The Pulpit Commentary — John — Volume 1 — Section 466

comes; but if H comes not nt the time and in the way expected i& wait~ anrl trusts nnd obeys. Jesus was the Messiah nnd the Saviour of faith. He revealed himself to faith, nnd faith is the only power on earth which could see, comprehend, and appre- ciate his rcnl character and his Divine mission; consequently all his movements altbouah0 not regnrdless of unbelief ns precautionary, yet were directly m~,de in the i~terest of faith. When faith is ready, he will bent tho feast, ar:d will manifest himself at any risk. LESSONS. 1. We are in as much danger often from mistaken friends as from open foes. Jesus was so now from his brethren and the multitude; they wished to make him King. 2. A word or a deed in season is much more effective than otherwise. Christ's words and deeds were ever seasonahle. God has his set time for pu[Jishment and salvation. 3. In order that our time should correspond with that of Jesus, let us believe 011 him. If we wish to have- his company to the feast, let us exercise implicit trust in him. 4. If we wish to make the most of time, let us follow Jesus in watchin7 the best season for everything. Random shots seldom kill anything. We should not merely be diligent, but take aim.-B. T. Ver. 11.-" Where is he?" This question may indicate different thoughts and sentiments with regard to Jesus as asked by different persons. It may be looked upon- I. As THE QUESTION OF GENERAL mTEREST. There is no doubt that J es11s was the most interesting person of that age. His mighty works and his wonderful teaching had excited the interest of the general public, and had stirred society to its utmost depth. How many persons there were concerning whom no question was asked ! They might come and go almost unnoticed. Ilut not so Jesus. The general question with regard to him was, "Where is he?" His movements were keenly watched, and his presence or absence was keenly noticed. II. As THE QUESTION OF WONDER. Although he was not at the last Passover, still he was in the habit of attending the national feasts at Jerusalem; and this being one of the chief, and probably rumours had reached the city of his intention to be present and being now late, wonder would naturally express itself by the question, " Where is he?" III. As THF: QUESTION OF CURIOSITY. There was a large class to whom Jesus was only e. curiosity. In them he excited no other sentiment. They stood in the rear, watching with avidity the actions of those in front. They had neither love nor hatred, but still were busy and interested in the strange phenomenon of his life, and perhaps no sentiment with regard to him would ask the question more often and flippantly, " Where is he?" IV. As THE QUESTION OF DOU11T. Doubt with regard to Jesus at this time was very prevalent. The multitude who represented the national idea of the Messiah were doubt- ful of him. Many of them had recently left him, and had apparently given up the hope of his conoenting to be crowned the temporal King of the Jews. Still many of them even were doubtful as to this, and the disciples were not quite free from doubt on this matter. They still clung to the hope, but his absence from the feast, from such a. public gathering and an advantageous occasion, would make the most sanguine doubtful, and they would impatiently ask, "Where is he?" V. As THE QUESTION OF HATRED. No feeling could be more present in the question than this, especially when we consider that it was asked by the Jews; for the dominant party were bitter, confirmed, and almost unanimous in their hatred to him and bis ministry. And in the question as coming from them there was scarcely a. spark of any other feeling but c-onfirmed and seething hatred. They were in e. region far below that of curiosity and doubt; they were in that of hatred and bloodshed. VI. As THE QUESTION OF SINCERE AFFECTION. Those who entertained this feeling were in a small minority, still it is not too much to think that in that vast and generally antagonistic crowd there was many a one who would re-echo the question even from the lips of malice and hatred, and send it forth filled with gratitude and love. "Wherl' is hei'"-he who healed my son or my dauahter, he who is kind and so full of grace a.nJ truth? We know of one, e.t lenst amona"the members of the Jewish Sanhedrin w!,o would ask it os II question of lova-:Nicod~mus. Genuine love and faith were not quite unrepresented in the inq.uirics concerning Jesns nt the Fenst of Tabernacles. m~ ~ 338 THE GOSPEL AOOORDING TO ST. JOHN, [ea, vu. 1-53,