Nothing is more characteristic of our age than its questioning and doubt.
(1) Science has opened many fields in all of which much is yet unsolved.
(2) Philosophy has unsettled much that was once believed.
(3) The growing complications of society force upon us questions to every one of which jarring answers are returned.
(4) The Church is so divided that she is unable to guide herself, much less the world. Hence thousands are asking whether there can be any certainty for man.
2. There was another age which resembled ours--the age when the old-world civilizations broke up: when Greece and Rome were bankrupt, and when Israel’s sun turned into darkness. In that dark age He came who could meet doubt with certain truth.
3. The Truth still lives who had and still has a message for a doubting age, and for those who received Him there was and is now certainty and rest.
4. This amen has altered some memorable amens--amens which He has marked with reiterated affirmations; the unusual form showing us
(1) That we need light; and
(2) That He will not withhold the light we need.
5. The “Verily, verily” is only employed by John because he sets forth Christ in His higher relations, and therefore conveys transcendent truth that requires emphasis.
6. Not one of the verilies refers to the Church, but all refer to the peculiar forms of eternal life which are only outwardly manifested in the Church; and will survive its failure.
7. This revelation of eternal life is distinctive of St. John. The other apostles have each their special truth suited to some stage of the Church and individual.
(1) Paul’s comes first, meeting us with words relative to our ruin and the righteousness which is by faith.
(2) James meets our advancing needs touching the moralities which belong to Christian doctrine.
(3) Peter comes next with words of our present suffering and future glory.
(4) Once mere we advance and come to John’s witness to the new life which the sons of God are called to manifest.
8. It is this teaching of John’s which the reiterated amens sum up, showing us the course and stages of eternal life in Christ. Twelve of these are distinguished.
(1) The home of the new man: heaven, long shut, is reopened (Joh_1:51).
(2) We enter this home by a new birth (Joh_3:3; Joh_3:5).
(3) The law of the life of the new man (Joh_5:19-22).
(4) His meat (Joh_6:26-58).
(5) His liberty (Joh_8:31-35).
(6) His divinity (Joh_8:48-58).
(7) His service (Joh_10:1-18).
(8) His sacrifice and its results (Joh_12:24-26).
(9) His lowliness (13:1-32).
(10) His glory (Joh_14:8-31.
(11) His sorrow and joy (Joh_16:16-25).
(12) His perfecting (Joh_21:15-23). (A. Jukes, M. A.)
The verilies of Christ teach us three lessons
I. AS TO THE AUTHORITY OF THE TEACHER. The Jews were astonished at His doctrine, for He taught as one having authority, and not as the scribes, “which suggests a contrast with other teachers.”
1. Put side by side with the autocratic ring of this “Verily, verily I say unto you,” the formula of the prophets--“Thus saith the Lord.”
2. Contrast again the bare utterance of His own word as a reason for our acceptance of His sayings with the teaching that was busy around Him. One rabbi says this and another that, and so on through all the wearisome Talmud. They drew their authority from their faithfulness to tradition. Christ steps forward as a fresh fountain of certitude.
3. Contrast His teaching with the tone of modesty suitable to mere thinkers who have learned their truths. The philosopher may argue, Christ asserts. Now, what business has Christ to talk in this fashion and demand that I should take from His lips anything He chooses to say? The only answer is, that He is the Word, the Truth of God.
II. AS TO THE CERTITUDE AND IMPORTANCE OF THE LESSON. Other teachers have to say, “Peradventure,” “This I deem to be true.” Jesus says, “Most assuredly.”
1. In our day of uncertainties and unsolved problems the world wants more than ever to listen to that voice. Much is dark and doubtful, but here at least is a central core of hard rock that no pressure can grind nor any force shift.
2. Think of the difference between the freshness and adaptation of Christ’s words and the film of old-fashioned untimeliness which has crept over all other ancient utterances, and say what is the secret of this immortal youth. It is because they are free from all admixture of human limitation and transitoriness, and so fit every generation, and are to every generation the source of certitude.
3. Classify the utterances to which this formula is attached, First, those which refer to Himself. He asserts
(1) His Divine nature (Joh_8:58).
(2) His absolute unity of being and identity of action with the
Father (Joh_5:19).
(3) His place as the medium of all communication between earth and heaven (Joh_1:51).
(4) That He is the way by which all men enter the fold of God Joh_10:7).
(5) That He is the infallible Teacher (Joh_3:11).
(6) That He is the God-given source of life (Joh_6:32).
