The Pulpit Commentary — John — Volume 2 — Section 154

might be comploto. The Incemation itself contemplated, and virtually includcrl, tho sacrifico. 'fho pf\st would prove to have been endJred in vain, if tho future should bo ov11ded; and tho lifo of the Seviour, with the cross left out, if such a conception bo possible, would be all but powerless in the spiritual history of humanity. 3. Honea the distmction of mind evinced in the exclamation, "What shall I say?" The two wishos wore inconsiMtont with e11ch other, With which of them should the deliberate and decisive rosolve identify itself? III. Tm!l DECJISIVE ORY OF TUE CONll'LIOT. The issue of the struggle within the Saviour's Spirit w11s apparent when he uttered the exclamation, the prayer, "l<'a.ther, glorify thy No.me I" For this revealed the fact that Jesus was turning away from him- self and from his own feelings, and was turning to his Father. He was sinking the consideration of himself and his sufferings in a filul regard to his Father's honour, to the Divine purposes which underlay the whole of his mission. God was exalted in the completion of the Mediator's work. Jesus learned obedience, and displa.yed obedience, in the things which he suffered. Our salvation was assured when the decision was reached, when the cry was uttered, when the Father's glory, by its dazzling brightness, its burning radiance, consumed all beside. IV. THE CLOSE OF THE CONFLICT. The solemnity and grandeur of the crisis is shown by the audible interposition with which the Father responded to the cry of his beloved, chosen Son. 1. 'l'he voice from heaven was a reminder. How the Father had glorified his Son we know from the record of what took place at the baptism and at the Trans- figuration. But to the spiritually enlightened and discerning there had been apparent, all through our Saviour's ministry, a. moral glory which was hidden from the thought- less world. 2. The voice from heaven was a promise. The further glory of the Father in his Son was to be manifested in all the events to follow the perfect obedience unto the death of the cross. Especially in the resurrection of Christ did God" give him glory." The Ascension, the marvels of Pentecost, the signs accompanying the preaching of the gospel, were evidences that the Divine purposes were in course of fulfilment. The whole dispensation of grace is "ra.ther"-i.e. in a superior measure and degree-"ra.ther glorious." The establishment of the kingdom of God among men, the introduction of a new and higher life into our humanity, the salvation of untold myriads of sinners, the peopling of heaven with the redeemed from every nation,-these are signs that the Lord has seen of the travail of his soul and is satisfied, that the purposes of tke Father are accomplished, that the glory of the Father is secured.-T. Ver. 32.-Divine attraction. The shadow of the cross lay a.thwart the path of Jesus. His soul was troubled, for the hour was come. The grain of wheat was abont to fall into the soil, and there to die. Yet our Saviour looked beyond the near to the distant future. He knew that, though the hour was come, it was the hour in which God should be glorified; tha1i though the seed should die, it should bear much fruit; that though he himself was about to be lifl.ed up from the earth, he should draw all men unto himself. L WHO WAS HE WHO LOOKED FORWARD TO A PROSPECT so GLORIOUS? This must be asked, because the words used a.re such as from ordinary lips might naturally be deemed but vain boa.sting. How often have conquerors hoped to subdue the world, thinkers to convert all mankind to their opinions, preachers and promulgators of religious systems to win the empire over the hearts of the race! Experience has dispelled many such illusions ; and we a.re slow to accept claims to universal dominion. Who, then, was he who uttered this confident expectation-that all men should be drawn to him? To all outward appearance a peasant, a teacher, a healer, a. reformer, a benefactor of his fellow- men. What prospect was there of one in such a position realizin"' 0 a hope so vast? And how, if he was a.bout to be crucified, could he find the cross a mea.ns to such an end? The thing seemed incredible, even to his own adherents and friends. If Jesus had been a mere man, although a saint or a prophet, snch language would have been egotism. But Jesus knew the purpose of the Father, and felt within him the consciousness of power to achieve a work so great. And the events which followed-the Resurrection and Ascension, and especially the Pentecostal outpouring-opened. the eyes of his dis- ciples to the glory of their Master's Person, the power of his Spirit, the certainty of the prospect he beheld. 160 'fHE GOSPEL AOOORDING TO ST. JOHN. [err. xn, 1-60.