The Pulpit Commentary — John — Volume 2 — Section 206

He wC1uld digpense with All his propl'rty rather tb11n this. They we~ specll\tly his ,rn•n nn<l. the obj<>Cts of his spl'cial lov<'. 2. Some of the special features of his love. His l"ve t-0 his disciples mu~t be eomewh1tt distinguished from his love to the world. (l) It i~ the love of relationship. He was their Saviour, and they the saved. He was their King, and they his loyal subjects. Re was their great Denefnctor, f\nd they hie grateful dcpendents. They were his brethren, and he their elder Brother. There was a family feeling. (2) Love of comp7acency. He could faintly see in them his Imo.go and that of his Father. He could bear the music of hMven in their voices, and detect th~ language of Parndi~e in their conversation. (3) The love of 11a7ue. 'l'he esteem ,,f property according to it.s value. These disciples, although few and poor, were to him infinitely ve.lm1ble. An infinite 11rice had been paid for them, and infinite benefits w·ould result from the purchase in relation to the grand purposes of his love. They were his jewels, the seed with which to sow hig le.nd, the handful of corn on the tops nf the mountains, the foundation-stones of the Church, the twelve gates of the heavenly c;ty, and the furniture with which Jesus commenced his life on earth. (4) Love excited by trouble and opposition. "His own which were in the world." The world ,vas hostile to and hated them, and the more they were bated nnd opposed by the world the more they were loved and befriended by Jesus. 3. The perfection of his love. "Unto the end." (1) Perfect in ftaturfl, Pure, disinterested, and self-sacrificing. (2) Perfect in degree. tt was human in manifestation, but Divine in quality and quantity. His love, as indicated by the sacrifice, '"as infinite and full to overflowing-an ocean without a bottom or shore. The sacrifice of his love we.a infinite, its care most tender and watchful, its protection most powerful and safe, and its supplies most benevolent and free. He loved them to the uttermost. (3) Perfect in constancy and duration, "Unto the end." Many circumstances cause human love to fle.g. (a) Unworthiness in its o1ijects. But this had no effect upon the love of Jesus. His disciples were wee.k and imperfect; one of them denied him, and e.ll left him in the hour of trial; but he remained faithful to tbern. (b) The trouble of the parties-of the lover and the objects of his love. But this had no disparaging effects upon the love of Jesus. The trouble of his disciples increased his love for them, and it we.s intensified by his own. Indeed, on account of his love for them he was crucified. He knew beforehand the.this death would be most cruel; still, this knowled11:e, so fe.r from causing his love to flag, made it most heroic, and to blaze with increasing brilliancy through the gloom. (c) Separation of the parties. With human love, it is often "out of sight out of mind." But separation brought Jesus nearer to his disciples than before. The arms of his love embraced them through death, and he ce.rried them a.way in his heart. He could not go home all the we.y without sending be.ck two white-robed messengers to direct and comfort them. The distance between heaven and earth only me.de them nearer. 4. The elwation of one of the partiea. The chief butler of Pharaoh forgot Joseph after being restored to royal favour. But this was far from being the case with Jesus. He was exalted to the highest position and glory, but forgot not his earthly friends. He ascended, in fact, to receive gifts for them, and, faithful to his promise and punctual to the minute, sent be.ck to them his Holy Spirit, the greatest Gift of his love, and the Executor of his purpose in them. Amidst the music and happiness of heaven he will not cease to love his friends till their faith is complete and their chare.cter perfect. LESSONS. Contemplation of the love of Christ should inspire his disciples: 1. With the profowndut gratitude to him. 2. With the most devoted and self-sacrificing con- secration to his PerBOn and serllice. 3. Witl, the most humble but implicit confidence in their salvatiO'II, through him. Such love must secure every needful grace, ultimate perfection of character, and full and eternal felicity.-B. 'I'. Vera. 21--30.-Jesus and the traifm. L A SEVERE TROUBLE. 1. TIie trouble of JeBUs. He we.e troubled in spirit. This was no ordinary trouble, but it waa unique in its circumste.nce11, cause, e.nd painfulness. He was troubled in the hi~he!t regions of his nature. (1) Becu.use he was about to be betrayed. The betraye.l m itself was painful. Its personal and general results are not taken into account here, but the black deed in itself, apart from the perpetrator. (2) Because he was about to be betray~d by D'M of hi, discipla. " One of you shall betray me." It ia not a foe or e. distant a.cquaintance, but one of hiB nearest and dearest friends. "One of you." This made  011. xm. 1--88.] THE GOSPEL ACCORDING TO ST. JOHN. 2IZ