The Pulpit Commentary — John — Volume 2 — Section 314

III. Tnm PROOF OF TIIE FATHER'S LOVE. 1. The objects of this Divine affection are encouraged to ask for what they nee:l from him who is ahle to supply their many and varied wants. What greater evidence can there be of fatherly and filial feeling than when a son is at liberty to prefer requests to a parent who has confidence in bis child and has the means of satisfying and of pleasing him? Such are the relations between the heavenly Father and those whom he adopts into his family. 2. The spontaneou~ disposition of the Father is to grant the requests of bis children. This language cast3 light upon the Scripture doctrine of intercession. Christ is the Advocare with God, but his advocacy does not consist in persuading an unwilling Deity to relent from his severity and to act with generosity, On the contrary, the advocacy is the appointment of Divine love and the channel of Divine favour. Christ does not mean that he will not pray the Father for us; but that this fact of intercession is not the point upon which he is now dwelling. He is anxious that his frieads should understand that the Father's love is free, that his liberality is such as to secure to bis Son's friends the enjoyment of all good. And, as a consequence, every Christian is encouraged to bring his petitions to God, in the Name of Christ indeed, yet with the assurance that there is now nothing on the part of the Father to hinder the bestowal of all needed and desirable blessinge.-T. Ver. 33.-Words of cheer, These }a13t words of our Lord's last discourse must have rung melodiously in the ears of those who were privileged to listen to them. No more cheering tones, no brighter vision, could Jesus have left with his bereaved, but not orphaned, not comfortless, disciples. I. CHRIST'S PEOPLE MUST ENDURE TRIBULATION. 1. This is the consequence of their remaining for a season in e. world where sin and sorrow still prevail. 2. It is involved in their participation in their Master's lot. If he was hated and persecuted, how can his followers escape? As the world treated the Lord, so in a measure will it treat those who are faithful to him, and who tread in his steps. 3. This lot is not one of unmixed evil. Tribulation is discipline; the wheat is threshed in order that it may be set free from the husks and straw, and the character of Christians is, as a matter of fact, refined and purified by the winnowing of affliction and persecution. II. CHRIST HAS CONSOLATION AND ENCOUll.AGEMENT FOB HIS PEOPLE WREN THEY ENDURE THE_ TRIBULATION 01!' THE WOBLD. 1. His words bring peace. The whole of the disconrse which here concludes breathes of pea~e. His revelations of the present and of the future are alike fitted to soothe the mind perturbed by the distresses e.nd the disasters of this life. 2. His sympathy brings courage. It seems to have been e. favourite saying of our Lord, " Be of good cheer!" Be courageous and confident! It was, however, a saying always e.ccompanied by his own Divine presence and voice. It was powerful because it came from his lips, from his tender heart, because with it there went out from him to his a.filleted ones the spiritual power which enabled them to endure and strive and hope. 3. His conquest brings victory. Even now, before he was overwhelmed with the baptism of sacrificial sorrow, he could ~peak of himself wi having overcome the world. But a few hours had yet to elapse, and the world should lie at his feet, purchased, vanquished, subdued I And Christ overcame, not for himself, but for his people ; that, fighting by his side on earth, they might reign with him above ; that, overcoming in and with him, they might sit down with him upon hjj throne.-T. Ver. 7.-The expediency of Ohrisfs departure. We shall elucidate the truths of the text by the following remarks. l. 'J.'HAT THE MISSION 01!' THE HOLY SPIBIT WAS ESSEbo"TUL TO THE GREAT !'LAN 01' REDEMPTION, " The Comforter will not come," implying that his coming was essential to the carrying on of the good work in them and through them. 1. ~a the Divine Revealer. Christ revealed. the Father; the Spirit was to reveal Christ. Thi:1 revelation involves: (1) Inward light. 'l'ho illumination of the soul, the mind, the intellect, the heart, and conscience, (2) Outward light. The great truths concerning Jesus, and all the facts of redemption, would be presented in a new and clearer ligh~ by the ministry of the Spirit, (3) Inward application. He not only sheds fresh light upon the great fo.cts of redemption, but specially and directly applies them to the soul.  324 TIIE GOSPEL ACC'ORnING TO ST. JOHN. [ou. xvr. 1-33.