The Pulpit Commentary — John — Volume 2 — Section 236

nnll in the· mrinner which he prescribes, there is no limitntion set. The expression• "whnteoevcr" nnd "anything" indicate alike the vastness of the Lord's resou:·ccs nnd tho libcrn.lity of bis henrt. II. 'l'nE ANBWER wmcrr Cna1sT PROMISES. 1. It proceeds from himself. "I will do it," eoys tho Master, In making this declaration our Lord asserts his own Deity- makos himself "equal with God," who alone hears and answers prayer. \Vonderful indeed is such langungo, as coming from One who was about to be betrayed and crucified• 2. It corresponds with the petition. 'l'ho very thing which the Christian desires, Chris\ promises to give, Such nn assurance places all the resources of Omnipotence at the disposal· of the lowliest disciple. It corresponds with the- apostolic assertion, "All things 0aro•yours." llI. TnE· PUnl'0BE wnrcn CHRIST CONTEMPLATES. The ultimate end of Christian privileges and Divine blessings is to be sought in God himself; and such an end affords to the soul a full and final satisfaction. When Christ's people receive- the supply of all their need; through the advocacy of the Redeemer whom the Father bas appointed, that Father's wisdom nnd benevolence are seen in the brightest light. It raises our conception of the dignity of prayer when we underst,and and feel that its effect is nut merely upon otirsolves, that its effect does not terminate here. There is an even higher purpose in this Divine arrangement that Christian petitions shall be answered; it is a revelation of the character and· c,f the will of the eternal Father himself.-T. Ver. 15.-Love, the Ohristian motive to obedience. In these simple words our Lord revenled the great principle which was to be the life and salvation of the world. Tha.t love to him, in response to bis love to them, was to be the motive by which their foture conduct was to be inspired and governed; such was the revelation the Divine Jesus made to his most intimate and sympathetic friends. And however indistinctly they might apprehend the importance of this principle, these disciples, by acting upon it themselves and by urging it upon others, were to be the agents in impressing upon the Church that was to be, a doctrine which was to be fruitful in spiritual blessing to the ne1v humanity. For of that humanity the law is obedience, and the motive is love. •I. lT IS ASSUMED DY CHDIST THAT OBEDIENCE TO HIMSELF IS ACXNOWLEDGED AS THE LAW OF BIS PEOPLE'S CONDUCT. 1. Obedience had been the very watchword of the older dispensation. Tho Law was given by Moses. The public and private life of the Israelites was governed by Divine statute. The government of Israel wa.s a theocracy, and·Jehovah was au absolute and a righteous Sovereign. 2. The religion which Jesus founded was none the less practical and authoritative. He came not to destroy the Law, but to fulfil it. He was not only a Savi.our; he was a Lawgiver and a. Lord. His precepts, counsels, and admonitions are binding upon all the subjects of his kingdom. And he is Lord of all. 3. Christ's commandments are distinguished from others by their spirituality, their moral authority, their universal application.. They are fitted for all nations and for every age. II. IT' 18 ASSUMED DY CllRIST THAT HIS PEOPLE OrrEN FU,"D IT BARD TO OBEY HIS wmL. It is sometimes difficult for every man to obey. It is very often difficult for the self-confident and wilful; and not for them only, but also for the indolent and the frivolous. Doys find it hard to beud their will to a father or a master. Men find i~ hard to give up their own will, and nccept that of another as their la,v. Yet there are motives which constrain obedience. The soldier or sailor who is impressed into the service may obey the officer from compulsion; the slave may obey the driver from fear of the lash;, the well-paid official mny obey from a motive of interest; the workman D)ay oboy for.the sake of daily bread; the miner, the diver, may obey with the pr"spect of reward; a subject may obey with the hope of favour from his king. Many motives may enable o. man to master himself and to bend his will III. IT IS ASSUMED BY C1m1&T THAT ms PEOPLE CHERISH FERVEl!,"T LOVE TO HlllSELF. 1. Our Lord's character, conduct, and sacrifice- are such 11s may well excite our loYe. His perfeot goodness1 his pity and kindness, his suffllri.ngs and death, all appeal, as nothin~ else can do, to the human heart, and claim its best affection. His love passcth knowledge. 2. As a matter of fact., tho love of Christ to mankind does elicit the response ho desires. Hard natures arc softened, masculine characters are rendered gentle, even rough lllld naturally unemotional persons are melted by the wonderful  THE GOSPEL ACOORDING TO ST, JOHN. [mt. xtv. 1-31.