The Pulpit Commentary — John — Volume 2 — Section 75

visible nnd tangible, nnd m11y be counterfeited, but not its roots. Tho strong ties that bind tho Shepherd to his flock are among the things that are unseen and et~rnal. The wol'!d cannot broBk them, nor even understand them. Time does not impair them, cleBth will not destroy thorn. "He gives to hie sheep eternnl life," etc. (ver. 28). Blessed are those who cBn eet to their eeBI that these words are true--who cBn say, "Yee, Lord I thou knowest my wc11knese, and I know thy strength; thou knowest my folly, nnd I know thy wisdom; thou knowest my poverty, and I know thine unsearch- able riches, Lord, thou knowost all things; thou knowcst that I lovo thee; and cil.n I doubt this, that thou first lovedst mo?" Lonm from this subject: 1. That the faith of the gospel is a personal matter. Its object is not a principle, or an abstrnction, or an unknown and unknowable first cause, or "a stream of tendency ; " but God revealed in Christ, whose presence can be sought and realized, who stoops and humbles himself to admit us into his friendship. The text breathes the very language of communion and fellowship. "The God of the Bible is heart to heart" (Bunsen). 2. The deep repose of the Christian life. There is peace in believing. Faith can rest in the thought of an Almighty Shepherd who takes an interest in each of his flock. It is true that Christ "gives to every man his work," and summons his disciples to war the good warfare, and put on the wh,,le armour of God. But at the same time it is written, ""\Ve that have believed do enter into rest" (Heb. iv. 3). Deeper tho.n all the conflicts of the life of faith, there may be the peace of God which passeth understanding. Underneath the manifold endeavours of our active nature there is room for quiet trust in an unseen Helper. Nay, the unfailing springs of courage and of patience have their BOurce within the veil. Try to realize this. Surely the words of the text fully imply it. Look up to him who said, as never man said, "!!'ear not;" "Peace be unto you." Go to him, listen to him, follow him, and the old psalm will be like a new song in your mouth, "The Lord is my Shepherd," etc. 3. Beware of mwrmuring at your Shepherd's guidance, or rebelling against it. The path which you know is his path may be rough and steep for a time, perhaps monotonous and weary. False guides, pretended "leaders of thought," may point to alluring prospects on the right hand or on the left, and try to persuade you to turn your back on Christ; but they will only conduct you to some mirage of the desert. Rebels dwell in a dry land. Is this your experience? Has the spirit of the world beguiled you away from "the simplicity that is in Christ," and has your love grown cold, and has your hope of glory died away? Take with you words and say, "I will return to my first Shepherd, for then was it better with me than it is now." Believe in his intinite grace and goodness. He will restore your soul, and lead you in the paths of righteous- ness, even for his own Name's sake.-G. B. Vere. 27, 28.-Quis separabit1 "My sheep heo.r my voice, and I know them," etc. This is Christ's last word concerning himself and his sheep; his last application of the allegory set forth in the beginning of the chapter. We may well wonder at its tone. The Speaker knew where he stood and what awaited him. The ancient fold, of which he had spoken, was invaded by hireling scribes and robber Sadducees. 'l'he true sheep were feeble and apparently helpless. In a few brief months they should be scatterecl, and be himself, their good Shepherd, smitten to death. Yet our Lord clings to his similitude, and seems to us to rejoice in spirit, as he speaks of the everlasting bonds between himself and his flock. For his horizon was m·t bounded by the cross and the sepulchre, but by the joy that wo.s set before him; and he foresaw that in the ages to come the sound of his voice should go out into all lands, and an ever-increasing multitude should follow him and receive from him eternal life. We must, therefore, look on these words as Christ's perpetual and living testimony, and without forgetting that they were first spoken in an earthly temple, in Solomon's Porch, let us listen to them as coming to us from a heavenly temple, and from a throne of glory. They describe- I. 'rHE CONS0IOUB''fIE BETWEEN CHRIST'S DISCIPLES AND HIMSELF. Since they were uttered, the gospel has been carried far and wide over vast continents and to the distant islands of the sea, and it would take long to tell of the outward revolution it has effected, or of the incidental blessings which have followed in its train; how it has added to the sum of human happinoss and diminished the sum of humau misery-; 'lH THE GOSPEL ACCORDING TO ST. JOHN. [en. x. 1-42.