:17-18. Then says the damsel that kept the door unto Peter, Are not you also one of this man’s disciples? He says, I am not. And the servants and officers stood there, who had made a fire of coals; for it was cold: and they warmed themselves: and Peter stood with them, and warmed himself.
That was a very dangerous place for Peter to be in; he would have been safer out in the cold.
John 18:25. And Simon Peter stood and warmed himself.
Twice over, we are told that, while his Master was being buffeted, Peter stood in the midst of the ribald throng, and warmed himself.
John 18:25-27. They said therefore unto him, Are not you also one of his disciples? He denied it, and said, I am not. One of the servants of the high priest, being his kinsman whose ear Peter cut off, says, Did not I see you in the garden with him? Peter then denied again: and immediately the rooster crew.
Thus was Christ’s prediction literally fulfilled, and thus, by what seems the humble instrumentality of a rooster crowing, was Peter brought to repentance. There is many an eloquent divine who has missed the mark when he has been preaching, but God has spoken by a very humble voice. You, dear friend, though you have no gifts of speech, may go and tell the story of Jesus Christ to someone, and God may bring him to repentance through you, as he brought Peter back to himself through the agency of this bird. May God make us all useful, and keep us from falling into transgression as Peter did! Amen.
This exposition consisted of readings from Mark 14:27-31; Mark 14:53-54; Mark 14:66-72; and John 18:15-18; John 18:25-27.
Verses 28-38John 18:28-38. Then led they Jesus from Caiaphas unto the hall of judgment: and it was early; and they themselves went not into the judgment hall, lest they should be defiled, but that they might eat the Passover. Pilate then went out unto them, and said, What accusation bring you against this man? They answered and said unto him, If he were not a malefactor we would not have delivered him up unto you. Then said Pilate unto them, Take you him, and judge him according to your law. The Jews therefore said unto him, It is not lawful for us to put any man to death: that the saying of Jesus might be fulfilled, which he spoke, signifying what death he should die. Then. Pilate entered into the judgment hall again, and called Jesus, and said unto him, Are you the King of the Jews? Jesus answered him, Say you this thing of yourself, or did others tell it you of me? Pilate answered, Am I a Jew? Your own nation and the chief priests have delivered you unto me: what have you done? Jesus answered, My kingdom is not of this world: if my kingdom there of this world, then would my servants fight, that I should not be delivered to the Jews: but now is my kingdom not from hence. Pilate therefore said unto him, Are you a king then? Jesus answered, You say that I am a king. To this end was I born, and for this cause came I into the world, that I should bear witness unto the truth. Every one that is of the truth hears my voice. Pilate says unto him, What is truth? And when he had said this, he went out again unto the Jews, and says unto them, I find in him no fault at all.
Thus did all who came into contact with Jesus bear witness that the Lamb of God was indeed "holy, harmless, undefiled, and separate from sinners."
This exposition consisted of readings from Matthew 27:15-54; and John 18:28-38.
Verses 28-40
28; Then led they Jesus from Caiaphas unto the hall of judgment:
That is to say, Pilate’s hall. Pilate, at that time, was probably residing in one of the old and sumptuous palaces of Herod, there holding His court during the time of the Passover.
John 18:28. And it was early;
They were very eager to prove their enmity to Christ; they had spent the night, and the earliest moments of the dawn, in examining their illustrious prisoner, condemning him, and abusing him, and now they were off to Pilate.
John 18:28. And they themselves went not into the judgment hall, lest they should be defiled; but that they might eat the Passover.
What could defile such wretches at these? Yet they were afraid of ceremonial defilement, though neither afraid nor ashamed to imbrue their hands in the blood of Jesus.
John 18:29. Pilate then went out unto them,
He loathed and detested them, yet, for his own evil purposes, he would yield to their wishes and whims.
John 18:29-30. And said, What accusation bring you against this man? They answered and said unto him, If he were not a malefactor, we would not have delivered him up unto you.
As much as to say, "You may take that for granted. We would not have brought him if he had not done wrong. You need not examine into the matter, we have already heard the evidence, and convicted him, and so saved you all the trouble of trying him; we only bring him here for you to condemn him."
John 18:31. Then said Pilate unto them, Take you him, and judge him according to your law.
"That is your way of doing such things, but it is not a method into which we shall fall. Our law does not condemn a man before it hears the evidence against him. I am not going to be your tool, to put this man to death without hearing what is laid to his charge, and the proofs of his guilt. If you want that done, you must do it yourselves."
John 18:31. The Jews therefore said unto him, It is not lawful for us to put any man to death:
"You Romans have taken from us the power of life and death, and we want him put to death." There was a clear confession that nothing short of Christ’s death would satisfy them.
John 18:32. That the saying of Jesus might be fulfilled, which he spoke, signifying what death he should die.
Crucifixion was a Roman, not a Jewish method of capital punishment, so God overruled the wanton wickedness of the worst of men for the accomplishment of his own eternal purposes, without, however, diminishing their responsibility and guilt in the least degree. It was "by the determinate counsel and foreknowledge of God" that Christ was put to death, yet it was "with wicked hands" that they took him, and crucified him.
John 18:33. Then Pilate entered into the judgment hall again, and called Jesus, and said unto him, Are you the King of the Jews?
He did not look much like it. There was little enough about his appearance or his apparel to suggest the idea of royalty.
John 18:34-35. Jesus answered him, Say you this thing of yourself, or did others tell it you of me? Pilate answered, Am I a Jew?
I can imagine him throwing all the scorn and contempt possible into the question. It was characteristic of the Romans, as we learn from the works of their great writers, that they utterly despised and detested the Jews.
John 18:35-37. Your own nation and the chief priests have delivered you, unto me: what have you done? Jesus answered, My kingdom is not of this world: if my kingdom were of this world, then would my servants fight, that I should not be delivered to the Jews: but now is my kingdom not from hence. Pilate therefore said unto him, Are you a king then? Jesus answered, You say that I am a king. To this end was I born, and for this cause came I unto the world, that I should bear witness unto the truth. Every one that is of the truth hears my voice.
We might have expected that be would have said, "I came into the world that I might be a king." But he explains that, as a Witness to the truth, he was a King.
John 18:38. Pilate says unto him, What is truth? And when he had said this, he went out again unto the Jews, and says unto them, I find in him no fault at all.
He did not want an answer. He merely thought it such an unnecessary piece of trifling to talk about truth, he himself had so slight an idea of what the word might mean, that when he had said, "What is truth?" "he went out again unto the Jews, and says unto them, I find in him no fault at all." That was the truth about the Truth, from the lips of a man who cared nothing about truth, yet who was compelled to bear this testimony, "I find in him no fault at all."
John 18:39. But we have a custom, that I should release unto you one at the Passover: will you therefore that I release unto you the King of the Jews?
Now, Pilate may have thought, if Christ was their King, they would certainly prefer him to a thief and a robber; so he was putting before himself an opportunity of escaping from judging Christ, and before them a test as to whether there really was in them any liking for the Christ, or any possibility of his becoming their King.
John 18:40. Then cried they all again, saying, Not this man, but Barabbas. Now Barabbas was a robber.
This exposition consisted of readings from John 18:28-40; and Psalms 2.
Chapter 19 Verses 1-16
John 19:1-3. Then Pilate therefore took Jesus, and scourged him. And the soldiers platted a crown of thorns, and put it on his head, and they put on him a purple robe. And said, Hail, King of the Jews!
Just as they were gathered to say, "We Imperator" — "Hail emperor" —so imitating that word which they applied to Caesar. and applying it to Jesus in mockery. "King of the Jews," the utmost scorn was thrown into the last word, "of the Jews." There had been a general tradition that there should arise among the Jews a king who would subdue the nations, and the Romans jested at the very thought that they should be conquered by the leader of such a despised race as the Jews, and so they said, "King of the Jews."
John 19:3-4. And they smote him with their hands. Pilate therefore went forth again, and says unto them, Behold, I bring him forth to you, that you may know that I find no fault in him.
That is the second time he said it. He had declared it before; in the 38th verse of the previous chapter we read, "I find in him no fault at all." And now again, "That you may know that I find no fault in him." "Then came Jesus forth" — you can see him going down the steps out of Pilate’s hall into that same courtyard — "wearing the crown of thorns and the purple robe. And Pilate says unto them" — "Ecce Homo" — "behold the man." He does not call him king; he only gives him the title of man. As if to say, "How foolish are you to think there is any danger from him; look at him in all his suffering and shame."
John 19:5-6. Then came Jesus forth, wearing the crown of thorns, and the purple robe. And Pilate says unto them, Behold the man! When the chief priests therefore and officers saw him, they cried out, saying, Crucify him, crucify him. Pilate says unto them, Take you him, and crucify him: for I find no fault in him.
That is the third time. It was well that he who had the principal hand in the slaughter of the Lamb of God should make his report that he was "a Lamb without blemish and without spot"; and, therefore, fit to be presented in sacrifice before God. For the third time he does acquit him. The Jews answered him, "We have a law" — it may not be your law — "and by our law he ought to die because he made himself the son of God." This is a reviving of the charge of blasphemy which they had brought against him in the palace of the high priest.
