The Pulpit Commentary — John — Volume 2 — Section 231

rofcrcnco to mnn'e- lifo nnd history A9 a wholo; not only to the ~ccn, hnt to tl1e nnscPn, tlio etcrnnl. 'l'empornry sorrows and rliffioulties all but disappear wl,m1 they take their plnco ns incidents in nn irnrnortnl existence. 1. The universe is our J,'athcr's houso an,\ templo. How for othcrwiso is it regarded by many, even of the in<piiring nnd intelli- gent I 'J'o not a fow the world i~ minrlless, lovclrss, hns no origin thnt can be under- stood, nnd no aim; nnd has, tbererore, n very feeble interest. As God's house, it hns been built nnd furnished by the Divine Architect, who has nrrangrrl it to suit the needs of nil his children. As God's temple, it is the scene of his indwelling nnrl manifestation, of his holy service nnd his spiritual glory. It is tbo pbce where be dwells and where ho is worshipped, who is Christ's Father and ours. ·what sweet and hallowed associa- tions are wont to gather around the house of the human father I Similarly to the Christian the universe is dcnr, becauso there tho Divine Father displays his presence-, exercises his care, uttcrd his love. That rebellious and profane voices are heard in the house which is consecrated to obedience, reverence, and praise, is indeed too true. Yet the Christian can never lose sight of the true purpose, the proper destination, of the world; in his apprehension it has been formed for the Divine glory, and it is conse- crated by the Divine love. 2. 'l'he universe is fnrther representecl. by Jesus as conhin- ing many and varied abodes for the spiritual children of God. Why is the great honse so spacious and commodious? Because it is constructed to contain multitudes of inhabit- ants, and to afford to all a scene of service and of development. " Many abiding-places" are for the use of many guests, of many children. There are many citizens in the city, many subjects in the kingdom, many cliildren in tlie household, many worshippern in the temple. Among those of whom we have little knowledge are the angels, thrones, principalities, and powers. Among those known to us by the records of the past are patriarchs and prophets, apostles, saints, and martyrs. There is room for all-for the young and the old, the ignorant and the learned, the great and the despised. N 0 reader of Christ's words can doubt that his purpose and his promise included untold myriads of mankind. His life was given a ransom "for many." Ile designed to "draw all men unto himself." He foresaw that many should enter his kingdom, from the East and from the West. In the Book of his Revelation by John, it is foretold that "a great multitude, whom no man can number," shall assemble before the throne cf glory. The pilgrim sho.11 leave his tent, the captive his prison, the voyager his ship, the warrior his camp, end all alike shall repair to "the house which hath foundations, whose Builder and Maker is God." It is a glorious spectacle, one which reason is too dim-sighted to behold, but which is clear to the eye of faith. III. THE PROMISE CHRIST GIVES TO FAITH. Many of our Lord's earlier sayings had been vague ; now, in anticipation of bis departure, his language is plain and clear. 1. Jesus has gone to prepare. Not indeed for himself, but for his people. When earth has no longer a place for them, a home will be found to have been made ready for their reception elsewhere. There is much that is mysterious in the exercise of our Saviour's mediatorial grace in the'. sphere of his present action ; but we have no difficulty in believing that he concerns himself above with the work which he commenced below. 2. He will come again to receive. Shall we take this assurance to refer to his resur- rection, or to his second coming yet in the future ? Or has it not rather reference to that perpetual coming of Christ unto hfa own, pf which his Church has always ancl everywhere had experience? When tho earthly &ervice of n faithful disciple is finished, then Jesus comes to welcome that beloved and approved one to rest and recompense. Con- cerning our dear ones who are dead to earth, we have tho assurance that they have not been overlooked by the Divine and tender Friend of souls. 3. He assures his people of his blessed fellowship. The language in which Jesus conveyed the assurnnce must have been peculiarly alrecting to those who ha,t been with him during his earthly ministry. They knew by experience the charm of their Lord's society, and the strength it gave them for work and for endurance. What more attractive and glorious prospect could the future have for them than this-the renewal nnd the perpetuation of that fellow- ship which had been the joy and the blessing of their life on earth? But the same is in a measure true of e\·ory Christian. What representation of future happiness is so congenial and so inspiring ae this-the being "ever with the Lord"? IV. THE PEACE WHICH 1s THE FRVIT OF FAITH. Much was at hand which wa.~ likely to occasion nlnrm and dismay. Events were about to happen which would crush  238 TUE GOSPEL ACCORDING TO S1', JOUN. [en. xiv. 1-31.