John i. 10 — 12. He was in the world, and the world was made by him, and the world knew him not. He came unto his own, and his own received him not. But as many as received him, to them gave he poiver to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name.
THE blessings which administer to our worldly interest or bodily comfort, are equally welcomed by persons of all ranks and conditions : but those which have relation only to our spiritual good, are despised by many, and desired by very few. The light of the sun is not less prized by one than by another : all are sensible of its benefits, and value it accordingly. But " the Sun of Righteousness has arisen upon us," and the benighted world regards him not : " he shines in the darkness, and the darkness apprehends him not3." Some however there are, who rejoice in his advent : and as they only have learned to appreciate his worth, they only shall enjoy the full benefits he confers.
The words of the Evangelist will lead us to shew, I. The contempt poured on Christ by the unbelieving world —
What was said of him in that day is equally true in this :
1. His own creatines "do not know him" —
[It was Christ who formed the universe : " the world was made by him ; and without him was not any thing made that was madeb." He has moreover " been in the world" from the very beginning, " upholding it by his power c," and ordering every thing in it by his superintending providence. Yet, before his incarnation, he was not known ; neither yet now is he known as the Creator and Governor of the world. His name indeed is known : but he is considered only as a great prophet. The generality of those who doctrinally maintain his proper Deity, never practically realize the thought, that " by him all things subsist d."]
2. His own people " do not receive him" —
a ver. 5. b ver. 3. with the text.
c Heb. i. 3. A Col. i. 17.