The Pulpit Commentary — John — Volume 2 — Section 438

rough nnd ignomut soldiers crucifying him for his garments? And this rlcm0n ,,f sclll~h gain was sanctioned by law. 3. It was done with grrot haste. As soon ns he was cruclfie<l, before he was dead, they hastened to divide his garments under his very eyes. In this they are typical of a good many more. The love of gain is ever in haste. The votaries of selfishness are ever in a hurry. .As soon as the victim is snJe in tbo grip of nffiiction, thoy begin to search for the keys. The grave is opened before nlm0St he hBS breathed his lrist. 4. The division is just and fair. This is one rederming quality in the affair. Rather than spoil the vest, they cast lots for it. This probably arose from selfishness, each ono hoping it would be his; but, if selfish, it was wise, anrl an example to many in dividing the Hpoil. It is better to cast lots or leave a thin'! alone, than render it worthless. 'l'here is some honour amongst thieves, yrs, more thrm among mony men of higher standing. "The children of this world are wiser," etc. IIT. As THE FULFILMENT 011' SoRIPTURE. "That the Scripture," etc. 1. (Jhr,:st wri.~ the great Subject of ancient Scripture. His incarnation, character, anrl many incidents of his life n.nd death were foretold centuries before he made his appearance. Many of the prophets described him as if he were really present to them. David, the great anti- type of the Messiah, was often so inspired that he personified him, and related facts as if they had actun.lly happened in his own experience, whereas they related entirely to the coming King. Such was his reference to the parting of his garment. 2. In the life and death of Oltrist tlte ancient Scripture was literally fulfilled. Even in the division of his garment. (1) In this the soldiers were unconscious agents. Nothing could be remoter from their knowledge an<l consciousness than that they fulfilled any Scripture. (2) In this they only carried out their own contract, and fulfilled their own designs. There was no secret and supernatural influence brought to bclir upon them, so that their actions may fit with ancient prophecy; but ancient prophecy was a true reading of future' events, and was proved by these events as they occurred. (3) Thro,,gh these unconscious agents the Scripture was fulfilled. 3. This literal fulfilment of ancient Scripture was a remarkable proof of the Messiahshi'p of Jesus-that be was the Divine One promised ofold, and with whom the old dispensation was in travail. Even the division of his garment testified to hi~ identity and the Divinity of his mission; and these soldiers bore unconscious testimony to his Messiahsbip. LESSONS. 1. Eve,-ything connected with true greatness becomes interesting. The birthplace of a great man, the house in which he afterwards lived, the chair in which he sat, and the staff he carried. The garments of Jesus a.re fnll of interest, especially the seamless vest. The disposal of even his garments is not passed unnoticed. 2. The garments of Jesus/ell into thoughtless hands. One is almost curious as to who had the pieces of the robe, and who had the seamless tunic. What an exchange! The vest once worn by the Son of God was afterwards worn by a thoughtless soldier. It was well thn.t none of his garments fell to his friends; if so, there would be a danger of idolatry. 3. The garments of Jesus lost their virtue when he ceased to wen,r them. The outer robe, the hem of which was so healing to faith, was so no more. The virtue was not in the garment, but in the wearer, He gave greatness and virtue to everything connected with him. 4. .Let us arrange our affairs as far as we can ere we die, and leave the rest to the lottery of 61/ents, which is ever under Divine control. It matters but little to us what will become of our garments after we finish with them. Ii we have them :i.~ long as we require them, we should feel thankful.-B. T, Ver. 25.-<Jlinging to the cross. Earth, hell, and heaven were represented at the cross of Jesus. These representatives naturally formed themselves into groups. Notice- !. Tms INTERE.BTING GROUP AT THE 0ROSS. Who composed it? 1. The mother of Jesus. She i~ mentioned first. She stands prominent among the rest, as well she may. Of all mothers, she is the most popular and interesting. She stands alone in th~ maternal roll of the world. Never II mother had such a Son, and never a sou had such a mother. She has been made too much of on the one hand, and too little on the other. From her the Son of God inherited his humanity and his human breeuiug. Humanly speaking, he owed much to his mother for !1is fine humn.n Mturc a1:,l sympathies, That Mary was his mother wn.s not an accident. Never a. mother bad such joy nor such sorrow; and she was now overwhelmed with the latter. She was  452 THE GOSPEL ACCORDING '1'0 8T. JOHN. [oR. x1x. 1--42.