The Pulpit Commentary — John — Volume 1 — Section 244

0f the sun, h0w muC'h ]('SS that of its C!'l'ator! Christ feed~ faith ns n nurse feeds tho hallo, nno. mni:ifosts his glory, not in full blaz(', but somctimC's in startling Bashes, aud l'Yer in g('nial rays, sons to suit the conditions nnd rcquircmmts of faith. (3) 'l'bo mani- f,-~trrticm (!( his glory will be et•er progressive. It wns so while he was here on earth, He inC'reRSingly manifested his glory from Cana to Bethany, and on to tho great miracle of the cross wit.h its sequences-the resurrection, etc., which still unveil his glory, sceno after scene, to the human family. And ever since he has been progressively manifesting his glory on this and the other side, and will continue to do srJ, till it will reach o. dis- pensn_tional cl_imax in his second coming, when he will be glorious in his saints, the tich trophies of hts redeeming victories. His glory is such in its fulness and variety that time cannot contain it and eternity will not exhaust it. But after ages have passed mrny, and the heavens flooded with its radiance, then its manifestation will only bo bccinnin!. 'rr. TrrE MIRACLE m RELATION TO THE DISCIPLES. "And his disciples believed on him." This implies: 1. That they had faith in Mm already. Otherwise they could not be called his discipl('s, much less be his disciples. Faith in Christ is the first con- i!ition of Christian discipleship. The disciples' faith was kindled by the preaching of J,,hn, and declared as they t::1et Jesus on the banks of the Jordan. 2. That their faith w:.mted CO'Tljirmation. It was yet young and tender, still clinging to him like the vine to the tree. It was weak in itself, but strong in its demands, longing in its czp~ctations, and eloquent in its secret prayers for a Divine manifestation and nourishment. 3. The mfraile satisfied the 1n-esent want of their faith. Jesus through it manifested his glory, nnd they believed on him. Faith progresses with the progress of revelation, as revela- tion progresses with the development of faith. While the guests generally enjoyed tl:e miraculous wine, faith had a higher enjoyment in drinking the wine of Jesus' manifested glory, o.ud was invigorated and established. The wine of Cana was soon exhausted, but the glory of him who made it still shines, and faith still delights to revel in its light and bask in its sunshine. "And his disciples believed on ltim." All believed in the wine, but not in him. The majority remained with the mat{lrial, and soon forgot him; but the disciples rose to a diviner sphere, and left the stream and dipped their pitchers in the well. Many enjoy the gifts, bnt forget the great Giver. But faith almost forgets the gifts in the Giver, leaves the rays and flies upwards like an eagle to gaze on the Sun, the ::iource of light. And this is wise. Have the fountain, and you have the stream, Have Christ, and you have all. LEssoNs. 1. If married couples wish a lwppy life, let them commence it by inviting Jesus to their marriage-feast. Let him be the chief Guest, and he will give the proper tone to it, as well as to the after-life. A good beginning is half the battle. 'l'ho evil one will be there, whether invited or not; he does not observe the rules of pro- priety. But Jesus wants to be invited, and if invited be will be there; for he loves even the best earthly illustration of the loving connection between himself and his bride, the Church. 2. Many invite Jesus to their scenes of sorrow, but not to their scenes of joy. He shall perform all the drudgeries of life, but not mingle with any of its luxuries. He is invited to tbe sick and death-b~d, but not t-0 the marriage-feast. This is neither kind nor wise. Let us remember that he can enjoy as well as suffer and pity. He can rejoice with those that rejoice, as well as weep with those that weep. And if we invite him to the sunshine of marriage, we have claim on his presence in the gloom of dissolu- tion. 3. Those who invite liim to their marrirtge-feast will be amply repaid here and hereafter. Be will ha Ye his marriage-feast soon-the grandest and happiest marriage that ever occurred in the universe, and the most sumptuous and lasting feast. With reo-ard to those who invited him, he will certainly return the compliment, and invite th~m; "and blessed are they who are invited to the marriage-supper of the Lamb." 4. There is infinite glory as well as grace in Ghrist. Let faith help herself. Faith drew ~>Ut the miracle, and the miracle drew out faith, and both met in glory. "Draw out now," says Jesus. It is water. Yes, but draw out, and it will be wine. 'l'he qualit;r o.nd quantity of blessings depend on the quality and quantity of faith. Jesus is full, "Draw out now."-B. T. Vers. 13-17.-Grouine zeal. The conduct of our Lord in the temple reminded the disciples of the words of the psalmist; "The zeal of thine house," etc. 'l'hey supplied err. u. 1-25.J nm om:PET, ACCORDING 'TO ST. ,JOHN", 107