(7) The certain granting of all prayers offered in His name (Joh_16:23).
(8) The necessity for His death, that His mission may be accomplished (Joh_12:24).
Secondly, those which refer to us,
(1) Union by faith with Him is the condition of our life (Joh_6:58; Joh_8:51; Joh_5:24).
(2) The necessity of a new nature ere we can see or enter the kingdom (Joh_3:3; Joh_3:6).
(3) The promise of our complete assimilation and conformity with Him on condition of our faith (Joh_13:16; Joh_13:20; Joh_14:12).
Thirdly, those which contain predictions of a near or remote future which could only be made from supernatural knowledge (Joh_13:21; Joh_16:20; Joh_13:38; Joh_21:18).
Fourthly, those which lay bare to men the hidden foulness of their nature Joh_6:26; Joh_8:34).
III. AS TO THE BACKWARDNESS OF THE SCHOLARS.
1. Verily implies that they to whom it was addressed had dull ears, whose languid attention needed to be stimulated, or that the words which He was going to utter were too great to be easily believed, or too unwelcome to be swiftly accepted.
2. It is a warning against prejudice and sluggish apathy.
3. It is a solemn appeal to us to permit no indifference to come between us and His Word. Two things are required of us as His scholars.
1. That which it is degradation to give to man, but which is blasphemy to withhold from Christ. “Speak, Lord, for Thy servant heareth.”
2. The absolute certitude of His messsge has for its correlative our unwavering steadfastness. (A. Maclaren, D. D.)
The first “Verily, verily,”--the home of the new man
1. The first question of the Old Testament is, “Where art thou?”--God’s question to fallen man. The first of the New is, “Where is He?”--asked by men who have just been awakened to feel their need of a Saviour. God’s question reveals man’s state that he is not where God placed him; man’s question draws forth the purpose of God’s heart, that, fallen as we are, He is with us, our Tabernacle.
2. This first verily teaches both these truths. Heaven, man’s proper home, long shut, is now opened, and that all man has lost shall be restored through the Heir, “the Son of man.” The old man by disobedience lost his home; the New Man comes back again to the opened heavens as His dwelling-place.
3. These words were spoken by one who had just had heaven open to Him, and He comes forth to tell men how they are to enter.
4. Heaven is not far off; it is the spirit-world which is lost or shut only to the natural man. What will be manifested at death may be anticipated here.
5. Take some examples of this “opened heaven.”
(1) That which took place at Christ’s baptism. This is fulfilled to Christ’s members. The Spirit like a dove abides on them; for the mark of the beast is gone, and the voice from heaven proclaims their sonship.
(2) Christ’s transfiguration is recorded to teach a communion with saints who are not far from us. But this blessing is not without its peril, inasmuch as it awakens in imperfect disciples thoughts which if followed out would give to creatures a place and honour which belongs to God alone. Hence Peter wanted three tabernacles; but is called back to “Jesus only” by the voice, “This is My beloved Son,” etc.
(3) Peter’s vision (Act_10:9-16), which taught him that we should call no man common or unclean.
(4) John’s visions in the Apocalypse, revealing the glory of the Son of man and the endless bliss of His brethren.
6. Whenever man’s true home is opened the servants (angels) also are seen, ever near.
(1).Ministering to man’s wants (1Ki_19:5-6).
(2) Directing his steps (Gen_16:9).
(3) Barring his way if he turns aside from God (Num_22:24-26).
(4) Present in the assemblies of believers (1Co_11:10).
(5) Specially related to little children (Mat_18:10).
(6) Rejoicing over repenting sinners (Luk_15:10).
(7) Ministering: to the heirs of salvation (Heb_1:14). (A. Jukes, M. A.)
The positiveness of Jesus
This expression is one of the signs and evidences of the originality of Jesus Christ. It occurs more than seventy times, and was a characteristic which separated His conversation from that of other men. There were and are examples enough of mere dogmatism.
1. The scribes, whether of theology or science, will open their books and say, “It is written,” and that is the end of all controversy.
2. The bigot will hold fast to the letter of his creed and anathematize all who do not hold it.
3. Ignorance will stand firm upon tradition and swear to all passers by, “I know.” Everywhere there has lived the man who could not be mistaken.
But the assurance of Jesus Christ was wholly different.
1. Nor was it like the positiveness of the prophets of old who proclaimed, “Thus saith the Lord.”
2. Nor like the confidence of the philosopher in his reasonings, the naturalist in his verifications. Christ’s verilies precede rather than conclude His teachings. He gave no demonstrations.
