The Pulpit Commentary — John — Volume 2 — Section 67

sideration would cause him to remain in his native happintlss and glory, and keep him for ever from the adverse circumstances of his hum1m life, and from thtl repulsive sccnea 1111d treatment of this world. But as nothing but his appearance in human nature could hring life t-0 a dying world, be Cllme, and this was the eole burden of his mission. ( 4.) His coming actually brought the ble.•sings of a Divine life within the ,·each of all. "Tlrnt they may have life." He is the Fountain, the Author, and Support of all life; and when he came, life came with him; and whatever insurmountable obstacle there was in the way of fallen men t-0 obt.ain it, he removed; and whatever strength and inspiration they required, be furnished by his self-sacrificing life and death. So that &ll who will may have it.. There is many a mission benevolent in aim but defective in execution; but the mission of Christ, in inspiration, aims, and results, is most divinely benevolent and practically efficient. 3. It is a mission of Divine abundance. It is not merely benevolent, but most abundantly and overflowingly benevolent. "Have it abundantly." (1) This life is abundant in itself. It contains the elements of spiritual life in all their quickening energies, perfection, and ful r.ess. For Christ is the life; be lived in our world, and laid down his life, and by his Spirit infuses it into the soul, and the soul by faith may appropriate it as its example, model, and inspiration. Christ is our life: as such, it is the highest life possible, and will satisfy the soul's deepest wants and divinest aspirations. (2) It is abundant in the means of its suppol't. Christ, the Author and Model of spiritual life in the soul, becomes also its Sustainer. He is not only the life, but also the Bread of life. From the fulness of his life, and by the ever active Agency of bis Spirit, the believing soul continually receives fresh energy and strength. It cannot lack for anything. The means of support are infinitely full and various and accessible, and are as abundant as the life itself. (3) It is abundant in the advantages and certainty of its 7Jerfect devewpment. This world is most advantageous as the place of its birth, the cradle of its infancy, the nursery of its youth, and the arena of its dawn- ing manhood. It finds advantages of development here which cannot be found else- where. 'l'be adverse circumstances of life, its trials and temptations, are specially adapted for its first exercises, growth, and confirmation. Its spiritual nature renders it safe from material weapons, and its union with Christ from the hurt of spiritual foes; and even death, which seems to put an end to all here, is made· to serve its highest interests-introduces it to its native land, to the very presence of its Source, where all is life, where it enjoys the most congenial scenes, society, and employment, and where it reaches full development, and perfect safety and happiness. (4) It is abundant in the scope of its enjoyment. When this life outgrows the material conditions under which it exists here, it is bom into the spiritual world, the final and natural home of all spiritual life, and time being too short for its full enjoyment, eternity is laid before it to enjoy God, the delights of his presence, the service of his love, and the society of his family for ever. LE!IBoNs. 1. We are i;v,rrounded, in this world with religiol/,8 thieves. These charac- ters are not confined to the material and social worlds alone, but to a greater extent they are found in the religious world. Some things more valuable than silver and gold are stolen. There are thieves of souls, consciences, wills, and life. 2. We are greatly indebwl to Christ for the revelation of the fact. In the light of him who is the Light of the world. the powers and works of darkness are reveaied, and· the mission of human selfishness is manifested in its self-seeking aims, its cunning and cruel character and destructive results. Thus we are put on our guard, and furnished with the means of defence. 3. The mission of human t;1;lfishness serves as an effective background to the m:ission if IJivine wve in Christ. At the back we see the dark shadows of the arch- thief of souls with his deluded emissaries, and their spoliations of cunning and cruelty, In the front, surrouncled with a halo of glory, stands Jesus, offering eternal life to a perishing world. By oontrast how beautiful and welcome his appearance, and how calculatc.-d to inspire gratitude and a hearty acceptance of his life 1--B. T. Vers. 17, 18.-17ie death of Christ. I. IT INVOLVES THE GREATEST BAORIFIOE. 1. It waa a sacrifi!X: of life. "I lay down my life." It was his own life, and not tho.t of another. Thousands of lives are sacrificed during war by the existing government; but these are the lives of others, and not their own. But the death of Christ involved tho 1!8Crifice of his own life. It was personal. 2. It was a sacriji.a, of the most preciow (!JI, x. 1-42.] 'l'HE GOSPRL ACCOTIDJNG TO ST. JOFIN. 60