John 13:1 Now before the feast of the passover, when Jesus knew that his hour was come that he should depart out of this world to the Father… Notice - I. THE SPECIAL KNOWLEDGE OF CHRIST. This was the knowledge respecting his death. Its speciality lies, not in his knowing the fact that he would die, but in certain circumstances connected with it, the knowledge of which was calculated to pain and discourage him. 1. He knew the time of his death. This is wisely hid from us; but he knew the hour and the minute. 2. He knew that the time of his death had already come. "Knew that his hour was come," etc. Comparatively speaking, he was already within the deadly hour, and had only a few minutes between him and the last conflict. 3. He knew the awful circumstances of his death. He knew that it would be by crucifixion, with all its physical torture, public shame, and insult. Earth and hell competed in making his death as painful and ignominious as possible, and his physical sufferings were but a faint shadow of his mental and spiritual, which could only be known to and fully realized by himself. He acted through life in the full knowledge of these, which would naturally paralyze his actions and dry the springs of his energy. 4. But in his knowledge there were some alleviating features. (1) He knew that his death would involve his escape from an evil and hostile world. He had lived in it now about thirty-three years. He had spent a quiet youth, and the greatest portion of his manhood seemed to have been peaceful and happy; but the last three years he had borne the heat and burden of the day, and experienced the most hostile opposition of the world which he had come to benefit. He knew that his death would involve his escape from this, which in itself would doubtless be a relief. (2) He knew that his death would be only a charge of state, and not an extinction of existence, nor a cessation of life. He speaks of it, not as an extinction or expulsion, or even a flight, but a departure. The commotion, extinction, and hurry were only outward; in the inner regions there was only a quiet walk into other scenes. (3) He knew that his death would involve his going home. We can well imagine this world, even to a wicked man, becoming so disagreeable as to make death comparatively sweet. A leap is delightful, even in the dark; but Jesus knew absolutely whither he was going - that he was going to a happy and to a loving Father. It is sweet to come home from everywhere, even from the brightest scenes and the most delightful society; but sweeter still to go home from a hostile country and a rough voyage. This was what Jesus was conscious of now. To him death was a felt gain and a royal exchange - a hostile world for a happy home, the most cruel treatment for the bosom of an indulgent Father, and the wild execrations of the mad throng for the sweet music of golden harps. (4) He knew that his death would involve the greatest benefit to the world. Its cruelty could only be surpassed by the invaluable spiritual blessings which shall ever flow from it. II. THE SPECIAL LOVE OF JESUS. "Having loved his own." 1. The special objects of his love. "His own." The world was his own - it was made by him, and now he had become its tenant. The inhabitants of the world were his own - he had created them in his image; and what sad impressions were his as he saw on every hand the Divine image marred and disregarded! The Jewish nation were his own, but they disowned and rejected him. But his disciples were specially his own. (1) By special love. All material objects, the earth, planets, moon, stars, and sun, are the children of his power and wisdom. But his disciples were the children of his care and mercy, the produce and property of his love. (2) By his Father's gift. They were given to him to redeem, save, and perfect. (3) By purchase. They were bought with a price; the price was paid - he laid down his life for them. (4) By mutual choice. He chose them, and they voluntarily chose him. They were his willing slaves. He had loved them so much as to bind them to himself and engage their faith, obedience, and service. (5) They were his absolutely and forever. Nothing could separate them from him. He would dispense with all his property rather than this. They were specially his own and the objects of his special love. 2. Some of the special features of his love. His love to his disciples must be somewhat distinguished from his love to the world. (1) It is the love of relationship. He was their Savior, and they the saved. He was their King, and they his loyal subjects. He was their great Benefactor, and they his grateful dependents. They were his brethren, and he their elder Brother. There was a family feeling. (2) Love of complacency. He could faintly see in them his image and that of his Father. He could hear the music of heaven in their voices, and detect the language of Paradise in their conversation. (3) The love of value. The esteem of property according to its value. These disciples, although few and poor, were to him infinitely valuable. An infinite price had been paid for them, and infinite benefits would result from the purchase in relation to the grand purposes of his love. They were his jewels, the seed with which to sow his laud, the handful of corn on the tops of the mountains, the foundation-stones of the Church, the twelve gates of the heavenly city, and the furniture with which Jesus commenced his life on earth. (4) Love excited by trouble and opposition. "His own which were in the world." The world was hostile to and hated them, and the more they were hated and opposed by the world the more they were loved and befriended by Jesus. 3. The perfection of his love. "Unto the end." (1) Perfect in nature. Pure, disinterested, and self-sacrificing. (2) Perfect in degree. It was human in manifestation, but Divine in quality and quantity. His love, as indicated by the sacrifice, was infinite and full to overflowing - an ocean without a bottom or shore. The sacrifice of his love was infinite, its care most tender and watchful, its protection most powerful and safe, and its supplies most benevolent and free. He loved them to the uttermost. (3) Perfect in constancy and duration. "Unto the end." Many circumstances cause human love to flag. (a) Unworthiness in its objects. But this had no effect upon the love of Jesus. His disciples were weak and imperfect; one of them denied him, and all left him in the hour of trial; but he remained faithful to them. (b) The trouble of the parties - of the lover and the objects of his love. But this had no disparaging effects upon the love of Jesus. The trouble of his disciples increased his love for them, and it was intensified by his own. Indeed, on account of his love for them he was crucified. He knew beforehand that his death would be most cruel; still, this knowledge, so far from causing his love to flag, made it most heroic, and to blaze with increasing brilliancy through the gloom. (c) Separation of the parties. With human love, it is often "out of sight out of mind." But separation brought Jesus nearer to his disciples than before. The arms of his love embraced them through death, and he carried them away in his heart. He could not go home all the way without sending back two white-robed messengers to direct and comfort them. The distance between heaven and earth only made them nearer. 4. The elevation of one of the parties. The chief butler of Pharaoh forgot Joseph after being restored to royal favor. But this was far from being the case with Jesus. He was exalted to the highest position and glory, but forgot not his earthly friends. He ascended, in fact, to receive gifts for them, and, faithful to his promise and punctual to the minute, sent back to them his Holy Spirit, the greatest Gift of his love, and the Executor of his purpose in them. Amidst the music and happiness of heaven he will not cease to love his friends till their faith is complete and their character perfect. LESSONS. Contemplation of the love of Christ should inspire his disciples: 1. With the profoundest gratitude to him. 2. With the most devoted and self-sacrificing consecration to his Person and service. 3. With the most humble but implicit confidence in their salvation through him. Such love must secure every needful grace, ultimate perfection of character, and full and eternal felicity. - B.T. Parallel Verses KJV: Now before the feast of the passover, when Jesus knew that his hour was come that he should depart out of this world unto the Father, having loved his own which were in the world, he loved them unto the end. |
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