but they sh!Lll awake to weep no more. Laz11rua left bis grave 11nd his grave-clothes to BBsume them again; but they shall for ever leave the abode and garments of mortality and enter life eternal.-B. T,
Vel'B. 16, 21.-Good '" a.pparen.t evi1. Notice-- I. THAT ALL THE MOVEMENTS OF CHRIST ON EABTII HAD AN IMMEDIATE BEOABD TO OTKEBS. 1. Hu life on earth was purely !Jicarioos. "For your sakes." Not only his death was vicarious, but his life w11s equ11lly so. Not only he died for others, hut he lived for them as well. His vicarious deBth was only the natural outcome of his vicarious life. All his movements, bis actious, his mirscles, his teaching and utter- snces, the fact and 1111m of his life, were for others-for mankind generally and for his disciples partioularly. "For your sakes." 2. Hill life on earth was purely self• Baerifici,ng. "For your sakes." He s&erificed every personal feeling, convenience, and consideration for the advant.a.ge of others. Bad he consulted his own personal feelings -reelings of the tenderest a.ffection and the sincerest friendship-friendship for the dying and the living-nothing would have kept him away from the death-bed of his beloved friend at Bethany; but these tenderest feelings of personal friendship he 118.Crificed for the sake of others. For their sakes he was not there. 'l'his was the great and grand principle of his whole life. 3. The vic.ariousness and self-sacrifice of his life were to him the sources of the 'greatest pleasure. "I am glad," etc. He found his highest joy in doing good to his fellow-men, and the greatest delight of his life was spending it for the advant.a.ge of others. In benefitting them even his own pain was turned into pleasure, his sorrow into joy, and the greatest self-sacrifice o.fforded him the greatest satisfaction. 4. His life on earth was one of t1,ntiring activity. Nevertheless, let us go unto him. His time for sorrow and joy was very limited. His was to act. (1) His activity was ever timel,y. He would ever act in his own time; but his time was always right. Some thought he was too late; but if he went., even to a grave, it was not too lat.e. (2) His activity was often wonderful in its aim, but ever successful. "Let us go unto him." Lazarus was dead, and his soul in the spirit world; but he was not too far for Jesus to reach him-he was at home there. To human view Lazarus was a prisoner of death, and it was a bold march to go to him through the territories of the king of terrors; but, bold as it was, Jesus undertook it successfully. (3) His activity was ever inviting and inspiring. "Let us go." The disciples could not go as fur as the Master, but let them go as far as they are able. If they can only see, weep, and witness, let them do what they can; he will do the rest. They were inspired to go. (4) His activity waa ever Mlpful, in consoling, teaching, and quickening. II. 'J.lUT ALL THE llOVEllENTB OF CKBIBT ON EABTII HAD A SPECIAL REGARD TO TBE GREATEST GOOD OF OTKEBS. "To the intent that ye may believe." 1. Whatever M di,d was done with a definite purpose. "To the intent." He hnd one great and special aim through life. In every movement and act and utterance of his there was a definite purpose, and he kept this ever in view. It was the inspiration and guide of his movements. In all his various and busy activities there was not o. single random shot; but he ever took a definite aim, on which bis whole being centred. '!'his is one of the secrets of his ultimate success. 2. Whatever he di,d u·as done for tlie best and lighut pv,rpoae. In relation t.o his own mission and the salvation of the world. "Th.at ye may believe." This implies: (1) That although his disciples had faith, yet it was weak. It was incomplete. This was only to be expected. They were as yet but babes in Christ, and their faith was young and tender. Their wings had not fully grown, e.nd could not soar very high-not high enough as yet to reach and fully rest on the Saviour. (2) Th.at it was r,apable of, and re,quired growth and confirma- twn. Genuine faith, however weak and small, will grow by trial, by experience, by a fuller manifestation of its object, and cries out for this. Its growth is certain but gradual (3) Th.at tu growth and confirmatwn of their faith involved theit- greateat good. This alone could bring them into closer union with Christ and with the Father, awi open to them the door of the spiritual kingdom, and fully present to thtir view the grand but real visions of the spiritual empire, and Jesus as the King in his beauty. This was the only true foundation of their character, and the only hope and sure means of its fuf;\lre perfectio~ a. Wha~er 114 dW, wq8 (U>Tie in the ~t way to effect Tllli: GOSPEL ACContHNG TO 81'. JOHN. ll7