The Pulpit Commentary — John — Volume 2 — Section 393

and with a view to encls the most purely benevolent that were ever conceive,! in tho whole history of tho universe-hung upon the croR~, it seems to ns that he uttered a cry wbic~ was the earnest of the ~piritual deliverance and emancipation of mankinrl, o. er)'. whwh wa.s the expreHsion at once of the deepest agony and the kingliest gladness of Ins compassionate nature, and that the purport of the cry was this: "Let these men go I" IV. O1IRIBT1B DENEV0LENT SELF-FORGETFULNESS 18 OFTEN NEGLECTED AND ABUSED. In a family we sometimes observe one person peculiarly kind and unselfish, whose demeanour, so far from being an example and an advantage to the other members of the household, is o.buscd. 'l'he yielding and self-denial of one sets others at liberty to carry out their own favourite plans, to gratify their own selfish tastes. There is some• thing parallel to this in the way in which some persons in Christian communities take advantage, for their own temporal comfort and prosperity, of tbe influences of C,'hris- tianity, without at all recognizing their obligation to the Saviour for all the benefits they have received, social and domestic. So far as we can see, such persons are little the better for all that Christ has undergone for them, for the immunity from many ills which he has secured for them. The self-devotion, ma,,a-na.nimity, and pity of the Redeemer should surely be to such, first a. rebuke, and then an exhortation to a. nobler and a better life. V. THE SELF-SACRIFICING DEVOTION OF THE SA VIOUB IS THE EVERLASTING INSPIRA- TION OF THE mGHER LIFE OF MANKIND. ThiR was the intention of Christ; and it was this prospect which sustained him a.midst the treachery, the hatred, the desertion, the malice, the indignities, to which he exposed himself. How sorely the world was in need of a principle and power which should correct and heal its selfishness, is well known to every one who is acquainted with his own heart, who has studied the moral ills of human society. 'l'he wars and enmities which even now disgrace humanity a.re sufficient evidence of this. There were others than Christ who to some extent saw the evil, and desired to do what in them lay to remedy it. Even the heathen Seneca. conld say, "I would so live as if I knew I received my being only for the benefit of others." But that which philosophical theory, ethical dogma, even serene example, could not effect, has been in some measure effected, and will be brought at last perfectly to pass, by him whose unselfish, self-sacrificing spirit found utterance in the cry, "Let these mengo!"-T. Ver. 11.-The sword and the cup. To ordinary human nature work is easier than patience, and resistance than submission. Our Lord, in this crisis of his history, both adopted the more difficult course for himself, and commended it to his disciples. I. CnmsT's DISAVOWAL OF THE SWORD. 1. The sword is the symbol of physical force, of resistance. Properly a weapon of attack, it may nevertheless be used for defence. The sword is in the hands of the soldier who withstands his foe; of the magistrate who maintains order and vindicates justice, and who bears it not in vain. It is the emblem of secular authority, of carnal power. 2. There was a. sense in which tbe use of the sword had been sanctioned by Christ. When he had said, " I ea.me, not to send peace, but a sword," Jesus had referred to the conflicts which should arise in society as a result of his mission to earth. But he had, almost immediately before the occurrence in connection with which the words of the text were spoken, exp,J"essly directed his disciples to arm themselves, telling them of the perils they should encounter, and bidding them even to sell their garments in order to procure the means of defence. Evidently there were some kinds of danger against which they were at liberty to arm. 3. The time of Christ's sacrifice was not the time for resistance. Peter, indig- nant at his Lord's betrayal, impulsive in his nature, and impetuous in bis action, seeing his Master in danuer, drew and used his sword. But Jesus forbade and disclaimed the use of carnal weapons in his cause. His kingdom was not of this world, and it would not have been consonant either with his gentle character or with the nature of his religion-a spiritual religion relying on conviction and affection-to sanction the pro- mulo-ation of his doctrine, the extension of his Church, by means of the sword. Chnst's people were not prohibited from taking advantage of their ~rivi~eges as citizens, f:om usinu lawful means to secure protection and sr1fety, from detend1ug themselves agarnst lawl~ss violence. But to resist civil authority by force, in the name of Christ an,! for  406 THE GOSrEL AOCORDING TO S1'. JOHN. (oil. xvm. 1-40.