08 The Communication
The Communication
It must have been a most touching and affecting sight to have seen Jesus stand before his Father and plead with him, as his disciples saw. Such profound reverence, such strong confidence, and such filial love did he display! As the Son of man, he was clothed with humility; as the Son of God, he was filled with conscious dignity. His disciples were on his heart. For his beloved people, down to the end of time, he was concerned. He had undertaken for them, and he pleads with his Father on their behalf. Those immediately before him were especially on his mind, and to them he alludes when he says, "I gave them the Words you gave me — and they accepted them. They knew with certainty that I came from you, and they believed that you sent me" (John 17:8). The Communication: "I gave them the Words you gave me." He communicated unto them the gospel — the glorious doctrines of the new covenant. The word of truth — pure truth, truth without any mixture of error — truth in its clearness, fullness, and perfection. The word of grace — sovereign grace. Truth was for the intellect, to enlighten and enlarge it; grace was for the heart, to change and renew it. The word of faith — the Word that begets faith — the Word that is revealed to faith — the Word that feeds faith. The word of salvation — free salvation. He made known a salvation for sinners — a salvation all of grace — a salvation to be received and enjoyed at once — a salvation worthy of God, and meeting all the needs of the sinner who embraces it. This doctrine — this Word of the truth of the gospel — he had received from his Father. In the eternal council it was uttered by the Father, heard by him, treasured up in his wonderful memory, to be made known by his lips in time. This was the Word referred to by the prophet, who, as the mouth of God, said, "As for me, this is my covenant with them, says the Lord, My Spirit who is upon you, and my words which I have put in your mouth — shall not depart out of your mouth . . . from henceforth and forever." This word he had from his Father — on purpose to impart to his people. Hence we see the certainty of gospel doctrines. They are truth, infallible truth — truth that must not be trifled with — but which should be received with meekness, held with confidence, and confirmed by a godly life.
How striking the words of the Lord by Moses here: "I will raise up a Prophet from among their brethren like unto you; and will put my words in his mouth; and he shall speak unto them all that I command him. And it shall come to pass, that whoever will not hearken unto my words which he shall speak in my name — I will require it of him." The doctrine of the gospel is a double gift — it was first given by the Father to the Son — and then given by the Son to us. These doctrines should, therefore, be highly valued and carefully preserved. As Jude said, "It was needful for me to write unto you, and exhort you that you should earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints." Or as Solomon said long before, we should "buy the truth — but sell it not." Buy it at any price, cost what it may; sell it at no price, let others offer for it what they will! Its Reception. There are two things to be received — the Word, or the truth — and Christ through the truth. The truth to rule in the intellect — and Christ to reign in the heart.
Receiving supposes, presentation; the truth, and Christ in the truth, are presented to us in the gospel.
Receiving supposes, conviction; and the Holy Spirit produces the conviction, and then we receive the Word as the Thessalonians did, of whom Paul said, "For this cause also thank we God without ceasing, because when you received the Word of God which you heard from us, you received it not as the word of man — but as it is in truth, the Word of God, which effectually works also in you that believe." Here was the conviction that the gospel was the very Word of God; and the effect of its reception, an effectual work on the mind and heart.
Receiving supposes, approximation; we come into close contact with the Word.
Receiving supposes, application; we apply or take home the Word unto ourselves.
They received the Word . . .
gladly, as good news;
with reverence, as good news from God;
with meekness, perceiving its majesty and glory;
with love, from a perception of the love of God revealed therein;
with gratitude, from a sense of the inestimable favor conferred.
They received it as the ground receives the seed — to nourish, quicken, and cause it to grow. They received it as the earth receives the rain — which causes it to bring forth and bud.
They knew surely that Jesus came out from the Father. Their knowledge was certain, though not full or perfect; they were fully assured of the fact, as the Samaritans, who said unto the woman, "Now we believe, not because of your saying, for we have heard him ourselves, and know that this is indeed the Christ, the Savior of the world." With this knowledge they owned him as the Savior, and confessed him as their Lord. They believed that the Father had sent him.
Knowledge is necessary to faith; hence when Jesus found the blind man he had healed, and said unto him, "Do you believe on the Son of God?" he replied, "Who is he, Lord, that I might believe on him? And Jesus said, "You have both seen him, and it is he who talks with you." And he said, "Lord, I believe — and worshiped him."
True gospel knowledge produces esteem, affection, and love. We love Jesus, and God as revealed by him; we approach him, and seek union and communion with him; we esteem him as more precious than all things, than all beings beside.
They believed that the Father sent the Son to ransom by his blood; to seek out the sinners whom he redeemed, and to save by his grace and power, those whom he sought and found.
Observe, Christ works faith by his Word, and not by miracles. Some are always desiring signs and wonders; but though God may work by these, of themselves they never converted a soul to God, or produced faith in one sinner’s heart. God’s order is, that we receive the Word, embrace Christ, and enjoy salvation.
Observe, we may receive the Word, in its mere letter, and not receive Christ; but we cannot receive Christ but through the Word. If we receive the Word with understanding — then it will lead us to Christ; if we go to Jesus, we shall receive him; if we receive him, we are saved; and being saved, we should enjoy salvation. The love of the Father and the love of the Son are equal. The Father sends — and the Son comes. The Father communicates to his Son in Heaven — and the Son comes and communicates to us on earth.
How ready Jesus is to take notice of the least good in his people! He passes over all the faults, follies, and infirmities of his disciples — and tells his Father that they received his Word, and believed on him as his Sent One. So he promises to notice, remember, publish, and reward the least good thing done by his people to each other, in his name, and out of love to him.
How well he speaks of weak, wavering faith! Only just before, when they said, "Now we believe that you came forth from God," he said, "Do you now believe?" and then shows them how weak and fitful their faith would be in its exercise, so that they would all be scattered,and leave him alone. But now, when speaking of them to his Father, he says not one word of this — but commends both their knowledge and their faith.
Blessed, blessed Jesus, how tender your love, how great your mercy, how exquisite your compassion! Well may it be said of you, "The bruised reed shall he not break, and the smoking flax shall he not quench!"
Reader! have you received the truth — as from the lips of Jesus? Do you know Jesus as coming forth from the Father on purpose to . . .
reveal his nature,
display his love,
disclose his purposes,
publish his promises,
deliver his invitations,
and proclaim his grace? Do you believe that the Father sent the Son to be the Savior of the world, and that the Son came in obedience to the Father to seek and to save those who were lost? Do you realize the fact, that Jesus, as the great intercessor, speaks to his Father of his people, and pleads for them with all the deep love that is in his heart? Can you trust yourself and your eternal concerns in the hands of Jesus, and so live in the enjoyment of holy peace?
Holy Spirit, direct our hearts into this wondrous love of Jesus!
Gracious Savior, reveal the truth more fully to my soul, and give me stronger faith in it!