for them which was essential to their well-being either in time or in eternity ? He might indeed withhold for a season, what they, through impatience, were too eager to obtain : but he would grant to all his believing people whatsoever should be needful for them, only I'eserving to himself the times and the seasons of imparting his blessings, together with the manner and the measure which his own wisdom should see most con- ducive to their welfare.]
Such being the manifestation which he here gave of his glory, let us notice,
II. The effect produced by it on the minds of his Disciples —
Nathanael had been convinced by one proof of Christ's omniscience, and exclaimed, " Rabbi, thou art the Son of God ; thou art the King of Israel"." Thus this one miracle, which displayed his omni- potence, was sufficient to confirm and establish the faith of his Disciples : " He manifested forth his glory ; and his Disciples believed on him :" that is, they were filled with a deeper conviction of his Messiahship; they were stirred up to place a more entire affiance in him as their Saviour ; and they were quickened to surrender up themselves more fully and unreservedly to his service. This was right; this was what the occasion called for, and what the miracle which they had seen, fully justified0.
Now then this is the effect that should be produced on our minds :
1. We should receive him as the true Messiah —
[We cannot wish for clearer evidence than that which the miracles of our Lord afford us. Our blessed Lord appeals to them as decisive and incontrovertible proofs of his divine mission, and consequently of the truth of all that he spoke, and of the efficacy of all that he either did or suffered for the redemption of the world. Let no doubt then ever rest on your minds in relation to this matter : but say with Peter, " We believe and are sure that thou art that Christ, the Son of the living Godd."]
b John i. 47—50.
c St. John afterwards refers to this miracle, as having made a deep impression on all their minds, chap. iv. 46. d John vi. 69.