I am come a light, &c.— "I am the light of the world, sent down from heaven, to dispel the darkness of ignorance, superstition, and wickedness, and to reveal the will of my Father, and the way to eternal life and happiness, clearly and fully. Whosoever therefore believes on me, shall not want sufficient means to direct him in the knowledge of all divine truths, and in the practice of all holiness and righteousness. Nevertheless, they who reject the instructions and the offers of salvation which I give, shall not pass unpunished; for the doctrine that I have preached shall bear witness against them at the day of judgment; and because it has aggravated their sin, it will heighten their punishment." Dr. Heylin translates the 48th verse thus: He who despises me, and does not embrace my doctrine, hath one that judgeth him; or rather, hath that which judgeth him. The doctrine which I have delivered, that shall be his judge at the last day.
Inferences.—We see how happily Mary improved by sitting at the feet of Jesus, and what evidence she gave of her having chosen the better part. Like her, with humble thankfulness, we should bestow our very best on him, who has given us that best, as well as every thing beside. She gladly poured out her choicest ointment on him, whose name is, to every true believer, far more fragrant than ointment poured forth. How does her generous love shame those, who, lavish in every selfish gratification, grudge the least expence in the cause of Christ and their souls!
When we are relieving our necessitous fellow-creatures, we are as it were anointing the feet of Jesus; we are indeed performing a service more acceptable than any thing of this kind could be, in itself. Let us remember, that we have the poor always with us, and that they are permitted to continue among us, that we may do them good whenever we please. Far be it from us to imagine, that what we so spend is waste. They who would not share in the guilt and punishment of Judas, should ever abhor the vile hypocrisy, of making a pretended concern for the poor a cloke for an opportunity of enriching themselves with their spoils; than which nothing can be more infamous, or have a more direct tendency to mingle the curse of a righteous and almighty God with all that a man possesses.
The Pharisees conspired to kill Lazarus! What a mixture was this of cruelty and folly! What was his crime, or what could be their hope? From what death could not Christ have delivered him, or from what tomb could he not have recalled him? Yet something like this is the madness of all who hate and persecute others, for being the trophies of the Redeemer's victory and grace. But let not his servants fear; their Redeemer is strong; the Lord of hosts is his name; his work is perfect; and the day and hour is approaching, in which his triumph over all his enemies shall be so complete, that his faithful friends shall be for ever secure, not only from being destroyed, but from being alarmed by them. [For Inferences drawn from our Lord's entrance into Jerusalem, see those on Matthew 21.]
Who can wonder at the desire which the Greeks expressed, John 12:20-21 to see so celebrated a person as Jesus was? We may reasonably believe, that there was much more than mere curiosity in it, and that at length they saw him with believing eyes, and, according to his prediction, glorified him by a cordial acceptance of his gospel. His disciples, we see, were ready to introduce them; and surely every faithful minister of Christ will undertake the talk with pleasure, when he sees souls awakened by divine grace, and inquiring after Jesus with affectionate concern.
Blessed be God, it has already, in multitudes of instances, been seen, that, by the death of Christ, an immortal seed was sown, which has multiplied in all ages, and is still multiplying. O that it might have a greater increase! One would think, that words so gracious as those of our Lord, would promote that increase, and operate upon every heart, to produce a love to him sufficient to conquer every danger and opposition which may be met with in his cause. Behold the promise that he has left upon record; "If any man, be he ever so mean and unworthy, will but faithfully serve and follow me, whatever his former wanderings and rebellions may have been, where I am, there shall also my servant be?" Happy state indeed! not only, like these Greeks, to have a transient sight of Christ, but to be for ever with him!
How admirable is the love and steadfastness of our Redeemer, who procured so great a happiness for us at so dear an expence, and, even when his innocent soul was troubled, in the view of his sufferings, instead of declining them, met them with joy! how should it animate us to renew that general comprehensive petition, than which none can be more suitable to us, with regard to all the divine dispensations, Father, glorify thy name: "Glorify thyself, O Lord; and, to that great end, dispose of us as thou pleasest; for we should abhor ourselves, if we could have any interests separate from thine."
We may be assured as certainly as by a voice from heaven, that this great end shall be answered; and in this we should rejoice. Behold the prince of this world is cast out. Behold, Satan is vanquished by Christ, and Jesus is lifted up on the cross, for a standard to all the nations. Behold the attractive magnet, by which all are to be drawn, by which all his faithful people shall be brought to him, and so raised up to heaven itself. Let us look unto him from the ends of the earth, and labour with our cold hearts to kindle that lively and ardent affection which we owe to him, who was crucified for us.
