But that the world may know that I love the Father
Christ’s departure
1.
It is well that “we do not know when the last time is the last: unconsciously and without premonition we leave our door, we retire to bed, we grasp the hand of our friend for the last time: and by and by it is said, “He is not, for God hath taken him.” How much of mercy there is in this veiling of the future, this sparing of farewells, we may understand from the flutter and pain with which foreseen and calculated things are done for the last time. We leave home, friends, church, and, even though it be for improved conditions, there is a laceration in the parting proportioned to the length of association.
2. We are differently constituted. Some can change their homes with as little thought or feeling as they can change their clothes. They have lived in half a dozen houses, worshipped in half a dozen churches. They strike no deep roots, and feel no parting sorrow deeper than good natural regret. Hardly is this the finest type of human feeling. To merely be put down on a surface and strike no roots difficult or painful to pull up, is a grave implication of either the plant or the soil. In this departure
I. CHRIST WAS IMPELLED BY HIS SUPREME SENSE OF DUTY. “As the Father gave Me commandment.” No self-interest, no sentiment, was ever permitted to interfere with this sense of duty. While yet a youth it was the supreme law of life--“Wist ye not,” etc. As a man it dominated all impulses of filial affection. “Woman, what have I to do with thee?”
1. In all great lives the sense of duty is dominant. Sometimes God gives reasons for what He requires of us; but if the only reason is that God has demanded it we may not hesitate. As with an army or a child, the commander and father may not be able to give reasons, nevertheless duty is imperative. God has many purposes we cannot understand.
2. In many of us the sense of duty is weak. We consult our convenience, advantage, likings. How rarely we choose unpleasant work because of its importance!
3. No strong or noble character can come out of this. A man who will not for the sake of duty do an arduous thing will never build up his moral strength or glorify God.
II. ANOTHER IMPULSE WAS TO PRODUCE THE IMPRESSION OF HIS FILIAL AFFECTION. “That the world may know.”
1. Love is the inspiration of all high duty. Duty is not mere measured service. A son who weighed the literal word of command could hardly be called dutiful.
2. Our Lord attached great importance to the impression which His loving duty made upon men. He would have the world see it so that it might inspire love. What shall I do to show my love to God? Let selfishness or sentiment come in, and how narrowed becomes the sphere of duty, and how poor its motive I There can be no blessing upon it.
III. TO MAINTAIN DUTY AND LOVE THE MASTER TOOK NO COUNT OF EASE OR SAFETY. “Arise,” etc. He went forth to His foreseen passion and death. We often hesitate to run a risk for Him. He laid down His life for the sheep. To maintain duty He broke up the tenderest fellowship with His own. (H. Allon, D. D.)
Reflections on departure
(on removing to another place of worship):--Let us apply these words.
I. TO THE SON OF GOD IN THE SOLEMN MOMENT WHEN THEY WERE UTTERED. He was going to the garden, to that great and awful conflict in which the prophecy was to be fulfilled, that He should present His soul an offering for sin, and bear the burden of the world’s atonement. This was the last night of the Redeemer’s life. He had been eating the passover with His disciples. He could use these words with ideas and anticipations, of which they knew nothing. The traitor had gone, and made his arrangements; and our Lord saw this: yet there was nothing, either like fainting under the prospect, or rashness, or precipitancy, or passion: but all was calm and tranquil.
II. TO SEVERAL CIRCUMSTANCES OF PROVIDENCE AS THEY OCCUR TO OURSELVES.
1. To local removals of place and of habitation, when the voice of Providence and of God calls us from scenes and situations where we have been surrounded by kindred and congenial society; from our father’s house, from a particular habitation which we may have long occupied, where we may have felt and experienced much of the blessing of God; where we may have passed through many afflictions; and we feel we must say to ourselves, “Let us go hence,” there are many emotions which come upon the heart; and I should never envy that man his feelings, who had never experienced such emotions.
2. To moral circumstances, when we may be called to depart from circumstances of enjoyment, comfort, and tranquillity, and to enter upon scenes of adversity and misfortune, when we are called to experience what is painful and distressing to our mind and heart.
3. To what is spiritual. I cannot help thinking of the resolutions which have often been made, when these words have been carried home to the heart of a man by the Spirit of God; when he has determined to arise and go to his Father.
4. To the matter of death. That word “departure” conveys a grand truth: it is not extinction, but the going, the passing from one place to another; the continuance of consciousness, of every capacity, faculty, and feeling; and the passing of the intelligent spirit into another place, and another state.
III. TO OUR OWN PERSONAL CIRCUMSTANCES. If we are permitted to see another Sabbath, we hope to be worshipping in another sanctuary, rendered necessary by the Providence of God. We are going from a place interesting to our minds, hallowed to our remembrances
1. By the purposes to which it has been devoted.
2. By events which have transpired within it. Here souls have been born to God. Over this scene angels have rejoiced over sinners that have repented.
3. By relative recollections of interest and importance. Here many of you have the recollection of a pious ancestry; here you have been led by them; here perhaps you were dedicated in baptism; and here your parents have borne you upon their hearts.
