evon the death of the oross. His aotive service was one long act of obedience, and his patient endurnnoo now made that obedience complete. He" learned obedience by the things which ho suffered." Nothing had been left undone which could prove Christ•~ unhesitating submission to the will of God his Father. When ho ha.d endured the cross, despising the shame, his offering of filial obedience, subjection, and consecration was ready to be presented to the Father by whose will he had come, and had endured all the consequences of coming, into this world of sin and misery. III. Tum TEilM OF OamsT'S BUFFERING AND BORROW WAS AT AN END. He had shrunk from no trial; he had drained the cup to the dregs. Nuw there was no morn humiliation, subjection, conflict. He was about to excha.oge the mock robes of roya.l~y, the reed-sceptre, the crown of thorns, for the symbols and the reality of universal empire. 'fhe period of agony was past; the period of triumph was at hand. IV. THE BA0DI.FI0E OF THE Lum OF Goo WAS ACCOMPLISHED. The one offering appointed by Divine righteousness and love was now to fulfil its purpose, to supersede the prophetic and anticipatory sacrifices of the dispensation which was passing away. The economy of shadows was to give place to that of substance. Reconciliation, not merely legal, but moral, not for Israel only, but for mankind, was now brought about by the work of the Divine Mediator. 'l'he veil of the temple was rent, the way into the holiest was opened, Provibion was made for the inflowing of mercy like a mighty stream. The means were now introduced to secure the end dear to the Divine heart-- the everlB9ting salvation of sinfnl men. APPLICATION. 1. In this language we have an appeal to the Father's approval. It is to us a matter of infinite importance to know that the will of God was fulfilled to the very utmost by our Substitute and Representative. 2. We have also in this cry an exclamation expressive of Christ's own satisfaction and joy. To him it could not but be a relief to feel that the experience of pain and bitter woe to which he had .iubmitted was now at an end. It is our privilege to suffer with him, and with him to die unto sin. 3. The hearer of the gospel may in these words welcome an assurance that redemption has been wrought, that the ransom has been paiJ, that salvation may now be published to all mankind through the once crucified aod now glorified Redeemer.-T.
Ver. 38.-.d disciple, but sei::relly. Of the man thus described by John we know bu~ little. His birthplace, or family seat, was Arimathrea.; his rank among the Jews was of the highest, for he was a member of the national council, or Sanhedrin. His wealth is mentioned, and accounts for his possession of land, and for the provision by him of costly spices to be used in our Lord's interment. His moral character is summed up 1n the description of him as" good and just." As he comes before us in connection with the closing scene of our Saviour's humiliation, he combines opposite elements of disposition; for he is represented as timid and standing in dread of the Jews, and yet so bold as to go to Pilate and to beg of the governor the body of the crucified Jesus. The office of committing the body to the tcmb was discharged by Nicodemus, also a ruler of the Jews, and also apparently a secret disciple, and by this Joseph, who offered for the purpose the place of sepulture which he owned, and evidently designed for the use of himself and his family. Joseph of Ari.mathma may be taken as a representative of the secret disciple. Circumstances vary with times, but the disposition here exem- plified still exists. l. THERE ARE VAlllOUB CAUSES WHICH ACCOUNT FOR SECRECY IN CHRISTIAN DISCIPLE- SHIP. 1. It is natural and proper that the beginnings of conscious discipleship should be hidden. When the seed begins to germinate, to put forth the signs and the promise of life, it remains hidden beneath the surface of the soil unseen by auy eye. .And when a young heart in its yearnings, or a penitent heart in its mingled regrets and hopes, turns to the Lord Jesus, as to a Divine Friend and mighty Saviour, the change is unknown, unheeded by the observer. 'l'he time comes_,!hen t~e ~lant appears above the gr_ouu~; and the time comes when the tokens of spmtual life m a changed character, disposi- tion and habits are unmistakable. But there is a time for secrecy, and there is a tinl6 for publicity. 2. There are those who keep sec~et their interest i17 ~bristi.m t~uth, their affection for Christ himself, through a tremblmg reverence for spmtual and D1 vmo things. Doubtless many are sincere in the public shouts and songs, by which their 4-48 THE GOSPEL ACCORDING TO ST. JOHN. [err. ,ale. 1-42.