The Pulpit Commentary — John — Volume 2 — Section 106

were intended not only for the aesue.goment of human sorrow, but for tho eRtiefying of b11man aspirations. He drew the attention e.way from the great work to the greater Worker. In him WRB life; e.nd by bis inoa.rnation e.nd sacrifice he brought the life of God to this world of sin and death. 11. THE LIFE OF CHRIBT, WHEN OOMMUNT0ATED TO MEN, BECOMES A SPmITU.AT, IMMORTALITY. "'rhe Son quickeneth whom he will." He introduced the now life into our hume.nity. How it h118 spread I In how many soils he.vo barrenness and dee.th diMppeared, and spiritual vitality, vigour, and fruitfulness abounded in their place I Christ has taught the independence of the spiritual life upon the life of this body of our humiliation. In his own resurrection he manifestly conquerot.l death. Living, he has the keys of death and Hades. He is both the lt'irstfruits of the risinii; again, and the Agent _and quic~eni':1g_ Power in ~aising his peo~le. What can compare for spiritue.l potency with the hfe-gmng authority of the Saviour? In what other is there hope for man's d_eathle~ spiri_t? Like morning after a stormy night, like spring after a dreary wmter, hke tnumph after arduous warfare, like the haven after a tem- pestuous voyage,-so is the immortality of the righteous "'.ho, living in Christ, live in perpetual ble.ssedness. All their aspirations are realized, and all their hopes fu ]filled. III. lT IS BY FAITH TB.AT THE GLORIOUS IMMORTALITY OF TRE BLESSED IS ACRIEVEn. Christ presents himself as the Divine Object of faith. It is no arbitrary connection which is exhibited in these words of our Redeemer as exinting between faith and life. Life is personal, and spiritual life comes from the Lord and Giver of life to those who believe. Faith is spiritual union with the Christ who died and rose for us, and is the means, first of a death unto sin and a lire unto righteousness, and then of all which this spiritual change involves. A life in God is a life etemal.-T. Ver. 27.-.A good confessim. Martha of Bethany, if we may judge from the little recorded of her, was an interesting and admirable character. She was not only warm- hearted, frank, and practical, but one who thought clearly, and professed her faith with boldness and with no hesitation, no qualification. Where shall we find a confession of faith concerning Jesus more sound, more full, more ardent than this uttered by the sister of Lazarus of Bethany? I. 'l'EE ORARACTEB A?.'D EXTENT OP MABTRA's FAITH IN JEsus. Observe the language which is indicative of this-how it proceeds from point to point. 1. She calls Jesus" Lord." This would seem to be simply a title of courtesy, of respect, of rever- ence. In itself the word may imply no more; when applied to Jesus it may be the acknowledgment of a special authority. 2. She calls him "the Christ." This sounds natural enough to us; but, coming from Martha of Bethany, how much docs this desig- nation involve! How hard it must have been for one of Jewish birth and training to recognize in the Prophet of Nazareth the foretold Anointed of God, the Deliverer of Israel, the Saviour of mankind I 3. She calls him " the coming One," i.e. the Being foretold in Hebrew prophecy, possessing the nature, the authority, the offices, belong- ing to the Commissioned of God. 4. She calls him "the Son of God. n '!'his is, indeed, a lofty flight of faith; justified. it is true, by the fact, yet exciting our amaze- ment and admiration. II. THE GROUJ.'DS OF MABTRA's PAIT& We cannot give a perfect account of these; but we can form a fair judgment as to the reasons and motives which led this woman to make a confession so remarkable and so just. 1. What she had seen Christ do. It is not credible that, intimate as were the members of her household with the Lord Jesus she should never have witnessed any acts of Divine power such as he was wont to pe;form in every place where he discharged his ministry. 2. What she had heard Christ say. She too, like her sister, had often sat at the Master's feet, and heard his Word. The teaching of him who spake as never man spake, produced upon her mind a deep and abiding impression; for such a Teacher her reverence could not be too great. 3. The impression she had received of his character. As Guest at Bethany, Jesus had afforded Martha many o_pportunities of ju?ging of _h!s nature; ant.l _her reason and her heart alike aseured her that he was indeed D1vme, It was a Just juogment, and wisely formed. Ill. THE BEOOMPENBE OF MARTHA's PAITH. Her ardent and loving confeesion was 11ot uurecogoized or unrewarded. It broiight her: 1. The sympathy of the Saviour 011. x1. 1-57,] 'J'HE GOSPEL ACCORDING TO ST. ,JOHN'. 109