The Pulpit Commentary — John — Volume 2 — Section 153

Ver. 26.-Sen,ice and reward. In both parts of this deola.ration made by our Lord, there is a condescension to our human ignorance and imperfection. 'l.'he Master makes use of langu~e drawn from human relations and human experiences. I. WHAT lJHRIST REQUIRES. 1. &n,i,ce. This is not equivalent to bonda<>e but to persona.I ministration. It is a just and helpful view to take of the Christi~n' life to reg:ard it as consisting of a personal attendance upon the Lord Jesus, and a rever~nt and affectionate obedience t.o him. A Saviour he is; but he is also the kindest and the best of Ma.stors. The twelve felt tliis, and their life we.s a pmctioal acknowledgment of it, both during the Lord's ministry and more especially after his departure. The Gr<'cks, whose coming suggested this language, may have cherished some desire and hope of being admitt.ed into the number of Christ's sel'Vll.Ilts. It is the highest ambi- tion any man can cherish to be counted an adherent, a retainer, a minister, of Jesus. 2. Following. This involves: (1) Obedience to Christ's commands. His people obey him from love, but still they do obey him. (2) Conformity to his character. He not only says, " Do what I bid you l" but, "Be what I am I" (3) Endurance of the trials incident to his service. It is for Christ's people to bear their Leader's cross. II. WR.AT CHRIST PROMISES. It is observable that Jesus addresses to his followers no promise of worldly or carnal advantage, such as Mohammed, for example, made use of to allure and inspire his adherents. Jesus invited men to become his, even when he saw the cross before his eyes. There was sublimity in such an invitation given in such an hour. And as the service to which he invited men was not without its perils, so the recompense he offered was unworldly and spiritual. 1. His own fellowship and society. They who know and appreciate Christ deem it the highest and purest happi- ness to be "with " him, to share his conflict, to hear his encouraging voice, to partici- pate in the glory of his vict.ory. 2. The honour of the Father. 'l'he honour which men seek from their fellow-men is often inadequate, often misplaced, often pernicious. There are no such disadvantages attaching to the Divine Father's approbation. It is indeed well with him " whom the Lord commendeth." What brighter prospect can there be than thls, "Then shall every man have praise of God" ?-T. Vers. 27, 28.-The B<J'lil..«mjli,ct of (Jh'f'ist. Only now and again do we observe the Saviour's regard turned inwardly upon himself, npon his own feelings and anticipations. Usually his thoughts and his speech concerned others. Bat in this passage of his ministry he gives us an insight into hie inmost heart. L THE ORISIB OF THIS CONFLICT. The approach of the Greeks marks "the beginning of the end." Now the Son of man began to feel by anticipation the burden of the cross. Opposition and persecution were at hand. He was about to tread the winepress alone. Pain, humiliation, sorrow, death, were close upon him. The" hour" which he had long foreseen was now nearly marked upon the dial of hie life ; it was the hour of his enemies' power and of the prince of darkness. II. TB:& oHA.BACTEB OF TRIS CONFLICT. 1. On the one side was personal feeling, which expressed it.self in the cry, so human, so touching, so sincere," Father, save me from this hour I " This was the voice of human weakness, to be repeated afterwards in the form, "!fit be poBBible, let this cap pass from me I" This shrinking from all that was involved in the sacrifice was reaL Our Lord's human nature was reluctant to endure the anguish of Gethsemane, the agony of Golgotha. 2. On the other side was the perception that all the past experience of his humanity led up to just this llistressful burden, the pressUl'e of which he was now beginning to feel. He had con- Hnted to liva in order that he might consent to die. The baptism of sorrow mast _pverwhelm him, the bitter cup must be drained to the dregs, in order that his ministry OH, xn. 1-50.J THE GOSPEL ACCORDING TO ST. JOHN.