John 14:29

This verse contains a second reason why they ought to rejoyce at this intimation of his departure to the Father; Namely, That this prediction, compared with future events proving his exaltation for their good, would confirme their faith. And therefore they were bound to rejoyce in whatsoever would advance faith. Whence learn, 1. It should be the great study of Saints, in this vale of their pilgrimage, to acquaint themselves with beleeving, as that whereby Christs bodily absence is mainly supplied, and that which will bring them the peace and joy which is allowed upon them, Rom. 15.13. Therefore doth Christ take so much pains to train and breed them, that they might beleeve. 2. The scope of Christs Word to his people, is, to lead them to beleeve in him; for, now I have told you, that ye might beleeve. 3. Such as would rightly emprove Christs Word, for feeding of faith, ought to compare his dealing with his Word, and to see somwhat of him, and the accomplishment of his Word, in every thing that comes to passe; Therefore he requireth, that they not only hearken to what he told now, before it come to passe, but observe also what he doth, when it is come to pass. 4. The comparing of Christs predictions with events according to the same, contributes much to the confirmation of faith; as pointing out Christs fore knowledge and providence, and the certainty of the Word, which he saileth not to accomplish; Therefore, saith he, Now I have told you before it come to passe, that when it is come to passe, ye might beleeve. Compare Chap. 13.19. 5. Our Lord may make disciples hard condition contribute more for their good, and the strengthening of their faith, then if they had not met with these conditions; Therefore doth he so order it, that his departure and the consequents thereof shall contribute so much to their further confirmation. 6. True disciples ought to rejoyce in whatsoever may contribute to confirme their faith, how much soever it vex them otherwise; for, this is a reason why they ought to rejoyce, that this intimation contributed that they might beleeve. 7. Whatever be Christs dispensations toward his people, yet he is not deficient in whatsoever is needful to encourage them to beleeve, and to confirme them in it; for, in all these sad dispensations, he was still doing what might help them to faith, that ye might beleeve. 8. As there is no faith, but it needs that we should grow in it, (as here the disciples, who beleeved, need to beleeve more;) So the Lord, when he gives many encouragements to beleeve, requires more faith of his people: for, now when he gives this new help, of a prediction and the accomplishment thereof, he requireth an answerable measure of faith, That ye might beleeve, yet more. 9. Albeit we are ready to think that Christs bodily presence were a notable help to faith; Yet Christ, by his exaltation unto glory, gives such proofes of his deity and fulnesse, and of his minding of his people, as layeth on a stricter obligation to beleeve in him, then any beside; So that not to beleeve much now, is a more hainous fault, then at any other time; for, when it is come to passe, and evidenced by effects that he is gone to the Father, it is specially required then, that ye beleeve.