Let us now, in discoursing on these assertions of our Lord, consider,
I. The account he gives of his own character —
Had the Jews been mistaken in what they
* vcr. 18.
supposed to be the scope of our Lord's assertions, he would have set them right : he would have told them plainly, that he did not intend to claim equality with God. But, instead of intimating that they had mis- understood his meaning, our Lord acknowledged that he did claim an equality with God ; and, in con- firmation of that claim, he asserted that a Divine authority belonged to him, both essentially, as God, and officially, as Mediator.
1. Essentially, as God —
[It is undoubtedly the Divine prerogative to " kill and to make alive b:" nor is it possible for any creature to restore to life that which is really dead. But the Lord Jesus Christ " quickeneth whom he will." As the Father had, by the instrumentality of his prophets, raised some to life, so Christ declared, that he would raise some by his own power. The persons, the time, the manner, were altogether at the dis- posal of his own will, by which alone he would be regulated in the dispensing of his favours. Moreover, he " quickeneth also the souls of men when dead in trespasses and sins ;" and administers this gift also according to his own sovereign will and pleasure.
Would any mere creature have dared to arrogate to himself such a power as this? or would Jesus have given such an answer as this, if he have not designed to maintain his claim to an equality with God?]
2. Officially, as Mediator —
[When it was determined in the Divine counsels that the Son of God should assume our nature, it was determined also that the government of the universe, and of the Church more especially, should be committed to his hands; and that he should judge the world whom he had redeemed by his bloodc. This, though primarily belonging, as it were, to the Father, was dele- gated to the Son, because he had assumed our nature d, and because it was expedient that he who had " purchased the Church with his blood" should be empowered in his own per- son both to reward his friends and punish his enemies. But this office could not be executed by him, if he were not omni- scient : he must know, not only every thought, word, and action, of all mankind from the beginning of the world to the end of it, but every possible circumstance that can at all tend to determine the precise quality of e.ach. In a word, to exercise this office, he must be the omniscient God.
b Deut. xxxii. 39. c Acts x. 42. and xvii. 31. d ver. 27.
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Judge then, whether in claiming this office he did not yet further confirm the suspicion of the Jews, that he affected an equality with God. It is not to be conceived, that, if this had not been his design, he would have answered in such a way : for, if he was not really and truly God, the whole tendency of his answer was to mislead their judgment, and to justify their accusations against him as an impious blasphemer.]
But, not contented with establishing his equality with the Father, he informs them of, II. The regard which, in that character, he demands —
Though he affected not the honour that cometh of man6, yet he could not possibly relinquish the honour which belonged to him both in his personal and official capacity : he could no more absolve the people from their allegiance to him as God, that he could cease to be God. He therefore shews them,
1. The extent of that honour which he requires — [Whatever honour is due unto the Father, that Jesus
claims as due unto himself; and he requires " all men" to pay it to him. Is God to be adored on account of his infinite perfections ? Is he to be the one great object of our faith and love ? Are we to confide in him under all circumstances, to obey him at all events, to delight ourselves in him at all seasons, even though death be threatened as the recornpence of our fidelity? Such adoration, such faith, such love, such confidence, such obedience, are the unalienable right of the Lord Jesus : and it is particularly to be observed, that the putting of this honour upon the Lord Jesus was the very end and design of God the Father, when he delegated to the Son the office of governing and judging the world ; " He committed all judgment to the Son, that all men might honour the Son, even as they honour the Father."]