John 19:7-8. The Jews answered him, We have a law, and by our law he ought to die, because he made himself the Son of God. When Pilate therefore heard that saying, he was the more afraid:
It shows he was afraid all along — the coward — the vacillating coward — and now a fresh superstition seizes upon him. He believed, as a Roman in gods many. "What?" said he to himself. "What if, after all, I should have been torturing a divine Being, a God who has come among men in their likeness?"
John 19:9-10. And went again, into the judgment hall, and says unto Jesus, Whence are you? But Jesus gave him no answer. The, says Pilate unto him, Speak you not unto me? know you not that I hate power to crucify you, And have power to release you?
And he trembled with fear, "and went again into the judgment, hall," taking his prisoner with him — you can see the two sitting there alone — "and says unto Jesus, ‘Whence are you? Tell me now, what is your character, your origin, your rank? ‘But Jesus gave him no answer." Pilate’s day of grace was over; he had had his opportunity, but that was now ended; there was no answer. It is a very solemn thing when God gives no answer to a man; when a man turns to Scripture, but there is no answer; when he goes to hear the voice, but there is no voice from the oracle for him; when he even bows the knee in prayer, but gets no answer. The silence of the Christ of God is very terrible. "Then says Pilate unto him," with all the pride of a Roman in his face, "Speak you not unto me Know you not that I have power to crucify you, and power to release you?"
John 19:11. Jesus answered, You could have no power at all against me, except it were given you from above: therefore he that delivered me unto you has the greater sin.
"You have the power to execute the sentence, lent to you from Heaven: but he who brought me here, and laid the charge against me, even Caiaphas, as the representative of the Jews, has the greater sin." And then the Blessed One closed his lips, never to open them again until on the cross. From this time, "like a sheep before her shearers," he is dumb. Notice that even though that word is the word of the Judge who judges Pilate, who judges the Jews, yet there is a strain of the gentleness of his character about it, for though he does virtually declare Pilate guilty of great sin, yet he says there is a greater, and while there is no apology for Pilate, yet he puts it softly.
John 19:12. And from thenceforth Pilate sought to release him: but the Jews cried out. saying, If you let this man go, you are not Caesar’s friend: whoever makes himself a king speaks against Caesar.
One of the Herods had put upon his coins the name, "Caesar’s friend." and so they quoted the title which one of their kings had taken, and they tell Pilate that he will not be the friend of Tiberius. Here was a sore point with Pilate; he knew that just then Tiberius was gloomy and morose, too ready to catch anything against his servants; and the man by whose influence Pilate had come into power had just then lost all influence at court. So he was afraid it would be his disgrace and discharge as governor if the Jews brought a charge against him to Tiberius. Therefore he trembled.
John 19:13. When Pilate therefore heard that saying, he brought Jesus forth, and sat down in the judgment seat in a place that is called the Pavement, but in the Hebrew, Gabbatha.
The usual form of the Roman judgment-place, in the open air, with a stone pavement, and a raised throne.
John 19:14-15. And it was the preparation of the Passover, and about the sixth hour: and he says unto the Jews, Behold your King! But they cried out, Away with him, away with him, crucify him. Pilate says unto them, Shall I crucify your King? The chief priests answered, We have no king but Caesar.
"To crucify your king." In bitter sarcasm: "You call him king, and ask to have him crucified." "The Chief Priests answered, ‘We have no king but Caesar.’" Truly they thus proved the truth of that word, "The scepter shall not depart from Judah, nor the lawgiver from between his feet until Shiloh come." And here he was sent, of God. He has come at last, for the scepter has evidently departed from Judah; and these men are crying, We have no king but the alien monarch, the all-conquering Caesar."
John 19:16. Then delivered he him therefore unto them to be crucified. And they took Jesus and led him away.
This exposition consisted of readings from John 1:19-33; John 19:1-16.
Verses 1-37John 19:1. Then Pilate therefore took Jesus, and scourged him.
This was one of the most terrible punishments to which a man could be sentenced. The Roman scourge was no trifle. It tore off the quivering flesh of the agonized sufferer for it was constructed on purpose to do so. It was generally made of the sinews of oxen, intertwined with the knuckle bones of sheep, and small slivers of bone. This torture our blessed Savior endured. These are the stripes with which we are healed.
John 19:2. And the soldiers platted a crown of thorns, and put it on his head, and they put on him a purple robe,
Mockery was blended with cruelty. They might have made him a crown, yet surely it need not have been one of thorns unless they intended to put him to the utmost torment that they could conceive. By this crown of thorns our blessed Lord was crowned King of the curse, for the earth was cursed through Adam’s sin, and part of the sentence pronounced by God in the garden of Eden was, "Thorns also and thistles shall it bring forth to you." So Christ wore the mark of the curse which man’s sin had brought upon the world.
John 19:3. And said, Hail, King of the Jews! and they smote him with their hands.
This was the homage which the Son of God received from men; harmless and gentle, he came here with no purpose but that of doing good, and this is how mankind treated him.
John 19:4-5. Pilate therefore went forth again, and says unto them Behold, I bring him forth to you, that you may know that I find no fault in him. Then came Jesus forth, wearing the crown of thorns, and the purple robe. And Pilate says unto them, Behold the man!
Was there ever such a sight of majesty in misery before or since? Yet he needed not to endure all that ignominy, he was no vanquished monarch unable to maintain his own rights. He was still "over all, God blessed forever," and be could have smitten everyone there to death if he had pleased to do so. But he was the Lamb of God’s Passover, so he meekly suffered.
John 19:6-7. When the chief priests therefore and officers saw him, they cried out, saying, Crucify him, crucify him. Pilate says unto them, Take you him, and crucify him: for I find no fault in him. The Jews answered him. We have a law, and by our law he ought to die, because he made himself the Son of God.
They no doubt understood that he claimed to be divine, and so he did. I have heard some say that he was a good man, but not God. If he was not God, he was certainly not a good man, for no good man, who was only a man, would claim to be God, or lead others to believe that he was divine. If he was not actually divine, he was a rank impostor; but he was divine, and therefore we worship and adore him equally with the Father and the Spirit.
John 19:8-10. When Pilate therefore heard that saying, he was the more afraid; and went again into the judgment hall, and says unto Jesus, Whence are you? But Jesus gave him no answer. Then says Pilate unto him, Speak you not unto me? know you not that I have power to crucify you, and have power to release you?
Pilate talks like some great one, yet how contemptibly little he was, vacillating, cowardly, unable to do what he knew was right. His poor Victim who stood before him was infinitely greater in character than he was.
John 19:11. Jesus answered, You could have no power at all against me, except it were given you from above: therefore he that delivered me unto you has the greater sin.
Christ referred to Judas, and through him to the Jews who had conspired to put him to death; but what tenderness it was, on the part of Jesus, to make an excuse as it were even for Pilate! He was notable for making excuses for the guilty. That was a remarkable excuse that he pleaded for his murderers, "Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do." There was never another such a tender heart as his; he was so gentle and so kind that all their cruelty only moved him to pity them, and pray for them.
John 19:12-14. And from thenceforth Pilate sought to release him: but the Jews cried out, saying, If you let this man go, you are not Caesar’s friend: whoever makes himself a king speaks against Caesar. When Pilate therefore heard that crying, he brought Jesus forth, and sat down in the judgment seat in a place that is called the Pavement, but in the Hebrew, Gabbatha. And it was the preparation of the Passover, and about the sixth hour: and he says unto the Jews, Behold your King!
What mockery there was in Pilate’s use of this title, and yet how true it was! They asked to have Christ put to death, yet he was their King. Their accusation was transparently false, and Pilate made them see that it was so.
John 19:15-17. But they cried out, Away with him, away with him, crucify him. Pilate says unto them, Shall I crucify your king? The chief priests answered, We have no king but Caesar. Then delivered he him therefore unto them to be crucified. And they took Jesus, and led him away. And he bearing his cross went forth into a place called the place of a skull, which is called in the Hebrew Golgotha:
The inspired writers seem to delight to give us the Hebrew names of these notable places that are linked with Christ’s last agonies, and they are still very precious to Christians, Gethsemane, Gabbatha, Golgotha¾, three names never to be forgotten by those who were redeemed with the precious blood of Christ.
John 19:18. Where they crucified him, and two other with him, on either side one, and Jesus in the midst.
As if to show that they thought him the worst of the three, and therefore gave him ¾shall I call it the place of chief dishonor?
John 19:19-20. And Pilate wrote a title, and put it on the cross. And the writing was, JESUS OF NAZARETH THE KING OF THE JEWS. This title then read many of the Jews: for the place where Jesus was crucified was near to the city and it was written in Hebrew, and Greek, and Latin.
So that all who gathered around the cross might read it.
John 19:21-22. Then said the chief priests of the Jews to Pilate, Write not, The King of the Jews; but that he said, I am king of the Jews. Pilate answered, What I have written I have written.
