nrua_z!ng, wns the npproach of the Master. Gr:i.cious was hie greeting, welcome his fnm1lmr tonos, He convinced them of his identity by exhibiting his wound~, nnrl. proved hie humnnity by pnrtnking of food. And though hie comin"' 0 was friendly, yet he upbrnided his disciples for their unbelief. III. TnE NARRATIVE DEPIOTB TlIE COMMON AND BUDDEN JOY WHICII P0oSESSED THE DR0TllERil0OD. (On this, see homily on ver. 20.) IV. Tm: NARRATIVE RECORDS THE BAOBED COMMISSION WITTI WHICH ,JF.sus NOW ENTnUBTED ms DISCIPLES. It must be borne in mind that these servants of Christ had been for II long time closely associated with him, and had thus been prepnred for their life-work. So tremendous a trust as this would otherwise be unaccountable. 1. Thev were to go among men as Christ's representatives, as those entrusted with Divine authority, and they were to act as ambassadors for God. 2. Their special mission was to declare to men who should receive their message and should truly repent, the nbso- lution and remission of sin. The purpose of Christ's coming was to secure pardon and acceptance for sinful men; and this purpose was to be fulfilled by means of the ministry of the apo~tles and their successors. V. THE NARRATIVE MENTIONS THE SPECIAL QUALIFICATION BF.STOWED UPO!'! THOSE ENTRUSTED WITH Tms HIGH COMMISSION. The words of Christ, "Receive ye the Holy Spirit," were accompanied with the symbolic act of breathing upon them; and both denoted the reality of the Divine gift by which unlearned and feeble men were fitted to fulfil a. mi)p..stry of blessing to mankind.-T. Ver. 20.~The glad vision. The record of the apostles' emotion serves a purpose of value. They saw his form, his hands, his feet, hie side. They heard an,l recognized his voice when he gave them his salutation of peace. Thus- they were convinced of the reality, the identity; of the riseu Saviour. And their conviction led to their witness, and thus to our faith. • I. THE REASONS FOR THE GLAD!-."ESS WHICH THE DISCil'LES EXPERIBll'CED WHEN THEY BAW .THE CHRIST. 1. 'l'he gloomy feelings of doubt and foreboding experienced by them during many hours past now gave way to the contrasting emotions of relief, satisfaction, a,nd joy. The disciples had been disappointed and cast down by the blow which feU upon them when their Lord was slain. Their hopes had been all but extin- guished.. They had been bewildered and sad. Now their suspense was at an end, their fears were dispelled, their doubts were removed. The reaction was great. The cloud which had overshadowed them had been black; the more welcome was the burst of sunshine. which now illumined their hearts. 2. Their gladness was increased by the resumption of Christ's fellowship and friendship. When they saw the Lord, and heard bis well-known and well-loved voice, they appreciated his forwardness to show his interest and affection. He was still their Friend, and they could not tell for what p«iriod they might be permitted to enjoy his companionship and counsel. 3. The dis- ciples must have been growingly glad, as they gained through the Resurrection a fuller view of the Lord's nature, character, and office. They experienced the fulfilment of Christ's words, " A little while, and ye shall see me; " 11 On the third day I shall rise a.gain," otc. Their hope that he would prove to be the Messiah revived. Who must this be whom death itself is powerless to hold? • II. TnE BROADER REASONS FOR OUR GLADNESS BECAUSE OF THE m:SURRECTI0N OF CnnrsT. 1. Our faith is thus confirmed in the Divinity and authority of our Saviour himself. 2. As a consequence of this, our natural and, distressing doubts concerning the interest and benevolence of God are effectually removed. 3. A glorious aim in life is thus presented before us; the Church becomes the living witness to the Resurrection and to the gospel, which is based upon this stupendous fact. 4. A welcome and sacred liaht is thus cast upon the immortal prospects of Christ's people. They who saw bim aft.er the Resurrection, and who he.d heard him say, "Where I am, ye shall be also," could not but cherish the hope of a deathless fellowship with the Lonl of life, wile :h..3 the keys of death and of the unseen world.-T.
Ver. 21.-11ie mission Qf the Son and of the servants. A mission involves a sender, the party to whom he sen<ls, the sent one, and II commi3sion to be fulfilled by the sent 488 THE GOSPEL ACCORDING TO ST. JOllN. [en. :u. 1--81.
,,n bebe.lf of the 11ender and for the benefit of those whom be visits. A religious mission nriginetC'!I in Gorl, is de~igned for the welfare of men, and is accomplished in the first in8tance by thC' Son of God, and then by his ministers. I. THE MISSION ON 'ITIIIott CHRIST WAB BENT BY THE FATHEB. 1. The origin ol Hm mission must be sought in the love and pity of the Father towe.rde sinful men, and in t.he conclit.ion of humanity which rendered a Divine interposition desirable. 2. The condition of this mission was the incnmation and advent of the Son of God. 8. The e.idcnce Rncl e.utbenticntion of this mission arc found in Christ's mighty works and hl'nevolent ministry on e11rth. 4. The completion of this mission wns effected when lhe Lord'Jesus laid dov.n his life for the sheep. II. 'l'nE MISSION ON V.ITTCH CHRISTIAN APOSTLES AND EVANGELISTS WERE BENT BT THEIR LoRD. The twelve v,ere, because thus sent, designated "Apostles." There is no r~son to_ limit the mission to these; it was shared by the evangelists who were asso- ciated with them, imd mdeeJ by the whole Church of the Redeemer. 1. Apostolic conditions. 'l'hese a·e (1) sympathy with the mind of Christ; (2) compassion for the world; (3) renunciation of selfish ends in life. 2. The apostolic spirit. This is pre- eminently a spirit of dependence upon the gospel and upon the Spirit of Christ. 8. Apostolic methods. (1) The proclamation of distinctively Christian truth; (2) the institution of Cb1ii;tin.n societies; (3) the continuous employment of the Christian example, and the witness of the Christian life. III. 'l'RE RELATION BETWEEN THE MISSION OF CHRIST AND THAT OF BIB CHURCH. 1. A relation of dependence. The mission of apostles and preachers would be impossible, had it not been preceded by that of the Di\"ine Lord himself. The mission of the Bon made possible that of the servants. 2. A relation of simi1arity. Notwithstanding the difference between Divinity and humanity, between the work of mediation and that of puhlicntion, the mission of the followers is as that of the Leader. In both cases the work is God's, the authority is God's, the favour and assistance is God's, and the end sought is God's. 'l'he recompense and the joy ensuing in both cases upon i;uccess is one and the same. How honourable is the Christian calling I how noble the CLristian aim I how snC1"€d the Christian fellowship I how bright the Christian hope !-T.