The Pulpit Commentary — John — Volume 2 — Section 283

with II Divine life, the joy of infinite c11re 1md 1mpport. Chriet rejoiced nt hie union with the disciples, 11nd they onght to rejoice at theirs with him. If it was a source of joy t-0 the BridegToom to be united "ith a poor bride, certainly it ouaht to ho a greater source of joy to the bride to be nnited with mch an infinitely rich an~ kind Bridegroom. (2) By continual pai-ticipatiO'll of his ,ioy. "That my joy ml\y be in you ; " not !\bout or near, but in them B8 a perennial well of living water. His joy was full and perfect and it was ever at their disposal; and they are invited to partake of it, as the branch~ partake of the life and sep of the vine. And his words and promise are as telegrnphio wires to convey the messages of his love to the soul; as golden pipes to convey tho wino of his life, joy, and fallowship to the heart. Joy was in him in inexhaustiblo fulness. And his disciples are t-0 be filled with joy by continual participation of his fulness, and the more they take the more tbey will get. (3) By careful imitation of his 1!3:ampli,, "That my joy may be in you, and that your joy," etc. In him they found o.n Example which was most perfect, helpfnl, and inspiring. In one sense bis joy in relation to believers is a specimen, and a most effi('.ient help to procure the Sllme themselves. Ho helps them that they may help themselves, and make their own spiritual fortunes. He pointed out to hie disciples the founts of happiness, and revealed to them by precept and example the path of duty as the only path of real joy. Let them tread it as ho trod it. Let them abide in him as he abode in his Father. Let them obey as ho obeyed, love as he loved. self-sacrifice as he self-sacrificed; then his joy would bo in them, and theirs would be fulfilled in him and in themselves. His joy would be theirs, and still his own ; his own, and still practically theirs. The joy of the Master is fulfilled in that of the disciple, and that of the disciple in the Master. 3. TM perfection of joy, aUhough partially a,tfai,n,"'1, now, ill fully attained in the future. Christians of all ages have experienced this joy in a high degree; and even the sorrowful disciples, a short time after this, left the Sanhedrin with bleeding flesh, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer for Christ's Name. They sang in prisons, and even in tho most painful de.ath. But this joy cannot reach perfection here, for its perfection will be the perfection of religion, and the crown of life, which cannot be fully attained but under heavenly and fixed conditions; when the union between Christ and the believing soul wiU be complete; when the tortuous stream shall at last reach the ocean, and the joyous disciple shall enter into the joy of his Lord. 4. The perfection of their joy now was Jesus' chief concern. "These things have I spoken unto you, that my joy," etc. He was specially anxious, not merely that they should enjoy him, but that they should enjoy him in the highest sense, in the fullest measure, and in the most inspiring,; cheering, and effective way. "That rny joy may be in you." He does not bequeath unto them sorrow. He takes that upon himself, and gives them his joy. He makes an excbange--gi.ves his disciples his joy, and bears their grief. They have the advan- tage. All he said and did was that they may realize his happiness, and make it practically their own, and fulfil it in their own .experience, even to perfection. LEssoNs. 1. There is fl,(/ pure and lasting joy apart from Jes'UB, Every other joy is false, empty, and tran11ient, unworthy of man as an immortal being, and will end in sorrow. In union with him alone there is real joy. 2. TM religwn of Jesus is a religion of pt111-e joy. To charge it with being melancholy is utterly false. The religion of man is a melancholy one, but that of Jesus is ever joyous. The new birth is a circum- stance of joy. The marriage of the soul to the merciful Saviour is a source of ecstatic delight. Its IIOITOW is only accidental and for a season, its joy is essential and etamal. And there is joy even in its sorrow, songs in its sighs, and heaven in its tears. If it begins in a sigh. it ends in a.n eternal song. 3. Let us 'fll4ke ou,· life joyol/,8 'by a living union with the ever-joyOfJIJ &wi,ov,,-. Let us abide in his love, appropriate his joy; then duty will be delightful, and life ever musioa.l. and will naturally melt at last to that fulnese of joy which is at his right hand, and the everlasting pleasures of his presence.-B. 'f. Vera. 22-25.-17.e ain of negT,ecting the Saviuu,r. With regard to the Jewish nation, this is referred to by our Lord- L As A sar OF TBE GB.EA.TEST U0BMITY. There are degrees in sin ae in virtue. The Bin of rejecting the Saviour is the greatest. It stands alone in the black category. "If I had not come and spoken to them, they had not," etc. What does this me.an? Whether that they would not have that puticular sin? or that, in comparison with this, on. xv. 1-27.J THE GOSPEL ACCORDING TO ST. JOHN.