He could be stubborn about some things which shows that he had strength of mind if he had chosen to use it; yet he was beaten to and fro like a shuttlecock by these wicked men, and seemed to have no power to resist them.
John 19:23. Then the soldiers, when they had crucified Jesus, took his garments,¾
For they had stripped him. He must be naked, because sin makes us naked, and his garments must be a covering for us. They "took his garments," —
John 19:23-24. And made four parts, to every soldier a part; and also his coat: now the coat was without seam, woven from the top throughout. They said therefore among themselves, Let us not rend it, but cast lots for it, whose it shall be: that the scripture might be fulfilled,¾
They knew nothing about that ancient prophecy, yet God ordained that they should act thus "that the Scripture might be fulfilled," —
John 19:24. Which says, They parted my clothing among them, and for my vesture they did cast lots. These things therefore the soldiers did.
Doubtless, on the dice there fell the blood of Christ, yet they still gambled there. There is, perhaps, no sin which so effectually hardens the heart as that of gambling; it is a sin with which Christians should not have even the reluctant connection.
John 19:25-30. Now there stood by the cross of Jesus his mother, and his mother’s sister, Mary the wife of Cleophas, and Mary Magdalene. When Jesus therefore saw his mother, and the disciple standing by, whom he loved, he says unto his mother, Woman, behold your son! Then says he to the disciple, Behold your mother! And from that hour that disciple took her unto his own home. After this, Jesus knowing that all things were now accomplished, that the scripture might be fulfilled, says, I thirst. Now there was set a vessel full of vinegar: and they filled a sponge with vinegar, and put it upon hyssop, and put it to his mouth. When Jesus therefore had received the vinegar, he said, It is finished;
Consummatum est. "The work is done, redemption is accomplished; the salvation of my people is forever secured."
John 19:30-37. And he sowed his head, and gave up the Spirit. The Jews therefore, because it was the preparation, that the bodies should not remain upon the cross on the Sabbath day, (for that Sabbath day was an high day,)besought Pilate that their legs might be broken, and that they might be taken away. Then came the soldiers, and brake the legs of the first, and of the other which was crucified with him. But when they came to Jesus, and saw that he was dead already, they brake not his legs: But one of the soldiers with a spear pierced his side and forthwith came there out blood and water. And he who saw it bare record and his record is true: and he knows that he says true, that you might believe. For these things were done, that the scripture should be fulfilled, A bone of him shall not be broken. And again another scripture says, They shall look upon him whom they pierced.
Verses 14-37
John 19:14. And it was the preparation of the Passover, and about the sixth hour: and he says unto the Jews, Behold your King!
They had accused him of being a King, or of pretending to be one. Pilate had scourged him, the soldiers had mocked him, and there he stood piteous spectacle of woe. What cruel sarcasm there was in the tones of the Governor when he said to the Jews, " Behold your King."
John 19:15. But they cried out, away with him, away with him, crucify him. Pilate says unto them, Shall I crucify your King?
"How could you call him King, and bring against him a charge of setting up a rival kingdom when you, who would be his subjects, are all crying out, ‘Crucify him’? ‘Shall I crucify your King?"’ How false they were their own actions proved.
John 19:15. The chief priests answered, we have no king but Caesar.
They said this with all the coolness in the world. The mob had been stirred up and excited, but the chief priests, the principal ecclesiastics of the day, coolly said, " We have no king but Caesar." Did they not recollect that the scepter was not to pass away from Judah until Shiloh came, so that, as it had evidently passed away, Shiloh must have come? After all their Bible-reading, did they not know that? Oh, how easy it is to read much of Scripture and yet to know little about its teaching! Dear friends, let us not join the Jews in refusing to have Christ as King. They cried, " Away with him, away with him," when he was set before them as King. Let us not do that, but let us rather accept the Crucified as our Master and Lord, and cheerfully bow at his feet.
John 19:16. Then delivered he him therefore unto them to be crucified. And they took Jesus, and led him away.
So was he led as a sheep to the slaughter, as Isaiah had long before foretold that he would be.
John 19:17. And he bearing his cross went forth into a place called the place of a skull, which is called in Hebrew, Golgotha:
Probably a knoll of rock which today stands outside the city gate looking wonderfully like a skull, with two depressions in the rock which at distance appear like eyes. This was the common place of execution, the Tyburn, the Old Bailey of Jerusalem.
John 19:18-19. Where they crucified him, and two others with him, on either side one, and Jesus in the midst. And Pilate wrote a title and put it on the cross. And the writing was, Jesus Of Nazareth The King Of The Jews.
What could have moved Pilate to write that title? Perhaps he did it just to let the Jews know that they had forced him to put the Christ to death; he would put over him their accusation without any endorsement of his own: " JESUS OF NAZARETH THE KING OF THE JEWS " and so he is, and King of the Gentiles, too.
John 19:20. This title then read many of the Jews: for the place where Jesus was crucified was near to the city: and it was written in Hebrew, and Greek, and Latin.
So that everybody could read it, for someone or other of these languages would be known to everybody in the crowd; they were not dead languages then as they are now.
John 19:21-22. Then said the chief priests of the Jews to Pilate, Write not, The King of the Jews; but that he said, I am King of the Jews. Pilate answered, What I have written I have written.
He could sometimes be firm; perhaps when there was least excuse for it but when there was need of firmness, this vacillating Governor was swayed by the will of cruel men.
John 19:23. Then the soldiers, when they had crucified Jesus, took his garments.
It was the custom with executioners to take the garments of the criminal.
John 19:23. And made four parts, to every soldier a part; and also his coat: now the coat woven without seam, woven from the top throughout.
The common robe of the country, for Christ assumed no garment or vesture that would make him seem great. He was too great to need the adornment of any special style of clothes.
John 19:24. They said therefore among themselves, Let us not rend it, but cast lots for it, whose it shall be: that the scripture might be fulfilled, which says, They parted my clothing among them, and for my vesture they did cast lots. These things therefore the soldiers did.
Those rough Roman soldiers knew nothing about the ancient prophecy, yet a divine destiny guided them. God’s Word must be fulfilled; and they, in the freedom of their will, did exactly what God had ordained, and the Spirit had long before prophesied. There are two things that are true; ¾that men act freely and are therefore responsible when they sin, but that there is a divine predestination that rules all things according to the purpose and will of God. It would have puzzled us to explain how such a prophecy could be fulfilled at all, ¾parting Christ’s clothing among them, and then casting lots for his vesture; yet so it was, they divided what could be divided, and they cast lots upon what would have been spoilt if they had rent it. I think that no Christian man will ever like the rattle of dice when he remembers that they were used at the cross; all games of chance should be put away from us, for we can, as it were, see our Master’s blood bespattered upon them.
John 19:25-26. Now there stood by the cross of Jesus his mother, and his mother’s sister, Mary the wife of Cleophas, and Mary Magdalene. When Jesus therefore saw his mother, and the disciple standing by, whom he loved, he says unto his mother, Woman, behold your son!
"See in John one who will act as a son to you."
John 19:27. Then says he to the disciple, Behold your mother!
"John, take her home, and treat her as a mother should be treated."
John 19:27. And from that hour that disciple took her unto his own home.
He was the disciple whom Jesus specially loved, so as a token of Christ’s great love to him, he left his mother to his charge. Have you any poor folk dependent upon you? Do you know any of God’s very poor people? Take care of them, and do not think the charge a burden; but do it for the sake of him who loves you so much that he entrusts his poor ones to you. Oh, that everybody would look at this matter of caring for God’s poor in that light!
John 19:28. After this, Jesus knowing that all things were now accomplished, that the scripture might be fulfilled, says, I thirst!
It seems a strange thing that Jesus should have said, " I thirst," because, out of all the pains that he endured upon the cross, and they were very many and very sharp, he never mentions one except thirst. A person in such terrible agony as he was enduring might have mentioned fifty things, but he singles out this one because there was a prophecy concerning it.
John 19:29. Now there was set a vessel full of vinegar: and they filled a sponge with vinegar, and put it upon hyssop, and put it to his mouth.
Why is hyssop mentioned here? You remember that the hyssop was used in the cleansing of the leper, and that David prayed, " Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean: wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow." The hyssop was also used in the sprinkling of blood under the law, so it is introduced here with a set purpose. The sponge is introduced here too; it always seems to me very remarkable that, in the death of Christ the circle of life was completed. The sponge is the very lowest form of animal life, and Christ is the very highest type of life of any kind. The sponge was lifted to the lip of the King of glory, and carried refreshment to him; and you and I, like the sponge, the very least of God’s living ones, may yet bring refreshment to our Savior’s lips.
John 19:30. When Jesus therefore had received the vinegar, he said, It is finished; and he bowed his head, and gave up the Spirit.
It is not that he died, and that then his head fell forward; but while he yet lived, having before maintained an erect, noble bearing even in the pangs of death, he now, to show his perfect resignation to his Father’s will bows his head, and yields up that saved spirit of his which dwelt within his body.