4. By personal recollection. You rejoice, and give God thanks, that you were led here to hearken to the voice of the man of God, in exhibiting that truth by which you trust you were saved and sanctified. And many of you have peculiar recollections of seasons, in which the truth hath been peculiarly appropriate to your personal circumstances.
5. Painful recollections. You have to look back upon services neglected, and Sabbaths misimproved; when you have heard with indolence, or a critical and improper feeling; when you have conversed on what you have heard with flippancy, instead of retiring with it to pray. (T. Binney.)
The calmness of Christ
Christ’s calmness here in prospect of Gethsemane and the cross is in keeping with the whole tenor of His life, and suggests
I. HIS CONSCIOUSNESS OF THE RECTITUDE OF HIS CHARACTER AND PROCEDURE. Had He been conscious of any wrong against God or man, His conscience would have disturbed Him. Or had He had any misgiving as to the rectitude of His procedure He might have been disturbed. His calmness was not stoicism or indifference--for Christ was exquisitely sensitive and emotional.
II. A SETTLED SENSE OF HIS SUBLIME SUPERIORITY. Well He knew the ignorance and depravity of those who opposed Him, and He rose above it all. Their stormy insults awoke no ripple upon the deep translucent lake of His great nature.
III. AN INWARD ASSURANCE OF HIS ULTIMATE SUCCESS. He had an end to accomplish, and had laid His plans. He had calculated on all the opposition He had to encounter, and knew that He would “see of the travail of His soul,” etc.
IV. THE HARMONY OF ALL HIS IMPULSES AND POWERS. Because in us there are two elements warring--flesh and spirit--we are constantly being disturbed. Right wars against policy, conscience against impulse, and we get like the troubled sea. Not so with Christ, all the elements of His soul moved as harmoniously as do the planets. He was at one with Himself, as well as with God and the universe.
V. HIS COMMANDING CLAIM TO OUR IMITATION in the crisis of life and in death. (D. Thomas, D. D.)
A watchword
We cannot be long in one stay. A voice ever sounds in our ear, “Arise, let us go hence.” Even when we have conversed on the sweetest themes, or have enjoyed the holiest ordinances, we have not yet crone to our eternal abode; still are we on the march, and the trumpet soundeth, “Arise, let us go hence.” Our Lord was under marching orders, and He knew it: for Him there was no stay upon this earth. Hear how He calls Himself, and all His own, to move on, though bloody sweat and bloody death be in the way.
I. OUR MASTER’S WATCHWORD. “Arise, let us go hence.” By this stirring word
1. He expressed His desire to obey the Father. “As the Father gave Me commandment, even so I do. Arise, let us go hence.”
(1) He was not hindered by expected suffering.
(2) He did not start back, though in that suffering there would be the special element of His Father’s forsaking Him.
(3) He did not hesitate though death was in near prospect.
(4) He was eager to do the will of the Father, and make all heaven and earth know how entirely He yielded Himself to the Father.
2. He indicated His readiness to meet the arch-enemy. “The prince of this word cometh. Arise, let us go hence.”
(1) He was prepared for the test. He “hath nothing in Me.”
(2) He was eager to overthrow His dominion.
3. He revealed His practical activity. All through the chapter observe our Lord’s energy. He is ever on the move. “I go. I will come again. I will do it. I will pray. Arise, let us go hence.”
(1) He prefers action to the most sacred rites, and so leaves the supper table with this word on His lips.
(2) He prefers action to the sweetest converse. “I will not talk much with you. Arise, let us go hence.”
4. He manifested His all-consuming love to us.
(1) He was straitened till He had accomplished our redemption.
(2) He could not rest in the company of His best-beloved till their ransom was paid.
(3) He would not sit at God’s right hand till He had felt the shame of the Cross, and the bitterness of death (Hebrews 12:2).
II. OUR OWN MOTTO. “Arise, let us go hence.” Ever onward, ever forward, we must go (Exodus 14:15).
1. Out of the world when first called by grace (2 Corinthians 6:17). How clear the call! How prompt should be our obedience! Jesus is without the camp, we go forth unto Him (Hebrews 13:13), We must arouse ourselves to make the separation. “Arise, let us go hence,”
2. Out of forbidden associations, if, as believers, we find ourselves like Lot in Sodom. “Escape for thy life” (Genesis 19:17).
3. Out of present attainments when growing in grace (Philippians 3:13-14).
4. Out of all rejoicing in self. There we must never stop for a single instant. Self-satisfaction should startle us.
5. To work, anywhere for Jesus. We should go away from Christian company and home comforts to win souls (Mark 16:15).
6. To defend the faith where it is most assailed. We should be prepared to quit our quiet to contend with the foe (Jude 1:3).
7. To suffer when the Lord lays affliction upon us (2 Corinthians 12:9).
8. To die when the voice from above calls us home (2 Timothy 4:6).
Conclusion:
1. Oh sinner, where would you go if suddenly summoned?
2. Oh saint, what better could happen to you than to rise and go hence? (C. H. Spurgeon.)
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