The Pulpit Commentary — John — Volume 2 — Section 200

Ver. 17.-T1ae blessedmess of intelligent obediene& Our Lord Jesus taught, practised, and commanded. His teaching was perfectly true and wise ; bis conduct was perfectly good and right ; hie directions were perfectly just and authoritative. His instructions were sometimes verbal, sometimes by example, e.nd sometimes symbolical. Obrist taught the lesson of humility not only by words, but in his whole demeanour and conduct; nor was this all, for he illustrated bis lesson, now by setting a little child in the midst of bis disciples as an example, and again by waahing the feet of his apostles. Many were the means be :used to impress this and other lessons of moral excellence upon his disciples. But he always insisted that true discipleship was not in an intel- lectual. acquaintance with his teaching, but in a cheerful compliance with his will. AJJ Lord of all. he sought to bring the whole nature under his control; and as their Master and Lord, he assured them with authority that their true welfare lay in their not only knowing, but in their doing, his commandments. L KNoWLEDGE. Mau is made to know. It is his privilege and prerogative to exercise his understanding and reason. 'l'ruth is within man's reach-not all truth, but certainly such as is most necessary for his well-being. Of all knowledge, none is so valuable as the knowledge of God in Christ. The highest truth is presented in our Lord's life, his deeds and words, his sufferings and glory. He is the one great Lesson for mankind to study and to learn. The twelve had abundant means of knowing Christ, of becoming acquainted with bis character and his will. But through our pos- session of the New Testament we have sufficient opportunities of learning Christ. In order that our knowledge may be complete, as far as oar position allows, we must study the Saviour and bis revelation of himself, his declaration of his will, with reverence and meekness, with faith and prayer. II. PRACTICE. Our nature is not only intellectual; it is also active. Our life is not one of pure contemplation ; it is eminently practical. Knowledge without correspond- ing conduct is vain, is even worse than ignorance. It is like steam which is generated in the boiler, but which is not brought to bear as motive power upon an engine. It is like the hlossom which in itself is beautiful, but which is followed by no fruit.. Those who believe that there is a revelation should receive it. Those who are convinced that. Christ is the Son of God should live by faith in him. Those who are persuaded that Christ's law is the highest standard of morality should obey that law and conform to that standard. Those who believe that there is a future life, and that they are account- a hle to a righteons Judge, should prepare for judgment and for immortality. Know- ledge without corresponding conduct is seen to be useless in every department of life ; how reprehensible must it be in religion I A young man may study law through a long series of years, and ilnder the superintendence of able practitioners; of what avail is his knowledge if, whw the time comes for him to act for himself, he cannot draw a deed in chambers, or construct a defence for a client in court ? The pupil of an engineer may have a good knowledge ~f ~themati~s, may_ ~e able to ~ke ac~ura_te drawings of other men's work; but 1s his theoretical a.b1hty of semce to him m 1,motk.e? Th&t is tht' im.port.a.D.t question ; for no one will employ a man to build a bridge, or to bore e. tunnel, unless he has shown him.self capable of carrying out such works. A cadet may Jl8IIII the prelimi.na.ry examinations, way study the art of fortifi- cation, the laws of 1>rojectiles, the tactics adopted by famous genera.ls in histol'ice.l on, xm. 1-38.] 'fllE GOSPEL ACCORDING TO ST. JOEIN. 207