The Pulpit Commentary — John — Volume 1 — Section 427

the sn.ml' authority over mn.n as the potter over the cln.y, He cn.n do as he likes, and perhaps this is the only 11.newer he would give to some questioners, "I can do as I like." But we know that he cannot like to do anything that is wrong, unreasonable,or unfair. He cn.nnot aot from mere caprice, but his actions are harmonious with all hie att.ributes, as well as with the highest reason; and can give a satisfactory reason for all n.cts, and jnstify himself to his intelligent creatures. 'l'he principle on which he gn.ve cert:iin of the hnman family to Christ wn.s willingne~e on their part to come to him. In the gifts of his providence he bas regard to 11.dapiation-he gives water to quench thirst, c>to. But, in giving human souls to Christ, he had a special regard to the human will. He knew as an absolute fact that some would refuse his offer of gmce in Christ, and that others wonld gladly accept the same offer under the same conditions. The former he neither would nor could, the l:itter he graciously gave. It is an invariable characteristic of those given to Christ that they give themselves to him. 3. Those given to Olirist shall certainly come to him. •• All that the Father giveth me shall," etc. Jesus was certain of this. And if given, they come; and if they come, they were given. Divine foreknowledge is never at fault, and Divine grace can never fail to be effective with regard to those thus given to Christ. Their coming was included in the gift. There was the knowledge of their coming, and every grace, motive, and help was promised with the gifts; so that their arrival to Christ is certain. They shall come, in spite of every opposition and difficulty from within and without. 4. That these were given to Olirist in trust for special purposes. These are set forth: (1) Negativ.oly. "That I should lose nothing" (ver. 39). Not one, not the least, and not even anything necessary to the happiness of that one." (2) .AifiNTW,tively. "May have everlasting life." The highest good they could wish and enjoy. (3) That they should have these blessings on the most reasonabl11 and easy terms. By simple acceptance of the gift, and simple and trustful faith in the Giver (ver. 40). II. JESUS AS THE ExE:CUTOB AND TRUSTEE 01:1' ·THE FATHER'S WILL. In these capacities: 1. He is most gracious, for (1) the work involves the greatest responsfbilitil!ll, It is true that those given shall come to him. But look at their miserable condition. They nre gllilty; be must procure their pardon. They are conrlemned; he must justify them. They are corrupt; he must cleanse and sanctify them. They are sick; he must heal them. They are in debt ; he mnst pay it. The responsibilities are infinite. (2) It involves the greatest self-sacrifice. To meet these responsibilities required the greatest self- sacrifice possible. Before they could be justified, he himself must be condemned ; to heal them, he must be mortally wounded; to make them rich, he must become poor; to pay their debt, he must lay down his life as a ransom; and to bring them unto glory, he must be made " perfect through sufferings." What but infinite love would accept the trust and execute the will? 2. He is most tenderly and universally inviting. " Him that cometh to me I will," etc. These words are most tender and inviting, They were uttered in the painful consciousness that many would not come to him, although there were infinite pro,isions and welcome. 'Jhe door of salvation need not be wider, nor the heart of the Saviour more tender, than this. 'l'bere is no restriction, no favouritism. " Him that cometh." 3. He is '1/iost adapted for his position. This will appear if we cousider: (1) That he is divinely appointed. "Th_e F~ther which sent me." The Fat~er appointed him to be the Trustee a~d Executor of his w!ll: And he knew whom to appom~. He acts under the highest authonty. (2) He was willing to undertake the trust. It 1s true that he was sent, but as true that he came. "I am come down from heaven " (ver. 38). There was no coercion. His miss~on "!'as ~s acceptable to h~ as it was pleasing to the Father, so that he has great delight in his work. (3) He 1s tlioroiighly acquainted with the Divine will. Perfect knowledge is essential to perfect execution. Many profess to know much, but where is the proof? Jesus proves his knowledge by revelation. "This is my Father's will," etc. He was acquainted with all its responsi- bilities, its purposes, and sufferings, as well as all the difficulties in carrying it out. This he knew from the begianing before he undertook the trust. (4) He is enthusiasticallv devot,ed, to both partiea-to the Testator e.nd the legatees. He is devoted to the Father, "I am oome down from heaven, not to do mine own will, but," etc. He had e. will of his own, but in his mediatorial office it was entirely merged in that of his Father. He is equally devoted to the objects of his Father's love; for "him that cometh to me I wiU iII no wise cast out." And he oould say more--he would help and almost compel ott. v1. 