The Pulpit Commentary — John — Volume 2 — Section 275

l'eAl!ODB why Jesus chose those whom he did choose in preference to others. Not all were worthy of his choice, e.nd amongst those who adhered to him there were degrees of at.tachment, degreee of merit, de~rees of ueefulnees. Considerin~ the Clllle of the tweh·e, we observe: l. Their call. This took place early in the Lords public ministry. And it w1111 by the preeentation of his own Person, by Ghe utteranc~ of his own voice, that Jesus c11.lled his apostles. ThC're was not only the outward call; there was the inner, the spiritual summons, which they felt in their l!Ouls, e.nd the authority of which they readily recognized. 2. Their appointment or ordination. This WH a gradual choice, but. it was forme.lly completed when, e.fter our Lord's resurrection, he expressly com- missioned them to go among Jews e.nd Gentiles, proclaiming the gospel of salvation by faith and of obedience unto life eternal. 3. There is what corresponds to this gracious election in the experience of all Chri~t•s friends and servants. It is his summons which bids them forsake their sins and their self-oonlidence, and follow him. Thus their spiritue.l life begins by e. holy and an effectual calling. He calls, and the souls of his people respond to the voice from h011.ven. And whilst Jesus calls his people to the privileges, he ce.lls them e.lso to the consecrated service of the new life. '!'here is a ministry, a mission, though not e.n apostleship, for every true Christian. Our work for Christ is only authorized by Christ himself. II. THE PURPOSE OF THE DIVINE SELECTION. The :first apostles were chosen and ordained for a purpose. The design of the Lord was that they should "go and bear fruit." 'l'his involves: 1. Effort and activity. To go, when sent, is to acknowledge the authority of the Sender, and to put forth endeavours to do his will. Religion does not consist in simply receiving truth and enjoying privilege; it comprises what is done in response to truth received and privilege enjoyed. 2. Fruitfulness, e.s ma.y he learned from the earlier verses of the chapter, consists in a holy character and life, and in benevolent and Christ-like labours for the welfare of our fellow-men. Divine choice and ordination have respect to the Church universal and to the world. Men are elected to posts of honour, of service. 3. 'l'he permanence of this fruit is the sign of a veritable election by God. Some work is only apparent and temporary, but that which God blesses and approves is real and lasting. The life which i'i rooted in God issues in fruit which remains in time and eternity. The fruits of the Spirit endure for ever. III. THE PB.IVILEGE INVOLVED IN THE DIVJNE SELECTION. This is the assured answer to prayer. The connection appears to be this: the purpose of election being that fruit may be home to the Divine glory, grace is obviously needed in order that this purpose may be realized., that a blessing may rest upon faithful toil; e.nd Christians are assured that whatsoever they may need in order to this end is within their reach. The won- derful language in which our Saviour assures us of this privilege demands our careful attention. L On God's side the promise is unlimited. "Whatsoever ye shall ask" shall be given. 'l'his corresponds with the munificent provision of 1>ivine bounty assured in the statement, " All things are yours." 2. On man's side there is a stipula- tion and condition imposed by Christ as of indispensable necessity; what is asked must be asked in Christ's Name. That is to say, requests must be in accordance with his will, lllUSt be presented in reliance upon his advocacy, and will be granted for his sake.-T. Vers. 18-2L-The world's hatred. Our Lord enjoined that within the Church there should prevail love and brotherhood. But at the same time he foretold that from without Christians should meet with hatred and opposition, enmity and persecution. I. EVIDENCES OF THE WORLD'S HATRED OF CHRISTIANS. 1. We are coustraine<! by facts to rank with the world, in this respect, the adherents of the Jewish system. As his own countrymen were our Lord's opponents and in truth his real murderers, so were the Jews the earliest opponents of the Church of Christ. The Book of the Acts of the Apostles exhibits the hostility of the leaders of Israel to the society which was called by his Name whose crucifixion they had brought about. The Jews attempted to silence the first preachers of Christianity. And this they ~id under the _influence of hate towards Christ himaelf. They regarded the new rehg10n-for such 1t seemed to them-as subversive of their own, not discerning that it was the fulfilment of what WBB Divine in Jude.ism. And they hated a doctrine which, by laying stress upon the en, xv. 1-27.] THE GOSPEL ACCORDING TO ST. JOHN. 285