The Pulpit Commentary — John — Volume 2 — Section 61

Israel only, but of mankind. The majesty of his po~ition and office did not break In upon him either grndnally or suddenly. He brought with him to earth tho consciousness or a Divine election and commission. And in such pa.•sa,,CTCs as this we have a revela- tion of hi~ mind ; and we feel that no mere human teacher or leader could hnvo nssumed such a relation tow&rds the vast multitudes here contemplated, but distant in space remote in time, and seemingly estrangc>d in sympathies. ' Il. 'l'BR LIBERAL AND OOMPREREN::-IVE REPRESENTATION WHICH JESUS GAVE OF HITMANiTY AS HIS FLOCK. The fold of Israel was very select aud very exclusive. The Hebrews were wont to regnrd the less favoured nations with iudiffereuce aud even con- tempt. Narrowness wl\.s almost the "note" of the Jewish temper, Yet the Old Testament contained no justification for such bigotry. In the Psalms o.nd in the prophets ~e meet wit~ r~prese1:1tations_ of the_ pur~ses of God towards humanity at large, which are startling In their magnificent hberahty and comprehensiveness. God's olvation, we a.re told, shall extend to the ends of the earth; all nations shall sin" the praises of the Lord. Accordingly, when we road our Saviour's language in this pa;sage and find him claiming as his own other sheep not of the Hebrew fold, we feel that such language is a verification of his claim to fulfil the Jewish prophecies, to supersede the Jewish prophets, to realize the substance of the Jewish types and shadows. The Samaritans had long ago come to the conclusion that Jesus was the Saviour of the 'UJ01'ld! Jesus now openly declared that the Gentiles were, in the counsels of God, members of his spiritual flock and household. And he was about to assert the mystei·ious power of his cross, by assuring the Jews that he should thence draw all mm unto himself. Ill. THE SUBLDlE FORECAST WHICH JESUS COMMUNICATED CONCERNING THE FUTURE OF THE woB.LD. Observe the several steps. 1. Gentiles are the possession of the Di ~ine Shepherd, and the purchase of his redeeming love and sacri6ce. Far away there are sheep which he has, for which he lay11 down his life, equally with those nearest to him the objects of his interest, love, and care. 2. The time shall come when the Gentiles shall realize their privileges, shall be led by him, and shall hear his voice. Then the Redeem.tll" shall see of the travail of his soul, and be satisfied, 3. The ultimate purpose of Divine grace shall be fulfilled, when the unity of the ransomed sluill be complete, when there shall be "one flock," and when the Saviour shall be acknowledged as the Sovereign, when there shall be" one Shepherd."-T. Ver. 16.-The unity of tlu flock. To bring about unity in thought is the aim of the thinker; to bring about unity in life and action is the aim of the practical man, who is called to be the leader and ruler of his fellow-men. Christ, as the good Shepherd, who has shrunk from no effort, from no sacrifice, to secure the welfare of his sheep, con- templates and designs, in the exercise of his spiritual authority, the consolidation of the grandest unity of which mankind is capable. L THE SlJBJECTS OF THIS UNITY. They are the spiritual sheep, the members of the true flock. .All like sheep have gone astray, all have been sought and recovered by tha Shepherd and Bishop of souls, all rejoice in and abide under the tendance and care of the Divine Saviour. II. THE DIVERSITIES BLENDED IN THIS UNITY. The Lord Christ was the Son of man, and in the aim of his compassion and redemption transcended the distinctions which separate man from man. More especially he designed to bring the Gentiles into the fold; thtse may have been the "other sheep" whose inclUBion he graciously pur- posed. The wall of pai:t,ition w8ll verr high and ~ery st;o_ng ; only ?e. could break it down. But no nationality, no education, no previous religious associat10ns, were to be allowed to stand in the way of the unity which he came from God in order that he might effect in this distracted race. Ill. 'l'HE GROUND oF THIS UNITY. Men endeavour to base oneness of action upon community of association or of interest, etc. But in the Christian scl1eme the basis of the new fellowship and br~therhood is pivi~e. The one ~heph~rd a~o.ne can acco~t for the one flock. His Div111e nature, his pnceless redemption, his spmtual authority, tbese lie at the foundation of the Church's uni1;y, and for such an edifice no narrower foundation could suffice. • IV. THE NATURE oi' THIS UNITY, This has been more misunderstood than almost  'l'HE GOSPEL ACCORDING TO ST. JOHN. 68