Imatges de pàgina
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be glorified. Verily, verily, I say unto you, Except a corn of wheat fall into the ground and die, it abideth alone but if it die, it bringeth forth much fruit. 25 He that loveth his life shall lose it; and he that hateth his life in this world shall keep it unto life

25 The faithful servant of Christ is ever ready to yield his life in his master's cause, if God's providence

call him thereto.

eternal. If any man serve me,

let him follow me; and where I am, there shall also my servant

be: if any man serve me, him will my Father honour. "Now is my soul troubled;

27 He suffered for you! Imitate his patience, and be grateful for his love!

and what shall I say? Father, save me from this hour: but for this cause came I unto this hour. Father, glorify thy name. Then came there a voice from heaven, saying, I have both glorified it, and will glorify it again. The people, therefore that stood by, and heard it, said that it thundered: others said, An angel spake to him. Jesus answered and said, This voice came not because of me,

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31 The Gospel shall judge the evil of the world, and condemn it, and finally triumph over it.

32 By "finishing" on the cross his work of redemption, all nations would flow unto him,

but for your sakes. 31 Now is the judgment of this world; now shall the prince of this world be cast out. And I, if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all men unto me. This he said, signifying what death he should die. The people answered him, We have heard out of the law that Christ abideth for ever and how sayest thou, The Son of man must be lifted up? who is this Son of man? 35 Then Jesus said unto them, Yet a little while is the light with you. Walk, while ye have the light, lest darkness come upon you: for he that walketh in darkness knoweth not whither he goeth. While ye have light, believe in the light, that ye may be the children of light. These things spake Jesus, and departed, and did hide himself from them. But though he had done so many miracles before them, yet they believed not on him that the saying of Esaias the prophet might be fulfilled, which he spake, Lord, who hath believed our report? and to whom hath the arm of the Lord been revealed? Therefore they could not believe, because that Esaias said again, 40 He hath blinded their eyes, and har

35 Without the sun, nature would sicken and die. Without Christ, the soul would be in darkness, danger, and misery. He is our light.

40 He permitted them indeed to go their own way-but the permission was in anger-for their way was the

35.)

dened their heart; that they way of death. (See Numbers xxii. should not see with their eyes, nor understand with their heart, and be converted, and I should heal them. These things said Esaias, when he saw his glory, and spake of him. Nevertheless among the chief rulers also many believed on him; but because of the Pharisees they did not confess him, lest they should be put out of the synagogue: for they loved the praise of men more than the praise of God. Jesus cried and said, He that believeth on me, believeth not on me, but on him that sent me. And he that seeth me seeth him that sent me. I am come a light into the world, that whosoever believeth on me should not abide in darkness. 47 And if any man hear my words, and believe not, I judge him the world, but to save the world. 48 He that rejecteth me, and receiveth not my words, hath one that judgeth spoken, the same shall judge him in the last day. 49 For I have not spoken of myself; but the Father which sent me, he gave me a command

47 Jesus now redeemeth, not judgeth the world. Judgment is reserved. not: for I came not to judge 48 Let me search the word now, for therein is life-that hereafter it con

demn me not!

him; the word that I have 49" What I say" and leave upon record-and "what I speak" in converse with my followers-"all is said and spoken in conformity with my Father's will."

ment, what I should say, and what I should speak. And I know that his commandment is life everlasting: whatsoever I speak therefore, even as the Father said unto me, so I speak.

CHAPTER XIII.

MARCH 26, JULY 25, Nov. 21.

THURSDAY BEFORE EASTER, morning.

2 When once we meditate a sin the devil is ready to aid us in executing it.

1 Now before the feast of the 1 True affection is uniform. passover, when Jesus knew that his hour was come that he should depart out of this world unto the Father, having loved his own which were in the world, he loved them unto the end. 2 And supper being ended, the devil having now put into the heart of Judas Iscariot, Simon's son, to betray him; Jesus knowing that the Father had given all things into his hands, and that he was come from God,

3 He asserts his dignity to make his humility more striking. He came down from heaven, yet was He with God. He returneth to heaven, yet is He with us "alway, even unto the end of the world."

and went to God; he riseth from supper, and laid aside his garments; and took a towel, and girded himself.

6

After that he poureth water into a bason, and began to wash the disciples' feet, and to wipe them with the towel wherewith he was girded. Then cometh he to Simon Peter: and Peter said unto him, Lord, dost thou wash my feet? Jesus answered and said unto him, What I do thou knowest not now; but thou shalt know hereafter. 8 Peter saith unto him, Thou shalt never wash my feet. Jesus answered him, If I

To wash the feet of others was, properly, a servant's office. Hence St. Peter's surprise.

