The Pulpit Commentary — John — Volume 2 — Section 432

gPnil\l friend Rnd disciple, John, WRB I witneBB or the solemn scene. These, with soma others, lingered by the cross. Not unseen by the dying Redeemer, his nearest friend~ wcro the objects of hie affoctionato regard; and, BB these verses relate, some of hie last thoughts were of them, Rnd his last provision concerned their future relation~. J. Wl!l OANNOT BUT REVERENTIALLY ADJIIIRE THE SELJ!'-J!'ORGETFULNEBB 011' TUE ORUCIF'IED REDEEMER. The absorbing nature of extreme bodily suffering is well k~own. Jn the hour of agony it ie hard for the sufferer to think of aught but his own pBms and terturo. \Ve know that the Lord Jesus was exquisitely sensitive to suffering. Yet even amidst the anguish of body and of mind which he was then enduring, tho Saviour was ablo to turn away his thoughts from himself to her who gave him birth, who bad often shared the honours and the trials of his ministry, and who had now, with noble fortitude and sympathy, come to witness his death. Il, WE ARE INBTRUOTED BY THE REVELATION OF THE IIIGH PLACE WRICII IIUMAJil LOVE HELD IN OUR BA VIOUR 18 HEART, Mary was now advancing in life; her husband Joseph was probably dead. Her long-proved affection was reciprocated by that Son whose filial devotion had been perfect, and who had not now to remember one unfilial net, or word, or even thought. As he looked upon her he saw· that the predict.ion was now fulfilled," A sword shall pierce through thine own heart also." He had loved her all his life, and his love was never more grateful, more tender, more compassionate, than now. He was bearing the burden of a world's sin and sorrow ; yet there was room in his sacred heart for affectionate thoughts of his beloved mother. John, too, who records this incident, in which he occupied a part so prominent, took pleasnre in speak- ing of himself as" the disciple whom Jesus loved." He had reclined on the Master's breast at the Sapper: right and meet it was that he should take his station at his Master's cross. Jesus, who bad loved him in life, cherished the same affection towards John in this his own hour of anguish. As it would have been a comfort to Jesus had his three favoured apostles watched with him in the garden, so no doubt it was a comfort to him that the beloved disciple was standing bard by the cross of ignominy and woe. Jesus loved his friend for his faithfulness, and rewarded him for it even in the hour of his own decease. We thus recognize with gratitude the persistence of Immanuel's tender affection: "Having loved his own •.. be loved them even to the end." J!I. WE ABE ASTONISHED AT THE FORETHOUGHT AND WISDOIII EXERCISED BY THE DYING SAVIOUR. He had already prayed for his mnrderers; he had already cheered his fellow-sufferer by words of grace and promise. He now turned his thoughtful regard to the mother who stood weeping among her friends. The arrangement which he proposed was one the propriety and suitableness of which are most apparent. Who so fit to take his place-as far as that place could be taken-as the beloved disciple? '!'here is a pathetic grace and beauty in the language in which Jesus commended the two to each other. He acknowledged the mother's fidelity and devotion to himself; he foresaw the desolation which must come to her; he provided for her not only a. protector and a home, but that solace which would come with common memories and mutual sympathy. There were those, perhaps, nearer of kin, but none could be nearer in heart, to Mary than Jesus' most intimate and trusted friend. Thus it was secured that Mary should be removed from the distressing scene, and should be assured of constant and affectionate tendance. Nor can we doubt that this arrangement was a permanent one-that Mary enjoyed the friendship and ministrations of John until she went to see her Son in that glory which followed upon his bitter humiliation. Thus love and wisdom went together in this as in preceding acts of the Son of man. And what Jesus said and did upon this occasion was an earnest of his work for humanity at large. None are so happy, so safe, EO strong, as those to whom the Saviour reveals his heart, and for whom he in his wisdom takes holy, helpful thought.-T. Ver. 28.-Thefiftli w<>rd from the cross. This is both the shortest of all the dying ntterances of Jesus, and it is the one which is most closely related to himself. It camo from the parched lips of the Divine V~ctim toward? the close of his agony, a;1d. after the darkness which endured from the SlXth to the nmth honr. Most touchmg m it.self, lt has its spiritual significance for us. L Tms OBI' BE)IINDB UB TBA'l' OUR LoBD JEBUB 8B.ARED OUR HU?U.N NATURE A.ND  THE G-OBPEL AOOORDING TO ST. JOHN. [on. ux. l--41,