The Pulpit Commentary — John — Volume 1 — Section 324

HOMILIES BY VARIOUS AUTHORS. Ver. 9.-Patriotism and (Jhri,stianity. In human affairs the scale upon which thing& are done gives them, not only their interest and importance, but much also of their very character. The same spirit which in petty communities is local jealousy mny in nations claim the dignified appellation of patrioti~m. The differences and disputes between Jews and Samaritans may possess for us but little real interest; whilst the sentiments net very dissimilar, which are cherished by great nations, claim dignity and grandeur. This passage in the gospel narrative is suggestive with regard to the relations between Christianity and the love of country. I. THERE IS A GOOD SIDE TO l'ATRIOTISlll WHICH, AS COMPARED WITH SELFISHNESS, IB A VIRTUE. Tbe love of country is both greater and more difficult than the love of family or the love of self. It is morally elevating for a man to lose regard for his own interests in an absorbing desire for the welfare of his tribe or nation. Great deeds have been wrought, and great characters have been shaped, by love of fatherland. II. THERE IS A BAD SIDE TO l'ATRIOTISll WHICH, AS CONTRASTED WITH PHILANTHROPY, IB A FAULT. The love of country may be ma,,on.ified selfishness. When it renders a man insensible to the merits of those of alien blood or of different education, it warps the nature, and is often the occasion of injustice. Crimes have been done, and that sincerely, in the name of patriotism. Envy and jealousy, hatred, malice, and revenge, have sprung from spurious patriotism-that is, from a too exclusive regard to the interests or the honour of a nation. Ill. CJiRisTIANlTY, WHILST NOT Th"DIICAL TO TRUE PATRIOTISM, INTRODUCES A GREAT DrvrnE tn.'ITING l'OWER INTO HUl,IAN SOCIETY. 1. The religion of Christ teaches the unity of the human race. It represents humanity as united by common origin and participation in a common nature. 2. The religion of Christ bases human unity upon the fatherhood of God. The family is one, because acknowledging one Head. 3. The Incarnation reveals and establishes this unity. Christ is the Son of man, the Friend of man, the Brother of man, the Saviour of man, the Lord of man. In him provision is made for the restoration of that unity which sin has broken. IV. CHRISTIAUTY THUS ENCOURAGES SUCH PATRIOTISM AS IS GOOD, il'D CHECKS THE EVILS OFTEN CLOAKED UNDEB THE NAME. 1. On the one hand, the religion of Christ fosters the feeling of duty which has its scope in political relationships. The duty nearest us is :first, and, as we must not neglect our own household for the sake of stranaers, so neither must we prefer foreigners and their interest to the welfare of our " kindred according to the flesh." A spurious philanthropy is a poor substitute for a genuine patriotism._ 2. On the other ~d, our religion fo:bids us t~ ~imit 01:1r. regard to our immediate newhbours; and reqtures us to sweep with our spmtual v1s1on the vast horizon of huma~ity. There is a homely proverb, "Charity begins at home;" to which a homely addition bas been made, "but does not end there." The patriotism that takes us out of self is good; yet alone it is insufficient. It should broaden until our recrard and our interest and our love reach far as the virtue of Christ's sacrifice, far as the range of CLrist's gospeL Suspicions and contentions are alien from the Spirit of Christ. There is no limit to the comprehensiveness of the Saviour's pity; there should be no limit to the comprehensiveness of his people's love.-T. Ver. 10.-" Jf thou knewest l '' How easily and how skilfully in these words did Jesus turn the conversation with the Samaritan woman from the water of the well to those blessings which that water symbolized! What more fitted to provoke curiosity and further inquiry? What more fitted to suggest reflection upon spiritual wants, and spiritual satisfaction, than this reply of our Lord to the woman's strange and almost llllfriendly remark upon his application? As a matter of fact, the language of Jesus did serve to raise and to sustain a conversation to which we owe some of the most l'recious antl the most sublime utterances which fell from our Saviour's lips. What CIT, IV, 1-64.] 'l'HE GOSPEL .ACCORDING TO ST. JOHN. 189