1-71.] TilE GOSPEL ACCORDING TO ST. JOHN. 296 ---------------------- - - - - - - - - - - - him to como ln. (5) He is divinely competent. He is the Son of God, the Elect of the Father, ever conscious of his capacities for this work. N Jt a shadow of doubt in this respect ever came across his mind. He was serenely conscious of fulncRs, of power, of life -the fulness of the Godhead; and he gave ample proof of his Divine competency as ho went along. The sick were healed, the dead were raised, the guilty were pardoned, 11.ud nil penitents who appealed to him were saved. Naturally and well he might say, "I will raise him up at the last day." And b~ing able to do this, he can do all. All the qualifications necessary to execute the Divine will with regard to the human race fully meet in him. "His will be done." LESSONS. 1. The pwrposcs of the Divine will are in safe hands. Not one shall suffer on his account. 2. The lives of believers are in safe custody. Nothing will be lost. 3. The mission of Jesus is certain of success. "All that the Father giveth me," etc. 4. The perdition of man must come entirely from himself. All the purposes and dispensations of God, all the mediatorial work of Jesus, are for his salvation. All that God in Christ could do for his deliverance is done. Nothing but his own will can stand between him and eternal life. 5. The duty of all to come to Jesus and accept his grar,e. There ie a marked difference between the conduct of Jesus and the conduct of those who reject him. He receives the vilest; they reject the most holy and gracious One. He opens the door to the most undeserving ; they close it against the pride of angels, the inspiration of the redeemed, and the glory of heaven and earth. Beware of trifling with the long-suffering mercy of Jesus. The last thing he can do is to cast out; but when he casts out, he casts out terribly.-B.~T. Ver. 66.-The sad departure from Christ. Notice- I. THAT THE MINISTRY OF JESUS REPELLED MANY. "From this time many of his disciples," etc. And why? 1. Because his ministry revealed their true character to themselves and others. (1) As unreal. They were miserably wanting in sincerity, honesty, and earnestness. (2) .As worldly, seC'Ular, and carnal-wanting in spirituality and true concern for the soul. (3) As selfish. They were self-seeking and self- righteous. (4) As wicked. (5) .As unbeUeving. 2. Because his ministry was diametrically opposed to their real character. He preached repentance-inward reform, heavenly birth, and honesty, which were opposed to their hollowness of principle. He preached the superior claims of the soul and spiritual things, which were opposed to their carnality anJ worldliness. He preached self-sacrifice and love and exemplified them in his life, and these were opposed to their selfishness. He inculcated holiness, which was opposed to their wickedness and vice. He demanded practical and genuine faith, which was opposed to their infidelity and indifference. He denounced their conduct, and enforced opposite principles with such force and honesty that at last his ministry not merely became unattractive to them, but obnoxious and painful. 3. Because his ministry was uncompromising and unchangeable. He would not pander to their likings in any way. He was the true and faithful Witness. There was no discord in the music of his ministry. So that his followers bad either to chango, exercise faith in him, or follow him under a cloak of profession, or leave him entirely. These chose the latter; they " went back, and walked no more," etc. II. THAT IT 18 POSSIBLE TO GO A LONG WAY WITH JESUS AND THEN LEAVE HI.M, It was so in this case. We have here : 1. .A sad separation. " They walked no more," etc. (1) 'l'hey left Jesus, and not Jesus them. He did not send them away. All moral separations from Christ are commenced by man. Judas shall remain in the society of Jesus till he goes out himself. An illustration of what our Lord had just said, "Him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out." (2) They separated from him after being with him for some time. "They walked no more with him." They had walked a good deal with him. They were his disciples. They had attended his ministry, heard his gracious words and saw his mighty deeds, but separated at last. (3) 'l'hey separated from him although they had received much kindn1ss f,·om him. Their sick were healed, their miseries alleviated, and their hunger satiated, They had only just been feeding on his bounties in the desert; but now they leave their old Benefactor, who was willing, able, and anxious to bless them ~piritually and eternally. What ingratitude and perveraity I (4) They separated from him Jo,· e,•e,·. This was certainly the case with regard to his society in this world. 'l'htre •Lre sad  296 THE GOSPEL AOOORDING TO BT. JOHN. [oH. vt. 1-71.