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THE KING ’S BUSINESS
ual communion. (c )
1. The announcement o f Christ’s depar ture, 13:31-38. The glorification o f the Son (13:31, 32; cf, 12:27-30; 17:1, 4). Christ’s deepest humiliation He declares to be His greatest glorification—the cross. Peter’s question and boast ought to teach us a lesson o f self- knowledge and humility (13:33-38, cf. 1 Corinthians 10:11-13). 2. The assurance o f comfort, 14:1-31. Here is the antidote for all kinds of trouble, the solution o f all problems: Faith in God—that answers all questions regard ing creation and providence. Faith in Christ—that answers all questions regard ing sin and salvation. Faith in heaven— that answers all questions regarding death and the hereafter. Faith in the Holy Ghost, the Comforter—answers all ques tions regarding present spiritual needs. Believe in God, believe in Christ, believe in the Holy Ghost, believe in heaven, and all will be well. (a) ' Christ is the way to and the revealèr o f the Father, 14:4-11. To miss Christ as the way is to be lost; to miss Him as the Truth is to be in fatal error; to miss Him as the Life is to be dead in sins. Christ’s, revelation to the world o f God as Father: only once did He address God otherwise ( “My God, why hast thou for saken me?” ) but then, speedily, He exclaimed, “ Father, into thy hands I com mend my spirit” (cf. Luke 11:13). (b ) Christ and the disciples—The Promise of power and fellowship, 14:14-24. “ The “greater works” must refer to spir itual as contrasted with physical works, for the disciples did no greater miracles than Christ did. To save a soul from death is greater than to raise a body from the dead. Again, Christ’s disciples were few (Acts 1:15—120 after three and a half years’ ministry) compared with the results o f one sermon on the day o f Pentecost (Acts 2 :4l|f3000 souls). In this section we also find mention of the secret o f prevailing prayer and perpet
'Parting legacy o f peace, joy, and
victory, 14:25-31. Christ has left His Church peace (cf. 20:21-23; Ephesians 2:14; Colossians 1:20; Romans 5:1; Philippians 4 :7) ; joy (cf. 13:17; 15:11) ; ' victory, for we are more than conquerors through Him (cf. Ephe sians 6 : 10 - 20 ). 3. The Vine and the branches, 15:1-11. Three things aré prominent here : the Vine, the branches, the fruit., (a) The Vine—Christ. Christ as the “true vine” is contrasted with Israel, the false vine (Isaiah 5:2, 7). Compare Christ as the “true light” (1 :9 ), “true bread” (6:32), “true witness” (Rev elation 3:14). Christ is the source o f the believer’s life .. (b ) Thé branches—believers. Note the - reciprocal relationship indi cated : The vine is dependent for fruit-bear ing upon the branches; the branches are dependent upon the vine for their life and strength. Here is the union o f Christ and His people. This inter-relationship is beautifully set forth in the letter to the Colossians- which deals with Christ as the head o f the body—the Church, and the epistle to the Ephesians which deals with the Church as the body o f which Christ is the head. “ Branch” here means a cutting or'slip ; so grafted in Christ by grace (Romans 11:16-24). Note the various kinds o f branches and the degrees o f fruit; no fruit; some fruit; more fruit; much fruit; abun dant fruit. Note also the process o f purg ing and pruning referred to (15:3, ef. 1 Corinthians 11:27-34; 5 :5 ; Hebrews 12:7- 13). (c ) The fruit. Successful prayer (1 5 :7), divine teach ing ( 8 ) , love (9 ), obedience (IV), joy (11). “ The fruit o f the Spirit” (Galatians 5:22, 23). Abiding in Christ is the great condition, asking is the grand privilege,
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