The Pulpit Commentary — John — Volume 2 — Section 250

fr?rn him is _R gunrantee _of it~ genuine~ees _a.nd worl,h. We ':"ll!e the gift of a. deBr fnt>nd, especJAlly his pe.rtmg gift a.nd his dymg keepsake. Thie 18 the pMting gift of ,TC!'ns t-0 his disciples; a.s ir he were to MY, "I he.ve no riches, no fortune, no eetBtee to give yon; but I give yon something fe.r bett.cr-' My peace.'" He gave them the ~oet prooiou8 part of even himself-his peace. (4) It is very precious because it cotdd nol be had of any on~ eh& The rarity of e. thing makes it precious; and so rare is thie peace that it could not be obtained of a.ny one but Jesus," the Prince of Peace;" and oould not be obtain~d of him but as the gi~ of his grace. Hie peace, liko his com- mandment of love, is new and original. (5) This legacy is given tMm as an absolute and personal possession. "Peace I lea.ve with you, my peace," etc. 1'hey seem to bo t.n1stees under his first clause, but actual possessors under the second. 1'he ministry of reconcili,1tion I leave with you, to publish and offer to others; but" my pea.co" I give unto you M your personal property-your support and inspiration in life,your solace in death, and your fortune for ever. II. IN THE DISTINGUISHING FEATURES OF ITS CHARACTER A:trn DESTOWllENT, .. Not as the world giveth," etc. Here is a contrast. There is no comparison. They knew something of the world as a. giver; a.nd for fear they would look a.t him in the same light, he asserts a great contrast. 1. In the reality of tM gifts and ths giving, The world gives shadows; Christ gives substances. The world gives that which is not bread, and satisfieth not ; Christ's gifts are good, perfect, and satisfying. The world gives in vain wishes and empty salutations-" Peace be with you;" but Christ gives substantial peace. The world pays in promissory notes, but they arc all dishonoured ; Christ pays in hard cash. No sooner he says, "My peace I give unto you," tha.n that peace is given a.nd felt as a living principle in the soul, and all his promises a.re fulfilled. 2, In the part of man which iii supplied. The world gives to the body; Christ to the soul. The world gives to the outward and transient in ma.n; Christ to the inward and· eternal. 'l'he world only supplies music for the physical ea.r, and sceneries for the physical eye; Christ supplies music for the soul, and spiritual sceneries of unspeakable beauty to the eye of faiLh. The world supplies the lowest part of ma.n-his passions and animal propensities; but Christ furnishes the highest part of him-his reason, faith, con- science-and satisfies his immortal RSpirations and wants. 3. In the manner of the giving. The world gives its best first, and there is a sad deterioration; but Christ keeps the best wine to the last. The world gives laughter which ends in weeping, joy which ends in sorrow, pleasures which end in pain, bright hopes which end in dis. appointment, a heaven which ends in hell; but Christ gives good things even at first, and they improve with time. He gives pleasures which sweeten with experience, joys which iuten£ify with years, delights which increase with ages, prospects which brighten with eternities, and hopes which are divinely realized. Weeping is converted into laughter, the pains of birth into the pleasures of a new life, the pangs of repentance into the ecstasies of pardon, the gloomy doubts of faith into the brilliant visions of heaven, the streams of peace into an ocean of joy and happiness, and the struggles of tlie warfare into the hosannas of a final victory. "Not as the world," etc. 4. In per- manency. The world only lends; Christ gives. What the world gives, it soon takes away; but Christ leaves his peace with his people, and gives them "that good part," etc. The world at best only gives a life-interest, and that life very brief a.nd uncertain; but Christ's gifts are eternal possessions and real property. The lease of his gifts is not for the life of the body, but for the life of the soul 'l'he world's fountains soon get dry, but those of Christ are perennial. " Whosoever drink.eth of this water shall thirst age.in : but whosoever drinketh," etc. ill IN ITS PRACTICAL EFFECTS UPON BIB FOLLOWERS. " Let not your heart ber" etc. 1. They were exposed to speci,al dangers. (1) From within, arising from their innate depravity, the imperfections of their spiritual nature, the youth and weakness of their faith. They were as yet but be.bes in Christ; they were exposed to inward trouble and doubts. (2) From without. They were in a hostile world, and sent forth es sheep among wolves. The departure of their Saviour and the terrible tragedy of bis crucifixion were in the immeoiate future, and all this was but an introduction to more personal attacks and hostilities. 2. To atrengtl1en their heart against trouble and fear was ,ww CJhriat', chief aim. "Let not your heart," etc. There may be trouble without much fear; still they are near relations, and ever attack the heart. The 011. xiv. 1-31.J 'l'HE GOSPEL AC(;ORDING TO ST. JOHN. 2i'i'l