John 1.
J. S. Bertram.
God has given us marvellous illustrations of His way with His own, impelled by the mighty force of divine love In relation to the two disciples which were with John (the man sent from God) in John 1, there are three distinct matters come before us, leading up to this, John give presentations of Christ which brought about decided results. In regard to the "Lamb of God that beareth away the sin of the world" (v. 29), that finds its complete solution in Him, whether ultimately in the clearance of every trace of evil from the universe, or as to the present relative to the conscience. In type we see it on the great day of atonement when sins were borne away on the scapegoat (Lev. 16.). Now that the conscience is freed from every charge of guilt, we are free to be engaged with the adorable One who has effected such a wonderful work. As John and two of his disciples were together he looked upon Jesus as He walked. What an object to gaze upon with rapture! What delight was brought to the Father's heart in that walk of perfect obedience. "I do always those things which please the Father." With what ecstasy John exclaims "Behold the Lamb of God," the One who was the delight of all heaven was now presented to His own. Note that the two disciples who heard John speak "followed Jesus." They were drawn by that mighty constraining power which they then could not interpret. These matters have a present bearing on us. "Drawn by such love we onward move." It is a grand thing to be attracted to follow Jesus. In discipleship there is something positive, we cannot deny ourselves and follow save in the power of attraction. As they were attracted they followed, and as they followed their interest increased. They desired to know where He dwelt; they were encouraged with "Come and see." What a welcome! How the Lord encourages interest and brings His own unto His very presence. They abode with Him that day. They were brought to know something of the inner circle. Doubtless the Lord unfolded something of the Father's bosom wherein He dwelt. In that sphere His own glory shines out; as the result there was affection for Him. Our course is not merely to follow Jesus (blessed although this is); but He brings us into the circle where divine affections flow, in that atmosphere of holy love, where the Father loves the Son and the Son loves the Father. We are the objects of that same love; "that the love wherewith Thou hast loved Me may be in them and I in them" (John 17:26). There is an answer to that love, "We love because He first loved." Love permeates that blest abode. What holy communion and intimacy are there where love divine rests. "Bright inlet to the light of heaven above." There we shall bask eternally in the sunshine of that love, the love of relationship. Such a hallowed experience does not lead to self-complacency. In the case of Andrew, it led to fruitful activity, He was able to give a definite statement as to the person of Christ. He found his own brother and brought him to Jesus. The Lord addressed to the latter the striking words, "Thou art Cephas, (a stone)," He knew the import of that later, in epistle when he wrote of the living stones which form the grand edifice instinct with divine life, being reared to the Glory of God. All true evangelism works out from the divine centre and completes the circle in bringing in the trophies of grace.