John 19:31. The Jews therefore, because it was the preparation, that the bodies should not remain on the cross on the Sabbath day, for that Sabbath day was an high day,) besought Pilate that their legs might be broken, and that they might be taken away.
The breaking of the legs was intended to hasten death, ¾a very cruel method, but a very effectual one. Passing by Christ hanging in the center it was a strange thing for them to do, yet it had to be done, although they were quite unconscious of the reason why they so acted.
John 19:32-34. Then came the soldier, and brake the legs of the first, and of the other which was crucified with him. But when they came to Jesus, and saw that he was dead already, they brake not his legs: but one of the soldiers with a spear pierced his side,-
To make sure that he should not survive,¾
John 19:34-37. And forthwith came there out blood and water. And he who saw it bare record, and his record is true, and he knows that he says true, that you might believe. For these things were done, that the scripture should be fulfilled, A bone of him shall not be broken. And again another scripture says, They shall look on him whom they pierced."
So his side must be pierced, but his bones must not be broken. See how the hand of God carries out the Word of God, and value every line of Scripture. Our Lord Jesus Christ seemed to go out of his way so as to ensure that every single word in the Old Testament in reference to himself should be fulfilled, so mind that you do not think little of the Old Testament which he so highly prized.
Verses 23-37John 19:23. There the soldiers, when they had crucified Jesus, took his garments,
They had already stripped him, no element of shame was wanting in his substitution for us. He stooped as low as our sins could have thrust us, that he might bring us up from the very depths of degradation and shame.
John 19:23-24. And made four parts, to every soldier a part, and also his coat: now the coat was without seven woven from the top throughout. They said therefore among themselves, Let us not rend it, but cast lots for it, whose it shall be: that the scripture might he fulfilled, which says, They parted my clothing among them, and for my vesture they did cast lots. These things therefore the soldiers did.
Quite unaware of the ancient prophecy, yet in complete accord with divine predestination these soldiers did exactly according to the eternal purposes of God. It is very wonderful how, in practice, the free agency of man tallies exactly with the predestination of God. We need not inquire how it is, but we may admire that so it is. "These things therefore the soldiers did," yet the motive which swayed them was not the fulfillment of the divine will, but simply the commonsense thought that it would be a pity to spoil such a garment by rending it apart ¾also by that innate love of gambling which is found everywhere, in every age, so that often men would sooner run the hazard of winning all than take the safe one fourth which might fall to their lot. Let us reverently adore the whole scheme of providence by which God’s determinate purpose is carried out in every jot and little, while the free agency of man is left unfettered.
John 19:25. Now there stood by the cross of Jesus, his mother, and his mother’s sister, Mary the wife of Cleophas, and Mary Magdalene.
These gracious women stood by the cross: we call them the feebler gender; but we must grant that they are the stronger of the two in anything which has to do with pure unselfish love. Yield the first place to them.
John 19:26. When Jesus therefore saw his mother,
Here was another pang for him: he could not be spared anywhere. He must recollect in his death everything that would cause him grief: "When Jesus therefore saw his mother," —
John 19:26-27. And the disciple standing by, whom he loved, he says unto his mother. Woman, behold your son! Then says he to the disciple, Behold your mother! And from that hour that disciple took her unto his own home.
There was no specific direction given to John to entertain Mary. It was quite enough for the Lord to call his attention to her by saying "Behold your mother." How I wish we were always in such a state of heart that we did not need specific precepts, a hint would suffice. Dear friends, do not need pressing or driving to holy duty; be not as bullocks that must be goaded, but rather have within you such a spring of love that it shall be a delight to do anything that may give joy to the heart of the Well-beloved. When you see him on the cross, is there anything you can deny him? Will you not think spontaneously of what you can do to please him?
John 19:28. After this, Jesus knowing that all things were now accomplished, that the scripture might be fulfilled, says, I thirst.
There was yet a little more to be done; all the great things were accomplished, but he would keep even the least particles of prophecy, so he cried, "I thirst."
John 19:29-30. Now there was set a vessel full of vinegar: and they filled a sponge with vinegar, and put it upon hyssop, and put it to his mouth. When Jesus therefore had received the vinegar, —
He did receive that; he had refused the drugged draught which they had first offered to him to lull his pain, but he accepted this, which was simply weak wine, no doubt a little sour, possibly bitter. When he "had received the vinegar," —
John 19:30. He said, It is finished: and he bowed his head, and gave up the Spirit.
Incarnate love has fulfilled its self-imposed task. Jesus, as the substitute for sinners, was condemned to die, and he died that he might finish the work of our redemption.
"It is Finished.’
Hear the dying Savior cry."
John 19:31. The Jews therefore, because it was the preparation, that the bodies should not remain upon the cross on the Sabbath day, (for that Sabbath day was an high day,) besought Pilate that their legs might be broken, and that they might be taken away.
To prevent a ceremonial error, they are willing to commit brutal cruelty; indeed, they had already committed the more brutal cruelty of putting Christ to death. How particular some men are about some merely human rubric, yet the divine precepts of the law they violate with impunity. God save us from a conscience which will stick at home minute point which is of no consequence, but will allow us to commit great sin! We have heard of a Spanish bandit who confessed to his priest, after having murdered a great many persons, not his robberies and his murders, but the fact that a drop of blood had spurted on to his lips on a Friday, and thus he had defiled the feast day by taking animal food! Ah me! Conscience is a strange thing, yet some call it "the viceregent of God." I believe it is no such thing, but that it very soon becomes as depraved as any other power of the human mind: we have need of far more than conscience to keep us right.
John 19:32. Then came the soldiers, and brake the legs of the first, and of the other which was crucified with him.
With a huge iron bar smashing the great bones of their legs.
John 19:33-34. But when they came to Jesus, and saw that he was dead already, they broke not his legs: but one of the soldiers with a spear pierced him twice, and forthwith there came out blood and water. See how, even after death, his heart it tribute poured out for us. We have not only the love of Christ’s heart blessing us while he lives, but after he died there was the stream of blood and water to cleanse us from sins guilt and power.
John 19:35-37. And he who saw it bare record, and his record is true: and he knows that he says true, that you might believe. For these things were done, that the scripture should be fulfilled, a bone of him shall not be broken. And again another scripture says, They shall look on him whom they pierced.
Verses 25-30John 19:25. Now there stood by the cross of Jesus his mother, and his mother’s sister, Mary, the wife of Cleophas, and Mary Magdalene.
Last at the cross, first at the sepulcher. No woman’s lip betrayed her Lord; no woman’s hand ever smote him; their eyes wept for him; they gazed upon him with pitying awe and love. God bless the Marys! When we see so many of them about the cross, we feel that we honor the very name of Mary.
John 19:26. When Jesus therefore saw his mother, and the disciple standing by, whom he loved, he says into his mother, Woman, behold your son!
Sad, sad spectacle! Now was fulfilled the word of Simeon, "Yes, a sword shall pierce through your own soul also, that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed." Did the Savior mean, as he gave a glance to John, "Woman, you are losing one Son; but yonder stands another, who will be a son to you in my absence"? "Woman, behold your son!"
John 19:27. Then says he to the disciple, Behold your mother!
"Take her as your mother, stand you in my place, care for her as I have cared for her." Those who love Christ best shall have the honor of taking care of his church and of his poor. Never say of any poor relative or friend, the widow or the fatherless, "They are a great burden to me." Oh, no! Say, "They are a great honor to me; my Lord has entrusted them to my care." John thought so; let us think so. Jesus selected the disciple he loved best to take his mother under his care. He selects those whom he loves best today, and puts his poor people under their wing. Take them gladly, and treat them well.
John 19:27. And from that hour that disciple took her unto his own home
You expected him to do it, did you not? He loved his Lord so well.
John 19:28. After this, Jesus knowing that all things were now accomplished, that the scripture might be fulfilled, says, I thirst.
There was a prophecy to that effect in the Psalms, and he must needs fulfill that. Think of a dying man prayerfully going through the whole of the Scriptures and carefully fulfilling all that is there written concerning him: "That the scripture might be fulfilled, Jesus says, I thirst."
John 19:29. Now there was set a vessel full of vinegar: and they filled a sponge with vinegar, and put it upon hyssop, and put it to his mouth. When Jesus therefore had received the vinegar,
For he did receive it. It was a weak kind of wine, commonly drunk by the soldiery. This is not that mixed potion which he refused, wine mingled with myrrh, which was intended to stupefy the dying in their pains: "When he had tasted thereof, he would not drink;" for he would not be stupefied. He came to suffer to the bitter end the penalty of sin; and he would not have his sorrow mitigated; but when this slight refreshment was offered to him, he received it. Having just expressed his human weakness by saying, "I thirst," he now manifests his all-sufficient strength by crying, with a loud voice as Matthew, Mark, and Luke all testify.
John 19:30. He said, It is finished:
What "it" was it that was finished? I will not attempt to expound it. It is the biggest "it" that ever was. Turn it over and you will see that it will grow, and grow, and grow, and grow, until it fills the whole earth: "It is finished."
John 19:30. And he lowered his head, and gave up the Spirit.
