The Pulpit Commentary — John — Volume 2 — Section 21

Ver. 4:.-The day is/or labour. Very instructive e.nd very encouraging is tue way in which, in this pnssnge, our Divine Lord associates his people wit.h himsell: In assuming our nntnre he ncccpted the ordinary conditions of our life, its duties and its limitations. Oencrnlly epenking, what no man could do he would not do; what all mea must submit lo he would Aubmit to also. Neither then nor now is he ashamed to call us brethren. As Son of man, he partakes both our nature and our lot. His Spirit and his lnngungo nssure us of this. Accordingly, his experience is_not merely something for us to admire; it is for us so to ponder that we may share 1t. He partakes our conflict tbnt we may partake hie victory. In the words of the text these principles are made manifest, in their application to the "work" which gives meaning to human life. I. THI!: OBARA0TER OF TIIE EARTHLY SERVICE. The works themselves to which Jesus here referred were special. By "works" he undoubtedly intended miracles, signs, wonders-such deeds of power end mercy as that which the condition of the blind man suggested that he should perform for his benefit. But our Lord often spoke of his "work" in e. more general sense ; and even here there is nothing exclusive of his spiritual ministry, to which this language certainly applies. This saying of Jesus casts light upon the character of the earthly service rendered by himself, and required of all bis faithful disciples and followers. 1. Diligence is characteristic both of the Master and of his servants. No reader of the Gospels can fail to be impressed with the labori- ousness of Christ's public life. There were times when he bad no leisure even to eat; there never was a time when he neglected an opportunity of benevolence. Whether in teaching or in healing be was ever occupied, and occupied for purposes unselfish anr! brotherly. 2. His works were the proof of his obedience. Our Lord evidently lived a life of devotion to the Father who "sent" him. He did not his own will, but the Father's. It was his meat to do the will of him who sent him, and to finish his work. His advent, his ministry, his death, were all proofs of his obedience. Though a. Son, yet learned he obedience by the things which he suffered. How much more must sub- jection to the Father's will befit us, who are the creatures of his power, the_ subjecta of his dominion I It gives dignity to our life to feel that we too are sent into the world by God-that we are his messengers, his servants, bis children, bound to do his behests, aud to live as accountable to him. 3. Obligation characterizes all true service. Even the Son of God could say, "I must." On his part there was no compulsion. He of his own accord undertook a. life of consecration and self-denial. What be did he "must needs" do, for the fulfilment of the Divine purposes, for the satisfaction of the benevolent yearnings of bis own heart, e.nd for the salvntion of mankind. In our case there is a. stringent moral obligation to serve God. As creatures, we are bound to obey a righteous Maker; as redeemed, emancipated freedmen, we are bound to glorify a. Divine Deliverer. We aro not our own. The duty that binds us to service is indeed a. duty sweetened by grateful love, but a duty it cannot cease to be. II. THE LIMITATION OF THE EARTHLY SERVICE. Our Lord condescended to accept the natural limits of human life. The day is for labour. Christ's da.y was from the dawn at Bethlehem to the evening on Olivet. There are those of his followers whose day is even shorter the.n bis. There are many whose day is far longer. But in the case of every one of us there are limits which we cannot pass over. There are the "twelve hours" of the day, to which we cannot e.dd. From this language we learn that the day, the period for our work on earth, is: 1. A prescribed, unalterable period. We cannot add II cubit to our stature, n year to our life. There is" an appointed time" for man upon earth. 2. A period during which the light still shines upon our path. If a me.n walk in the day he stumbleth not, because he seeth the light of the world. Christians are favoured with the light of revelation-with the light of the Spirit given during the gospel dispensation. It is for them to walk and to work while the daylight lasts. 3. A period during which strength is unspent. The labourer toils until the lengthening shadows tell him that the day's work is approaching the close. He needs repose with evening, but until the evening his vigour enables him to continue hiii. efforts. Whilst the Christian lives, God gives him power to serve. God is not a hard Taskmaster; his demanrls do not exceed bis gifts. 'fhe voice from eternity that speaks with authority bids us .. work while it is dny." III. THE SPECIAL MOTIVE TO THE EARTHLY SERVICE. Cl The night cometh, when DO man onn work." There hns never been spoken by human lips anything more solemn.  22 THE GOSPEL ACCORDING TO ST. JOHN. [on. 11:. 1-41.