John 11:36 Then said the Jews, Behold how he loved him! This is seen — I. IN HIS ORIGINAL ENGAGEMENT IN HIS FAVOUR. By covenanting to live with us, die for us, and take our happiness into His hands. II. IN HIS ASSUMPTION OF HUMAN NATURE. 1. He passed by the higher nature of angels. 2. He took our nature with all its poverty and trial. III. IN THE TENOR OF HIS LIFE AND CONVERSATION. 1. His inspiration was that of mercy. When His disciples would have called down fire from heaven He told them that that was not His spirit. 2. This mercy was not a sentiment which dwelt in imagination on miseries it was not prepared to relieve, but was a vigorous active principle. "He went about doing good." IV. IN THE SOURCES OF HIS JOY AND GRIEF. Nothing reveals the character so much as the action of the passions. 1. We have joy when our health, friends, temporal circumstances are good. Christ's joys turned not on Himself, but were connected with the happiness of men. 2. His griefs, too, were not connected with His own poverty and trouble, but with our misery. "Ye will not come unto Me." V. IN THE CHARACTER OF HIS MINISTRY. 1. Its subject — salvation. 2. Its invitations, so tender and winning — "Come unto Me." 3. Its very threatenings are only hedges thrown up against the way to danger. VI. IN HIS DEATH. 1. He died for us, which is a proof of love in any case. 2. He died when He had no need to die. 3. He died as no other could die. VII. IN HIS LEAVING THE WORLD. 1. This was expedient for us, not for Him. 2. He establishes the ministry of reconciliation as He leaves. 3. He now governs all things for our good. (A. Reed, D. D.) Parallel Verses KJV: Then said the Jews, Behold how he loved him!WEB: The Jews therefore said, "See how much affection he had for him!" |
    |