How necessary is the operation of divine grace to conquer the prejudices of a sinful heart; and how cautious should sinners be, that they do not stop their ears to the joyful sound of the gospel, and shut their eyes against this glorious light, lest God should leave them to their delusions, and in his righteous judgment seal them up under final blindness and impenitence. Then will they never be converted and healed; but die with that poison in all the faculties of their souls, which will make them for ever restless and miserable.
Can we find words sufficient to express the madness of those Pharisees, who, when they were convinced in their consciences that Jesus was the Christ, would not confess that conviction, and publicly pay their homage to him, because they loved the praise of men more than the praise of God? Strange infatuation of the human mind, that it should be capable of believing there is a God, and yet of preferring the creatures before him! and should sometimes imagine the vain breath of popular applause or popular censure so considerable, as that God should be offended, to please man; and all the honours and rewards of his heavenly presence lost, to secure a little regard from those who are perishing in their crimes, and will, ere long, be themselves the objects of everlasting shame and contempt.
Most important is that proclamation which our Lord made in the temple, and is still making to us in his word. Believing in him, we believe in the Father; and seeing him, we see the Father. Let us be ready therefore to receive him, out of regard to his divine authority, as well as with a view to our own happiness; for without him we can have no access unto the Father, nor can we ever see him as a reconciled God. The sacred light which he diffuses around him, is not intended merely to amuse our eyes with pleasing speculations, but to animate our hearts with holy affections, and to guide our feet into the way of peace. If we desire therefore to escape an abode in eternal darkness, and to see everlasting light, we must faithfully follow it, otherwise we are condemned already; and that word which he spake, will become to us a savour of death unto death, and will judge us in the last solemn and dreadful day, when it shall sentence those who would not be saved by it. If we are wise, therefore, we shall diligently make that word the rule of our life now, which will then be the rule of judgment; we may most comfortably venture our eternal all on the exact veracity of it. Christ has perfectly fulfilled the commission he received from his Father, as one that was faithful to him who appointed him; and stands so completely approved in his sight, that our only hope is, that we also may be accepted in him, and find mercy and grace for his sake.
REFLECTIONS.—1st, We have,
1. The visit of Jesus to Bethany. He came there six days before the passover, and took up his lodgings with Lazarus, a person now uncommonly distinguished, as having been dead, and miraculously restored to life by the power of Jesus. Our Lord knew the danger to which he exposed himself; but his hour approached, and therefore he offered himself a willing sacrifice, as the true paschal Lamb who should be sacrificed for us.
2. Lazarus and his sisters gave him a most welcome reception, and, in honour of their guest, made a great supper: and Martha, to do honour to her heavenly visitant, waited herself upon him, while Lazarus sat at the table with him, a living monument of his power and grace.
3. During the entertainment, Mary, to testify her deep respect for her divine Lord and Master, came with a pound of very costly spikenard, and anointed his feet, wiping them with her hair: and the odour of the ointment filled the house—expressing hereby her faith, love, and deep humility, receiving him as the anointed Messiah, and paying her dutiful homage to him. Note; No fragrance of the sweetest perfume can adequately represent that sweet savour of Christ, and the graces of his Spirit, which fill the believer's soul with joy unspeakable and full of glory.
4. Judas, in heart a traitor, but still in profession ranked among the apostles, pretending charity for the poor, testified indignation at this act of respect shewn to his Master, as if it had been an unnecessary piece of waste: not indeed that this divine grace of charity glowed in his false bosom, but because he was a thief; and, being intrusted with the common purse, he had purloined part of the money which was put in it, and applied it to his own use; and hoped, if this ointment had been sold, and the money brought into their joint stock, some part of it might be easily secreted. Note; (1.) Hypocrites, when they make the most zealous profession, really dislike that serious godliness which they discover in others; and their worldly-mindedness in trifles shews how ready they will be to apostatize, the moment a greater temptation besets them. (2.) Satan transforms himself often into an angel of light, and gilds with specious names and pretences the vilest purposes. Thus worldly wisdom is called rational prudence; and covetousness wears the mask of zeal against the extravagance of others. (3.) The love of money is most fatal to the soul. They who are fond of the bag, will not long be faithful to their Lord.
