320. JOH 3:35. ALL THINGS IN CHRIST’S HAND

Joh_3:35. All Things in Christ’s Hand

"The Father loveth the Son, and hath given all things into his hand."’97Joh_3:35.

It had been predicted by Malachi the prophet, 400 years before, that a messenger should be sent to prepare the way of the Lord. See Mal_4:1. This prediction was realized in John the Baptist when he appeared publishing to the people the appearance of the kingdom of God. Many listened to John, became his disciples, and were baptized of him in Jordan. At length the illustrious Redeemer also appeared, ana was recognised by John, and entered upon his mission by baptism. After this, while John was baptizing in ‘c6non, near to Salem, some of John’s disciples questioned him as to the Redeemer, which elicited the statements from the 27th to the last verse of this chapter. Among the rest of the truths there delivered, we find the glorious statement of the text, "The Father loveth the Son," &c. Observe,

I. The Declaration of the Father’s Love to Christ.

II. The Authority and Power with which He hath invested him.

I. The Declaration of the Father’s Love to Christ. Observe,

1. The object of the Father’s love.

"The Son." The distinctions involved in the Deity are profound depths, utterly unsearchable. It is quite clear from Scripture testimony, that Christ possesses a complete equality with the Father. "He thought it not robbery," &c. Some have contended for the eternity of those titles in the Godhead. It appears to me that Christ is the Son of God, by his mysterious conception of the virgin by the Holy Ghost; and that it is alone applicable to him in his mediatorial character and work. It deserves your careful notice, that while Jesus was the virgin’s child, he was the Son of the Most High.

2. Mark the nature of the Father’s love to Christ.

Love has a variety of channels in which it flows, and by which it is designated. All flowing streams have one general title, but they are distinguished from each other by their own peculiar appellation. Now, so it is with the love of God; there is that outgoing of goodness which regards the wants of all his creatures. Now, this we term benevolence and beneficence. There is the exercise of goodness to the guilty; this is grace and mercy. There is that which withholds his wrath from the wicked; this is long-suffering. Then, there is the attachment he displays to angels and the saints; and this we term complacency and delight. Now, the Father’s love to the Son is of the last description; it is the Father’s complacent approving love of Jesus, and doubtless it is the highest and most extended display of that love. See Isa_42:1, &c. Observe,

3. The grounds of the Father’s love to Christ.

(1) On the absolute unity and resemblance which existed between them. All the works of God bear his impress, and he proclaimed his approbation of the whole But man was made in his especial likeness; ana in him he more abundantly delighted. But Jesus has a nature one with his own; he reflects all the forms of his eternal character’97the brightness of his glory, &c.’97image of the invisible God; especially the image of his immaculate purity.

(2) His perfect obedience to his Father’s will. The law of God was in his heart. It was his meat and drink to do the will, &c. That law had been violated by Adam. The world in a state of rebellion, &c. Jesus was consumed with zeal for the divine glory; he obeyed all his Father’s commandments, and never wearied until he could say, "I have finished the work," &c.; then he was resigned and passive in the sufferings and sorrows he was called to bear. "The cup," &c.

(3) As the sacrifice for the guilt of the world. The atonement made by Jesus was full of sweet incense to the Father. "Therefore doth my Father love me, because I lay down my life that I might take it again." Here all the claims of Deity were fully met, and the law was magnified, and made eternally honorable. Observe,

4. The evidences of the Father’s love to Christ.

(1) See the preparatory arrangements previous to his advent in our world. A magnificent economy was set up, that might typify the person, offices, and work of the Saviour. Then a whole train of prophets, beginning with Samuel down to Malachi; all foretold his appearance, and the blessings which should attend his reign. Then, observe,

(2) The visible signs of the Father’s regard, during his mission on earth. One angel announces the conception; another satisfies the afflicted spirit of Joseph; a choir of them sing the song of his incarnation; another guards his passage into Egypt. Then, behold him when he comes forth to his baptism. Jordan had often been signalized in past ages, but now it becomes the scene of unprecedented magnificence and glory. In the midst of the water stood John and the blessed Jesus; the Saviour prays; John baptizes him; the curtains of the skies are drawn aside, and the Father proclaims from the excellent glory, "This is my beloved Son," &c. Then, go on to his transfiguration. Tabor’s summit is enveloped in brightest cloud; Moses and Elias descend and converse with Jesus respecting his decease, which he should accomplish at Jerusalem; and again the attestation of the Father’s love is renewed, "This is my," &c. "Hear ye him." A third time, when Jesus was troubled by the anticipations of his suffering, he said, "Father, glorify thy name," &c., Joh_12:28. It did appear, indeed, in Christ’s sufferings in the garden and on the cross, that God had hid his face from him. But even then, God testified to the greatness and preciousness of his Son in the overwhelming phenomena of Calvary. Yes, while men revel in cruelty and blood, when hell triumphed, the Father is seen writing his attachment to his Son, in the events of the tragic scene. He wrote it on the earth, and the earth quaked, and the rocks rent; he wrote it on the heavens, and the sun read it and rolled back his chariot wheels; he wrote it on the interior of his temple, and the veil of the temple was rent in twain; &c.; he wrote it on the sepulchres of Jerusalem, and the dead rose, and walked about in the city; he wrote it so indelibly, and in such splendid characters, that the centurion read it, and exclaimed, "Truly, this was the Son of God." Then, observe,

3. The subsequent events which evinced the Father’s love to Jesus.

He did not leave his soul in Hades, nor allow his Holy One to see corruption; he raised him from the dead; exalted him to his own right hand; placed him above angels, and principalities, and powers. "Given him a name," &c. "Sit thou on my right hand," &c. He hath given unto him all rule, and power, and glory, and commandeth that "all men should honor the Son," &c.; yea, he saith, "let all the angels of God worship him." "The Father loveth the Son," &c. This leads me to notice,

II. The Power and Authority with which he hath invested him.

"He hath given all things," &c.

1. All things connected with this world are in his hand.

He created it, and it was created for him. Long before the creative voice of Deity broke the silence of eternity, Jesus had directed his attention to this earth, and his delights were with the sons of men. All its empires, and all its individual inhabitants, are under his providential care, &c. Finally, he shall subdue it to himself, and the song shall be heard, "The kingdoms of this world have become," &c.

2. All thing in the church are in his hand.

"He is head over all things," &c.; he is the Great Shepherd of the sheep; he is the Captain of the troops of the cross; he is the King in Zion, &c. "One is your master," &c.

3. All things in heaven are in his hand.

He is Lord of glory; Prince of glory. Isaiah saw him "high, and lifted up," &c.; King of glory, &c. He hath the keys of the heavenly world; he awards the crown; appoints the throne, pronounces the blessed; "Well done," &c.; and confesses his people, &c. "Him that overcometh," &c., see Joh_16:15, Joh_16:17, Joh_16:21; Mat_28:18; "All power is given," &c.

Application

1. Learn the unspeakable dignity of Christ. What elevated views we should have of his character. How great and glorious, &c.

2. The great advantages of being united to him. If we are in him, we are heirs of Christ; receiving Christ, we receive all that Christ is and has. We learn,

3. The supreme authority of Christ, in all matters of religion.

4. The inevitable doom of his incorrigible enemies. "Kiss the Son," &c.

Autor: JABEZ BURNS