The Pulpit Commentary — John — Volume 2 — Section 168

and power. Authority and power native and acquired. "All power is given mo," etc. All the realm of spiritual forces, good and bad, is under his control. 4, The injfoenc,, of tlM greatest Pl!Tson ezl!Tcised in the most efficient way. "I will draw," etc. Man ifl to be drawn, not driven. The saving influence of Christ is voluntary, not compulsory; it is moral and spiritual, influences man through his mental and spiritual nature, and binds the heart and will with the cords of love, and gently draws them God wards. II. IN ITB GLORIOUS TRIUMPH, This we see if we consider : 1. The ol>J'ects of its attraction. In order to estimate the drawing power of any influence, let us consider who are drawn, and from what. (1) The greatest sinners sunk i'fl, the deepe.~t sin. (2) Inspired with the deadliest enmity against God and vii-tue. (3) Backed up by the mightiest spiritual opponents of God and virtue. But in spite of all, "I will draw," etc. 2. Tl1e completeness of the drawing. "Unto me," etc. (1) Unto faith in him. (2) Unto his character and likeness. (3) Unto his position and society. The drawing will be most complete; hence the glory of the influence-his triumph. 3. The extensfoe- ness of the attraction. "All men," etc. Jews and Gentiles? More than these. We shall not, in the presence of the cross of our Lord, venture to limit this phrase, but let it tell its simple but grand tale of the glorious triumph of saving grace through Christ. (1) '!'his extensive idea is in perfect harmony with human need. All have gone astray from God, and require to be drawn to him. The greater the want, the greater the mercy. (2) It is in perfect harmony with the Divine wiTl. "Who willeth that no man should perish, but that all should turn," etc. (3) It is in perfect harmony with tlie infinitude of the sacrifice. Is it not naturally adapted to draw, and does it not deserve to be universally successful? (4) It is in perfect harmony with owr highest notion of the supreme Being as a God of infinite love. (5) It is in perfect harmony with many othl!T expressions of God's revealed will. (6) It is in perfect harmony with our highest notions of the ultimate glory of God. 4. The certainty of the attraction. This lies : (1) In the Divine purpose. (2) In the Divine provision. (3) In the Divine promise. Jesus,has not promised to do more than he has purposed, is willing, and fully able to do. LESSONS, 1. Wnat the foes of Jesus thought W01ild punish him, was the Vl!TY thing to advance his intl!Tests. They said," Crucify him, and his influence will be at an end." He said, "Crucify me, and I will draw," etc. 2. Time and etl!Tnity are on the side of CJhrist, and also the sitperior power of Divine principles. Truth is more powerful than error, good than evil, and the attractions of Jesus mightier than the evil one. Let Christ have time, and his promise will be fulfilled. and Divine love triumphant. 3. It is bettl!T for the sinnl!T to yield now than to battle with Divine love. It would be far better for the prodigal to return soon after leaving his father's house, than after experiencing the keenest pangs of hunger. Return he did at last.-B, T. Vere. 44-50.-Ohrisesfarewell sermon to the public. Notice- !. THE MISSION OF CHRIST IN RELATION TO FAITH. 1. Faith in the Son involve.• faith in the Father. "He that believeth on me, believeth not on me [ only J. • (1) Christ reveals the Father as the supreme OlJject of faith. The Son as yet was a Revealer of the Father as the supreme Object of faith. (2) His mission naturally and directly led faith to the Fathl!T. (3) Faith in him was as yet a stepping-stone to faith in the Father. The introduction-the first resting-place of faith on her upward flight to the Supreme. There would be a time when Christ would be revealed as the special Object of faith ; but now the Father is revealed as such, and the Revealer keeps in the background, (4) Yet faith in Christ involves faith in the l!'athl!T. No one can believe in Christ without believing in the Father. There is such an essential and official connection between the Sender and the Sent that faith in one involves faith in the other. When faith embraces the Son it finds the Father. 2. .A spiritual vision of Christ involves a spiritual vision of the Father. "He that seeth me," etc. (1) Christ is the express Image of his Person, (2) The express Reflection of his charact,n- and attributes. (3) The express Revelation of his will and purposes. 3. Faith in Christ alone made ful,l faith in the Father possible. (1) Knowledge is essential to faith. We must know Goel to some ex.tent before we can exercise an intelligent faith in him. Indeed, appropriated knowledge is faith. "This is life," etc. (2) Christ al.one fully 1·evealed God to man- kind, and furnished them with knowledge conrerning him. " I am come a Light into the 174 THE 6-0SPEL AOOORDI'.NG TO ST. JOHN. [ou. xrr. 1-l'lO.