5. Christ vindicates what Mary did, from the ill construction which Judas had put upon it. Jesus said, Let her alone; neither blame, nor trouble her; against the day of my burying hath she kept this; so divine Providence ordered it, that, though she knew not his approaching death, she thus should embalm him when alive, because she would have no opportunity to perform that kind office when he was dead. Besides, he adds, the poor always ye have with you; such objects would never be wanting, whereon to exercise their charity: but me ye have not always; and therefore, during the short moment of his stay with them, they could not be too sedulous to shew him every token of respect and honour. Note; Opportunities to serve Christ are precious, and must be embraced without delay.
6. Multitudes of people from Jerusalem, flocked to Bethany in order to gratify their curiosity with a sight of Jesus, concerning whom they had heard so much; and also to see Lazarus, who had been raised from the dead, the same of which miracle had been greatly spread.
7. The chief-priests, far from being affected with such an instance of Christ's power, not only persisted in their bloody purpose to murder him, but also consulted to put Lazarus to death, being filled with rage and envy that many of the Jews, struck with the evidence of this miracle, had deserted their party, and joined themselves to Jesus, professing their faith in him as the Messiah. Note; (1.) They who are most eminently distinguished with God's favour, are the objects against whom wicked men level their most malignant enmity. (2.) The stronger the evidence is, the more exasperated do they grow, who obstinately resolve not to be convinced.
2nd, The triumphal entry of our Lord into Jerusalem, is recorded by all the evangelists.
1. A vast crowd, with loudest acclamations and every expression of joy, attended him. A great multitude, who were come to the feast, when they heard that Jesus was coming to Jerusalem, from Bethany, went forth to meet him, and welcome his arrival, with palm-branches in their hands, the emblem of that victory which Jesus was shortly to obtain over sin and Satan, the issue of which conflict was already sure; and with loud hosannas they cried, Blessed is the King of Israel, that cometh in the name of the Lord. They acknowledge Jesus as the King Messiah, so long expected to sit on David's throne; they wish him all prosperity, success, and happiness; and hail the glad day of his approaching. Note; With greater joy does the sinner welcome the Saviour to the throne of his heart, and wishes him to set up his throne there for ever and ever.
2. He made his entry, not with the pomp of earthly majesty, but, as better suited his state of humiliation, on an ass's colt; that thus also he might fulfil the scriptures, which had said, Fear not, daughter of Zion: behold, thy King cometh, to save thee from all thy spiritual foes, sitting on an ass's colt, that humble supplicants may be emboldened to approach him, and present their petitions. These things understood not his disciples at the first: but when Jesus was glorified, and from his throne on high had sent his Spirit into their hearts, to open their understandings, that they might understand the scripture, then remembered they that these things were written of him; and that, though at the time they had no thoughts about the fulfilment of these scriptures, they had done these things unto him, which had been foretold. Note; (1.) Christ is Zion's King, and he must reign till he hath put all his enemies and her's under his feet. (2.) The scriptures are often fulfilled by those who at the time have not the least intention so to do. (3.) Many times the scriptures are read without the least knowledge of their true meaning; but, when God opens the understanding of the believer, the Bible then becomes a book perfectly new, and treasures of wisdom are discovered in it which were utterly unknown before.
3. The reason of so great a multitude coming to usher Jesus into Jerusalem at this time, was, that many of those who beheld the miracle of Lazarus's resurrection had declared what they had seen: and such an astonishing work, attested by so many and credible eye-witnesses, could not but procure general admiration.
4. The Pharisees beheld, with the utmost rage and vexation, the increasing respect paid to Jesus; and said one to another, Perceive ye how ye prevail nothing? instead of crushing him, all our attempts are baffled, and his rising fame threatens utterly to supplant us in the esteem of the people: behold, the world is gone after him; the generality of our followers have forsaken us, and commenced his disciples. It is high time to put some stop to these proceedings, or the grievance will be past redress. Note; (1.) They who oppose Christ, in vain lift up their impotent arm: against his faithful saints, no powers of earth or hell shall be able finally to prevail. (2.) Obstinate sinners grow more resolute and determinate in sin by the very checks that God gives them, and madly rush on the thick bosses of his buckler.
