HOMILIES IlY VARIOUS AUTHORS. Ver. 20.-11 It is I I" They who endure many evils, anticipate more; they are bowed down; and every touch, however kindly, seems a blow to smite them, and to thrust them lower still. When the apostles were tossed on the stormy waters of the lake, and almost despaired of deliverance, Jesus himself drew nigh. Ilut the presence of their best Friend o.ffrighted them. Only his voice could soothe the terror which his presence roused. There is no voice which can rise above the storms of life, to soothe the spirit nod to hush the turmoil, save the voice of Christ. What, then, is the import of his reassuring declaration, "It is I "? I. IT IS I WllO WATCH. Although the disciples did not know it, their Master was, from the neighbouring height, by the fitful moonbeams, watching the little vessel as she struggled with the tempest. He knew exactly how matters were with his friends, o.nd, when he came down from the height, he knew where to find the storm-tossed boat. So does he ever watch his people's course over the waters of life, and with especial interest when that course is one of peril. II. IT IS I WHO LINGER A~'D DELAY. AHhough Jesus knew the state cf his disciples, he did not at once come to the rescue. He waited, perhaps to try their faith, and to make his interposition the more welcome. Often do Christ's people fancy that their Lord is careless of their state of anxiety, alarm, or danger. But they are mistaken. He has his own reasons for delay. III. IT IS I WHO LOVE. Christ's kindness may not always show itself just in the way which would be acceptable to 11.9. Yet his kindness shall not depart from his own; he has loved them with an everlasting love. If there is one time when, more than at another, his heart yearns over his beloved ones, that time is the season of aJRiction, calamity, and apprehension. : lV. IT -Is I WHO COME. At the right moment Jesus drew near. The" voice of the Beloved" was heard above the storm, assuring the distressed disciples that he was near. A..nd,bis very presence brought comfort and confidence to the heart. Christ comes to his needy and afflicted ones-those " tossed with tempest, and not comforted." His language is, "Fear not; I am with thee : be not dismayed ; I am thy God." V. IT IS I WllO BA.VE. He is the Lord of nature, and all no.ture's powers are, like the storm, subject to his control. He is the Friend of man, and every heart n::ay be reached by his sympathy and cheered by his encouragement. He is the Son of God, and as such he can bring the souls he has redeemed from the depths of earthly danger and of fear into the calm of heavenly security and peace. "If Thou wcrt less than One Divine, My soul would be dismayed; But through thy human lips God says, ''Tie I ; be not afraid I ' " T. Ver.. 24.-" Seelcing Jesus." The Lord Jesus came to earth to seek and to save that which was lost. And again and ag>lin iu the course of bis ministry he was sought by those whom he was seeking. There were periods of popularity "·hen, from various motives, the multitudes resorted to the Prophet of Nazareth. Their seeking Jesus was emblematical of the conduct becoming in all men, when Christ comes nigh to them in tbe·mcssages of his Word and the ordinances of his Church. , I. SEEKING JESUS IMPLIES NEEDING JESUS. Men do not seek what they do not want. The soul that is without Christ, and has a perception of its destitution and need, is urged to go in quest of him. Men may have health, luxury, wealth, learning, fame; yet· if they are without him who is the Son of God, and who brings God near to mo.n, they are strangers to the highest good which we are capable of partaking. If there be nny spiritual awakening, then the actual need becomes a conscious want, and the pressure of spiritual indigence nrges to undertake this spiritual quest and pilgrimage, 284 THE GOSPEL ACCORDING TO S'l'. JOIIN. [cu. vr. 1-71.
II. SEEKI:SG Ji:sus rs PROMPTED BY PRIZING JEsus. He is the Treasure hidden in the fielJ, he is the costly Pearl; they who recognize him as such are constrained to use everJ_' cndcavot~r to make. him their own. Since t_o fi~d him is to fin,l all spiritual hlcssmgs-forg1vcness of sm, help for duty, fellowship with heaven, and lifo eternal-it i~ n~tural cuongh that th?se w~10 understand and feel this should set a high value upon Christ, and should seek him with all their heart. III. SEEKDIG JESUS rs CREDITING AND HONOURING JESUS. It is hie wish to be sought, nay, it is his command that men should seek him. There is, therefore, no presumption in this attitude and action of the soul; it is just what the Lord himself expects nnd desires fro'.Tl us. He will neither hide himself from those who seek him nor will he repel and dismiss them from his presence. For, in comiug to him they tak~ him at his word, and render to him the honour which is his due. ' I_V. SEEKING JESUS lNVOL,ES TRUSTING AND LOV1:<G JESUS. They who ea.rnestly, patiently, persistently seek the Lord, are drawn to 1nm growincrly by the bonds of a Divine attraction._ The closer they keep to him, the stronger grows their faith, the warmer grows their love. V. SEEKING JESUS LEADS TO FINDING JESUS. His own word of assurance is ample warrant for this: "Seek, and ye shall find." Many good thin11:s may be songht with rliligence, and by a lifelong se:irch, and yet may be sought in vain. Of the best of all blessings this cannot be said. "Eve1·y one that seeketh findetb." APPLICATIO:!-. Here is a picture of the action which is becoming to every one to whom the gospel comes. It is not enough to admire the character of Jesus and to :ipprove bis work. Our will, our native natur(), must be engaged in the effort to attain and to enjoy him. .And we have this promise to cheer us: "Seek, and ye shall fi.nd."-T.