Our blessed Saviour having ended his consolatory and valedictory sermon, contained in the three foregoing Chapter s; in this chapter we have recorded his last prayer, with and for his disciples, before he left the world; which is. copy left upon earth, of what he doth now intercede for as an advocat... [ Continue Reading ]
Observe here, 1. The dignity which Christ was invested with, POWER OVER ALL FLESH: that is, authority to judge and sentence all mankind. Observe, 2. How Christ came to be invested with this power; it was given him by his Father: THOU HAST GIVEN HIM POWER OVER ALL FLESH. Hence the Socinians would in... [ Continue Reading ]
That is, "This is the true way and means to obtain eternal life, namely by the true knowledge of God the Father, and of Jesus Christ the Mediator, who was commissioned and sent by his Father to accomplish the work of redmption for. lost world." Here observe, Christ calls God the Father THE ONLY TRU... [ Continue Reading ]
Learn hence, that the whole life of Christ, while here on earth, was. glorifying of his Father; he glorified his Father by the doctrine which he preached; he glorified his Father by the miracles which he wrought; he glorified his Father by the unspotted purity and innocency of his life, and by his u... [ Continue Reading ]
From the connection of this with the former verse learn, 1. That whoever expects to be glorified of God in heaven, must glorify him first here upon earth. 2. That, after we have glorified him, we may expect to be glorified with him and by him. I HAVE GLORIFIED THEE, AND NOW,. FATHER, GLORIFY THOU M... [ Continue Reading ]
By the name of God, we are here to understand his nature, his property, and attributes, his designs and counsels for the salvation of mankind. Christ, as the prophet of his church, made all these known unto his people. Learn hence, that Jesus Christ has made. full and complete discovery of his Fath... [ Continue Reading ]
Observe here, 1. The faithfulness of Christ in revealing the whole will of his Father to his disciples. 2. The proficiency of his disciples in the school of Christ: They knew all the things which Christ had told them; namely, that whatsoever he had, was given him of the Father, and that he had thes... [ Continue Reading ]
As if Christ had said, "The message by thee my Father committed to me,. have communicated to them my disciples, and they have received it, and will communicate it from thee to the world; being sufficiently assured that my coming and preaching was all by commission from thee." Hence learn, 1. That t... [ Continue Reading ]
That is, "I now offer up. prayer particularly, 1. For my apostles, designed for so great. work as the preaching of the everlasting gospel to the obstinate Jews and obdurate Gentiles. 2.. intercede also for all believers at this time, for their perseverance in the faith, and constancy in persecution... [ Continue Reading ]
We may understand this two ways; 1. Of all persons; all my friends, all my disciples, are thine as well as mine. Thence learn, that the Father and the Son have. like share and property in all believers. 2. The words in the original, being of the neuter gender, signify, all thy things are mine, an... [ Continue Reading ]
Here observe, 1. Our Saviour's present condition: I AM NO MORE IN THE WORLD: that is,. shall continue on earth but. small time longer, and then ascend to my Father in heaven. Learn thence, that Jesus Christ, as he is man, he is gone out of this lower world into the immediate presence of his Father;... [ Continue Reading ]
Observe, here, 1. That those which shall be saved, are given unto Christ, and committed to his care and trust. 2. That none of those that are given unto Christ, as his charge, and committed to his care and trust, shall be finally lost: THOSE THAT THOU GAVEST ME. HAVE KEPT, AND NONE OF THEM IS LOST:... [ Continue Reading ]
In these words our Saviour declares the great reason why he did at this time so publicly and solemnly pray for his disciples; it was to fill them with joy and comfort, that their joy might not be diminished by Christ's departure, but rather increased by the coming of the Comforter: THAT THEY MAY HAV... [ Continue Reading ]
I HAVE GIVEN THEM THY WORD, partly by external revelation, and partly by internal illumination; and for thy word's sake the world hates them, as also BECAUSE THEY ARE NOT OF THE WORLD. Learn, 1. That Christians, especially ministers to whom Christ has given his word, must expect the world's hatred.... [ Continue Reading ]
Here observe, 1. That the wisdom of Christ sees fit to continue his children and people in the world, notwithstanding all the perils and dangers of the world. He has work for them, and they are of use to him, for. time, in the world; till their work be done, Christ's love will not, and the world's m... [ Continue Reading ]
Sanctify them, not initially, for so they were sanctified already, but progressively: let them increase more and more in grace and holiness. Learn hence, 1. That such as are already sanctified, must labour and ought to endeavour after further measures and higher degrees of santification: that the m... [ Continue Reading ]
Observe here, 1. Christ's mission; the Father sent him into the world. Christ's sending implies the designation of his person, his qualification for the work, his authority and commission. Learn hence, that Christ did not of himself undertake the office of. Mediator, but was sent; that is, authori... [ Continue Reading ]
The word SANCTIFY here, is not to be taken for the cleansing, purifying, or making holy, that which before was unclean; but Christ's sanctifying himself imports, 1. His separation of setting himself apart to be. sacrifice for sin. 2. His consecration or dedication of himself to this holy use and s... [ Continue Reading ]
Hitherto our Saviour had been praying for himself and his apostles; now he prays for all persons, both Jews and Gentiles, that should believe on him, throughout the world, by the preaching of the gospel. Hence learn, 1. That all believers have. special interest in Christ's prayer. 2. That in the s... [ Continue Reading ]
The special mercy, and particular blessing which Christ prays for on behalf of believers, is. close and intimate union betwixt the Father, himself, and them, and also betwixt one another; such an union as doth in some sort resemble that union which is betwixt God and Christ; not an unity of essence... [ Continue Reading ]
Here observe, 1. Christ's communication of that glory to believers, which he had received of the Father; that is, not his essential glory, but his mediatorial glory: THE GLORY WHICH THOU GAVEST ME. Now Christ hath no glory given him as God, but much glory bestowed upon him as Mediator. Observe, 2.... [ Continue Reading ]
Observe here, 1. That as the Father is in Christ, so is Christ, in believers, and they in him: the Father is in Christ in respect of his divine nature, essence, and attributes; and Christ is in believers, by the inhabitation of his Holy Spirit. Observe, 2. That the believers' happiness consisteth i... [ Continue Reading ]
Our Saviour had prayed for his disciples' sanctification before, here he prays for their glorification: 1. THAT THEY MAY BE WHERE HE IS; now Christ is with them in his ordinances, in his word, and at his table; ere long they shall be with him as his friends, as his spouse, as his companions, in his... [ Continue Reading ]
Observe here, 1. The appellation given to God: O RIGHTEOUS FATHER. This is the sixth time that Christ in this prayer has called God, Father, it being so sweet. relation, and producing all love, delight, joy, and confidence in God, by him that practically reproves it. But observe, that at verse 11,... [ Continue Reading ]
That is, "I have made known unto them thy nature, attributes, counsels, will and commands, and. will continue the manifestation of the same unto the end. Learn thence, that the saving knowledge of God was not attainable by natural abilities, but cometh to us by the special revelation of Jesus Chris... [ Continue Reading ]