The Pulpit Commentary — John — Volume 2 — Section 156

death, made use of this appell11tion, which shows that it was well known and current among the early Christiane. 'fhe same is apparent from its employment by John in the. A~calypse, when describing the ascended Christ. 3. There are passa6es from which 1t would seem that "Son of man" woe regarded as almost equivalent to "Son of God." Thus in Pater's great confession, in answer to Christ's inquiry (see Matt. xvi. 13-16). And again in Caiaphas's interpretation of our Lord's language (see Luke xxii. 69, 70). 4. 'fo the Chri.stian the designation ie suggestive of great and distinc- tively Christinn doctrines. The Son of me.n is to him incarnate Deity, and yet Deity in participation with our nature, in priestly fellowship with our life, in human sympathy with our feelings, in humiliation e.nd sacrifice. And on the other hand, the Son of me.n assures us that he ie our Representative above, our Mediator and Friend, our Lord and Judge. II. THE QUESTION ABUD CONCERNING JESUS. "Who is this Son of man?" 1. It is a question which is prompted by our acquaintance with the facts of Christ's ministry. 'l'he record of what Jesus did, suffered, and said, is the most amazing record in the history of humanity. Is it possible, seriously and thoughtfully, to ma.ke acquaintance with the facts of his life, death, and resurrection, without bein~ urged to the inquiry, "Who is this?" 2. It is a question upon the answer to which great issues depend. Wos Jesus an impostor, or a fanatic, or an altogether mythical personage? Upon many questions we can afford to suspend our judgment; but not upon this. It makeR all the difference to the world, it makes all the difference to ourselves, whether or not Jesus be the Saviour from sin, and the Lord of righteousness and life. 3. It is a. question which admits but of one i:eply. Reason and conscience a.like are satisfied, and can find rest, when the assurance is given that the Son of man is Son of God.-T. Ver. 35.-Light on the path. The occasion of this admonition is intelligible enough. The Jews were naturally perplexed at Jesus' saying (ver. 32) concerning his approach- ing death, and the mysterious power which in and after his death he should exercise over men. No wonder that they asked who this Son of man could be. Jesus did not want to discourage them from this inquiry as one of great speculative interest; truth, especially upon the highest themes, must be reverently and earnestly songht. Yet it was the desire of Jesus that the Jews should remember the practical bearing of his language. His ministry among them was a probation to those who were brought into contact with him. Some used that probation aright; many misused it. Now that the light shone, it was for those favoured with its shining to walk by its celestial guidance. I. AN INJUNCTION. 1. What is the light in which we are directed to wa.lk? Undoubtedly the spiritual light shed upon the world by Christ and his gospel-the light which is Di vine, glorious, unsetting, and sufficient for the illumination of all m('.n, This is the clear light of knowledge, the pure light of holiness, the bright light of joy, the welcome light of counsel and of safety. 2. What is it to walk, having the light? It is in the first place to accept the true and Divine light in preference to false, delusive lights of earth. Then to be practically guided by it so as to escape the errors and follies and sins into which men are prone to be misled. Then to learn by experience so to love the light as to partake its very nature, and so to become the children of the light. II. A WARNING, "That darkness overtake you not.." A traveller in a lonely desert or a dangerous country is anxious to travel by daylight, and to reach his ha.It- ing-place or his destination before nightfall. Making use of this similitude, our Lord enjoins all who value his counsel to speed their onward way, lest, if they be slothful and inattentive to Divine guidance, they be overtaken by the night of judgment and d11struction. The darkness to be dreaded is the darkness of spiritual insensibility. The soul that shuns the light learns to hate the light. And such a moral failure to use aright the precious advantages conferred involves the privation of privilege. Thus the unfaithful is brought into the darkness of Divine displeasure and death. How the warning of Christ was fulfilled in the experience of Israel as a nation, history has recorded. 'l'he destruction of Jerusalem, and the dispersion of the once favoured nation, show that "darkness overtook" them. No more solemn warnin~ exists agaiust 11egligence and unfaithfulness.-T. ~~-~ K  162 THE GOSPEL AOOORDING TO ST. JOHN, [on. xn.1-50.