He did not give up the Spirit, and then bow his head, because he was dead; but he bowed his head as though in the act of worship, or as leaning it down upon his Father’s bosom, and then gave up the Spirit. Thus have we had two gospel pictures of our dying Lord. May we remember them, and learn the lessons they are intended to teach.
This exposition consisted of readings from Luke 23:33-46; John 19:25-30
Verses 38-42John 19:38-40. And after this Joseph of Arimathea, being a disciple of Jesus, but secretly for fear of the Jews, besought Pilate that he might take away the body of Jesus: and Pilate gave him leave. He came therefore, and took the body of Jesus. And there came also Nicodemus, which at the first came to Jesus by night, and brought a mixture of myrrh and aloes, about an hundred pound weight. Then took they the body of Jesus.
Oh, how tenderly, and with how many tears, did they take their Lord’s body from the cross!
John 19:40-42. And wound it in linen clothes with the spices, as the manner of the Jews is to bury. Now in the place where he was crucified there was a garden; and in the garden a new sepulcher, wherein was never man yet laid. There laid they Jesus therefore because of the Jews’ preparation day; for the sepulcher was near at hand.
John’s Gospel contains some particulars not mentioned by Mark; and the same may be said of Matthew’s account, and Luke’s. Read them all when you are at home, and ponder the wonderful story. The apostle Paul, speaking of our Lord’s resurrection, mentions his burial. We will now read in his first Epistle to the Corinthians, just a few verses from the fifteenth chapter.
This exposition consisted of readings from Mark 15:34-47; John 19:38-42; John , 1 CORINTHIAN 5:1-9.
Chapter 20 Verses 1-18
John 20:1. The first day of the week comes Mary Magdalene ear/y, when it was yet dark, unto the sepulcher, and sees the stone taken away from the sepulcher.
Her love for her Lord made her rise early, and helped her to overcome the fear which would have prevented many from going out "when it was yet dark, unto the sepulcher." There are fears which some cannot shake off in the dark, and those fears would be apt to become intensified in going to a sepulcher in the dark; but love wakes early to try to find Christ, and love can see in the dark when looking for Jesus. Mary little expected to find the tomb of Jesus rifled, and the stone rolled away; she was so surprised at what she saw that she hurried away to tell the story to other friends of her Lord.
John 20:2. Then she runs, and comes to Simon Peter, and to the other disciple, whom Jesus loved, and says unto them, They have taken away the Lord out of the sepulcher, and we know not where they have laid him.
This was the language of ignorance and unbelief. She had forgotten that the Lord had said that he would rise again, the third day; or else she had never understood the meaning of his words; so, instead of saying "He is risen," she said, "They have taken away the Lord out of the sepulcher, and we know not where they have laid him." Unbelief often reads things wrongly; it reads sorrow into facts that should create joy. Nothing could have made Mary happier than to believe that her Lord had risen from the dead, and nothing ever made her more sorrowful than feeling that she must say, "They have taken away the Lord out of the sepulcher, and we know not where they have laid him."
John 20:3-4. Peter therefore went forth, and that other disciple, and came to the sepulcher. So they ran both together: and the other disciple did outrun Peter, and came first to the sepulcher.
They wanted to know what had really happened, so they resolved that they would go and see. The woman’s message surprised them, and troubled them: "So they ran both together." A good many people seemed to be running that morning. Had the disciples known the whole truth, they might have taken to dancing for joy, but their fears quickened their footsteps.
John 20:5. And he stooping down, and looking in, saw the linen clothes lying; —
So that he knew that they had not taken away the body of Jesus; for, if they had, they certainly would not have taken off the linen clothes. It would have been very difficult, and would have taken considerable time to unwrap the cold grave-clothes when they were bound to the body by the unguents that had been used: "He saw the linen clothes lying; " —
John 20:5. Yet went he not in.
Perhaps, out of reverence; or, possibly, out of deference to the older man, he would give him the preference, and let him enter first.
John 20:6. Then comes Simon Peter following him, and went into the sepulcher, and sees the linen clothes lie,
They were evidently both struck with that sight. It indicated that there had been no haste, no hurry by thieves, but deliberate action of quite another kind.
John 20:7. And the napkin, that was about his head, not lying with the linen clothes, but wrapped together in a place by itself.
As one has well said, there were the grave-clothes left as the furniture for the believer’s last bed, and there was the napkin, "in a place by itself," to wipe away the tears of mourners. The chief lesson is that this act had been done at leisure by someone who was in no hurry whatever. He had put together the linen clothes, and wrapped up the napkin, and laid it "in a place by itself."
John 20:8. Then went in also that other disciple, which came first to the sepulcher, and he saw, and believed.
That is a great deal for John to be able to say concerning himself, for Mary had not yet believed. Possibly, Peter had scarcely believed, but John had. He felt certain that the Lord had risen. He remembered his words, and he correctly interpreted the fact now before him: "he saw, and believed."
John 20:9. For as yet they knew not the scripture, that he must rise again from the dead.
They did not understand it; even John himself did not until then. The rest of the disciples had never put that interpretation upon our Lord’s words which was the clear and simple meaning of them, namely, that he would rise from the dead. I should not wonder if there are other words of Scripture, with regard to the future, which we should comprehend if we took them exactly as they stand in the Word; but we have put other meanings upon them, and consequently see no further into them.
John 20:10. Then the disciples went away again unto their own home.
Having ascertained that the body of Jesus was not there, and John having come to the conclusion that the Lord had indeed risen from the dead, he and Peter went away home prayerfully to wait and see what next would happen.
John 20:11. But Mary stood, —
She was not going away home. Love cannot leave the place where it lost its object; it will continue to search there: "But Mary stood" —
John 20:11. Without at the sepulcher weeping: and as she wept, she stooped down, and looked —
Some can weep, but never look. Do not act so, beloved, but look for comfort even when your heart is breaking: "As she wept, she stooped down, and looked " —
John 20:11-12. into the sepulcher, and sees two angels in white —
The resurrection color, the color of joy and gladness: "two angels in white"—
John 20:12. Sitting, the one at the head, and the other at the feet, where the body of Jesus had lain.
I have no doubt that the angel who sat at the feet was quite as content to sit there as the other was to sit at the head. If any two of you are sent upon the Lord’s business, do not pick and choose as to where you shall be, or what you shall do. "One at the head, and the other at the feet." I am afraid that, if they had been men instead of angels, both would have wanted to sit at the head, and the feet would have been neglected. This sight seems to remind one of the mercy-seat, where the cherubim stood facing each other, and covering the mercy-seat with their outspread wings.
John 20:13. And they say unto her, Woman, why weep you? She says unto them, Because they have taken away my Lord, and I know not where they have laid him.
Grief has not many words. It is apt to repeat itself, as the Lord himself did in Gethsemane when he prayed three times, using the same words.
John 20:14-15. And when she had thus said, she turned herself back, and saw Jesus standing and knew not that it was Jesus. Jesus says unto her, Woman, why weep you?
Christ often repeats the words of his messengers, as if to endorse them. The angels said, "Woman, why weep you?" The angels’ Master says the same. I pray him, tonight, not only to give me the right word to say, but also to say it himself to your hearts. But Jesus added another question to the angels’ "Woman, why weep you?"
John 20:15. Whom Seek you? She, supposing him to be the gardener, says unto him, Sir, if you have borne him hence, tell me where you have laid him, and I will take him away.
Did it occur to her that, possibly, the gardener objected to having a corpse in the garden, and that, therefore, he had come early in the morning, and taken it away? We can hardly imagine what she did think; but when people are in great grief, they often think a great many things which they would not think if they were quite in their right minds. What strange delusions, what singular chimeras of monstrous shape will pass through the heart of grief! God help us to be clear-minded, and not to think what we should not like to say! Still, Mary was a brave woman, for she said to the gardener, "Tell me where you have laid him, and I will take him away."
John 20:16. Jesus says unto her, Mary. She turned herself, and says unto him, Rabboni; which is to say, Master.
She said, "My Master, my Rabbi, my Teacher, my Leader, my dear Master;" and I expect she said it with great exultation. She delighted to have her Master again, to have her Teacher again; for, to be without her Teacher, and without her Lord, was a terrible bereavement to that gentle, teachable heart. I suppose she was about to lay hold upon Christ, to grasp him by the feet, lest he should again go away from her.
John 20:17. Jesus says unto her, Touch me not; —
Or, as the words may be read, "Hold me not; detain me not; " —
John 20:17. For I am not yet ascended to my Father:
"I have to go away from you, so do not imagine that you can hold me back. Nay, the time for such communications with me is past, for I am now in another condition. I will communicate with you spiritually; but, for that, you must wait a little: ‘ I am not yet ascended to my Father.’"
John 20:17. But go to my brethren, —
He had never called them that before. "Brethren" he had called them, but not with the emphatic "my." "Go to my brethren," —
John 20:17. And say unto them, I ascend unto my Father, and your Father; and to my God, and your God.
Thus Christ explained to them that the Father, who is God, was God to Christ, and God to them; the Father of Christ, and their Father also.
