The Pulpit Commentary — John — Volume 2 — Section 502

their unep_irituality, are a complete 1?arrier to their really knowing him; they are witho11t, the receptiveness and sympathy which are necessary in order to such knowlerlge. 3. H may be through human perplexity and despondency. In the case of the diaciples this seems to have been the explanation of their failure to perceive at once that the form upon the shore was that of their Lord. Their minds were preoccupied with their own distress, uncertainty, and troubles. And thus they were for a. while blind to that very presence which alone could bring them relief and blessing. II. How JESUS COMES TO BE RECOGNIZED. He was hidden for a short season from the eyes even of his own attached friends; but the hiding was not for Iona-. Nor will he fa.ii to make his nearness and his grace known to those who are prepar.;'d to receive the revel!ltion. This he does: 1. By the voice of Divine authority in which he speaks. There was command in the tones of Jesus when he bade the fishers let down their net. He never speaks-however graciously and with however much of encouragement and kindly invitation-eave in a. manner divinely authoritative. And the true disciples recognize that royal tone. 2. By the language of sympathy and love which he uses. As J esue pitied the poor fishermen who had toiled all night in vain ; as he addressed them as his children, a.nd showed commiseration ; so does he ever appeal to the tenderest feelings of human hearts, awakening the response which love gives to love. 3. By the provision which he makes for the needs of his own. There is a practical aspect in the spiritual ministry of the Saviour. He provided breakfast for the disciples; how could he have given them a homelier welcome? Thus does he give his flesh for the life of the world. His Deity is recognized in his devotion and sacrifice. They who once see what he has done for man can never doubt who he is. III. How THE RECOGNIZED JESUS IS GREETED. With the cry, "It is the Lord!" This is : 1. The cry of faith, on discovering in him the Truth of God. The long-looked- for vision breaks upon the soul. He who has been desired draws near. 2. The cry of obedience, as his will is felt to be authoritatively binding. He speaks the language of command; and the obedient soldier adopt.a the wish as law, and does the bidding of his Captain; for "it is the Lord I " 3. The cry of submission and resignation, as his hand is discerned in the chastisements of life. Let a man. say, "It is fate! n or, "It is fortune I" and how can he submit with profit? But let him say, "It is the Lord I" and he will add, "Let him do as eeemeth good in his sight." 4. The cry of witness, as Christ's presence is proclaimed to all around. It is the mission of the Church to all the world, to direct attention to the world's Saviour and Lord. IV. How THE RECOGNIZED JESUS REWARDS ms FAITHFUL DISCIPLES. 1. With his society and friendship. 2. With his liberality and bounty, by which all their spiritual wants are supplied. 3. With his power and benediction upon the life and work of each one who acknowledges and serves him. 4. With the final vision of his face. They who have seen him by faith on earth shall see him as he is above. Blessed, rapturous, shall be the recognition, when the disciple shall open his eyes in heaven, and shall exclaim, "It is the Lord 1"-T. Ver. 12.-The diffidence of reverent hearts. It does at first sight seem strange that when John had exclaimed, " It is the Lord I " when Peter had plunged into the lake to swim to the shore where Jesus stood, when all the little company had indubitable evidence that Jesus was indeed with them, there should still have been this reticence, this diffidence this awe. Yet such conduct is not inconsisteni with human nature; and its analog~e is still to be discerned in human experience. L TJm SOUL RECOGNIZES CHRIST BY BIS DIVlNE DEMEANOUR AND LANGUAGE. The authority and the considerateness with which Jesus addressed the disciples, and the provision which he made for their wants, were to. them an a.ssura.nce t~at they were not mistaken in their conviction that they were 1n the presence of their Lord. Only let the heart be open to the manifestatio~s of the spiri~ual presence of the ~ivine_Lord and Saviour of men in his Word and 1n human society, and the conclusion will be reached speedily and 'certainly that the work witnesses to the Worker; that the light and heat are an index to the presence of the sun. The correspondence between human need on the one hand and Divine provision on the other is so ma.rked and so perfect as to suggest and indeed to require, belief in the authoritative mission of Christ, and in his eternai presence in human society. 5HI THE GORPF:L ACCORDING TO ST, JOHN. [en. xx1. 1-26,