These things have I spoken unto you, that ye should not be offended. (2) They shall put you out of the synagogues: yea, the time cometh, that whosoever killeth you will think that he doeth God service. (3) And these things will they do unto you, because they have not known the Father, nor me. (4) But these things have I told you, that when the time shall come, ye may remember that I told you of them: and these things I said unto you at the beginning, because I was with you. (5) But now I go my way to him that sent me; and none of you asketh me, Whither goest thou? (6) But because I have said these things unto you, sorrow hath filled your heart. (7) Nevertheless, I tell you the truth; it is expedient for you that I go away: for if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you: but if I depart, I will send him unto you.
I pray the Reader to remark how Jesus dwells upon the expediency of his departure, on the Church's account. It is expedient for you that I go away. So that the Lord doth not at all mention the joy that was before him, in returning to his Father, neither of the felicity to which he was going, in being received by the faithful gone before, who would come forth to congratulate the King on his taking possession of his kingdom. We hear of none of those things in the Lord's farewell, but all that Jesus is discoursing upon is, concerning his dear children which he was about to leave behind. As if the whole heart of Jesus he would leave behind him. Precious Lord! Oh! for grace to have it always in remembrance.