The Pulpit Commentary — John — Volume 2 — Section 316

porn! kingdom, e~tablish e. spiritual one, a kingdom of God within. So thnt to thr. advent of the Spirit, in consequence of the personal departure of Jesus, they were indebtc1l for true notions of tho nature of his kingdom. 4. The personal ministry rf Jesus waa essentially temporary; that of the Spirit ia permanent. He came only for a time, e.nd under human conditions was subject to persecutionR and death, and would ever be so, therefore hie ministry could only be temporary; hut the Spirit came to reme.in with and in his people for ever, and was personally above any physiC:1! injury from the wicked world. Christ, like the Baptist, we.s only a temporary herald in the world, As soon as his mission was fulfilled, he disappeared; but the Spirit is a settled Minister, and his charge he will never relinquish. 6. Christ, lnJ lhe Holy Spirit, wiu more really and efficiently present with his di:sciples than M would be 1YJJ his continual personal presence. So that he went away in order to come nearer to them, and come in a higher and diviner form; not in weakne~s, but in power; not in shame, but in glory; not in the shadow of death, but in the halo of a" Divine and glorified life; '' not in the flesh, but in the Spirit; not outside, but within them; so that his departure resulted to them in more of Christ and the ministry of the Spirit as well. 6. By the Spirit, not only he could be more to them, but they also could be more to him and to his purposes of grace, More to themselves in the progress and development of their spiritual nature and character, More to the human family in their conversion and progress in holiness. With Christ's ministry of reconciliation, bis perfect example, the inspiration of his devoted life, and self-sacrificing and atoning death, with the indwell- ing and accompanying influences of the Spirit, they could do infinitely more for Christ than if he were alone to remain personally with them. This was demonstratively proved after Pentecost. They were better missionaries, better heralds of the gospel of peace, and more heroic and enduring soldiers of the cross. In fact, in this way a.lone Christ could fulfil his purposes in them, and through them in the world. LESSONS. 1. .All the tea,ching of Jesus to his disciples was absolutely true. "I tell you the truth." He never told a falsehood; he was incapable of this. He knew the truth, so that he could not mistake. He was !.rue-the Truth, so that he wouia no~ deceive. It would be as easy for darkness to proceed from light as for falsehood to proceed from him who is the Truth. 2. He told them the truth, although he knew it to bs at the time most unpalatable. "Nevertheless," etc. This truth concerning bis departure was so. Nothing could be more distasteful to their feelings and sentiments. Still he told them, He was most tenderly careful of their feelings. Still these were not the chief regulators of his revelations. 3. Some truths which at th~ time are most unpalatable prove at the end most beneficial and joyous when fully understood and realized. The departure of Jesus was such. It filled, at the moment, their heart with sorrow, but filled it afterwards with spiritual joy, 4. Christ, in all his sayings, deeds, and movements, was ever actuated 1YJJ the supreme good of his disciples. " It is expedient for you," etc. Not what was best or most convenient for him, but what would best serve their spiritual interest and that of the world.-B. T. Ver. 28.-.An epitome of Christ's history, Notice- I. WHENCE BE CAME, "I ea.me out from the Father.n This implies: 1. Unity or oneness of nature. It is not "I came from the presence of the Father," or " from a near point to him," but "I came out from him "-an expression which would be highly improper to be used by any one but by him who is equal and one with the Father, one in nature and essence. It is clearly the language of an equal, and not of an inferior. 2. Nearness of relationship. The human relationship which best expresses the relationship of the " eternal Word" to the Godhead is that of father and son, and this is used. It must not be carried too far, but we are grateful for it, as it sheds some li~ht on Christ with regard to the Godhead ; he stands in the most near and natural relationship to him, and this relationship is not ontword, accidental, ancl trans:ent, but inward, essential, and everlasting-the relationship of noture and essence. 3. The most intimate fellowship and acquaintance. 'l'he Divine nature is social. We like the idea of the unity of God, one supreme Being fulfilling the idea of perfect oneness; and we like also the idea of a Trinity which deprives mere unity of its dreariness, loneli- ness, and monotony, and fills it with the joys and delights of society-the royal and Divine sooiety of the Divine nature. "I came out from," etc. Their fellowship must 82tl THE GOSPEL AOOORDING TO ST, JOHN. tCll. xvi. 1-88,