The Pulpit Commentary — John — Volume 1 — Section 291

strife, he goes up at once into bis native air, the birthplace of his mission, the nursery of good and holy thoughts, and the source of spiritual power and influence. (2) He looks at heaven as the only source of spiritual gifts. " A man can receive nothing," ~to. Y~u may p;et the same ~ind of article_ i1;1- different, w_a.rehouses; but spiritual power 1s the gift of God, and of him alone, D1vrne comm1ss10ns are iSBued only from the Di vino throne, and spiritual endowments come only from on high; so that neither John nor Jesus could exercise any spiritual power but what he had received, (3) From this standpoint all is harmonious. There is no room for pride or dejection, and the jealous complaint of the disciples is entirely swept a.way. John and Jesus were exactly what Heaven made them-John the herald and Jesus the coming Messiah. All things which proceed from heaven are harmonious; and if we want to see them in their harmony and beauty we must view them from above. If wo wish to rise above the mists and storms of party jealousy and rivalry, we must ascend into the home of love, peace, and order, and look at things in the light of heaven. From this altitude there can be no rivalry between John and Jesus. All Divine agencies are harmonious. There can be no jealousy between the morning star and the blazing sun. Had John remained down, and viewed things from his disciples' standpoint, he would Bee and feel as they did. But, like an eagle, he flew up to the vicinity of the sun, the central light of the king- dom of heaven, and all was harmony. 2. The consistency of Ms public testimony with regard to the Messiah and himself. (1) As to what he was not. "I am not the Christ." Such were the character, the popularity, and the circumstances of John that he was naturally suspected of being the Messiah. Consequently, much of bis testimony was negative, and with all his might he iterated and reiterated, "I am not the Christ," etc. (2) As to what he was. His forerunner. "I am sent before him." Twice he directly pointed him out, but as a rule he spoke of him in general, but characteristic, terms, that they might know him rather by his character and deeds. (3) As to the evidence of his consistency. Such was the consistency of his testimony to the Messiah that he could most confidently appeal to his disciples, and even to the complaining ones, "Ye yourselves bear me witness," etc. "Even in your jealous complaint you bear me witness." The invariable uniformity of his testimony to Christ made him now strong in the hour of trial. One wrong step or wrong expression may lead to another. All the links make up the chain. One weak link affects the whole. It is a great source of strength to the preacher if he can summon bis audience to bear witness to the con- sistency of his ministry. One part of life affects the other. John in the wilderness was a great help to John at .lEnon. If we wish our public testimony to be consistent, let our private conceptions be spiritual and heavenly. 3. The reasons of his continued attachment. (1) The relationship of Christ to believers. He is the Bridegroom; they a.re the bride. As such, the bride is his; "For he that hath the bride is the Bride- groom," and no one else. His claims are absolute, sacred, and indisputable. The bride is his. (2) His own relationship to Christ. His friend. "The friend of the Bride- groom." As such, his duty was to set forth his excellences so as to win the heart of the bride. The Bridegroom was partly a stranger. He required a friend to introduce him. Such he found in John. He realized his position and duties. By his own superiority, and the plausible, but evil, suggestions of his disciples, he was tempted to take the place of the Bridegroom and win the bride's affections for himself; but he felt that in this he would not be a friend, but the meanest foe. He realized his relation- ship to Christ, and performed its obligations with increasing firmness and happiness. He had no higher ambition than to be the Bridegroom's friend. 4. The sources of his joy. "Rejoiceth greatly," and why? (1) At a fuller recognition of Jesus. Before there was expectation, and therefore anxiety ancl doubt; but these are gone. He hears his voice-the first notes of his public ministry. He recognized him before by appear- ance, and pointed to him as the "Lamb of God;" but now recognizes him by his voice, and his voice filled the land with Divine music and his soul with ecstatic joy. (2) At Jesus' success, His success in winning the affections of the bride. The joy of having won the bride is the Bridegroom's, but his friend, standing by and hearing, shares it. The voice of the Bridegroom with the bride is joyous-the joy of mutual satisfaction and delight. There is no joy to be compared with that of triumphant and ard~ut _love. Ohristian joy is common Rn~ contagious. The success of th~ Ma~ter_ produces JOY: rn all the disciple11, At the marriage of the Lamb all the good wish him JOY, and are Joyous  154 THE GOSPEL ACCORDING TO ST. JOHN. [on. m.1---36,