The Pulpit Commentary — John — Volume 1 — Section 425

"Seek, and ye shall find," is as applicable to him as to all the spiritual blessings of his kingcl0m. 4. In their seeking there is much that is commendable and worthy oj imiuition. (1) There is much enthusiasm. (2) Intelligent obsen:ation. 'l'hcy observed his m0vements and those of his disciples. (3) Diligent sea,·ch, 'l'hcy spa.red no trouble nor effort. (4) Dete1mined pe-l'severance. While others had given up in despair they persevered in spite of the conduct of others, of disappointment and difficulties. \Vhen they were convinced that he was on t.he other side, and that the sea was between them, this they bravely crossed. (5) Ultimate success. They found him, their efforts were rewarded with success-they found him, II. A REVEL.~TION OF WRONG MOTIVES, "Ye seek me, not," etc. This revelation shows : 1. That Christ is peifootly acquainted with the real character of men. He not merely knows the outward actions, but also their inward springs, motives and in~piration. He knew the character of these men better than they themselves: He cannot be deceived by any amount of outward show and profession; the inward man is open to him. 2. That much outward interest is often manifested in Christ from wrong and improper motives. "Ye seek me, not," etc. It was so in the case of these people. (1) 'rheir motives were utterly seljish. They sought him, not for his sake, but for their own ; not on account of what be wa.s in himself, as manifested in hie mighty works, but on account of what be might be to them as experienced in the loaves. They sought not Jesus at a.II, but their own self-interest in the results of his miracles. (2) Their motives were lamentably low. They were not merely selfish, but they were such as pertained to their lowest self. " Because ye ate of the loaves, and were filled." They sought him, not even from intellectual curiosity, but from selfish gratification; their inspiration in seeking him came not from the higher region of the heart and soul, but from the lower region of the appetites. They seem to have partly lost the national idea of the Messiah's kingship which they entertained on the previous day; they now wish to crown him as the King of human food. (3) Their motives reveal the complete ascendancy of the animal and the dormancy of the spiritual in them. They seemed to have been entirely uncler the reign of their physical nature; the spiritual seems fast asleep. The body was all alive and loud in its demands and satisfaction, but the immortal soul uttered not a word about her existence, wants, and misery-not even in the presence of Jesns. 3. That much of the interest m,anifested in Jesus is inspired by wrong motives, although the greatest advantages are enjoyed to possess the right ones. (1) These people bad seen the mighty works of Jesus. They had seen the signs-not one, but many ; they were performed before their very eyes. They bad enjoyed their temporal benefits, and they possessed the required capacities to comprehend their meaning and mission. (2) These signs were eminently adapted to furnish them with right motives in seeking Jesus. They most eloquently and convincingly proclaimed him to be a Divine Person; their Messiah, the Son of God, come on a special mission, not to feed their bodies but to save their souls; not to deliver from the Roman yoke, but from the yoke of sensuality and vice.ilnd spiritual death. (3) But in spite of all this he is sought from low and wrong motives. "Ye seek me, not," etc. 'l'he right and natural motives are ignored, and wrong and unworthy ones are adopted. The loaves are more valued than the Divine power which multiplied them ; the streams are more valued than the fountain-the means than foe end. The Divine miracles of Jesus are prostituted to gratify the lowest appetites; the powers of the world to come a.re prostituted to serve the low ends of this, and an attempt is made to make the King of souls tee slave of human bodies. 4. That any amount of interest in Jesus, in tha absence of right and proper motives, is quite worthlese. A right motive alone can make an action morally and spiritually right, valuable, and acceptable. As such: (1) It is worthless to the man himself. " Though I speak with," etc. (2) It is worthless to Jesus. Nothing is valued by him but what proceeds from right motives and worthy considerations-considerations of our spiritual wants, and hie willingness and power to B&tisfy them. Motives with Christ are the final test of character and attachment to him. 5. That Jesus reveals the wrong motives of men in relation to him in order to improve them. In some cases he seems to d~ this for the improvement of others; but in this case, as well as generally, for the improvement of those he addressed. (1) The revelation is made directly to them. "I say unto you," etc. Not to some one else. Christ was honest and straightforward, and told people their faulta to their faces. on. VI. 1-71.] THE GOSPEL ACCORDING TO ST. JORN. 293