The Pulpit Commentary — John — Volume 2 — Section 55

Vel"B. 22-----31.-Anotwt,isit to JfJf'U8ahma,nd a,nother addfflls. Jesus left tho city Cor two mouths, and, after ministering in Perre,1, retm ned for the Fea1t of Dedice.Liou, which commemonted the purification of the temple, in the time of the Maccabees, from the pro- fane.tion of Antioch us Epipbanes. It was held in December, and "Jesua was walkin"0 in Solomon's porch," & sheltered arcade for such a season. I. THE FRESH APPEAL OF THE JEWS FOR AN UNAMDiaUOUS DEOLARATION 01!' THE :MESSIAHSHIP. "How long wilt thou make us to doubt? If thou be tho Christ, tell us plainly." 1. They encircled him by dosing in around him, so as to enforce n cate- gorical answer to their question. 2. T/1ey seemed to be weary of answers ambiguo,is in tMir eyes, because they bad not eyes t.o ~ee their meaning, and clcme.nded an answer without reserve and without fear. 3. The Macoabean tra,dition brought so vividly before their mimu by the/east suggested tM bare possibility of Jesus being sucli a tem- poral Messiah as tMg l-Ookedfor, possessing as he undoubtedly did a mnrvellous power over nature and man. II. Oun Loan's FIRST ANSWER TO THEIR APPEAL. " I told you, and you bclieve.d not: the works that I do in my Father's Name, they bear witness of me. But yo believe not, because ye are not of my sheep." 1. ..4 direct answer would liave been impossible. If be had said," I am the Messiah," he would have led them to believe that he was the temporal Prince of their false conceptions. If he had said, "I am not the Messiah," he would have uttered falsehood, for he was the Messiah promised by God. 2. He recurs to tliose si,gnificant testimonies by which he ha,d applied to liimself ail the ,11.e.ssianic symbols of tlie old dispensation. 3. He adds the weighty testimony of liis Father-" the works of the Father "-as signifying his oneness with the Father. 4. His words, " Ye are not of my sheep," signify tha,t he was not such a Messiah as they desired. UL 'lllE BLESSED PBIVILEGES A.TrA.CHED TO THE RELATION BETWEEN CHRIST AND ms Sll.EEP. Our Lord asserts in parallel clauses the acts of the sheep and the acts or gifts of the Shepherd. 1. The acts of the sheep. (1) " My sheep hear my voice." 'l'hey hear with both ear and heart. 'l'heir faith came by "hearing." (2) "And they follow me," both in the exercise of grace and in the discharge of duty. (3) "They shall never perish.." Their salvation is sure. 2. The acts or gifts of tlie Shepherd. (1) "I know them," with the knowledge of a Divine fellowship. (2) "I give unto them eternal life." (a) He gives himself, who is that "Eternal Life" (1 John i. 1). (b) He gives the knowledge of himself, which is life eternal (eh. xvii. 2). (c) It is a present gift. (a) It is a pure gift-of grace, not works. (3) "Neither shall any pluck them out of my hand." (a) The sheep are placed in Christ's hands by the Father; for they are •• the sheep of his hand" (Ps. xcv. 7). (b) The power, the wisdom, the love of Jesus secure the final salvation of hie sheep. IV. THE A11SOLUTE SECURITY OF THE SHEEP A.ND rrs TRUE GROUND. .. My Father, which gave them me, is greater than all; and none is able to pluck them out of my Father's hand. I and my Father are one." 1. TJ.e safety of the believer is guaranteed by the power of the Father as u,ell as tliat of the Son. 2. The oneness of Father and Son, not merely in u:ill or power, but in nature, is the supreme guarantee of all salvation, which is the common work of Father and Son. V. THE EFFECT OF THIS DECLARATION UPON THE JEWS, "Then the Jews brought stones again t.o stone him." 1. Thu act of sudden rage implied that tliey understood our Lord to cla,im rupreme Deity. 2. The stones had been previously carried to tlie porch, !!l the ezpectation that the sa.crifice of Christ could not be much longer delayed. Vere. 32-39.-The rliarge of blasphemy. There is now a second address. L OUB LoRD's METHOD OF ELICITING THE TRUE MOTIVE 01!' JEWISH VIOLENOE A.ND .&lilGEB. "Many good works have I showed you from th:; Father; for which of these works do ye et.one me?" 1. Jesus ha,d wrought many more miracles which are not re.corded in thui Gospel,. 2. T'n,ey were not <YIUY works done, as vis1"ble indications of tM Fatw, but tMg were, as tM word signifies, " beautiful works." ~ith n moral excel 1~°:ce that ought to have touched the Jewish heart. 3, Yet they ezcited the deepest hostility l!f t/11:, Jews. II. 'l'HE BEPLY ol!' TllE JEws. "For a good work we etoue thee not; but for .blalphemy; Jleca.1JJ1e that t.hou, being a. wan, makest thy.self God." 1. Their inte~ OJI, X, 1-4'2,] THE GOSPEL ACCORDING TO ST. JOHN. 67