The Pulpit Commentary — John — Volume 1 — Section 196

refused to recei~e him I Chorazin and Bethsaida were upbraided by him bec1mse of their unbelief and their rejection of his claims I Over Jerusalem Jesus wept, on account of the iMt.tention of the people of the metropolis to bis solemn warnings and gracious entreRties ! 3. For whr,t reasons ~ (1) His humility was an offence to their worldliness nnd pride. (2) His h?IY character was a rebuke to their sin. (3) His spiritual teaching was a rebuke to the1r formality. (4) His life of benevolence was a rebuke to their 1,elfishnC'ss and haughtiness. 4. With whn.t results~ (1) 'l'heir guilt was aagravated by their ~ejection of his mission. (2) They were speedily deprived of the privileges they desp1soo nnd abused. (3) The impenitent incurred spiritual disaster and ruin. II. CHRIST ACCEPTED. John states first, what must have been the general impres- sion during our Lord's ministry, that Jews and Gentiles alike rejected him, Indeed, h_is unjust, cr~el, and violent death was sufficient proof of this. But there was another 1,1de to tins picture. 1. Observe by whom the Son of God was gratefully and cordially received. This very chapter witnesses to the power of the Lord Jesus over individual isouls; for it tells of the adhesion of Andrew and Simon, of Philip and Nathanael. The Gospels relate the call of the twelve and of the seventy. They afford us a passing glimpse into the soul-history of such men a.s Nicodemus and Jose·ph, of such families as that of Lazarus at Bethany. Aud they exhibit Christ's attractive power over very different characters, such as Zacch:eus and the penitent thief upon the cross. After the Ascension, Christ's converts were reckoned, not by individuals, but by thousands. And throughout the Christian centuries, meu from every clime and of every race have been led by the Spirit to receive Jesus as the Son of God. 2. Observe the description given of thei,r reception of Christ. They " believed on his Name." The "Name" is full of significance. Whether we examine the name " Jesus," or " Christ," or " Immanuel," the Name sets before us the object of our faith. Those who receive the Saviour who is thus desi:wated, believe what prophecy foretold of him and what he declared concerning hiB own person, character, and work. They trust in him as in an all-sufficient Mediator, and obey him as their Lord. 3. Observe the privilege accruing to those who receive Christ. (1) They partake a spiritual and Divine birth. The new relation begins a new spiritual life. This is further explained in our Lord's conversation with Nicodemus, where Jesus refers this spiritual birth to the Holy Spirit himself. (2) They become children of God, taking by "right" a place in the Divine family. This exalted and happy position involves participation in Divine favour and love, in the moral image of the heavenly Father, in all the society and the immunities of this glorious kindred, in the eternal inheritance and home. .APPLICATION. Our treatment of the Lord Christ makes the decisive turning-point in our spiritual history. Those who are once brought into contact with him, by hearing his gospel, are by that fact placed in a new and solemn position of responsibility. 'l'o reject him is to reject pardon, righteousness, and life. 'J.'o accept him is to enter the Divine family, to enjoy the Divine favour, to live the Divine, the spiritual, the immortal life.-T. Ver. 14.-The inference from the human to the Divine. The parenthesis in this verse is remarkable as written in the first person. There must be a reason for the evangelist's departure from his ordinary practice of writing in the narrative style. It seems that John was so impressed by the solemnity and value of the witness he was bearing, that be was constrained to break his own rule, and to speak explicitly of what he himself had actually seen, and of what he himself had come firmly to believe. Regarding this parenthesis only, we find here the record of personal observation, and, in closest con- nection therewith, the declaration of personal conviction. I. THE STATEMENT OF THE WITNESS. "We beheld his glory." 1. John and his fellow-apostles knew Christ in his humanity-in the "flesh," as the expression is in this passage. 2. They knew him as he "tabemacled" among them. John and Andrew, when the Baptist directed their attention to Jesus, inquired of him, "Where dwellest thou?" and at his invitation visited him and abode with him. The writer of this Gospel enjoyed peculiar opportunities of acquaintance, nay, of intimacy, with the Prophet of Nazareth, whose beloved disciple he became. If one human being ever knew another, John knew Jesus; he not only was conHtantly with him, his dispo- lition and character rendered him specially fit for judging and appreciating him. 3, OIJ. t. 1-61.] THE GOSPEL ACCORDING TO ST. JOHN. 67