The Pulpit Commentary — John — Volume 2 — Section 167

the answer returned. This wo.e the third time Heaven spoke audibly respecting Christ- at his baptism, transfigura.tion, e.nd now at his Passion. (1) All heard it, "The people who stood by and hea.rd." It wRs loud enough for all to hear. This le like Heaven; when it speska, it epea.ke in clear a.nd mighty tone&. When the material heaven speaks, it olten speaks in storms and thunders. (2) A few only understood it. 'l'o the majority it was a mere sound like thunder. To some it sna,.ested 0 the broken articulations of an angel, whilst to the disciples, a.nd perhaps mauy others, it WRB the '<"ery voice of God. John fully understood it, and copied its Divine meaning, and handed it down to us. Onlv those who have ears to hear can hear and understand what the Spirit saith. John.had a good ear for the Divine voice. What seems to us only thunder may be the immediat.e voice of God. 4. The answer was audible/or the sake of others. Jesus required no voice from Heaven. He understood the langnnge and thoughts of Heaven intuitively, Christ was not dependent upon the human voice as II medium of revelation. He knew what was in me.n; ho waR conscious of what was in God. God spoke in him; but man requires a voice, and Heaven supplied it now. (1) As a p11blic testimcmy to the life and death of Ohrist. (2) As a test and oonfir- mation of faith. (3) As a Divine indi,eation of the special importance of the hour which included the Passwn of Ohrist. Its import.ance to earth, to heaven, to the Gentiles, to Jesus, to the Father, and to the universe.-B. T. Ver. 32.-1'ie saving infl= of Ohrist. Notice it- I. IN SOME OF ITS OEARACTEllISTIO FEATURES. 1. It" the infl~ of the greal,est Person. " And I," etc. To know something about influence, let us ask who influences ? (1) ~ Son of God. The eternal Word, who was io the beginning with God, and is God. TbW! the source of the influence is Divine, infinite, and exhaustless. (2) The Son of God in human nature. The et.ernal Word manifested in the flesh, assumed the natnre he came to save, and in that nature taught men by precept and example, and manifested before them the most powerful and fascinating attributes of the Divine and human, in s beautiful combination, and led them on to their highest destiny. (3) The Son of God in personal oontact with the human race, with II full knowledge of, and an intense sympathy with their spiritual wants, inspired with the purpose of salvation, and a passionate desire to advance their spiritual welfare. Thus the fallen human nature is brought again within the moral attraction of the Divine. 2. The influence of t}UJ !fl'llU,USt Person, having made the greatest sacrifice. " And I, if I be lifted up." The incarnate Word laid down his life as a sacrifice for sin. This sacrifice is infinite, perfect, and matchless. (1) It is the manifestation of the greate.st love. Divine love for the salvation and happiness of the fallen human family. The tongues of men and angels together could not set forth the greatness of the Divine love so eloquently as the Divine sacrifice offered on Oalvary. If it be asked how great is God's love towards f"llen man, the most expressive answer is in the words of the evangelist, " God so loved," etc. (2) It removes all dijficul,ties to reconciliation with God. In it all Divine claims are satis- fied, and human enmity slain, and the mightiest hindrances to Divine attraction are removed. (3) It furnishes the most powerful motives to reconciliation. In the light of this sacrifice sin appears most hateful, its consequences most disastrous, while virtue appears most charming, and God most attractive. As an instrument it is calculated in the highest degree to arouse the conscience in condemnation of sin, to melt the heart, to bead the will, and to attract the whole nature from sin to holiness, from the king- dom of darkness to that:or light. The supreme and all-conquering motive furnished by it is God's love. (4) It procures the most 'f'Oweiful helps to reconciliation. The Holy Spirit, with all hiB influences, gifts, and blessings. All that man requires in order to return to God is furnished throogh Christ and the sacrifice of his blood. 3, The influence of the greatest perB<>n in the most advantageO'U,8 position, The lifting up from the earth refers to the consequent exaltation as well as to the crucifixion. (1) A posi- tion of the mo,t oompl,ete triwmph, a triumph achieved under the most disadvantageous circumsta.nCCI!, on a cross, achieved over the mightiest foes of God e.nd man, e.nd achieved on behalf af God and man. Man now has only a conquered foe to encounter, (2) A position of the Mghest honour and g'lory. Glory won through shame, life pro- cured by death, ,:,he glory o'i victory and self-sacrifice. If he achieved so much on a cross, what can he not do under a crown? (3) A position of the weatest authoritv (HJ, XII. 1-1:i0.) nm GOSPEL ACCORDING 'l'O ST. JOHN. li3