223. JOH 13:7. MYSTERIOUSNESS OF PRESENT DISPENSATIONS

Joh_13:7. Mysteriousness of Present Dispensations

"What I do thou knowest not now, but thou shalt know hereafter."’97Joh_13:7.

The circumstances connected with the text; Christ washing the disciples’ feet; Peter’s objection; Christ’s reply, &c.

Notice,

I. The Lord’s Dealings with his People are often Dark and Mysterious.

See Job_23:8.

1. Refer to past ages.

Illustrated in the history of Jacob; the Israelites, in leading them about, &c.; Lazarus, in permitting his death, &c.; sufferings of his people, &c.; how they were persecuted, &c.; Elijah in the cave, Jeremiah in prison, Daniel in the den, the worthies in the fire, John beheaded, &c.

2. Survey the present.

People of Gad, how few compared with the mass, &c.; how poor, &c.; how afflicted, &c.; infidels, &c., how elevated, rich &c. Church still a garden’97the world a wide dreary desert.

3. These mysteries the Lord does not design us to know at present.

We are not capacitated’97only can view the present’97cannot go back, or see before us’97our light only imperfect. Now twilight. It would unfit us for usefulness and present enjoyment.

II. These Mysteries shall he finally Solved.

"What we know not now, we shall know hereafter."

1. Many things will be elucidated on earth.

Jacob found out all things were for, not against, him. Job’s last state was better than the first. Martha and Mary found why the Lord had tarried, and not prevented their brother’s death. Who has not had many perplexing scenes made quite clear in after-experience?

2. In heaven we shall know all, and that perfectly.

Then our organs of knowledge will be perfect; and we shall have cloudless and eternal light; see eye to eye, &c.; view the whole way in which we have been led, &c. 1Co_13:12.

III. The practical Influence this subject, should have upon us.

It should produce,

1. Present satisfaction.

"What I do." He must do all wisely, kindly, perfectly, faithfully; he is our Father, Saviour, Lord.

It should be,

2. An antidote to despondency.

The affairs of the world and the church are not in the hands of Satan; nor wicked men; nor left to our own fallible direction. Almighty power directs, and infinite wisdom and goodness upholds and overrules all things.

It should be,

3. A call to patience.

Wait for the discovery. A development shall be given in the Lord’s time. He requires us not to know, but to wait.

4. A stimulus to duty.

Duty is always ours; events God’s. See Dan_12:13, &c.

It should,

5. Excite in us longings for heaven.

State of doubt not desirable’97now per-plexed’97now only partial light’97there clearness, satisfaction, perfect knowledge, and exceeding joy. "We shall be satisfied when we awake," &c. "Blessed are the pure in heart," &c.

Application

The subject should lead us to perceive,

1. Our present imperfections.

2. The twilight state of things in time.

3. The superiority of that condition, where we shall know even as we are known.

Autor: JABEZ BURNS