In complying with the offer, as in rejecting it, we see all Peter's impetuosity of character *.

wash thee not, thou hast no part with me. Simon Peter saith unto him, Lord, not my feet head. 10 Jesus saith to him, He that is washed needeth not save to wash his feet, but is clean every whit: and ye are clean, but not all. For he knew who should betray him; therefore said he, Ye are not all clean. So after he had washed their feet, and had taken his garments, and was set down again, he said unto them, Know ye what I have done to you? Ye call me Master and Lord and ye say well; for so I am. 14 If I then, your Lord and Master, have washed your feet; ye also ought to wash one another's feet. For I have given you an example, that ye should do as I have Verily, verily, I say unto you, The servant is not greater than his lord; neither he that is sent greater than he that sent him. If ye know these things, happy are ye if ye do them. 18 I speak not you all: I know whom I have chosen: but that the

only, but also my hands and my

10 Where the doctrines of the Gos

pel are already in the heart, no further complete change can take place. To whom else can we go but to the Lord Jesus, in whose atoning blood the soul already trusts to be cleansed in the sight of God + ?

done to you.

of

14 This thought renders every benevolent office easy, however humbling. It is done for Christ's sake.

18 Was Judas among the chosen? We learn that no election saveth, without holiness; and that no un

At first Peter revolted at the thought of such humiliation on the part of Jesus; but when he learned that this act was to be the bond of union between his divine Master and himself, he assents with his whole heart and soul. Thus, in our truly scriptural communion service, we pray, "that our sinful bodies may be made clean by Christ's body, and our souls washed through his most precious blood."

For our daily sins we are humbly to pray, of Him and through Him, daily forgiveness. Or, as He himself expresses it-"We need not, save to wash our feet." Far different is the required service of those who are yet strangers to Him.

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worthiness in the professors of the Gospel weakens its blessings to the faithful. (See note, Matt. xix. 28.)

it come, that, when it is come to 20 Hence the ministers of Christ are

bold in their authority. Hence, too, his people are bold to receive their ministration.

receiveth me receiveth him that

21 Sin had turned friend into foea disciple into a traitor. The crime was aggravated-so the Saviour's sorrow was increased.

Then the disciples

scripture may be fulfilled, He that eateth bread with me hath lifted up his heel against me. Now I tell you before pass, ye may believe that I am he. Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that receiveth whomsoever I send receiveth me; and he that sent me. 21 When Jesus had thus said, he was troubled in spirit, and testified, and said, Verily, verily, I say unto you, that one of you shall betray me. looked one on another, doubting of whom he spake. Now there was leaning on Jesus' bosom one of his disciples, whom Jesus loved. Simon Peter therefore beckoned to him, that he should ask who it should be of whom he spake. He then lying on Jesus' breast saith unto him, Lord, who is it? Jesus answered, He it is, to whom I shall give a sop, when I have dipped it. And when he had dipped the sop, he gave it to Judas Iscariot, the son of Simon. And after the sop Satan entered into him. Then said Jesus unto him, That thou doest, do quickly. Now no man at the table knew for what intent he spake this unto him. For some of them thought, because Judas had the bag, that Jesus had said unto him, Buy those things that we have need of against the feast; or, that he should give something to the poor. He then having received the sop went immediately out: and it was night.

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Therefore, when he was gone out, Jesus said, Now is the Son of man glorified, and God is glorified in him. God be glorified in him, God

If

31 It was right that out of that darkness should spring light-from that humiliation, glory. The betrayed, the despised, the crucified, was soon to rise triumphant; the Saviour of a lost and guilty world. How often does God bring us low, in order to raise us up.

shall also glorify him in himself, and shall straightway glorify 33 Little children, yet

him.

a little while I am with you.

33 This was a term of affection.

Ye shall seek me: and as I said unto the Jews, Whither I go, ye cannot come; so now I say to you. 34 A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye

34 We are to love all men, as Christ loved them-not removing the distinction between the evil and the good, but compassionating the sinner whilst we rebuke the sin. At the same time, by his love towards John,

also love one another. By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another. 36 Simon Peter said unto him, Lord, whither goest thou? Jesus answered him, Whither I go, thou canst not follow me now; but thou shalt follow me afterwards. said unto him, Lord, why cannot I follow thee now? lay down my life for thy sake. Jesus answered him, Wilt thou lay down thy life for my sake? Verily, verily, I say unto thee, The cock shall not crow, till thou hast denied me thrice.

and Lazarus, and others, as friends,

our Lord has for ever sanctified friendship, and clearly marked the distinction between a general Christian charity towards all men, and the closer regard of relations and friends. 36 Peter at length did follow Him, even to death-being himself crucified.

CHAPTER XIV.

MARCH 27, JULY 26, Nov. 22.

Peter

I will

A chapter this, full of consolation to the good. What hour of sorrow so dark, which the prospect here opened to them, may not brighten ! Are they weary and troubled ? Are they sinking under sickness? Are they expecting their death? Behold! everlasting joy and glory are prepared for them by their Redeemer.

LET not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me. 2 In my Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. 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 whither I go ye know, and the way ye know. Thomas saith unto him, Lord, we know not whither thou goest; and how can we know the way? • Jesus saith unto 6 Wouldest thou find that rest? him, I am the way, the truth, Remember who is "the way and the and the life: no man cometh life!" Even Jesus Christ the righunto the Father, but by me.

2 The humblest will find a rest there. Mourner! be comforted. The loved one thou mournest has gained that rest.

If

ye

teous.

had known me, ye should have known my Father also: and from henceforth ye know him, and have seen him. Philip saith unto him, Lord, shew us the Father, and it sufficeth us. Jesus saith unto him, Have

I been so long time with you, and yet hast thou not known

9 This and the two following verses contain a solemn affirmation of our Lord's divinity.

me, Philip? he that hath seen me hath seen the Father; and how sayest thou then, Shew us the Father? Believest thou

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