Thoughts on John XIV

THE fourteenth chapter of John is one of the most comforting chapters in the Bible. It was intended to comfort those to whom it was spoken, and not them alone, but all the disciples of Christ, till the end of time. The opening words indicate this: "Let not your heart be troubled." Christ had told them that he was going to leave them, and their hearts were troubled. They loved Jesus; they wanted to be with him. And so he proceeds to comfort them with words that have been a joy and solace to many a weary, troubled heart. "In my Father's house are many mansions." "I go to prepare a place for you." There is abundance of room, but it was necessary that Christ should prepare a place for each one, by his death and subsequent ministration in the heavenly sanctuary. But this is not all. "And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you unto myself; that where I am there ye may be also." And this promise is as sure as the word of God. Many times is this promise repeated. "To them that look for him shall he appear the second time." When the time came for him to depart, and the sorrowing disciples saw him ascend to heaven, the assurance was given, "This same Jesus . . . . shall so come in like manner as ye have seen him go into heaven." Separated from him whom they love, sojourners in a strange land, the children of God have the blessed hope that their Lord himself will some day come to take them home.

Some who profess to be followers of Christ, say, "Don't be scared with the idea that the Lord is coming; he may not come for a thousand years. There is no need for alarm." What reason has the child of God for fear? Paul says that we are to comfort one another with the promise that the Lord will come to receive us unto himself. Christ says that when we see the signs that indicate his speedy approach, to look up and lift up our heads, for our redemption draweth nigh. The willing and obedient child does not run and hide at his father's return. The wicked may tremble, and call for the rocks to fall on them and hide them from the wrath of the Lamb; but the righteous will say, "This is the Lord; we have waited for him, we will be glad and rejoice in his salvation."

At the request of Philip, "Lord, show us the Father," Christ presents another comforting thought. "Have I been so long time with you, and hast thou not known me, Philip?" Indeed they knew Christ. They had seen his labors of love and self-denial. He had never slighted the poor and needy. They had seen him moved with compassion when he miraculously fed the famishing multitude. They had seen him stop to heal the sick, when excessive labor had well-nigh exhausted his strength. They had seen him moved to tears at the grave of Lazarus. They had heard his gentle words of reproof and encouragement to the erring. And as he saw the care and trouble caused by sin, they had heard him say, in tones of love and pity, "Come unto me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest." They knew him to be a tender, loving, pitying friend. And so he says, "Have I been so long time with you, and hast thou not known me?" The answer might be, Yes, but how does this answer the question? Why, "He that hath seen me hath seen the Father." "I and my Father are one." All the goodness and loveliness, the tenderness and pity, exhibited in the life of Christ, were but a representation of the nature of the Father. As Paul says, "God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself."

Many persons picture God as the stern Judge, and Christ as the loving Saviour; but they do not thus divide their offices. "God is love." That is his nature. "God commendeth his love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners Christ died for us." Comforting thought, that both Christ and God are interested in, and anxious for, our salvation. Would we know the extent of God's love? "God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life." It was an infinite sacrifice, and was the result of infinite love.

But blessings rejected turn into curses, and the fact that God is love, will not prevent his wrath from being visited upon those who despise his love. And in this, still, Christ and the Father are one. It is "from the face of Him that sitteth upon the throne, and from the wrath of the Lamb," that the wicked seek to be hid. But none need to suffer this wrath, for all Heaven is interested in our behalf. They that are for us are more than they which are against us. God is willing that we should be called his sons. "And every man that hath this hope in him purifieth himself even as he is pure."