3rdly, Christ's fame had been spread far and wide. We have,
1. The inquiry of some Greeks after him. They seem to have been devout men, proselytes from among the Gentiles, who came up to Jerusalem to worship; and, having heard so much of Jesus, were greatly desirous to see and converse with him: for which purpose they applied to Philip, with whom probably they might formerly have had some acquaintance. Note; (1.) They who have a real desire after Christ, will seek him, and beg advice and assistance from those who are his ministering servants. It is good to know those who know the Saviour. (2.) The awakened sinner desires to see Jesus to receive out of his fulness of grace and all-sufficiency to save, to obtain an interest in his regard, and be admitted to communion with him.
2. Philip first consulted his brother Andrew, whether it was proper to mention the request of Gentile proselytes to their Master; and, being agreed on the point, they informed Jesus of the matter. Note; In doubtful cases it is wisdom to consult a faithful friend.
3. Christ took occasion, from this application to him, to discourse on the glorious issue of his undertaking, when the Jews and Gentiles, by the power of his Spirit, should be converted unto him. The hour is come that the Son of man should be glorified; when, being lifted up on the cross, and exalted to the throne of his glory, he should draw all men unto him, and be honoured in the salvation of sinners from every nation, without distinction. Verily, verily I say unto you, Except a corn of wheat fall into the ground, and die, it abideth alone: but if it die, it bringeth forth much fruit. So, he intimates, must he die, that, having thereby made the atonement, and brought in everlasting righteousness, he might, in his resurrection, become the root and author of spiritual life to innumerable believers, who should be raised by him from the death of sin unto the life of righteousness, and bring forth abundant fruits of grace, the glory of which would be ascribed to him alone. And as those who should believe in him would, for his sake, be exposed to the greatest sufferings, he suggests the most powerful arguments to engage their fidelity. He that loveth his life, and, for fear of losing a temporal being, or the advantages of this world, deserts the cause of Jesus; shall lose it, and perish everlastingly: and he that hateth his life in this world, sitting loose to its honours, ease, and interests, when they stand in competition with Christ, and ready, if need be, to seal his testimony with his blood; he shall keep it unto life eternal, and be made for ever happy with God in glory. So that, if any man serve me, let him follow me perseveringly, my example, the teachings of my word and Spirit, and the directions of my providence; and then, whatever difficulties, dangers, or sufferings he may be exposed to, where I am, there shall also my servant be, inheriting the same glory to which I shall be advanced: if any man serve me, in simplicity, godly sincerity and fidelity; him will my Father honour, seating him at his own right hand, and causing him to sit down on my throne, as I am set down with my Father on his throne. (Revelation 3:21.) Note; (1.) They who would faithfully follow Christ, must prepare for sufferings. (2.) When we, by faith, look to and realize the glories of the world above, we cannot but sit loose to every thing here below. (3.) If Christ be our master, and our affections are steadfastly placed upon him, where he is, we shall shortly be. (4.) However dishonoured we may be by a world which lieth in wickedness, we shall find the most abundant recompence in the honour which cometh from God only.
4thly, We have,
1. The address of Jesus to his heavenly Father. Now is my soul troubled, with the prospect of his approaching sufferings, from which humanity shrunk back; and what shall I say, in this distress? Father, save me from this hour? shall I desire to be excused the pains of death which I foresee? No: but for this cause came I unto this hour, according to thy infinitely wise and holy will, to bear the sins and carry the sorrows of sinners; and therefore he desired not to be saved from the sufferings to which he had consented, but to be supported under them. Father, glorify thy name, and, by my death, display, in the most eminent manner, the glory of thy justice, faithfulness, mercy, and every divine perfection. Note; (1.) The remembrance of the distress of the Redeemer's soul should be a relief to us, when our spirits are troubled. He gave his soul an offering for sin, that he might take away the bitterness of it from ours. (2.) Though now for a little moment we feel distress, the time is near, to the faithful, when every trouble shall end in everlasting joy. (3.) When we are under difficulties, we must fly to God, humbly resign ourselves to his will, and beg for strength to glorify him in the fires.
2. The Father answers him by a voice from heaven. Then came there a voice from heaven, saying, I have both glorified it, in the incarnation, obedience, miracles, and doctrine of Jesus; and will glorify it again, by his death, resurrection, and ascension.