John 20:18. Mary Magdalene came and told the disciples that she had seen the Lord,
That was a very different message from her first one. Then she came and said, "He is gone; the tomb is empty; the stone is rolled away;" now she comes with the joyful tidings, "I have seen our risen Lord."
John 20:18. And that he had spoken these things unto her.
Sometimes, we have to deliver the message of stern justice, which is one of doom to the guilty; but, oh, how sweet it is to be able to come with the message of the gospel!
’He lives; the great Redeemer lives.’
He lives to plead for sinners; so, sinners: come and trust him, for he will manifest himself to you as surely as he did to these disciples, though not in exactly the same form.
Verses 11-29John 20:11-12. But Mary stood without at the sepulcher weeping: and as she wept, she stooped down, and looked into the sepulcher, and sees two angels in white sitting, the one at the head, and the other at the feet, where the body of Jesus had lain.
You see, dear friends, love is very patient and persevering. The other disciples had gone away home, but not so Mary, she stands outside the sepulcher, and still waits, for she cannot go until she has seen her Lord. Love, however, has many sorrows for, as Mary stood without the sepulcher, she was weeping. Oftentimes your love to Christ will make you sorrowful when you for a while lose his presence; it will be a great sorrow to you if your Lord should seem to have hidden himself from you. But see how quick-sighted love is; Mary saw the angels, whom the other disciples might have seen if they had not gone home. One of the beatitudes is, "Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God;" and love is one of the most eminent signs of purity. I do not wonder, therefore, that love saw angels, since love sees God himself.
John 20:13. And they say unto her, Woman, why weep you?
They could not understand Mary’s tears, their question seemed to say "Christ the Lord is risen from the dead, and all the streets of Heaven are ringing with hallelujahs because the great Conqueror has returned bearing the spoils of his victory. Why weep you? Are not you one of those for whom this redeeming work was done? ‘Woman, why weep you?’"
John 20:13. She says unto them, Because they have taken away my Lord, and I know not where they have laid him.
That was enough to make any of Christ’s loved ones weep, and if ever you hear a sermon which has not Christ in it, you may well go down the aisle weeping, and if any ask why you weep, you may reply, "Because they have taken away my Lord, and I know not where they have laid him."
John 20:14. And when she had thus said, she turned herself back, and saw Jesus standing, and knew not that it was Jesus.
A strange and sad unbelief had taken possession of her, and there is nothing that blinds the eye so quickly as unbelief. Christ is near you, poor soul, near you in your trouble, but you do not know that it is Jesus. Open your eyes, may God the Holy Spirit touch them with his heavenly eye-salve, that you may see that it is Christ himself who is close beside you!
John 20:15. Jesus says unto her, Woman, why weep you? whom Seek you? She, supposing him to be the gardener, says unto him, Sir, if you have borne him hence, tell me where you have laid him, and I will take him away.
Her supposition was wrong in one way, but right in another, for Jesus is the Gardener, and his Church is his garden. There was one gardener in whom we fell; here is another and a better Gardener in whom we rise. It is he, and he alone, who can properly tend all the plants of his Father’s right-hand planting. He is the Gardener, though not the one that Mary supposed, but what a strange request this was for her to make: "If you have borne him hence, tell me where you have laid him, and I will take him away." Could she have carried away the body of Jesus if it had been there? If so, what a ghastly load for her tender frame to bear! Ay, but she would have done it somehow or other; for, if faith laughs at impossibilities, and cries, "It shall be done," it is love that actually does the deed of holy daring. The task that seems well-near impossible is readily performed when the spirit is invigorated by love.
John 20:16. Jesus says unto her, Mary.
In the simple utterance of her name, there were tones which she could not mistake, it was the sweetest music she had heard since her Lord’s last message from the cross: "Mary." "Why, surely," she must have thought, "it was the Master’s voice calling me by name!"
John 20:16. She turned herself, and says unto him, Rabboni; which is to say, Master.
Or, "My Master!" The word "Rabboni" means something more than "Master." Mary seems to say, "Greatest and best of all teachers, I know your voice; now that you have called me by my name, I recognize you, and I wait to listen to the instruction you are ready to impart to me."
John 20:17. Jesus says unto her, Touch me not; for I am not yet ascended to my Father:
"There will be time enough for the fellowship your heart craves:" —
John 20:17. But go to my brethren, and say unto them, I ascend unto my Father, and your Father; and to my God, and your God.
Practical service is better than personal rapture. Mary would gladly have held her Lord, but he says to her, "Go to my brethren." You will always find that it is best and safest to do what Jesus tells you, when he tells you, and as he tells you. What a delightful message is this from the risen Christ! "Go to my brethren, and say unto them, I ascend unto my Father, and your Father; and to my God, and your God."
John 20:18-19. Mary Magdalene came and told the disciples that she had seen the Lord, and that he had spoken these things unto her. Then the same day at evening, being the first day of the week, when the doors were shut where the disciples were assembled for fear of the Jews, came Jesus and stood in the midst, and says unto them, Peace be unto you.
If they had possessed more faith, they would have left a door open for Jesus to come in, however anxious they might have been to shut out the Jews. I am afraid, dear brethren and sisters, that we also are sometimes more anxious about shutting out the Jews than we are about letting in Christ. I mean, we are very particular in trying to keep out our own troubles and cares, but if we get Jesus within, we shall not think of the Jews, nor of our troubles and cares; they will all disappear as soon as he appears.
John 20:20. And when he had so said, he showed unto them his hands and his side. Then were the disciples glad, when they saw the Lord.
That was enough to make them glad. The gladdest sight out of Heaven, and the gladdest sight in Heaven itself, is to see the Lord.
John 20:21. Then said Jesus to them again, Peace be unto you: as my Father has sent me, even so send I you.
"I am the Messiah, the sent One; you, too, shall be my missionaries, my sent ones;" it is but another form of the same word.
John 20:22-23. And when he had said this, he breathed on them, and says unto them, Receive you the Holy Spirit: whose soever sins you remit, they are remitted unto them; and whose soever sins you retain, they are retained.
That is to say, "As you proclaim my gospel, I will back up your message; when you preach of pardoning blood, I will make it efficacious. When you declare to penitent sinners that their sins are remitted, it shall be so; and when you tell those who believe not that they are condemned already, and that except they repent they shall abide in condemnation, their sins shall still be retained." The true minister of God speaks not apart from the Word of God, and when he speaks the Word of God, the God of the Word is himself there to make it effectual. It shall be no wasted thunderbolt; it shall fall in reality, and what the servant of Christ declares, according to the Scriptures, shall really be proved to be true.
John 20:24. But Thomas, one of the twelve, called Didymus, was not with them when Jesus came.
Possibly he did not go out of an evening; it may be that he was a half-dead sort of Christian, like a great many people are in London. They think they have done finely if they go out on the Sabbath morning, but the evening, — well, it is too cold for them, or they must find some other excuse for keeping indoors: "Thomas, one of the twelve, called Didymus, was not with them when Jesus came." That was a great pity, because Thomas would not only be a loser by his absence, but he would be sure to influence others, for he was an apostle. Surely, whenever it is possible, we who are leaders in the church, ministers, deacons, and elders, should take care that we are not absent from the house of the Lord.
John 20:25. The other disciples therefore said unto him, We have seen the Lord.
But he said unto them, Except I shall see in his hands the print of the nails and put my finger into the print of the nails, and thrust my hand into his side, I will not believe. There is something good about that declaration of Thomas, for a man is not bound to believe merely on the testimony of others. He should, if he can, endeavor to get evidence for himself, and as Christ is still alive, the very best thing is to go to him. But there was also much that Thomas said which was very wrong, he had no right to demand that he should see the nail prints in Christ’s hands, and, worse still, that he should be permitted to put his finger into them, and to thrust his hand into his Lord’s side. There was more than a little impertinence about that utterance, and something more even than an ordinary unbelief; and when we ask for signs and wonders from God, and say that we will not believe except we have them, we are guilty of very presumptuous conduct. We are bound to look for evidence concerning Christ; but when the evidence is sufficient, we ought not out of curiosity to crave for more.
John 20:26. And after eight days again his disciples were within, and Thomas with them.
That was an improvement upon the meeting of the previous Lord’s-day evening; Thomas had learned by this time what he had lost the week before, so he was present on this occasion.
John 20:26-27. Then came Jesus, the doors being shut, and stood in the midst, and said, Peace be unto you. Then says he to Thomas,
Picking out the one who most needed to be addressed, like the Good Shepherd seeking out the sick sheep first: "Then says he to Thomas," —
John 20:27-28. Reach hither your finger, and behold my hands; and reach hither your hand, and thrust it into my side: and be not faithless, but believing. And Thomas answered and said unto him, My Lord and my God.
It has been well observed that Thomas was the first person who ever proved to himself the Deity of Christ from the exhibition of his wounds. There is a good argument in it, which we cannot stay to explain at this time; but the very humanity of Christ has in it the doctrine of his Deity; you can easily argue from the one to the other. How divine must he be who, in his condescension, took upon himself our nature!
