The Pulpit Commentary — John — Volume 2 — Section 63

Vers. 24-26.-The explanation of wnbilief. Jesus knew well what must be the end of such discussions as that hero recorded. Irritation and hostility woro increased. A izrowing number of the Jews committed themselves to the cRuso of Christ's adver- saries. And the selfish reasons for their opposition were multiplied. Yet the Lord continued the controversies, knowing that the issue to which they needs must lead was one which was foreseen in the Divine counsels, and one which would be the moans of bring-ing to pass his own benevolent designs. There wa8 little attempt on his part at conciliation; he knew that any such attempt would be in vain. l. UNBELIEF IS NOT TO BE JUSTIFIED ON THE GROUND OF DEFICIENCY OF EVIDENCE FOR FAITH. Jesus refers the Jews to two amply sufficient grounds for believing in him. 1. His own assertion, "I told you." The value of such an assertion depends 11pon the character of him who makes it. There are those whose statements concerning themselves are worthless; but, on the other hand, there are those whose statements carry i=ediate conviction to those who know them. Jesus always spoke the truth, and he could not be mistaken upon a point such as this, his own nature and mission. 2. His own works, done in his Father's Name. It was not questioned by the Lord's con- temporaries that he wrought miracles. If they cavilled at them, they attributed them to the power of darkness-an absurdity which was its own refutation. These signs nnd wonders, wrought by Jesus, have lost nothing of their significance by the lapse of time; whatever evidential value they had, when Jesus first avpealed to them, they possess to-day. Their very character renders them an everlasting and ever-valid witness to him who wrought them. They can neither be denied nor misinterpreted. II. THE EXPLANATION OF UNBELIEF LIEB IN THE DEFICIENCY OF BPIBITUAL BYH• PATRY. That there are honest and sincere unbelievers, is not questioned. But for the most part there is in those who reject Christ's claims a lack of that sympathy which assists in a just appreciation of the holy and benevolent Saviour. Jesns spoke of the questioners and cavillers as "not of his sheep." They had not those disposi- tions of teachableness and humility which are conducive to Christian discipleship. Such a disposition as our Lord here attributes to his adversaries is most unfavourable to a fair judgment upon the claims and evidences which are found sufficient by many of the wisest and the most virtuous of men. Only Christ's own "sheep" know his voice, and distinguish it as the Divine voice from the voice of strangers. These only "follow" him, and accordingly have every opportunity of acquainting themselves with his character and the manifestations of his purposes. ill IT IS THIS UNSYMPATHIZING Ul.'EELIEF THAT LEA.DB MEN TO CALUMNIATE AND TO OPPOSE CHRIST. This chapter shows us how this principle acted in our Lord's days. We have but to observe what is passing around us, in order to explain upon the same principle the blasphemies and the violent opposition with which our Lord Christ is still assa.iled.-T. Vers. 7-9.-Christ as the Door. Notice- L THE POSITION OF CHllIST IN RELATION TO SPIRITUAL BLESSINGS. "I am the Door." 1. He is the Medium of a.dmission to these blessings. (1) He effected an entrance to them. "He is the Way." When man sinned, the door of heaven was closed to him; and when he looked up thither, there was no opened door there. But Christ opened it and established co=unication between heaven and earth; and as man gazed up, he ea w a door opened in heaven. When Christ left heaven for earth he left the door ajar, and opened a new and a living way for man to enter. (2) He is the absolute Provider and Proprietor of these ble8sings. By sin, man contracted new wants; by suffering, Jesus provided for them, and purchased for man all the spiritual blessings he requires. Thus he is their absolute Provider and Proprietor. (3) As such he is naturally the Guardian of these blessing,. He has an absolute rig?t ~i:td power to admit or reject. He is the Door. He bas made a fold for the sheep, his v1s1ble Church, aDd fonc.cd it round with his comma~dments and directions, where his faithful cm. x. 1-rn.J 'I'HJi; GOSPEL ACCORDING TO ST. ,JOHN. 85