John 12:23

Followeth to ver. 27. the second particular in this part of the Chapter, containing Christs answer to this proposition; wherein. 1. (in this verse) Sleighting their curious desire, and tacitely reprehending the Disciples carnal way of managing it; he sheweth, that he had other true glory to look to, which made him vilipend this carnal respect tendered unto him by strangers, to wit, the glory of, and following upon, his sufferings which were near approaching And withal, by this doctrine, he points out that they ought to seek acquaintance with him, not as a man lately cryed up by popular applause, but as a glorified Christ on the triumphant chariot of his crosse, and exalted at the Fathers right hand. Whence learn, 1. Christ takes no pleasure to satisfie the curiosity of men, nor in worldly glory, nor, will he foster his followers in an estimation of it; Therefore doth he sleight this motion, and preaches what was of more importance. He will not call them into his presence, but by his doctrine doth testifie he did not relish the respects they offered to him. 2. As sad sufferings may be following close after some sun-blenk of glory and triumph; So it concerns the Lords people to meditate and resolve thereupon, even in their best dayes: for, after Christs triumph, the hour of his suffering is come, or near approaching: and he is meditating thereupon. 3. Divine providence is so particular about all things, particularly, about the sufferings of Christ and his followers; that not so much as the hour when sufferings shall begin, but it is determined: Therefore, saith he, so particularly, the hour is come, &c. 4. Such as would take a right look of the sufferings of Christ and his followers, ought to look through all the pain, bitternesse, or ignominy, that is in them, and fix their eye upon the glory that is in that lot, and followeth thereupon; for, thus doth Christ leave us an example, who in speaking of the approaching time of his suffering, declareth that he looks upon it as an hour wherein the Sonne of man is to be glorified. This was true, even of his very sufferings, that he was glorified in being called to exerce the office of a Priest for his people, Heb. 5.4, 5. And so also Saints have looked on their sufferings for him, as an high honour conferred upon them, Acts 5.41. But it was more visibly verified in the issue of his sufferings, 1 Peter 1.11. when in his own person he was exalted unto glory, Luke 24.26. and by the vertue of his death became great in the world, as verse 32. of this Chapter. 5. Such as get open eyes to discerne the glory of the crosse; and the glory that abides Christ and his followers after their suffering, will not care for, nor relish worldly pomp and glory, or carnal respect from men; Therefore Christ sleights this offer, because his eye was fixed elsewhere; The hour is come, that the Son of man should be glorified. See Heb. 11.24, 27. and 12.2 6. Christ will entertain no acquaintance with any, unlesse his crosse be beautiful unto them, and unlesse they lay aside doating on his bodily presence, and study communion with him in his sufferings and exaltation; for, while as they sought to converse with him bodily, and see his imagined outward glory, he, in his answer, remits them to his suffering and exaltation shortly approaching, to study acquaintance with him there.