John 20:29. Jesus says unto him, Thomas, because you have seen me, you have believed: blessed are they that have not seen, and yet have believed.
That blessedness can be reached by all of us who believe in Christ. Those who lived in this world before Christ came, saw his day by faith, and they were blessed; those who lived in his day, and saw him in the flesh, and trusted him, were blessed; but we who cannot see him, yet believe in him,
are the most blessed of them all.
Verses 18-31John 20:18. Mary Magdalene came and told the disciples that she had seen the Lord, and that he had spoken these things unto her.
She was a true woman — one whom they had known well enough to be quite able to trust her, and her witness ought to have been believed, but there were some that doubted.
John 20:19. Then the same day at evening, being the first day of the week, when the doors were shut where the disciples were assembled for fear of the Jews, came Jesus and stood in the midst, and said unto them, Peace be unto you.
How he came there we do not knew, but doors cannot shut him out. Is there any door between my soul and Christ tonight then? Have I shut myself up in the chamber of doubt, despondency, unbelief? He can come to me. While the doors are yet shut, he can appear within my spirit, and say, "Peace be to you. "Oh! that he would do so! Do we not cry to him to come and breathe peace upon us?
John 20:20. And when he had so said, he showed unto them his hands and his side.
That they might be sure it was he — the same who had died by crucifixion — that they might see how intimate he was with them — familiar — that his scarcely healed wounds should be seen by them.
John 20:20. Then were the disciples glad, when they saw the Lord.
Oh! for such a sight! There is a depth of gladness in a risen Christ. Those wounds preach peace and joy.
John 20:21-23. Then said Jesus to them again. Peace be unto you: as my Father has sent me, even so send I you. And when he had said this, he breathed on them, and said unto them, Receive you the Holy Spirit. Whose soever sins you remit, they are remitted unto them; and whose soever sins you retain, they are retained.
Thus did Jesus Christ support and make forever true the probing of his word. Do we declare that the sins of penitents are remitted? They are remitted. Are we, in his name, bidden to declare that "he who believes not shall be condemned"? So shall it be. He will make the word which is uttered to be true. We shall not speak without our Master making the utterance of his word to be readier of fact.
John 20:24. But Thomas, one of the twelve, called Didymus, was not with them when Jesus came.
Perhaps he lived a long way off, or else, being rather slow, he had stayed away, doubting, and fearing, and questioning, and he had not got there in time; anyhow, he was not there. "Forsake not the assembling of yourselves together as the manner of some is," for it will be a loss to you, as it was to him.
John 20:25. The other disciples therefore said unto him, We have seen the Lord. But he said unto them, Except I shall see in his hands the print of the nails, and put my finger into the print of the nails, and thrust my hand into his side, I will not believe.
Dogged, obstinate unbelief. Some have said he was a large-hearted man, who investigated truth. I do not see it. He had not gone to the tomb, like Peter and John, to look at the grave-clothes, and to discover that Christ was not there. He does not appear to have investigated the testimony of Mary Magdalene and of the others. He was just as narrow-minded as he very well could be, as I believe modern doubters are with all their boast of their wonderful thoughtfulness and liberality. We have only their own opinion, I am sure, upon that matter; and when a man sounds his own trumpet, there is not much in it.
John 20:26-27. And after eight days again his disciples were within, and Thomas with them: then came Jesus, the doors being shut, and stood in the midst, and said, Peace be unto you. Then said he to Thomas.
For our Lord has a way of making personal application of his word. He looks after the sheep that is sick, and severs it from the flock, that he may deal with it in his wisdom. "Then says he to Thomas."
John 20:27-28. Reach hither your finger, and behold my hands; and reach hither your hand, and thrust it into my side; and be not faithless, but believing. And Thomas answered and said unto him, My Lord and my God.
And whether Thomas did put his finger into the print of his nails or not, we cannot tell. Everyone may think as he likes about that. He may have done so, or he may not, but this one thing happened, that he "answered and said unto him, ‘My Lord and my God.’" He made a splendid leap from the depths of doubt to the firm rock of confidence. With two blessed "mys" he seems to grasp Christ with both hands, and in two grand words he pictures him, "My Lord and my God."
John 20:29. Jesus says unto him, Thomas, because you have seen me, you have believed: blessed are they that have not seen, and yet have believed.
That is the faith — the true faith — that wants no buttressing and props, but believes the testimony of God.
John 20:30-31. And many other signs truly did Jesus in the presence of his disciples, which are not written in this book: But these are written, that you might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the son of God: and that believing you might have life through his name.
God grant that the object of writing the New Testament may be answered in each one of us.
Verses 19-31John 20:19. Then the same day at evening, being the first day of the week, when the doors were shut where the disciples were assembled for fear of the Jews, came Jesus and stood in the midst, and says unto them, Peace be unto you.
He has not risen from the tomb many hours before we find him thus coming to his disciples. His love to them was too great to permit him to be long absent from them. He had said to them, "A little while, and you shall not see me: and again, a little while, and you shall see me;" so he kept his word. He stood in their midst, and said unto them, "Peace be unto you." He is the Lord and Giver of peace just as much now as he was then. Oh, that he would speak peace to the hearts of all his people now! May each believing soul among you have a deep peace! May all your troublous thoughts come to an end, and every anxious mind be calmed! Peace! Blessed peace. Oh, that the Spirit of peace would breathe it upon us all! "Peace be unto you."
John 20:20. And when he had so said, he showed unto them his hands and his side.
These were the marks to help their recognition of him. These were the memorials to excite their gratitude. These, too, were the tokens of his condescension; for a man does not show his wounds to any but to those whom he loves; "He showed unto them his hands and his side." You cannot see that sight, brethren, but you can meditate upon it. Think how he gave those blessed hands to the nails, and that precious side to the soldier’s spear; and, as you think of them, let your love flow forth unto him who suffered thus for you.
John 20:20. Then were the disciples glad, when they saw the Lord.
I should think they were glad. They had been afraid of the Jews; but they forgot that fear when they saw the Lord. I suppose that, at first, when he suddenly appeared in their midst, they were afraid of him; but now there was first a sacred calm, and then there was a ripple of holy gladness on the surface of the still waters of their souls. We cannot see him, brethren, with these eyes of ours; but by faith we can behold him, so we may have gladness even as the disciples had. We ought to be the gladdest people in all the world, because Christ is ours, and is spiritually with us as he promised that he would be.
John 20:21. Then said Jesus to them again, Peace be unto you: as my Father has sent me, even so send I you.
"You are to go forth and to bless the world, even as I have done. My Father has sent me; and ‘even so send I you.’ You are to be my delegates, to carry on my service; my commissioned officers, to go forth to conflict and to conquest in my name."
John 20:22-23. And when he had said this, he breathed on them, and says unto them, Receive you the Holy Spirit: whose soever sins you remit, they are remitted unto them; and whose soever sins you retain, they are retained.
This is as much as for Christ to say, "I will back up your ministry. When you preach that men are condemned for sin of which they have not repented, I will make it to be so as a matter of fact. When you declare pardon to all who trust in my precious blood, I will make it so. That truth, which you preach, shall have my seal of approval set upon it. My power shall go forth with your proclamation of the truth, so that it shall be seen that you are not proclaiming a fiction. When you preach my gospel, I will remit the sins of all who believe it; and when you pronounce sentence of condemnation on such as remain in unbelief, I will confirm your declaration!"
John 20:24. But Thomas, one of the twelve, called Didymus, was not with them when Jesus came."
Very likely, loving Jesus, as he evidently did, very much, Thomas was broken-hearted when he found that his Master was dead; so, when his fellow-disciples told him that Jesus was alive again, he could not believe it, he felt that the news was too good to be true. He had fallen into a fit of despondency, and got away, as broken-hearted, depressed people often do, trying to get quite alone, when Christian company would be one of the best ways of finding comfort and solace. So, "Thomas was not with them when Jesus came."
John 20:25. The other disciples therefore said unto him, We have seen the Lord.
"We have seen the Lord; there is no mistake about the matter, for we have all seen him." And thus, with loving, anxious desire, they tried to cheer him, and to make him participate in the gladness which they themselves had enjoyed. Dear friends, always look after your weak brethren. If there is a Thomas, who is depressed and sad, and who therefore shuns you, do not you shun him; but find him out, and try to tell him what you have learned by way of comfort for your own heart. Perhaps, God will use it to comfort him also.
John 20:25. But he said unto them, Except I shall see in his hands the print of the nails, and put my finger into the print of the nails, and thrust my hand into his side, I will not believe.
Thomas should not have said that, because, after all, it was not true. I do not suppose that he did put his finger into the print of the nails, and thrust his hand into Christ’s side, yet he did believe. We sometimes say a great deal that would have been far better left unsaid; and, especially, when our spirit is depressed, it is a token of wisdom to feel, "We are hardly in a condition of mind in which we can speak as we ought, so we had better remain silent."