3. Nor with the religious faiths of His disciples. Faith is for us an achievement, and after the struggle Jesus comes and says”believe.” But no Christ came to Jesus, nor is there in His positiveness any trace of conflict. He believed spontaneously and directly out of His own consciousness of God. This positiveness marked Christ’s teaching from the beginning when He spoke to His mother in the Temple; and never afterwards was there a hesitating note. This peculiar quality appears when we reflect on the subjects on which He was absolutely sure. They are those on which other men are not sure.
(1) His verilies have nothing to do with natural truths which we can discover or demonstrate.
(2) Nor with matters of history which scholars may search out.
(3) Nor with such things as Sanhedrims wrangle over.
(4) But with vital, spiritual, eternal truths not otherwise discoverable by man.
Learn, then:
1. That over against all our human ignorance, sinfulness, and need, the gospel is one grand affirmation of God; an assertion of those things of which we most need to be made sure.
2. If we want true hearts and strength to do and dare; if we would learn the secret of cheerful, patient lives; if we wish to live with all our souls for noble purpose, and with great faiths and immortal hope, there is a verily waiting to impart to us its power and its peace.
3. Christian unity is only to be realized upon the high plane of this positiveness, and along the lines of those great spiritual affirmations.
4. There is some verily speaking to each at all times and everywhere. (Newman Smyth, D. D.)
Heaven opened
I. A CERTAIN FACT: Christ has come forth.
II. A BLESSED GOSPEL: Christ’s appearing a manifestation of Divine grace.
III. A JOYOUS HOPE: Christ’s coming forth suggests the possibility of man’s going in.
IV. A GLORIOUS PREDICTION: the reinstitution of fellowship between earth and heaven predicts the assimilation of the former to the latter. (T. Whitelaw, D. D.)
Verily
is simply the familiar “amen!” which properly is an adjective meaning firm or steadfast, and is used in two connections. Sometimes it precedes an assertion which it confirms, in which case it may be paraphrased by “Thus it certainly is.” Sometimes it follows a prayer which it sums up and reiterates, and in that case it may be paraphrased by “So may it be.” Doubled it has the force of a superlative, “Most assuredly.” It is heard only from the lips of Christ. It becomes no other lips. (A. Maclaren, D. D.)
Angels ascending and descending
Some of these angelic appearances had already taken place. An angel announced the conception of Christ to His mother. An angel, accompanied by a multitude of the heavenly host, proclaimed His birth to the shepherds, and after His temptation angels came and ministered to Him. These instances of angels descending on the Son of man had taken place before this period, and Nathanael knew them not; but there remained other manifestations of the same kind, which were yet to be afforded. An angel appeared to Him, and strengthened Him in His agony. At His resurrection an angel rolled away the stone from His sepulchre, and two angels sat, the one at the head, the other at the feet where the Lord had lain. And, lastly, angels attended His ascension, and as an angel had announced His first coming, so angels foretold to the witnesses of this great event that the same Jesus who had been parted from them should come again in like manner as they had seen Him go up into heaven. (J. Fawcett, M. A.)
Jesus a ladder to heaven
To the north of Scotland lies an island called Bressay. It is one of the Shetland Islands, and its shores are very rocky. On the south coast of Bressay is a slate-quarry. The workmen had to descend the cliff to it by means of a ladder. One evening, a violent and sudden storm drove the quarrymen from their work. The ladder was left fastened to the cliff. The night was very dark and stormy. A ship which was struggling with the waves was driven close to the island. Her crew beheld with terror the white foam of the breakers as they dashed against the rocks. They knew that, if their ship were stranded, they must be wrecked. Still the howling winds drove her forward. The waves dashed over her, filled the cabin with water, and drowned the wife of the captain. The sailors now climbed into the rigging. They were at the mercy of the furious wind and of the raging sea. They gave themselves up for lost. Many prayers and cries for deliverance were uttered. On came the ship, and struck against the shore. The poor seamen felt that death was almost certain. On the summit of the cliff was safety; but how could they reach it, who were helplessly dashed at its foot? But just as the ship struck near the rock, their terror was changed to joy. Close beside them, on the steep face of the cliff, was a ladder. It seemed as if placed there on purpose for them. In haste they sprang from the rigging, mounted the ladder, and reached the top of the cliff in safety. The vessel went to pieces so quickly that, by the next morning, hardly a trace of her was left.
