The Pulpit Commentary — John — Volume 1 — Section 205

ofo.ny low; for "thoworld was m~de," otc. 3. This/act accounts to some extent/or hi.~ visit. In every world, as tho production or his creative power and wisdCJm, ho takes the deepest interest, end he is responsible for all the possible resnlts of its existence, and all its possible requirements were taken into account when made, and doubtless his incarnate lifo in this world was involved in its creation. We find that he felt a deep intorest in this world, and too~ an early delight in the visit, being in the original plan. Not every world is made on this plan; but such was the plan of our world, that it w11~ necessary, in "tho fulncss of time," for God to be manifested in the flesh, and live for a short time on earth as one of its tena?ts. G?<i will carry out the ori;;inal plan of every world he made at any cost, though 1t may involve the greatest condescension and sacrifice. III. Hrs tJlil'RECOGNITION BY THE WORLD. "And the world knew him not." This is not asserted of the material world, for this knew him; all its laws, elements, and forces knew him at once, and signified their recognition. But it is sadly true of the world's inhabitants. "They knew him not." This indicates: 1. Great guilt. They ought to know him; for "he ,vas in the world "-in their nature and in their midst. '£hey could not plead distance and disadvantages of recognition. They ought to know him; "the world was made by him;" and before their very eyes he proved the author- ship beyond any doubt, by touching its laws and forces, and they were pliant to bis touch, his word, and even to his will. The world of matter knew him, but that of intelligence, etc., which ought to know him, knew him not. He came to be known- gave e,·ery opportunity to this world to know him; but in spite of all, "the world knew him not." 2. Great moral, perversion. There is great neglect, great inattention, terrible blindness, and wilful resistance. It was not that they could not, but they would not. 3. A gre.at loss. For he was their Creator and Friend, their Messiah and Redeemer. He was in the world to save and bless it. The condition on which his blessings could be imparted and appropriated was to know and accept him. The condition was disregarded and the blessings lost. 'l'his is the greatest loss ever sustained by the world, the greatest blunder the world ever committed, the greatest oversight,-to let its incarnate Creator and Redeemer be in it unknown and unrecognized. 4. This is not exceptional in the liistory of the world. How many of the world's greatest benefactors have been unrecog- nized by the age in which they lived, and which they benefited! But this is not to be wondered at-the world began badly.with its best and greatest Friend. Thill was the fate of the Son of God. If he had a tombstone, it could be appropriately written on it, "He was in the world," etc. This is true of all who live before, above, and for their age. It takes ages in such a world as this to know them fully. LESSONS, 1. That the brightest fact in the history of this world is that God was in it in the flesh. Let it be well published and believed; it is full of significance, comfort, and hope. 2. It is one of the blackest spots in the character of the world, that it left him unrecognized when here. This led to terrible results-the Crucifixion, etc. 3. The world should be sorry for not recognizing him-should make an ample apology. The world has made an apology, but not to the extent it ought to yet. It is a source of great comfort that he did not leave in anger, but is willing and ready to recei~e our apology in repentance and sorrow. 4. While we blame the world for its unrecognition of the Son of God, let us beware lest we commit the same sin. He is in the world now. Do we really know him? and to what extent ?-B. T. Vers. 11, 12.-The rejected and received Saviour. These words bring under our notice a most interesting subject-the great subject of the first fifteen verses of this chapter, viz. the coming of the Son of God, the manifestation of the Eternal Word in the flesh. We have here one of the peculiar aspects of his coming in order to carry out the great scheme of human redemption, We have Jesus here-- I. As COME TO ms OWN. 1. This is a special coming. He was in the world before and after his Incarnation. But here we have a special description of his manifestation. "He came." He had to do with the Jewish nation for ages, but no previous movement of his could be accurately described in this language. He ea.rue now physically, person- ally, and visibly. 2. This is a special coming to his own. His own land-the L\nd of Palestine; his own people-the Jewish nation. He came to the world at brge, but came through a particular locality. He came to humanity geuernlly, but came through JOBl{, ~  66 THE GOSPEL ACCORDING '1'0 ST. JOHN. [ou, 1, 1- -61.