December 1931
T HE K i n g ’ s
540
B u s i n e s s
JOTTINGS o„ iL GOSPEL«,/JOHN . . . By H. A. IRONSIDE,* Chicago, IU.
their spirits and bound them to Himself, and therefore they were His own by subjugation. In this fivefold sense, they were linked with Himself. Although the chapter and verse divisions are of human origin, we find in each chapter a characteristic revelation of Himself which, laid hold of by the soul, opens up the chapter and reveals the marvelous beauty of this divine portrait gallery. A R evelation to th e U nsaved In the first division, we have a twelvefold presentation of the Lord Jesus to the, world. Twice repeated in chapter 1 is the Baptist’s cry, “Be hold the Lamb of God.” On this the attention is focused. He is the Lamb for sacrifice and for example. In the second chapter, He is made known as the Cre ator, who turns water into the wine of gladness, thus “man ifesting forth his glory.” Chapter 3 presents Him as the Sin-offering, the anti type of the brazen serpent. Lifted up, He gives life to all who trust Him (cf. 2 Cor. 5 :21). To the thirsty Samaritan woman, in the fourth chapter. He makes Himself known as the Satisfier of famished- souls, giving living water which springs up perennially un to everlasting life. It is the Judge, in chapter 5, who yet walks among men in grace, imparting strength to the helpless. Soon, as easily as He restored the paralytic with a word, shall He summon all the dead to appear before His face. • In chapter 6, He is the Bread
[Sunday-school teachers, who will be occupied with the Gospel of John during the first quarter of the new year, will welcome these helpful jottings from the pen o f a master teacher. —E ditor .]
I f n J oh n ’ s G ospel , we have unfolded as in no other portion of Scripture, the varied glories of the Son of God. I desire that these “jottings” may, under the Spirit’s instruction and guidance, be useful to some of the Lord’s dear people in leading them into a clearer apprehension and deeper appreciation of its trea sures. The book falls naturally into two parts. The first twelve chapters give the presentation of the Lord Jesus Christ, the eternal Son become flesh, to a needy world. The last nine chapters present Him in various aspects for the contemplation of His own beloved people. Each division begins with “his own.” In chapter 1, verse 11, after the wondrous introductory portion letting us into the glorious secret of the mystery of His exalted Per son, we read that “he came unto his own, and his own re ceived him not.” The first expression is in the neuter and might be rendered, “his own things,” or, “his own posses sions.”, The second is personal. He came, bringing grace and truth into the world His hands had made, and to the nation whose chief glory was the temple of which He was Lord; but alas, His own people received Him not. They were His own by creation, and, after the cross, by purchase, too, as are all men in this sin-burdened world today. But
they had no heart for Him; for His coming, His ways, His words, and His life were the condemna tion of their sin even though, in richest grace, He offered life and peace. The second part also begins with “his own,” as we see in 13: 1: “Having loved his own which were in the world, he loved them unto the end.” This is precious indeed. Though the mass refused Him, a little companywere “drawn by that love that knows no mea sure” unto Himself. He became their Saviour and the object of their hearts. Therefore in a far fuller sense than that of chapter If they became “his own.” May we not say that, not only were they His by creation and pur chase, but also by redemption (for the cross is anticipated in this sec ond division), and likewise His own by the Father’s gift, as seven times expressed in His high- priestly prater of chapter 17. Nor v^as this all, for He had subdued
Not Counting Life Dear B y H enry O strom o! C hristian , wilt thou heed the call? |j ■ It soundeth clearly from on high: A1-. ^ ’fi s man’s perdition to be safe When for the truth he ought to die. See, wrestler! See, with inward gaze, Thy foe so subtle, agile, sly. And wilt thou compromise with sin When, for the truth a man should die? Hail! Witness for thy sovereign Lord; To halt may equal to deny, Oh, tell the truth; oh, tell it strong, Tell forth God’s truth, if thtou should’st die. Think how the mighty Holy Ghost Is to His Word forever nigh: And speak that forth, but speak in love, I f His sure truth would have thee die. Lo! He whose name has pledged thy soul, Tho’ coming, yet is ever nigh: Then, for His blood, His life, His reign, With joy in Him be true or die. Yea, die in Him, but live for aye; Nor heed the flesh protesting why -— 'Tis man’s perdition to be safe When for his Lord-he ought to die! [Dr. Ostrom is one of God’s bondservants. We love him as we love few men. He has had a long and useful ministry and is still carrying on as strong as ever,— T he E ditor .]
of God come down from heaven, as the manna of old—the meat that endureth, like the living wa ter, unto everlasting life. In chapter 7, on the last day of the formal, lifeless feast of tab ernacles, Christ declares Himself to be the One who gives the Holy Ghost, leading some ,to cry, “Never man spake like this man,” while others deride and jeer. Chapter 8 manifests Him as the Light of the world from whose presence hypocritical Phar isees hasten to go out, while the repentant sinner, left alone with Him, hears His words, “Neither do I condemn thee: go, and sin no more.” But if He were only the Light, it would avail little for blind men; so, in the next chapter, He is also the Enlightener “whose glory shines through the darkened lids” of the man born blind and “lights them forever,” penetrating like wise to the depths of his moral being.
*Pastor of Moody Memorial Church, Chicago , III.
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