Ver. 5.-" Wnatlloever he saith unto YO'U, do it." As his mother knew Jesus the best, so she reverenced him the most. She had reason for thinking and for speaking 88 she did regarding her Divine Son. In the words she addressed to the serv:rnts at t.he house where the wedding-feast was celebrated, her estimation of Jesus came forth from her lips unconsciously. We admire her character, and we receive her testimony. The Church takes up this her language, and addresses those who are within the house and those who are without, and, pointing to the Divine Lord, says," Whatsoever he sa.ith unto you, do it." I. 'l'HE AUTHORITY OF CHRIST IS UNIQUE AND ABSOLUTE. There a.re limitR to the authority of all human leaders, teachers, and masters, however wise and good, and it would be folly to bind ourselves to obey them in all things. But it is wisdom to yield an unhesitating allegiance to our Divine Lord. 1. For his authority is Divine in its nature. He that honoureth the Son, honoureth the :lather who sent him. 2. His commands possess the authority of rectitude. Herein lies the incontrovertible ground of our obedience. Reason and conscience acknowledge and approve the claims of the Lawgiver and the Law. None does wrong who obeys Christ, even though he may thus be led into suffering and danger. 3. To this is added the sacred authority of love. All that Jesus has done and suffered for us constitutes a. claim upon our cheerful loyalty. "If ye love me," is his appeal, "keep my commandments." II. THE AUTHORITY OF CHRIST IS UNIVERSAL m ITS RA...'WE. L 11 is manifestly binding upon all his people. 'fhey are admonished to "call no man Master;" and, at the same time, they are thus addressed: "Ye call me Master and Lord, and ye say well, for so I am." 'l'he word "whatijoever" may remind us that occasions may arise when it will be very difficult to obey our Lord's behests; such occa.,,ions will test our fidelity and sincerity and constancy; and they will enable us to commend ourselves to him "whose we are and whom we serve." 2. It is truly binding upon all mankind. He is "Lord of all," because he is Saviour of all. He claims submission and service as his right. He says to all who hear his Word, "Come unto me;" "Learn of me;" "Follow me." Whatsoever, then, he saith unto you, do it I Such obedience will be for your true interest, your eternal peace and happiness.-T.
Ver. 10.-" Thou lw.st kept the good wine until now." True religion and all its benefits are progressive. Instead of lookiug back to a golden age, the people of God have ever been encouraged to turn the gaze of their hearts towards the future. The counsels of God have been gradually unfolded, and the visions of inspired seers have in measure been realized. There is no sign of exhaustion in the resources of Divine grace, in the provisions of Divine beneficence. Every age of Church history, every period of Christian experience, has heard the amazed ancl grateful acknowledgment offered to heaven : "Thou hast kept the good wine until now." I. GoD'S GRAOE IS PROGRESSIVELY REVEALED IN THE INDIVIDUAL EXPERIENCE OF C1mISTIANS. The longer Jesus is known, the more are his bemfits rew.zed, and the more is ho valued. Advancing years, seasons of affliction and :i.dversity, the appro:i.ch of the end of the pilgrimage, afford growing opportunities of testing the faithfulness ot the Fo.ther and the friend~hip of the Christ. The wine of grace mellows and refines with the lapse of time and the enlargement of experience. II. GoD's aRAOE IS PROGRESSIVELY REVEAi.ED IN THE SUCCESSIVE EPOCHS OF THE WORLD'S AND THE Cmrnca's HISTORY. 1. Time has unfolded to the ,mdel'stand,iny and tlte heart of humanity the character of Christ. There certainly never was r. tiruti when tho.t character was so studied and so npprecinted as now. 2. Time has proved lhe extent and the variety of Christ's powe1· to bless. Days of persecution, days of 102 THE GOSPEL ACCORDING TO ST. JOlIN. [en. u. 1-25.
'lt'.issionary zml, dRys of defence Rnd confirm:it.ion of the truth, luwo succeodod ono anothor; and every epoch seems to reveal to humRnity the goodness of the wino in a hcight-cned and more 11reeious degree. 3. Time has shown what Christianity can do to develop and ,:mprove society. As new forms of social life have come into being, as new social nreds emerge, as new difficulties arise in human rehtionships, these successive events make it evident that what the world wants is supplied in tho Son of man. That new conditions of human society are approaching is certain; but it is equrilly certain that our Divine religion will prove its adaptation in the future ns in tho past. Under the guidance of Providence, there is in store for our hnmanity hrger, richer, hotter life; and the Lord Christ shall fill the multiplied and ampler vessels with tho choicest ~inta.ge of his love. III. Gon's GRACE 'WILL BE PROGRESSIVELY REVEALED rn ETlmNITY. The wino is good here and now; Christ saves from sin, strengthens for duty, renows and purifies and blesses. Ilut surely those who are brought to the kingdom above, where the question is not of conflict but of service, not of patience but of praise, shall, upon tasting the spiritu:i.l delights of eternity, be constraine<l. to exclaim, "'l'hou hast kept the good wine until now."-T .