The Pulpit Commentary — John — Volume 2 — Section 147

with the whole moe of man. Through hie death a new life went forth to ml1Ilone, (b) Jf ho hed not died, he would have been confined to one spot of earth and the Hpirit's influences would have been confined to hie own Pereon. But by his death the Spirit, became universally diffused. (3) The principle is illustrated in Christian life. (a) Sin isolates the sinner. (b) But when he" dies unto sin and lives unto God," he is deli\•ered from eolitude. lie ie no longer alone. He is the member of II he11venly famil~•. 3. Jesus C13Sert& his own sulJJection to thatfundamen,f,a,l law which he so often applied to his disciples. "He that loveth his life loseth it; and he th&t h11teth his lire in this world shall keep it in life eternal." (1) There ie & love of this mere ph)'Fice.l life the.t imperils the higher life. If Jesus had not died, he would not have been glorified. Bis life would have been sterile. (2) There is a reward involved in the i,e,crifice of the present life in the cause of God. 4. The claims of discipleship. • (1) 'l'he Lord's serrice implies a close following of the M&Ster. "If any man serve me, let him follow me." They must obey his doctrine and imitate his ex&mple. (2) Faitbfol service will be rewarded by the servant being eternally associated in glory with the Master. "And where I am, there 111so shall my serv&nt be." (3) The Father will crown with dignity those who serve his Son in a holy obedience. "!f any man serve me, him will my Father honour." 6. Jesl/,S ill deeply moved at the prospect of his approaching sorrows. "Now is my soul troubled; and what shall Isay? Father, save me out of this hour; but for this cause came I to this hour. Father, glorify thy Name." (1) The shock had already come. John does not mention the agony of Geth- semane, but it is really true. The very words of that scene occur here, (2) There is one element of perplexity implied iD. this deep trouble, "Wh&t shall I say? " The thought of deliverance was present to the mind, but not admitted. The prayer which would have deli~ed him would have been the ruin of the world. (3) The prayer actually offered was not for deliverance from death, but for deliverance out of death, as the word signifies in the origin&!. It is II prayer to be brought safely out of the conflict. (4) The real design of this suffering was that he might win II victory over sin &nd death. "But for this cause came I to this hour." (6) His exemption from suffering would have been inconsistent with the glory of God. "Father, glorify thou me." 6. The Father's approwl of the Son's consecration. " Then came there a voice from heaven: I have both glorified it, and will glorify it again." (1) It was a real articulate voice, not a mere sound of thunder, though the multitude may not have understood the words uttered from heaven. (2) The glorification past referred to the voices &t his baptism.and his transfiguration, in.'whlch the Father's ch&racter was revealed along with his own Sonship. (3) The glorification in the future would follow from the universal proclamation of the gospel to &sinfui world. 7. Jesu, ea;plaine what is involved in the glorification of the Father's Na'IM by himae1,f. " This voice came not because of me, but for your sakes." It was designed to convince the people of the true purport of his mission. (1) lt was for the judgment of the world. "Now is the judgment of this world." The cross would disclose the moral condition of man, and reveal the secrets of all hearts ; and, above all, their attitude toward Christ. (2) It was for the casting out of Satan. "Now shall the prince of this world be cast out." (a) Satan is a 11Surper, .e.nd thus the "god of this world,n "the i;pirit that worketh in the children of dis- obedience." (b) It is natural that the judgment of the world should be followed by the casting out of its ruler. (c) Christ, by his death, will deliver men from the dominion of Sat.an and the &&very of sin. (3) It was for the accession of the true Sovereign lo his kingdom. "And I, if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all men unto me." (a) He refers here to the manner of his death. He is to be lifted up on the crOS6; yet he points likewise to the ascension which is to follow his death. He will thus he freed from all earthly ties, and placed in immediate relation to the whole world . of man, that he may become "Lord of all" (Rom. x. 12). (b) The effect of his death and e.scension. "I will draw all men unto me." ( ..) He is himself the Centre of the .world's attraction. (/J) He will attract, but not force, ruen into saving relationship with himself. The language implies that men are at a distance, and alienated from him. " Draw me, we;wm run after thee." There is a marvellous drawing power in the llifted-up Redeemer. (-r) He will draw all men unto himself. Not only Jews, but Gentiles. The words cannot signify that all men will be saved, for there are mnuy already lost, and the,~ will be many e.t the la.et 4ay to whom he will say, "Depart on, lni. 1---60.] 'l'llE GOSPEL ACCORDING TO ST. JOHN. 153