John 10:17–18

Because Christ had given that as one proofe that he is the good shepherd, that he would lay down his life for the sheep; and the Jewes could not endure to hear that their Messiah should suffer; Yea, and his very friends stumbled at it, Matth. 16.22. Therefore, in these verses, he closeth this discourse with obviating that scandal. And, 1. He declareth, that the Father loveth him, because of this his suffering; which is not to be understood of that love wherewith he is loved as the eternal Sonne of God: but of love to him, and approbation of him, as Mediatour, evidenced in his through-bearing of him in his duty, and his exaltation of him after his suffering. 2. He declareth, that he was to lay down his life, not to continue deaths prisoner, but that having payed the ransome, he might take it again with the Fathers approbation. 3. (Which explains that expression of laying downe his life) He declareth, that for the nature of his death, it was not forced upon him, but he yeelded to it by a voluntary dispensation, and would prove it was so, by his recovering of himselfe again out of the bonds of death. 4. He declareth, that he did all this in obedience to a command laid upon him by the Father, and this is the ground of the Fathers love to him, and of his voluntary submission. All these, being put together, may take away all just ground of stumbling at his crosse. Doctrine 1. Christ, held out with his ignominious crosse, is the great stumbling-block of the world; for, so is here imported. 2. Albeit shame and ignominy, joyned to the crosse, do adde to the grievousnesse thereof; Yet all that could not hinder Christ to undergo it, for the good of sinners, Heb. 12.2. and that he might cast a coppy to his followers, 1 Pet. 2.21. &c. Yea, he not only bare the crosse, but had so much courage under it, as to commend it as lovely, to them who are ready to stumble at it: Therefore, whoever stumbled at it, yet not only saith he, I lay down my life, but he propounds such considerations as may make it appear lovely. 3. Christ the Mediatour is beloved of the Father, and is he in whom he is well pleased, that so all who come in under his shadow, may be accepted in him; for, saith he, my Father doth love me. 4. The Father is so well pleased with the reconciliation of lost sinners, that he loveth Christ for the undertaking thereof, and is fully satisfied with his suffering, for attaining that end; In both these respects it holds good, Therefore doth my Father love me, because I lay down my life. The Father is pleased with him that he undertook that service, and is content with his death as a sufficient ransome. 5. Crosses that seem very gloomy, and have much displeasure in them, are yet consistent with the Fathers love toward the sufferer, especially when they are well borne; So much may we learn from Christs experience, who albeit he drank of a verry bitter cup, yet was beloved of the Father. 6. Gods love manifested toward any, in their following of his way, is a sufficient cordial against all the bitternesse of it; for, albeit Christs sufferings were bitter, and stumbled at by many, yet this sufficeth him, that therefore doth my Father love me. 7. The backside and issue of Christ and his followers crosse, being rightly considered, may sweeten all the rough way that leads to it; Therefore doth he subjoyne, as another encouragement, I lay down my life, that I may take it againe. 8. Christ having laid down his life for the Redemption of lost man, did take it again; as a testimony that the Father was satisfied with his sufferings; and to be a ground of strong consolation to beleevers; and, to remove the scandal of his ignominious death: for, all these are to be found in his taking his life again. 9. Christ in suffering death for sinners, was not forced to it, nor could enemies have reached him against his will; But he did it voluntarily, that so he might commend his love to sinners, and might teach us to act and suffer for him willingly, being confident that enemies can never reach us without our Father, Matth. 10.29. for, No man taketh it from me, but I lay it down of my selfe. 10. Christ, by his resurrection, gave a proofe how voluntarily he rendred himselfe unto death; Therefore saith he, I have power (not only an instruction from the Father, but a liberty at his own pleasure, as to any thing men could do) to lay it down and I have power to take it againe. And by this also he would prove that he can put a period to the sufferings of his own, when he pleaseth, without any help of their crooked wayes. 11. The way of accomplishment of our Redemption was agreed upon betwixt the Father and the Sonne, before the accomplishment thereof; Therefore saith he, This commandment have I received of my Father, which clears that he came, into the world instructed how to go about this work. See Psal. 40.6, 7. with Heb. 10 6, 7 12. It pleased Christ to suffer death, not only voluntarily, but in a way of subjection to his Fathers command, that so the merite thereof might every way be full, and acceptable to the Father; for, this commandment have I received, He was content to be a servant by paction, that so his suffering might be accepted for his people. 13. A command from God makes service, how ignominious like soever, become honourable; and it is our duty in suffering times, to fixe our eye on the command and will of God, and on his scope and purpose in them, and not on the cruelty or malice of instruments: for, this is an argument to remove the scandal of his crosse, that he did it in obedience to a command, This commandment have I received of my Father.