John 13:20

In this verse we have a third caution and instruction subjoyned to this intimation; Wherein Christ holds forth this encouragement to all his faithful messengers, and all who receive them and their message; That these his servants are so dear to him and his Father, and his Father and he are so neatly interessed in them and their message, that the respect shewed to them and it, redounds both to him and his Father. His scope in this doctrine is, partly, to remove another exception that might be propounded upon occasion of Judas treachery; for, whereas upon his deserting and betraying of his Master, men might be ready to think that he was but a bad Master, and that the office of Apostleship was of little worth, since he had so lightly deserted it: Christ declares, that this office was honourable in it selfe, and (however Judas had played the traitour, yet) he would get men to exerce it, and to entertain them who did so, to their own rich advantage. And therefore his treachery did no way reflect on him or his service, but did aggravate the traitours guiltinesse, who had deserted so honourable an office, owned not only by Christ, but by his Father also. Partly also, his scope is, hereby to encourage the rest of the Apostles, (as it is made use of, Matth 10.40.) who being to be left by their Master, and sent out on service, wherein they might expect great difficulties, (as is declared, Matth. 10.) and being also pressed with the necessity of humility and condescendence, they might be ready to think this a very hard and disadvantageous service. Withal, Judas his treachery, who was one of their number, might give them occasion to suspect that Christ would abhorre their society for his sake. Therefore he declares, that notwithstanding all that had come, if they would go about the employment as he required, he should own them in it, and whosoever received them, should receive him and the Father also. Doct. 1. Mens deserting of Christ and his service doth no way reflect on him or it, but upon the deserters themselves; nor will he want servants, and these who will entertain them, desert him who will; for, so much doth this doctrine, as it is a caution against Judas treachery, teach, that he will have some to send, and some to receive them, when Judas is gone. 2. Our Lord Jesus hath large understanding and capacity, to take many things into his minde, and meet with all necessary cases at once; for, by this doctrine he not only obviates Judas treachery, but meets with the discouragements of the rest of his disciples, as hath been explained. 3. Albeit Christs doctrine, concerning the excellency of his service, get but little credit in times of defection; And albeit his encouragements have but little place with these of weak hands: yet what he saith to the one or the other case, is most grave and undoubted truth; Therefore is doctrine, which groundeth against the scandal of Judas defection, and encourageth his disciples, confirmed by his ordinary asseveration, Verily, verily, I say unto you. 4. In times of defection, such as continue faithful shall be the more precious in Christs sight, and be allowed special encouragements by him; therefore doth he hold out such a cordial to his honest disciples, now when Judas is to forsake him. 5. Whatever be the difficulties attending Christs service; yet the service it self hath encouragement sufficient in its bosome, against all of them; Therefore is this encouragement held forth, against their difficulties in the exercise of their office. 6 The humble condescending man is so dear to Christ, that he shares in all his lots, is respected in all the respects put upon him, and accounts himself sleighted in all the affronts offered to him; for, this doctrine also tends to encourage them to the humility he had pressed upon them, by shewing that he will do all for the humble, and will share with them in their entertainment in the world. 7. Whatever be the want of outward splendour, or the ignominie and contempt of Christs servants in the world; yet it is sufficient dignity and authority to bear them out, that they are cloathed with a Message and Commission from him; for, it is here supposed as their dignity, and sufficient to bear them out in the exercise of their office in the world, that he sends them. 8. It is the duty of people in relation to Christs Messengers, to receive and embrace their doctrine, and their persons for their doctrines sake, and to guard against prejudices at their persons, lest they stumble at their message: for, so is here imported, they should receive whom I send. See 1 Thess. 5.12, 13. Heb. 13.17. 9. Christs faithful servants are so taken up with zeal to their Master, and love to the welfare of souls, that their great encouragement within time is, when their Message, and themselves for its sake, are received and get place amongst men; for, this is their encouragement, that encouragement is given to men to receive them, as being their great scope. See 2 Cor. 7.2. 1 Thess. 2.19, 20. 10. Such as would approve themselves to be Christs Scholars, ought not to hearken unto, nor receive these who run without a calling, but only these whom he sends, 2 John 10. Nor ought they to respect them who are sent, upon any carnal respect, Jude v. 16. but as they are sent and faithful in their trust, Matth. 10.41. nor are they to disrespect any who are sent and authorized by Christ, but whatever different measure of gifts there be, they must respect, and reverence, and hearken to all of them, as they are called to it; All these are included in this, that they are to receive whomsoever I send. 11. Whatever be the opposition unto, or contempt of Christs Messengers, yet there will still be some to receive them, when he sends them out; for, so is imported, that there will be some to receive whomsoever I send. 12. It is a comfortable encouragement to Ministers in the discharge of their trust, and to people to receive them and their doctrine, That as God is inseparable from his Son Christ, in his Person and Office, so is Christ and his Father in him, inseparable from his servants; The respect that is payed to them first, is payed in them to Christ and his Father; and so, on the contrary, doth the contempt of them reflect on him: for, He that receiveth whomsoever I send, receiveth me, and he that receiveth me, receiveth him that sent me, where, in the first place, their interest in Christ is asserted, and in the Father through him, and for further confirmation the Fathers interest in Christ is asserted, who is not received nor known, but in the receiving of Christ.