The Pulpit Commentary — John — Volume 2 — Section 319

new vision, its enthnsiasm on the hill of a n<>wly llcqulred knowledge. The pl11lner revcllltion 0f Jesus wiu; sndden, and produced in the dieciples a trinmphnnt outbnret of confidenct' in the Divinity of his miBBion. The conft1Ssion baa some light, but more beat. 6. Ju oonfesswn 111 united. "Dy this we," etc. Thoro ie not a dissootlent voice. One spoke for all, and Ill\ spoke in one. It Is the chorus of young faith. II. Tm: XXAMINATION OF FAITH. 1. It ia examimd bg Jesw. He is the Objeot of fe.ith, and its only infallible Examiner; the examination is short, but very thorough and improving. "Do ye now believe?" (1) This question is very important. Important to tbe :tihster 11nd the dieciples. Every true master feels an interest in the succeBB of his pnpils. Je.sua WRB intensely desirous that they all should pass in faith successfully. His reputation as a ]\faster and a Saviour was at stake, and he trained them for service which he required, and for which faith was essential. It was still more important to them. "Do ye believe?" This is the first and greatest lesson of Christianity, and the crucial question of Christ to his disciples. (2) This question naturally anticipates an affirmatiflf! answer. Indeed, it had been enthusiastically answered in the affirmative in the confession jnst made. And this was quite natural and true. Their faith was genuine, and ought to be strong and firm; they had great advantages, and Jesus had taken infinite pains with them. (3) This question is very searching. Do you believe, and believe now? And not merely J esns by this question searches them, but inspires them to see.rch themselves. This was highly characteristic of him as a 'l'eacher. He did not cram his disciples with his own thoughts, but rather inspired and helped them to think themselves. He set the mental and spiritual machinery in motion, and this simple question is highly calculated to inspire them to think and reflect and search themselves, and to look about within as to the real and present state of faith. (4) This question is as tender and 8Yffl,pathetu as it is trearihing. Worthy or the great Master and suitable to the condition of his dieciples. His patience and compassion were Divine. He does not upbraid them with slowness, imperfection, and vacillation of faith in spite of all his tuition. He does not break out into a storm of impatience and recrimination, but tenderly for the moment leaves the question to them, and gradually sends more light so as to bring it fully home to them. (5) This question involves joy and sorrow. The joy and sorrow of perfect knowledge. He knew that their faith was genuine and would be ultimately triumphant: this was a source of joy. He knew as well that at preaent it was weak, too weak to withstand the impending storm: this was a source of sorrow. And in this short question the sad and joyous notes are distinctly heard. 2. Faith ui e:xamined by <Jhrist in connection with a most ezt1'Ml'dinary trial. His own trial, tlie great tragedy of his crucifixion, which also would be the trial of faith. Thie is foretold. (1) It is foretold a.s being tJery near. "Behold, the hour cometh," etc. They were within the hour and already within the vortex of the terrible whirlpool. (2) It is foretold as being certain. There was no doubt about it, and this they would readily believe from the new glimpse they profess to have had of his perfect knowledge of all thin:;rs. (3) It is foretold in the inf.erest of faith. Not to discourage and damp it.s ardour, but rather to break its inevitable fall from the height of present confidence to the depths of momentary doubt and darkness. Over the ladder of hie revelation it had climbed up, and ought to remain there; but knowing that it would not, he furnishes it with another ladder to deecend, so as not to be destroyed if somewhat daunted. It was foretold in the present and future interest of faith. IIl. 'l'HE TEIIPOBA.11.Y FAILURE OF FAITIL "Ye shall be scattered," etc. 1. Its/allure happened when u was thought to be st~ong. Think of their enthusiastic coi:ireseion a short time ago. The gloom of doubt lB often at the heels of the glow of faith. The fire often blazes brightly just before it is partially extinguished. When we are weak we are strong, and when we are strong we are weak. 2. Its failure happened when it ought to be form, and when tt wa11 most needed by them and the SavU)'IJ,r. When was it ueerled more than when its Object needed sympathy? It was one thing to be loud in their professions of faith in him during the palmy days of his triumph and miracles, but quite another to cling to him in ~is apparent defeat. They left ~im ii:i the ato!m, when their adherence would be moat important and valuable. "A fnend m need 1a a friend indeed." 3. The manner <f its Jaaure reveals its real cause. "Every man to his own." The cause· of the failure of faith was selfishness. Faith in Christ ie essentially a denial of self, but in this hour of severe trial faith for a moment left OR. xv1, 1-83.) THE GOBPFlL ACCORDING TO ST. JOHN.