3. The people who stood by, heard with astonishment the voice: (see the Annotations.) But Christ declares to them the meaning of what they heard. This voice came not because of me, for my satisfaction merely; but for your sakes, that you might be encouraged by this testimony borne to my divine mission. Now is the judgment of this world; the hour is near, when the Jewish nation shall receive their doom, and a blessed change be wrought in the heathen world, when God shall separate the precious from the vile, and gather his faithful saints to himself, the power of sin and Satan being broken: for now shall the prince of this world be cast out; the devil's usurped dominion over the souls of men shall be destroyed, his oracles in the heathen world be silenced, and, at last, his kingdom shall be finally rooted up; and this by a method which, to human view, may appear the most unlikely. I, if I be, or when I am, lifted up from the earth, on the cross as a sacrifice for sin, will draw all men unto me, Gentiles as well as Jews, who should be made partakers of all the inestimable blessings of his blood-shedding. (This he said, signifying what death he should die, even by crucifixion.) Note; (1.) Satan is now a vanquished foe; since Christ hath died, the head of this old serpent is bruised. (2.) Christ is the glorious centre of unity, the banner under which his faithful people with delight are gathered, and, cleaving to him in faith and love, are made more than conquerors by him over all their enemies. (3.) The cross, or sacrifice of Christ, is the powerfully attractive object; and therein all the glories of redeeming love are most eminently displayed, which powerfully influence the believer's soul.
4. The people, hearing him speak of himself as about to be lifted up and die, object this as a confutation of the character which he assumed as the Messiah, because the scriptures spoke of his continuing a king and priest for ever. But they overlooked what the same scriptures had said concerning his sufferings, and would not attend to the repeated notices which Christ had given of his rising again, and thus entering into his glory; which made his sufferings not at all inconsistent with his everlasting dominion: therefore they insultingly ask, Who is this Son of man? as if he himself could not possibly be the person of whom Daniel prophesied, since he acknowledged that he must be lifted up and die. Note; They cannot but err, who rest a doctrine on one part or text of scripture, without considering its connection and relation with the rest. Thus many pervert the very life-giving truths of God, and make them a savour of death.
5. As Christ saw the ill spirit and temper which raised these cavils, he declines a direct answer to their question, and rather chooses to reply by warning them of their danger, if they neglected the present opportunity granted to them. Then said Jesus unto them, Yet a little while is the light with you; meaning himself, the Sun of righteousness, now about to set in blood; and also the gospel, which should for a season be continued among them: walk while ye have the light, make use of your day of grace, lest darkness come upon you, as it certainly will, if you neglect the present salvation; you will then be given up to judicial blindness, the light of the gospel will be removed, and you will be left as a man benighted, to stumble and fall into eternal misery; for he that walketh in darkness, knoweth not whither he goeth, not apprized of the precipice which is before him, and the ruin which approaches. While therefore ye have the light of my presence and gospel, believe in the light, receive me as the Messiah, and walk under the influence of my word; that ye may be the children of light, the children of grace on earth, of glory in heaven, admitted to the inheritance among the saints in light. Note; (1.) Nothing is more conducive to awaken the conscience, than the remembrance of the momentariness of our time, and the infinite importance of that eternity, which depends upon our improvement of it. The day of life is short, the day of grace may be much shorter. To-day therefore, whilst it is called to-day, harden not your hearts. (2.) They who are favoured with the light of the gospel, are under peculiar obligations to know and improve the day of their visitation. (3.) Christ is the light of a benighted world, and out of him there is nothing but blackness of darkness. They who know him not, nor the rich salvation which his great atonement has purchased for us, are walking in the darkness of error and sin, and hastening into that eternal darkness where there is weeping, and wailing, and gnashing of teeth. (4.) They only are children of the light, who walk in the light as Christ also walked, habitually looking to him for direction, and desiring to follow his example.
Lastly, Christ, having finished his discourse, withdrew, and did hide himself from them. He knew their wicked designs to apprehend him, and therefore, as his hour was not yet come, he concealed himself, probably at Bethany. Woe to the sinner, from whom Jesus finally departs, and leaves him to his own heart. His ruin is inevitable.
5thly, The miracles and preaching of the Lord Jesus were, we find, ineffectual to the conversion of the Jewish people in general.
1. Though he had done so many miracles before them, yet they believed not on him. In general their hearts were obstinately hardened, and they could not bear to think of acknowledging as their Messiah, concerning whom they had formed such high temporal expectations, one who appeared so mean and poor.
