John 8:27–29

This sad doctrine taking no effect, by reason of their ignorance, who understood not that he spake of the Father when he mentioned him that sent him; Christ doth further certifie them, that though now they were ignorant, yet after they had with wicked hands crucified him, then they should be made to know that he is the Messiah, that he doth all things according to the Fathers will, and that the Father is alwayes with him, as being his obedient Sonne. Whence learn, 1. Were doctrine never so clear, yet Satan will keep men from understanding it, either by their ignorance or malice; for, though he had ofttimes before spoken of him that sent him, yet they understood not that he spake to them of the Father. Wherein there was not so much simple ignorance, as malice and prejudice which transported them. 2. The ignorance of wicked and malicious men will be removed in due time, little to their advantage; Therefore, Christ threatens that they who understood not, shall know. 3, Such as do wickedly oppose Christ and his truth, will readily run the length of bloody persecution, before they cease; for, so doth Christ forewarne them, that they will lift up the Sonne of man, by putting him to suffer on the crosse. He calls himselfe here the Sonne of man, to shew that he suffered only in that nature, and to point out his condescendence, that he became man, that he might suffer. 4. Christ did so love his people, that he willingly gave himselfe to redeeme them, and would do nothing that might hinder his being put to that cursed death, which might redeem them from the curse; Therefore, albeit he warne them of it, yet he will not hinder it to take effect, nor so much as speak a word to stop it. 5. Wicked men are never further from their purpose, then when they think they are nearest to it, and as this is true in their own prosperity, Psal. 92.6, 7. So also in their violent persecution of Christ and his followers; Therefore doth Christ signifie, that by getting this advantage of him, to put him to death, they should gain nothing, but lose much. See Mich. 4, 11, 12, 13. 6. The suffering of Christ and his followers, whatever enemies may account of it, or whatever it seeme to be to flesh and blood; Yet it is their real honour and exaltation; Therefore doth he call their crucifying of him, a lifting up of the Sonne of man, not only because he was indeed lifted up upon the crosse, but because it was an exaltation of him. See Chap. 12. 32. It is an honour in Saints, to be employed to suffer, Act. 5.41. it is accompanied with much of the Spirit of glory, 1 Pet. 4.14. and is a step, and the way to glory, Luke 24.26. and therefore gets this name. 7. It is one peculiar advantage of suffering, that Christ and his followers true dignity, and acceptance with God, is never more clearly and convincingly seen, then in the time of it, and after it; Therefore it is subjoyned, as a particular proofe that it should be an exalting of him, that, then shalle ye know that I am he, or, the true Messiah, obedient unto, and approven of God, as after followeth. And so we finde accomplished, in that in his sufferings, Pilate and his wife give him a testimony; the Centurion seeth his glory, Matth, 27.54. The darkning of the Sunne, the renting of the rocks and the vail of the Temple, the opening of graves, &c. did bear witnesse who he was. And afterward, the sad plagues that came on them, for rejecting of him, declared that he was the Sonne of God. 8. It is a sad judgement upon malicious wicked men, that they are permitted to run the utmost length of their violence, and then (and not till then) their consciences and Gods judgements are let loose upon them, to let them see and feel what a woful course they have been upon; for, so much also is imported here, that when ye have lift up the Sonne of man, then shall ye know that I am he, &c. 9. Christ in his works and doctrine, as he was taught them from the Father, as man, so they are altogether agreeable to the Fathers will; for, this is a truth whereof he will have very enemies convinced, I do nothing of my selfe, but as the Father hath taught me, I speak these things: So that sinners are to come to, and seek the Father in him, and ought to look on all he doth and saith, as agreeable to the Fathers will. 10. As the Father is unseparable from his Sonne Christ, in respect of the unity of the divine essence; so he is alwayes with him as Mediatour, being in him, as his Ambassadour, reconciling the world to himselfe, 2 Cor. 5.19. and with him, to support and uphold him, as his servant doing his work, according to the Covenant of redemption, Isa. 42.1. Therefore, saith he, He that sent me, is with me: the Father hath not left me alone, though all the world should forsake me. Wherein we may see how well-pleased the Father is with the redemption of lost sinners, that he was still upholding the Sonne in it, and how richly they are made up who have him with them, be against them who will, as Christ here reckons. 11. Whosoever would have the comfort of Gods presence and company in all conditions, they ought to set themselves to please God, and observe his will in all things; for, so did Christ finde it, for I do alwayes those things that please him. 12. As Christ the Sonne did learn obedience, and submit himselfe to the will of the Father; So his obedience was full and compleat, and in all things he did, the Father was well pleased; for, saith he, I do alwayes those things that please him.