John 20:26. And after eight days again his disciples were within, and Thomas with them:
That is better. His love brought him out, you see, away from himself; and it often happens that, by getting a man away from himself, we get him away from his worst enemy.
John 20:26. Then came Jesus, the doors being shut, and stood in the midst, and said, Peace be unto you.
His first salutation, after his resurrection, was such a choice one that there could not be a better, so he repeated it when he appeared the second time. Peace is so rich a blessing that even the Divine Master can say nothing sweeter to his faithful followers; so again he says to them, "Peace be unto you."
John 20:27. Then says he to Thomas, Reach hither your finger, and behold my hands; and reach hither your hand, and thrust it into my side: and be not faithless, but believing.
Our dear and condescending Master would give to his feeble, and somewhat petulant disciple, all the proofs he had himself asked to have. He shall have evidence clear as noonday if he must have it; Thomas, however, as I suppose, was wise enough not to accept the gracious offer of his Lord. Sometimes, it is wise not to take what God himself may put in our way. You remember how Balaam was allowed to go with the men sent to him by Balak, and he did so; yet it would have been much wiser of him if he had not gone. I do not think that Thomas did put his finger into the print of the nails, or thrust his hand into his Master’s side. On the contrary, we read: —
John 20:28. And Thomas answered and said unto him, My Lord and my God.
Leaping out of the slough of doubt, on to the rock of confidence, by a single spring, and getting further, perhaps, than others had done who had before outstripped him. He inferred the Deity of Christ from his wounds and his resurrection, — a grand chain of argument of which we have not the intervening links. His thoughtful mind made him feel that, if Christ was indeed risen, — the same Christ who had died, — it was proved, by those death-wounds, that he was both Lord and God; while his personal, appropriating faith, realizing the identity of the Savior’s person, made him say, "My Lord and my God."
John 20:29. Jesus says unto him, Thomas, because you have seen me, you have believed:
That is well.
John 20:29. Blessed are they that have not seen, and yet have believed.
That is better.
John 20:30-31. And many other signs truly did Jesus in the presence of his disciples, which are not written in this book: but these are written, that you might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing you might have life through his name.
Now, dear friends, has the purpose, for which this Book was written, been answered in your case? Have you been led to "believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God," and so to believe that you "have life through his name"? If not, why not? May you have grace to answer that question, for the Lord Jesus Christ’s sake! Amen.
Chapter 21 Verses 1-25
John 21:1-3. After these things Jesus showed himself again to the disciples at the sea of Tiberias; and on this wise showed he himself. There were together Simon Peter, and Thomas called Didymus, and Nathanael of Cana in Galilee, and the sons of Zebedee. and two other of his disciples. Simon Peter says unto them, I go a fishing. They say unto him, We also go with you.
They could not do better. Idleness is the most injurious condition in which a man can be found. A preacher is much better occupied fishing than doing nothing.
John 21:3. They went forth, and entered into a ship immediately; and that night they caught nothing.
Even apostles may fish and catch nothing. Do not be discouraged, you who, when you are endeavoring to fish for souls, for many a day catch nothing.
John 21:4. But when the morning was now come, Jesus stood on the shore: but the disciples knew not that it was Jesus.
Yet he was their old familiar friend. Was it their unbelief? Let us hope not. Was it that a remarkable change had passed over the Master — that, after his resurrection from the dead, there was a glory about him quite unusual, such as they had never seen before, except when they were with him on the holy mount? Perhaps so.
John 21:5. Then Jesus says unto them, Children, have you any meat?
Just the kind of language you would expect from him — to call them children, and to inquire even about their temporal wants. For evermore the Lord had an eye to the temporal condition of the twelve, as well as to their spiritual. "Have you any meat?"
John 21:5-6. They answered him, No. And he said unto them, Cast the net on the right side of the ship, and you shall find. They cast therefore, and now they were not able to draw it for the multitude of fishes.
Christ knows where fishes are. He knows where you are then, my friend, though you do not, perhaps, know where you are yourself. You have get out of your own latitude, mentally and spiritually. You could not describe yourself, but Christ knows every minnow in the brook, and every fish in the lake, and knows where you are. Christ can bring fish where he wants them to be. He brought them into the net. Christ can bring souls into his net tonight. At his will, their will shall sweetly yield itself up, and they shall come into the net.
John 21:7. Therefore that disciple whom Jesus loved says unto Peter, It is the Lord. Now when Simon Peter heard that it was the Lord, he girt his fisher’s coat unto him, (for he was naked,)
He was in his undress.
John 21:7-8. And did cast himself into the sea. And the other disciples came in a little ship; (for they were not far from land, but as it were two hundred cubits,) dragging the net with fishes.
It is all very well of Peter to be in such a hurry, but somebody must keep hold of the net. It is not always the most venturesome that is the most practical. We are glad to have some splendidly rash brethren, but we are equally glad that the rest are not quite so rash and are a little more prudent.
John 21:9. As soon then as they were come to land, they saw a fire of coals there, and fish laid thereon and bread.
Christ had provided this. We are to catch fish as if we should have nothing to eat if we did not, but yet we are to depend upon him as it we never caught a fish ourselves. Do everything as if you had to do everything; trust in God as if you had to do nothing. The blending of these two will make a wise believer. "They saw a fire of coals there, and fish laid thereon, and bread."
John 21:10. Jesus says unto them, Bring of the fish which you have now caught.
"I do not need it in order to entertain you, for I have fish here already; still, bring it." Nothing is given in vain; use it.
John 21:11-12. Simon Peter went up and drew the net to land full of great fishes, an hundred and fifty and three: and for all there were so many, yet was not the net broken. And Jesus says unto them, Come and dine. And none of the disciples dared ask him, Who are you? knowing that it was the Lord.
Inwardly conscious that it was Christ’s habit to speak as he had spoken. Nobody could have caught his manner, and besides, what secret instinct enabled them to discern their meek and lowly Lord, even through the glory which surrounded him?
John 21:13-14. Jesus then comes, and takes bread, and gives them. and fish likewise. This is now the third time that Jesus showed himself to his disciples, after that he was risen from the dead.
Count the visits of Christ. "This is now the third time." We ought to remember Christ’s visits to us so well and so thoroughly that we could tell how many times he has been with us. "This is now the third time."
John 21:15-17. So when they had dined, Jesus says to Simon Peter, Simon, son of Jonah, love you me more than these? He says unto him, Yes, Lord; you know that I love you. He says unto him, Feed my lambs. He says to him again the second time, Simon, son of Jonah, love you me? He says unto him, Yes, Lord; you know that I love you. He says unto him, feed my sheep. He says unto him the third time, Simon, son of Jonah, love you me? Peter was grieved because he said unto him the third time, Love you me? And he said unto him, Lord, you know all things; you know that I love you. Jesus says unto him, Feed my sheep.
Nobody can feed Christ’s sheep unless they love him, and when we love Christ the most practical way of showing it is by taking care of his lambs — his little ones — and of all those that are his — his sheep. Love will teach us how to do it. Love will sign our commission, and ordain us to the work. The Master went on to say: —
John 21:18. Truly, truly, I say unto you, When you were young, you gird yourself, and walked where you would; but when you shall be old, you shall stretch forth your hands, and another shall gird you, and carry you where you would not.
Peter, you will have to be girded with an iron chain, and taken off to prison, and taken off to the cross to die.
John 21:19. This spoke he, signifying by what death he should glorify God. And when he had spoken this, he says unto him, Follow me.
That is your life business. Follow me, even though you end, as I did, on a cross. Follow me. I am a shepherd; you must be a shepherd too; and as the sheep follow you, so do you follow me.
John 21:20-21. Then Peter, turning about, sees the disciple whom Jesus loved following; which also leaned on his breast at supper, and said, Lord, which is he who betrays you? Peter seeing him says to Jesus, Lord, and what shall this man do?
What about this man?
John 21:22. Jesus says unto him, If I will that he tarry until I come, what is that to you? Follow you me.
We ought not to be curious about the future of anybody. We must not be inquiring into what is not revealed; and what the Savior said on this occasion was misunderstood; and if the words of Jesus, even when he spoke them, were misunderstood so as to become the foundation of a false tradition, you may judge how little value can ever be put upon tradition in the Church.
John 21:23. Then went this saying abroad among the brethren, that that disciple should not die: yet Jesus said not unto him, He shall not die; but if I will that he tarry until I come, what is that to you?
The Word of God is to be trusted, and not tradition, for in the handing of a message from mouth to mouth it generally varies. It sometimes loses its very essential spirit, and sometimes may be made to say the very reverse of what was said. Stick to the word, and leave the traditions alone.
John 21:24-25. This is the disciple which testifies of these things, and wrote these things: and we know that his testimony is true. 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.
Such a full life — so pregnant with meaning — so active, and all its activity so intensely real and spiritual, that to write a life of Christ is an impossibility: and though there have been many very admirable "lives of Christ" in our time, I recommend you to keep to one which is the best of them all, and that one is written by four. The Gospels according to Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John are the best life of Christ out of sight. All others must be but mere helps to the understanding of these four.