2. Herein the prophesy of Isaiah was eminently fulfilled. Lord, who hath believed our report? the declaration made by Jesus and his ministers; and to whom hath the arm of the Lord been revealed? how few have been effectually wrought upon by the power of the Spirit, and brought to the obedience of faith? Therefore they could not believe; they were under, not a fatal necessity, but a moral impotency, from the abuse of that moral liberty which divine grace had in a measure given to them, and would have bestowed upon them in a superabundant measure, if they had been faithful: therefore the prophesy now received its accomplishment, because that Esaias said again, Isaiah 6:9-10. He hath blinded their eyes, and hardened their hearts, giving them up to follow their own devices; that they should not see with their eyes, nor hear with their ears, nor understand with their heart, and be converted, and I should heal them: they would not, and therefore they shall not. He abandons them to their wickedness, and they awfully fulfil the prophetic word. Note; The scriptures must be fulfilled; and they cannot but perish, whom God abandons to their own heart's lusts, in consequence of their own wilful and steady obstinacy against the truth.
3. The evangelist shews that the prophesy he had quoted, looked farther than the times of Isaiah, even to the days of the Messiah, when the prophet saw his own glory, and spake of him. The place referred to is Isaiah 6:1-10 and contains one of the most glorious visions of the eternal Jehovah in the whole book of scripture, and one of the strongest and clearest proofs of the proper and essential divinity of Jesus our Lord.
4. Though in general Christ was rejected by the Jewish people, Nevertheless, among the chief rulers many believed on him, convinced in their consciences that he was the Messiah, but because of the Pharisees they did not confess him, lest they should be put out of the synagogue; the sanhedrim, his inveterate enemies, having thus determined; and, unwilling to take up this reproach of Christ, they were ashamed to own what they felt; for they loved the praise of men more than the praise of God. Note; (1.) Many approve in their hearts the truths and practices, which the fear of men and the reproach of the world deter them from professing and following. (2.) They who are ashamed of Christ, and his gospel, may justly expect to be disowned by him in the great day of his appearing.
6thly, Jesus takes his last farewel of them, and leaves his finishing testimony, with earnestness addressing to them his discourse, if so be that at last, in this their day, they might know the things which make for their everlasting peace, before they should be for ever hidden from their eyes.
1. He shews the excellence of faith. Jesus cried, and said, He that believeth on me as the Messiah, the true and only Saviour of lost souls, believeth not on me only, but on him that sent me. And he that seeth me by faith in my true character as God, as well as man, and in my office as commissioned from the Father, seeth him that sent me, from whom, as Mediator, I derive my authority, and whose glory and perfections are manifested in and by me: for I am come a light into the world, from heaven, where I shone eternally bright in uncreated glory, that whosoever believeth on me as the Author of eternal salvation, and bringing life and immortality to light by the gospel, expecting to receive from me direction and guidance in the way to glory; should not abide in darkness, in the ways of error and sin. Note; They who walk by faith in Jesus, have the light of life before them.
2. He warns them of the great peril of unbelief. If any man hear my words, and believe not, wilfully rejecting the incontestable evidence of my divine mission; I judge him not, do not yet pass sentence upon him, but give him a longer respite: for I came not to judge the world, to take vengeance upon sinners; but to save the world, to bring to all, Gentiles as well as Jews, the glad tidings of a free salvation. He that rejecteth me, and receiveth not my words, making light of the gospel, and despising its offers, hath one that judgeth him: the word that I have spoken, the same shall judge him in the last day, shall rise up to witness against his obstinate infidelity, and hardened impenitence. Note; (1.) The great end of Christ's coming into the world, was the salvation of lost souls. They who reject him, sin against their own mercies. (2.) In the judgment-day, nothing will rise up to aggravate more fearfully the guilt of those that perish, than all the means of grace which they have abused, and the word of the gospel preached to them, which they have slighted.
3. He declares the authority on which he acted. For I have not spoken of myself, as a private person, on my own authority; but the Father, which sent me, he gave me a commandment, what I should say, and what I should speak, under whose commission I act, and from whom I have received my instructions; and I know that his commandment is life everlasting, the doctrines, which from him I declare unto you, are the only means of leading sinners to eternal blessedness: whatsoever I speak therefore, even as the Father said unto me, so I speak; and acting under his authority, and declaring his will, it would be at their peril if they rejected the truths which from God he delivered to them. Note; (1.) They who would obtain everlasting life, must attend to the word of Jesus. (2.) They who reject the gospel, do it at their peril. Their ruin is inevitable.