The Pulpit Commentary — John — Volume 2 — Section 245

been wit.h rou, nnd the n<lvRntngee en.ioyccl I "And yet h11st thou not," etc.? There is here a gentle rebuke. With whip of smnll cords faith is lnshcd to greater nctivity, t.o higher flights, nnd to open her eyes on the visiou eo much desired, (3) '!'here ia here a fuller revelatiOfl,, "He thnt ha th seen," etc. 'l'he light is intensified, and the ~isiou of the Father in him is directly pointed out, so that they gnin by their failure and learn by theiroonfessed ignorance. It is R step towards further knowledge. 'J.'hey nrc drawn out towards him and he towards them, and their minds are fixed upon him &s the only Modi um of the desired vision. Ill. Tms Drvnra VISION CAN BB ONLY REALIZED DY FAITH. .. Dclievcst thou not" etc.? 1. By.fa.ith alone tliB Son and the Father can be seen and known. In the dRys ~f biti fieBh the Godhead of Jesus could not be seen in his Person by the material eye. 'l'o the carnal Rnd material sight he was only au ordinary man. Faith alone could see his glory and llivinily. Divinity in the Father or the incarnate Son can only be seen and known by tipiritual insight-by faith, the eye of the soul. 2. To faith, Ohrist and the Fatl1er are in essential. close, and Divine union. In this spiritual vision the Son is seen first in the Father, then the Father in the Son. The order depends upon the standpoint from which fait.h looks; but whether viewed in their essence, nature, and glory, or in relation to the scheme of redemption, the Son is seen in the Father aµd the Father in the Son. 3. Faith in relation to this t1ision i, supported by the strongest evids~e. (1) The personal euidence of Ohrist. "Believe me," etc. This is the highest evidence of the highest Witness. He is the true and faithful Witness. The Son of God is in the witness-box. And his dignity and known character deserve and demand faith and confidence. (2) The evidence of his. ministry. "The words .that I speak unto you," etc. His ministry as a whole, and some of his special sayings, they unquestionably point to the Father. His speech betrayed him; the echo of his Father"s voice was in his. Any one who had the least knowledge of the Father would at once recognize him iu Christ. ( 3) The evidence of his miracles. "He doeth the works; " "llelieve me for the very works' sake." His teaching and actions pointed to the same Di vine Source. There is a perfect consistency. Although conscious of perfect veracity, yet he is willing to be judged by his works, all of which were of such a nature and character as to reflect most brightly the Father's glory and power. 4. The evidence offaith is promised a substantial increase. (1) In the performance by the apostles of the same works. This would bring the evidence home to them; the Divine voice would speak in their own; the Divine vision would appear within them; and they themselves would be the direct mediums of the Father's power and glory. (2) In the performa.nce by them of even greater worka than those per.forme~ by the Lord. This was literally fulfilled. in the experience of some, if not all, of the apostles. Some of their works were more marvello'US in some respects than his own. They were greater in. number, wider in their influence, more extensive and mighty in their 11piritual re.sults and triumphs. Christ is spiritually mightier in. believers than in his personal ministry ; in them he still works and reveals the Father. (3) In the e.cercise oj prayer. "And whatsoever ye shall ask in my Name,n etc. In prayer faith is strengthened and transfigured, and the Father is revealed to the soul. It brings it into immediate fellowship with him, and there is a spiritual commerce carried on betwe~n them. 'l'o establish this between the soul and the great Father was one of the chief aims of Jesus. (4) All this was the result of the rompletcfeUowship of Jesus with the Father. "Beca'USe I go unto the Father." Thus W88 completed his fellowship, in hie human nature., work, and mission, with the Father; and the blessings of that fellowship would flow to be!ievers in. ever-living streams. He went nearer to the Father that the Father might come nearer to them; that faith might glow in the smiles of his coun• ten.ance, and be satisfied with the Divine vision for which it craves, and the soul become ecstatic with the full &ru1wer of one of its profoundest prayers, "Show 118 the Father." -B.T. Ver&. 15-17.-.Love and obet.ienr.e. Notice-- I. ODEDI..EliCE TO CWllST AS TIU NATOB4L OONBEQIJENCB OP LOVE TO HIii. u If ye love me," etc. 'Where there is love to Christ, there is scarcely any need of a command to obey him; but it will follow a.s the stream from the fountain, or light and heat from the sun. Where there is love to Christ: _l. Tlwre i, a recognition, of his Divin~ OR. xiv. 1-31.) 'fHE GOSPEL ACCOTIDINO TO ST. JOHN.