1-5 The plainest reason why the Son of God is called the Word, seems
to be, that as our words explain our minds to others, so was the Son
of God sent in order to reveal his Father's mind to the world. What
the evangelist says of Christ proves that he is God. He asserts, His
existence in the beginnin... [ Continue Reading ]
6-14 John the Baptist came to bear witness concerning Jesus. Nothing
more fully shows the darkness of men's minds, than that when the Light
had appeared, there needed a witness to call attention to it. Christ
was the true Light; that great Light which deserves to be called so.
By his Spirit and gra... [ Continue Reading ]
15-18 As to the order of time and entrance on his work, Christ came
after John, but in every other way he was before him. The expression
clearly shows that Jesus had existence before he appeared on earth as
man. All fulness dwells in him, from which alone fallen sinners have,
and shall receive, by... [ Continue Reading ]
19-28 John disowns himself to be the Christ, who was now expected and
waited for. He came in the spirit and power of Elias, but he was not
the person of Elias. John was not that Prophet whom Moses said the
Lord would raise up to them of their brethren, like unto him. He was
not such a prophet as the... [ Continue Reading ]
29-36 John saw Jesus coming to him, and pointed him out as the Lamb
of God. The paschal lamb, in the shedding and sprinkling of its blood,
the roasting and eating of its flesh, and all the other circumstances
of the ordinance, represented the salvation of sinners by faith in
Christ. And the lambs s... [ Continue Reading ]
37-42 The strongest and most prevailing argument with an awakened soul
to follow Christ, is, that it is he only who takes away sin. Whatever
communion there is between our souls and Christ, it is he who begins
the discourse. He asked, What seek ye? The question Jesus put to them,
we should all put t... [ Continue Reading ]
43-51 See the nature of true Christianity, it is following Jesus;
devoting ourselves to him, and treading in his steps. Observe the
objection Nathanael made. All who desire to profit by the word of God,
must beware of prejudices against places, or denominations of men.
They should examine for thems... [ Continue Reading ]