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CHRISTIANITY INTENDED TO PROMOTE OUR HAPPINESS
THOUGH every possible perfection was exhibited in its brightest colours in the person of our Lord, yet the most striking feature of his character was benevolence. Like the sun in its course, he diffused blessings wherever he went, and laboured with indefatigable zeal to promote the good of mankind. By his discourses as well as by his miracles he sought to advance the happiness of his followers. In the passage before us he assures his Disciples that this was the one end of the instructions he had given them. That we may improve this gracious declaration, let us inquire,
I. What things he had spoken to them—
We do not apprehend that he refers to his discourses in general, but to the things which he had been just uttering—
The doctrinal part of what he had spoken related to their union with him—
[He illustrates their union with him by the similitude of a vine and its branches; and informs them that their fruitfulness in good works depended entirely upon their receiving of grace from him [Note: ver. 1–6.]. This is the most sublime, and the most important doctrine of our holy religion. It is, alas! too commonly overlooked, even by those who think themselves well versed in the truths of Christianity. It does not so much as enter into the mind of Christians in general. They have no idea what is meant by an union with the Lord Jesus Christ. They have some general notion that we are to be saved by him; but, in what manner, they know not. But this doctrine cannot be too attentively considered, seeing that it is the very corner-stone of our religion — — — the one means of procuring us an interest in Christ — — — and the only method by which we can derive any blessings from him — — —]
The preceptive part directed them how to secure the full advantages of that union—
[Some might possibly infer from the foregoing representation, that the Disciples of Christ were secure by virtue of their union with him, even though they should not exert themselves at all in the way of duty. He therefore cautions his Disciples against any such mistake. He bids them to “abide” in him by the continual exercise of faith, and to approve themselves to him by a diligent observance of his commandments [Note: ver. 4, 10.]. These injunctions mark the duty of all his followers. If on the one hand we must not depend on ourselves, but receive continual supplies of grace out of his fulness; so neither on the other hand are we to be supine as though we had nothing to do. We must go to him in fervent prayer — — — rely upon him with unshaken affiance — — — and labour to serve him with our whole hearts — — —]
After having delivered these instructions our Lord condescended to declare,
II. For what end he spake them—
The slightest alteration in our translation of the text will both remove an appearance of tautology, and suggest some very important reflections [Note: Construe ἐ í ὑ ì ῖ í with ἡ ÷ á ñ ὰ ἡ ἐ ì ὴ —“My joy in you.”]—
Our Lord desired to confirm the joy that he and his Disciples mutually communicated and received—
[Our Lord rejoiced exceedingly in his Disciples, even as a bridegroom over his bride [Note: See the figurative representations, Luk_15:4; Luk_15:9; Luk_15:24. but especially Isa_62:5.]. His delight in all his people is as great as language can possibly express [Note: Isa_65:18-19. Zep_3:17.]. As a mother forgets her pangs when she beholds her first-born, so is our Lord satisfied with the travail of his soul, when he beholds those whom he has redeemed with his blood [Note: Isa_53:11.]. The prospect of saving them was his great support when he endured all the shame and misery of crucifixion [Note: Heb_12:2.]. Now, if his Disciples should turn back from the faith, his soul can have no more pleasure in them [Note: Heb_10:38.]. But he is not willing to resign this happiness, and to feel all the painful sensations which their apostasy would occasion. He wept even over his blood-thirsty enemies: how much more would his soul be filled with anguish if any of his elect were left to perish! To guard effectually against this calamity, he shewed to his Disciples, and left on record for our instruction, both the privilege and the duty of all his followers; the privilege, to “abide in him;” the duty, to “obey his commandments.”
As he rejoices in his Disciples, so do they in him. It is the most distinguishing feature of true “Christians, that they rejoice in Christ Jesus [Note: Php_3:3.].” Some are so highly favoured that they rejoice in him with an unspeakable and glorified joy [Note: 1Pe_1:8.]. Nor would Jesus wish them ever to lose that joy. He would rather that what they now possess should be perfected in heaven. But, alas! how would it all vanish in an instant, if by any means they should be “moved from their steadfastness!” That they might never thus “cast away the rejoicing of their hope,” but “hold it firm unto the end,” and finally “obtain a full reward,” he opened to them whatever might conduce to the comfort of their minds or the encouragement of their souls.]
His instructions were admirably calculated to promote this end—
[What could be more encouraging to his Disciples at that time, or indeed at any time, than to know that there was a fulness of grace treasured up for them in him? What more consoling than to know that they were united to him as branches to a vine? How trivial would they think any losses that they might sustain, or any trials they might endure, when they had such provision and security in Christ Jesus! The caution also that was given them would of necessity operate to make them watchful. Thus would they be preserved both from open and secret declensions, and “be to their Lord for a praise, and for an everlasting name that should not be cut off [Note: Isa_55:13.].”]
Infer—
1. How erroneous is the idea that religion tends to make us melancholy!
[A religious person may have a constitution that inclines to melancholy as well as any other person; or he may he rendered melancholy by mistaken views of religion. But let not the blame in either of these cases attach to religion. We are assured that the Gospel, so far from producing such an effect, is “glad tidings of great joy to all people”—it enjoins us all to “rejoice in the Lord always;” and, where it is best understood, and most experienced, namely, in heaven, the most exalted joy abounds universally without the smallest intermission. Let then this prejudice be for ever banished; and let Christians be careful so to walk in delightful fellowship with Jesus, as to shew to the world that his yoke is easy and his burthen light.]
2. How precious ought the Scriptures to be in our eyes!
[It is in them that Jesus, being dead, yet speaketh to us; and if we will attend to his instructions, they will “make us wise unto salvation.” The intent of every word he there utters, is, to secure us to himself, and to make us eternally happy with himself in heaven. Why then do we not love the Scriptures more? Why do we give such a decided preference to books of human composition, yea, perhaps to plays, or novels, or the common publications of the day? Let us no longer treat with such indignity that sacred volume. “Let the word of Christ dwell in us richly in all wisdom [Note: Col_3:16.];” and let us, like the prophet, eat it, that it may be the joy and rejoicing of our heart [Note: Jer_15:16.]. Especially let us regard what it speaks of our union with the living vine. Let us seek to be ingrafted into Christ; that, deriving sap and nourishment from him, we may be fitted for every good work, and bring forth fruit unto life eternal.]