John 1:43-44 The day following Jesus would go forth into Galilee, and finds Philip, and said to him, Follow me.… No trumpet summoned the soldiers of the Cross to the battle-field; no hand like that at Belshazzar's feast came forth to beckon him; no miracle made them take up a distinctive post. And, yet, what a call this was! how noble, singular, useful, profitable I Such a call came to Judas, and he sold it. I. THE ORIGIN OF THIS CALL WAS THE WILL OF CHRIST. Jesus "goes forth" in search of every sinner. But the mere "going forth" of Christ is not enough. There must be an exercise of His secret power. This power is pervasive, leavening, and so works upon man's free-will that it comes into union with the heavenly will. Without this there can be no discipleship. II. THE POSITION IN WHICH THIS CALL PLACES THE PERSON BY WHOM IT IS RECOGNIZED AND OBEYED. It makes him follower, and when man becomes a follower — 1. He abridges his right over himself, his property, time, etc. 2. He sets aside his own wisdom, and accepts that of His Master. 3. He follows always, even unto the end. III. IN THIS CALL THERE IS — 1. Exclusiveness, jealous refusal to admit of any division of the heart. 2. Mystery. (1) It separates us from the nothingness and delusions of the world. (2) It joins us to the invisible and heavenly. (3) It opens up new hopes, scenes, and sources of immeasurable wealth. (P. B. Power, M. A.) Parallel Verses KJV: The day following Jesus would go forth into Galilee, and findeth Philip, and saith unto him, Follow me. |
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