Soetic framework showing that from the great eep to the great deep it goes, does not disturb its true proportions of credible and realizable fact.
ri. The order of the thought due to the evangelist. — We will make some attempt to show what is the actual order of the thought, whether intentional or not, on the part of the evangelist. As many writers show careful and subtle alliteration in their prose, rhytlmi and accentuation in their poetry, without any consciousness on their part, so the progress of the thought comes into view with the evolution of the life and self-revelation.
A. Proem, chs. 1-4 contain specimens of the nature and method of the Ix)rd — first manifestations of the Loeos Incai^ate to His own, to Israel, and the world. — i. Prolo^e, 11-18. Explana- tion of the a,stonishing phenomena which Jn proceeds to record. Jesus is all that Synoplists endeavoured to prove, viz. Messiah, Son of God. Son of Man ; but to St. John He is all this, because He is the incarnation of • the Word,' vM, who is in the beginning ' with God ' and ' God,' and bos been variously manifested and active before the LncorBatioD, in nature, prophecy, conscience, and ^race.
iu The testimonies of the forerunner, 11»-S4- ill. The testimony of the first witnesses, las-M, iv. The testimony of two great si^ns, 2-32. V. Revelation of heavenly things and the new life and re- demption ; meaning of the whole revelation, 33-21. VI. The final testimony of the great seer, 3^^^^. vii. The ministry of the Lord oey»nd the limits of the theo- cracy, the Life-giver, the Prophet, and Saviour, 4i"*2, viii. The summation of the Galilaaan ministry, 4^3-**,
B. The conflict of the Loras Incarnate with His own people, down to the signing of the death-warrant, cbs. &-11.
i. Ohrist (a) the source of life and healing to body and soul, of sabbatic rest and of resurrection glory, 61-29; (p) the wit- nesses to these claims, 53^-*o.
ii. Christ su3t.ain9 the life of which He Is the source, e'-Tl. (o) The signs (on land and sea) of creative po%ver and love, aJ". ((>) The interpretation of the signs, eKar.. (c) Effect- Increase of enmity and intensifying of faith, 6-iiff- 6oa..
iii. The truth. Dramatic scenes ; conflicting parties, with murderous designs, thwarted, including the story of the ululteress, 7-Sli.
It. The light of the world (S'^-a") vindicated by word and
sirn. The correlative Giver of Bight as well as light, with oott. Hicting issues.
v. The Slicpherd of the flock of God, lO'-*'.
vL lUuntily of essence and function with the Father (1023-*3) where the assumption is challenged and vindicated by word and sign.
vii. (a) The vanquisher of death and Hade* (111-^, aci the cluitn to be the * Resurrection and the Life.*
{b) The different etfect prwluced upon different clisses, CFprcially on the ecclesiastical poweri. The ban of condemna- tion confirmed and published.
C. The close of the public ministry, i. The feast of love and gratitude, and tbe presage of the burial, 121-8.
ii. The diverge effects of the sign, 12®-' i.
iil The challenge of the authorities, 12'--15*.
iv. The reuuest of the Greeks and the reply of Jesus, inrlnd. ing the gloritication of the Son of Man in and through death, and the anticipation of Gethsemane, 1220-29_
V. Lost words, and the reflections of the evangelist, IS^e-M,
2>. The final manifestation of the Woid Incarnate as love unto the uttennost, chs. 13-17.
I. The inner glorification of the perfect love to His own disciples. — i. Self-abandoning service, while simultaneously giving the highest e\-prc-;.sion of Uia divine commission and His God-coiiscioQSness, 131-11.
ii. Followed by the exclusion of the fa' tbiese disciple. * It wofl night,' 13lS^<'.
iii. "rhe last conversation and discourse. (1) The glorification of the Son of Man, with its great demaid on the disciples, 1331-35, (2) The question of Simon Peter and its terrible response and sublime consolations (I33ti-14*). (?) The question of Thomas— bringing out the reply, that He, oy death, was their way to the Father, 14^7. (4) The question of Philip, with greater revelations and the promise of the g reater works, 14S-ai.
(6) The question of Judos, the conditions of His self-manifesto- tion,142Mi. (U) Theparableof the Vine ani its branches, I6II0.
(7) 'The result* of the union of Christ and ais disciples- bitter but glorious, 1511-168. (8) The promise of 1 he I'ar..lcte, 10'-33. (9) "The high-priestly intercession for Himself, for His disciples, for the whole Church, 171-2S.
II. The more outward and public gloriflcaUon in tbe passion, 18-19^.— i. The betrayal, Igi-H
ii. Examination before Annas, with tb> dii^OQifiture and denial of Simon Peter, 1813-27.
iii. The Roman trial, presupposing the decision of the San- hedrin, 1S2!1-19'6.
iv. The crtH'iJtxion. Love unto the uttermost, 191'-**, V The words from the cross, 1925-30.
vi. The side-piercing and the burial, 19S1-0.
III. The final glorification and the Resurrection.
(1) The evangelist's own personal conviction, 201-1*,
(2) The manifestation to adoring love, 2011-1-"*.
(3) The manifestation to the ten disciples and others, 201ft».
(4) The manifestation to anxious scepticism, eliciting tbe cry, ■ My Ix>rd and my God,' 2nM-2S.
(5) The peace, the gifts of the Spirit, ib.
(0) The evangelist's summation of His argument tbrooghouU 2030- 31.
IV. The Epilogue.
(1) The manifestation of Himself In the work of life, 21i».