The Pulpit Commentary — John — Volume 2 — Section 318

-there WBB no more to do here. The world tried to Rend him away before his w0rk wae finished, hut foiled. Not before he cried, "It is finiahed I" he gave up the ghost. (3) He had a work to do in another place-within the veil. He could not do that work here. He could not be idle. If there was no work here, he would go where it was. lie was bound to time and Rpecial employments. 2, He went to the Father-to the tame plac6 as he rAIT1l6 from. (1) This wa, in the original plan. It was one of the con- ditions of his departure that he should soon return to the same place and to the same glory. The inhabitants could not be long happy without him. Heaven was ilOt the same during hie absence. (2) His miBBion was fulfilled to the Fathers entire satiefrM- tion. Jesus w11s fully conscious of this, otherwise he would not speak with each con- fidence and delight of returning to his Father. This is the last thing a disloyal and inefficient ambassador will do, The sweet voice ever rang in his soul, "I have both glorified, and will glorify thee." (3) His retwrn was most natural and sweet to him, to the Father, and to all. He was never so far and so long from home before, and his return was most gratifying to the Divine heart, and it fulfilled the Divine love. Never had a conquering hero such welcome on his return. W e\come was the language of all the happy family, and the sweet burden of every strain which streamed from harps of gold. It was specially delightful to him. After the hardships of his earthly campaign, home must be indeed sweet; but all the sufferings he forgot in the ecstasy of Divine welcorr:e and the delight of triumph. LESSONS, 1. .All the promises of (Jhrist to faith wi1l be fulfilled. He had promised it plainer revelations of the Father, and the text is the first instalment. Christ's light is ever in proportion to the strength of the eye, and his revelations, in substance and language, suitablo to the cnpacities of faith-now in proverbs, now in plainer language and with greater confidence, introducing to it deeper mysteries and brighter visions. 2. .All the movements of Ohrist in connection with the great scheme of redemption were purely voluntary. Those indicated in these words were so. "I ea.me out from the Father," etc. He had perfect control over all his movements, and they were invariably the results of his sovereign and free will. 3. When he went to the Father he took the cause of tlie world, especially that of his disciples, with him--in his nature, in his heart, and will never leave nor forget it. 4. When he left the world he left the best part of hirMelf behind. He left the precious results of his life and death, his example, his pardoning love, his Spirit, his blessed gospel with all its rich contents. 5. .As he went to the Father, this indicates the direction we should go, and ever look for him. We know where he is. He left not his disciples in ignorance of his destination ; he left his full address, and in its light we have a Father, and an Almighty Advocate with him.-B.T. Vers. 29-32.-Faith in calm and storm. Notice- L THE CONFESSION o~· FAITH. "By this we believe," etc. This indicates: 1. Faith in the proper Object. " We believe that thou," etc. They believed in his Person and character, and in the Divinity of his mission. Their faith, even at this time, had not made much progress in spiritual elevation and grasp of its Object; still, this fresh con- fession of it was encouraging. If not much progress is made, it is cheering to know there is no retrogression. 2. Faith is founded u.pon intelligent basia. " By this we be.lieve," etc. (1) 'l'he plainness of his speech. In his last words there was no proverb. 'l.'he revelation is clear. He had prc,mised them this, and now it is partly fulfilled, and fulfilled sooner than they expected. This prompt fulfilment of his promise gives new life to faith. (2) The Divinity of his knowledge. They are struck with its Divine extensiveness: "all things;" and with its Divine quality. It is not derived through the ordinary human channels of answers to questions, but it is indepe::i.dent of these, and the inheroot produce of his own mind. And this they had learnt, not from hearsay and observation, but from experience. He revealed and satisfied their most secret wants and wishes without any questions. 3. Its rnnfession is very confident. "Now we know," etc. This knowledge is experimental, and such knowledl;e is the confidence of faith. Knowledge is ho\pful to faith, and faith is helpful to knowledge. Knowledge is the resting-place of faith, and the steps over which it climbs the alpine hei~ts of Di vino truth. 4. Its confession is enthusiastic. "Lo, now speakest thou," etc. This is the glow of fait.h on emerging from darkness inh, light, its first blush a.t the sight of a  328 THE GOSPEL AOOORDING TO ST. JOHN. [on. xvi. 1--88.