The Pulpit Commentary — John — Volume 2 — Section 150

ungttenh the offering for his embalming, for he knew that his death and burial were at hand, They who bring to the Lord Christ any gift which the heart dictates and the judgment approves, need not fear lest be should repulse them. Since he seeks and desires their love, it must needs gratify him to receive its genuine expression, whatever form it may assume. Jt mRy be said that this is to take a somewhat simple and child- like view of religion. Be it so; still the language and conduct of Christ here recorded assure 118 that it is a view which the Lord himself a.pproves.-T. Ver. 21.-The dedre to see Je~m. The wish of these Greek-speaking Gentiles, who (being proselytes to the faitb of Israel) had come to Jerusalem to take part in the sacred festival, is a wish not to be explained with certainty. How far they were animated by TQere curiosity, how far by intelligent interest and spiritual yearning, we cannot say. Dut the language in which they expressed their desire is not only beautiful in its simplicity, it is susceptihle of appropriation by all those who have felt their need of the Saviour. I. WHAT PROMPTS THE DESmE TO SEE JESUS? To answer this question we must consider : 1. The spiritual impulse. Man is so made as that he desires "to see good," and that, if his soul be really a.wakened to newness of life, be desires to see the highest and the purest good. They who have seen many earthly objects and persons have come to understand that all which this world can give is in its very nature unsatisfying. If sought as the supremely excellent, worldly good cannot fail to disappoint. Thl!B there remains an aspiration which is unquenched, and, so far as earthly streams a.rs concerned, is unquenchable. But we must consider: 2. The attractiveness of Christ. The Greeks had heard something, perhaps much, of Jesus of Nazareth; in any case they had heard enough to induce them to seek a personal interview and acquaintance with the great Prophet. When the gospel is published, and the spiritual charms of the Saviour set forth, he is portrayed before men's eyes as the "chief among ten thousand, ... the altogether lovely." To hear of him "with the hearing of tbe ear" is, where there is any susceptibility to spiritual exceHence and beauty, to desire closer knowledge and fellowship. Thus the preaching of Christ is designed to lead to the very application mr.de by these inquiring Greeks. II. WHAT IS INVOLVED m THE DESmE TO SEE JESUS? 1. A. longing for acquaint- ance with the personal, historical, Divine Saviour. They who ask to see JeSUll imply by their request that there is "one Jesus" who may be known; not a fiction of the imagination, but a real and living Being, who may be approached and stndied. 2. A readiness of faith to find in Jesus all that he declares himself to be. The desire in question is not merely for speculative satisfaction; it is for spiritual enrichment. The soul hopes to see in him a. mighty Saviour and a gracious Friend. 3. An earnestness, candour, and tea.chableness of spirit, such as become those who have nothing when they draw near to One who has all. III. How DOES JESUS REGARD THE DESIRE TO SEE. IIIll? 1. He is willing to be sought. Never during his ministry did he hide himself from those who really wished to have an interview with him. He was ever accessible to the needy, to the suffering and sorrowful, to the sinful and penitent. 2. He is ready to befriend and bless and save, Do men ask to see Jesus? his answer is, "Look unto me, and be ye saved." Do men timidly approach Jesus? he encourages them by saying, "Come unto me, and I will give you rest." IV. To WHAT ISSUES MAY THIS DESIRE LEAD? 1. It may lead to the action to which the soul is encouraged by the Saviour, i.e. to true spiritual approach to himself. 2. It may then lead. to the enjoyment of the blessings which, through the knowledge and fellowship of the Lord Jesus, may be experienced by the soul that sees the Saviour with the ·gaze and vision of true faith. The eyes of the understanding being opened, the illumined nature looks upon the Lord ; and to look upon him is to live. V. WHAT MAY CHRIST'S CHURCH DO TO SATISFY THIS DESIRE? The Greeks came to the disciples, and the disciples introduced the strangers to the Lord. They themselves could give no satisfactiQD to the inquirers, but they could lead them to him in whom such satisfaction wns to be found. Thus those who themselves have seen Jesus, and who know him, may point to him whom they know and love, and may say in the hear• ing of others," Behold the Lamb I "-T.  THE GOSPEL ACCORD1NG TO ST. JOltN. [ott. x1t. 1-60,