The Pulpit Commentary — John — Volume 1 — Section 463

t-0 be the Christ. This step could not but be adverse to e. general recognition of his rightful C',)aims. n'. THAT JESUS WAS TB'£ CHRIST WAS, HOWEVER, OORDIALLY BELIEVED BY HIS -PT~CJPLES. Collecting together the somewhat scattered evidence of this fact, the st.t1dent of the Gospels OBUnot but be impressed by its abundance and conclusiveness. Andrew, in the very hour of his oall to discipleship, soknowledged Jesus as Christ; Pet.er, at a later period, uttered a memorable oonfession to the same effect; the •Snma- rit&n wom&n and her neighbours came to the same conclusion; Martha of Bethany gave explicit testimony to her belief of this great fact; some of the Jews, as recorded in the text, did not hesitate to express their belief that Jesus was the Obrist. It may be added that the very demons over whom ho exercised authority are said to have known that be was the Divine Messiah. V. Ji;sus' CLAIM TO BE THE CHRIST WAS ONE CHIEF GROUND OF THE HOSTILITY OF THE JEWISH RULERS, AND WAS THE OCCASION OF BIS CONDEMNATION TO DEATH. At our Lord's trial before the high priest, one of the charges against him was that he affirmed himself to be the Christ; and it was upon this, and upon the further charge that he claimed tc be the Son of God, that he was deemed by his enemies worthy of death. A rabbi, a prophet, he might have professed himself to be without giving offence. But for a lowly peasant teacher to claim Messiahship was to seal. his own doom I • . VI, As CHRIST, JESUS WAS RAISED FRO)[ THE DEAD.; AND AS CHRIST, BE .WAS PREACHED TO THE WORLD. In the discourses which are recorded in the Book of the Acts, a.s having been delivered after the Ascension, Jesus is (!et forth as.the Christ of .God, evidently proved to be sP.ch by his resurrection. And the Gospels, as John expressly tells us, were written that their re.aders might know that Jesus is the Christ. Here, indeed, are the glad tidings to be proclaimed to all men; foi::,it is because Jesus is the Christ of God that he is the Sa\l'iour of the world.-'!'. Ver. 46.-The incomparable 'tt10f'ds. The testimony of these officers. was, at least impartial. If they were prejudiced, it was not in favour of·Jesus, but against him. Persons in their position were likely to shar.e the feelings of those by whom they.were employed, and by whom they wer.e sent on a message hostile to the Prophet of N_aza- reth. But the demeanour, and especially the language,. of Jesus disarmed. them. 'l'hey came under the spell of his wisdom, his grace, his eloquence. And when they returned, without having executed their commission, they justified themselves by the exclamation, " Never man spake like this Man." L CHRIST'S WORDS ABE INOOIIPABABLE AS REVELATIONS. OF TRUTH. He uttered the justest, the sublimest truths regarding the character and attributes of God; concerning the nature, the state, the sin, the peril of man; concerning religion, or, the relation between man and God, especially concerning the Divine provision of salvation, and of spiritual and immortal life. II. CmllsT'S WORDS ABE INOOIIPABA.BLE AS Alm'OUNCING LAWS 011' HUlllAN LIFE, Where else can we find perfect precepts to govern conduct, dictates of morality so spiritual, motives to obedience so mighty? Christ's are the authoritative words .of & Divine Lawgiver, who claims to rule the hearts, and, through the hearts, the aotions and habit~ of mankind. • III. CHRIST'S WORDS ABE INOOHPABABLE IN TBEm STYLE AND THEm ILLUSTRATIONS, ADAPTING THEM TO READERS OF EVERY 0LABS. They are simple words, however pro- found may be the truth they embody; they are beautiful words, which charm a. pure and lively imagination; they are earnest words, which rouse emotion and inspire a reverent attention. This is evident both from the place they have taken in literature, and from the fact that they are eqwilly appreciated by the young _and the old, by the cultured and the untaught. :. IV. CHllll!T'B WORDS ARE INOOHPABA.BLE IN EFFIOIENOY. This is the true test, and this test brings out the unequalled power of the worde, which are mighty bece.use they are the expression of the Divine mind. Many of our Lord's sayings might be quoted, which have, as a matter of fa.et, revolutionized the thoughts and doctrines of millions of men. Some of the greatest reforms in human society may be traced up with cef• iainty to words uttered by the Nazarene. Ott. VII, 1-!i3.] ·mm GOSPEL ACCORDING TO BT. ,JOnN. 335