Online Resource Library
Commentary Index | Return to PrayerRequest.com | DownloadCharles Simeon Commentary - John 15:15 - 15:15
(Show All Books | Show All Chapters)
This Chapter Verse Commentaries:
CHRIST’S FOLLOWERS HIS FRIENDS
KNOWLEDGE of every kind is excellent and useful; but that of religion far transcends all other. Hence we are commanded to pay a peculiar respect to those who labour in the word and doctrine [Note: 1Th_5:12.]. Hence also our Lord himself, having revealed to his Disciples the whole will of God, adduces his fidelity in this respect as one of the strongest tokens of his affection for them.
I. In what light Christ regards his followers—
The state of believers under the Gospel differs widely from that of those under the Mosaic dispensation. They were in the condition of servants, but we of friends. Christ assures us that from “henceforth” his people should be regarded by him in that light.
He has taken away from us the yoke of the ceremonial law—
[This was an exceedingly heavy burthen [Note: Act_15:10.]; but Christ has delivered his people from it [Note: Gal_5:1.]. He has imposed only two rites, and those easy and instructive [Note: Baptism and the Lord’s Supper.]: his service is perfect freedom [Note: 1Jn_5:3. Mat_11:30.].]
He has delivered us from a sense of guilt—
[The offerings of a Jew afforded no assurance that God had accepted him [Note: Heb_9:9.]; they were rather so many remembrances of his sin [Note: Heb_10:1-3.]: but Christ has freed us from the pains of a guilty conscience [Note: Heb_10:14.].]
He has set us at liberty also from a servile spirit—
[The Jews could not enter into the most holy place; none could go there but the high-priest, and he only on one day in the year, and then not without blood [Note: Heb_9:7.]: but now all believers are priests [Note: Rev_1:6.]. The vail which separated the most holy place was rent at the death of Christ [Note: It was rent in twain from the top to the bottom at the very time of the evening sacrifice, by means of which it was opened to the view of all the worshippers in the temple.]: all therefore may enter thither without fear [Note: Heb_10:19-22.].]
He has put us into the state of adult sons—
[Believers under the law were like minors, or children under age [Note: Gal_4:1-3.]; but we are brought to the full possession of our privileges [Note: Gal_4:6-7.].]
Our Lord proceeds to prove his assertion:
II. What evidence we have that he does so regard us—
He still carries on the comparison between servants and friends. He points out one particular wherein he has eminently distinguished us, and exalted us above all the Jewish saints.
He has revealed to us the perfections of God—
[These were but little known to the Jews; but Christ has more clearly revealed them. He has declared them to us in his discourses [Note: Joh_1:18.]: he has exhibited them in his life [Note: Heb_1:3.].]
He has shewn us the way of acceptance with him—
[This was but obscurely shadowed under the law. Many even rested in the ceremonies themselves; but Christ has plainly declared himself to be the way to the Father [Note: Joh_14:6.]. He has expressly told us that we have acceptance through his blood [Note: Mat_20:28; Mat_26:28.].]
He has unfolded to us the privileges of God’s people—
[The Jews were encouraged by temporal promises; but “life and immortality are brought to light by the Gospel.” Christ has fully opened to us our present privileges [Note: Joh_14:23.], and our future prospects [Note: Joh_17:24.].]
He has “made known all which he himself had heard of the Father”—
[At that time he had not absolutely revealed all [Note: Joh_16:12.]: but he had declared all which he had been commissioned to reveal, or was necessary for them to know; and he completed his revelation soon afterwards.]
This was a most undeniable evidence of his friendship—
[Servants are not admitted to the secret views and designs of their masters; but Christ has made known to us all the mysteries of his Father’s counsels [Note: Col_1:26-27.]. What abundant evidence of his friendship does this afford!]
Infer—
1. How should we esteem the Holy Scriptures!
[It is by the Scriptures that Christ declares to us the Father’s will. In them therefore we see the strongest testimony of his love. The written memorials even of a creature’s love are dear to us. Of what inestimable value then should we account the word of Christ! Let us regard it with the same affection as David did [Note: Psa_19:10.]: let it “dwell richly in us in all wisdom [Note: Col_3:16.].”]
2. What love and honour should we shew to Christ!
[We should not consider him merely as a lord and master: we should rather view him as our dearest friend. Let us then delight ourselves in communion with him: let us open to him all our cares, wants, fears, &c.: let us give him that best proof of our regard, a willing and unreserved obedience [Note: Joh_15:14.].]