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The Will of Christ!
From Timeless Grace Gems
William Nicholson, 1862
"Father, I will those you have given me to be with me where I am, and to see my glory, the glory you have given me because you loved me before the creation of the world." John 17:24From Timeless Grace Gems
William Nicholson, 1862
"Never a man spoke like this man!" And never a man prayed like this man! What earnestness, pathos, propriety, and sublimity in his prayers — and especially in those which he offered just before his death!
It is most solemnly interesting to hear a man just about to step into eternity, in the calm exercise of his reason, fervently pray to God on the behalf of his survivors. What must have been the sensations of the disciples when they saw their Lord lift up his eyes to Heaven, and pour out this matchless prayer!
I. The Will of Christ on Behalf of His Disciples: "Father, I will those you have given me to be with me where I am, and to see my glory!"
This expression, though it commonly denotes command, is here only expressive of desire, and intimation, to the Father who hears the Son always. It was not the custom of the Savior to use language of command when addressing God. He was about to ascend the cross, and there, as the great High Priest of his people, to offer up the sacrifice of himself. He was about to ascend to Heaven as the Advocate of his people, and it is in reference to these important offices, that Christ intimates to his Father his will concerning his disciples.
"I am about to finish the work which you gave me to do; I am about to suffer and die for my lost sheep, and as you have promised that I am to see of the travail of my soul, Father, I will those you have given me to be with me where I am, and to see my glory!"
So let the Church ever regard Christ's constant intercession, as founded on the covenant engagements of the Father, and his own meritorious obedience and atonement, 1 John 2:1. The will of Christ cannot fail of being accomplished.
Observe:
1. The will of Christ is a gracious will. The vast spiritual wealth and eternal glory which he bequeaths to his people, has been freely purchased. It is all of grace! Romans 6:23; 1 Peter 1:3. And it is also freely given. Isaiah 55:1; Revelation 22:17.
Sometimes wills are made in favor of people who have rendered good service to the testator, and which service demands payment at that solemn period remuneration. But man is a rebel, impure, and the subject of infinite demerit. He is worthy of nothing less than everlasting perdition. This will is therefore a gracious will. "Who has ever given to God, that God should repay him?" Romans 11:35
2. This will is expressive of the Testator's infinite love and affection. Christ died for sinners — he died that they might have life, and have it more abundantly. What love was this! He is concerned for the preservation, sanctification, and union of his people on earth — and for their glorification in Heaven. It is the love . . .
of a master for his disciples,
of a shepherd for his sheep,
of a bridegroom for his bride.
He cannot live in Heaven without them! "Father, I will those you have given me to be with me where I am, and to see my glory!"
3. It is an impartial will. Some wills are partial. To one more is bequeathed, than to another. But all the penitent and the believing, have free access to all the blessings of salvation in time, and in eternity. "You are all one in Christ Jesus." Galatians 3:28. The believing peasant is as much interested in this will as the Christian monarch. The Gospel annihilates earthly distinctions.
4. This will refers to vast wealth to be enjoyed by the heirs of Christ. Not earthly wealth which is temporary, and corrupting — but spiritual wealth which is everlasting. What are gold and silver, houses and land — compared with this exceeding and eternal weight of glory? But this wealth will be considered in its proper place shortly.
5. It is a will that will certainly be executed. For the Testator has power to bequeath the blessings of the covenant. The inspired volume is the precious deed of conveyance, written out under his own immediate direction. Here, as in human wills, the legacies are specified, and the legatees are particularly described. Here, as in human wills, we have witnesses — the Father, Son, and Spirit. Here, as in human wills, the will of Christ is in force, for the Testator has died. Hebrews 9:16. "Heaven and earth shall pass away, but my word shall never pass away!"
II. The People for Whom this Will Was Made: "Those whom you have given me."
These words apply to believers in every age of the world. All believers have an interest in Christ's gracious will; for these are given to Christ to realize all the sublime purposes of salvation. "I pray for them. I am not praying for the world, but for those you have given me, for they are yours!" John 17:9
1. They are given to Christ according to the covenant of grace. That covenant respected the redemption of his people. It was stipulated that "he should see the travail of his soul, and be satisfied." Isaiah 53:10. He has ransomed them — they are his purchased people.
2. They have believed on him through the instrumentality of the preached Gospel, conjoined with the influence of the Holy Spirit, James 1:18. And they enjoy all the blessed fruits of faith in Christ. They are his disciples, his people, and joint-heirs with him; they are committed into his hands as the great Shepherd of the sheep, to be fed and guarded by him unto life eternal. "He will feed his flock like a shepherd. He will carry the lambs in his arms, holding them close to his heart. He will gently lead the mother sheep with their young!" Isaiah 40:11
3. They are given unto him as instruments to carry on his cause in the world, and to promote his glory. Some he makes apostles, ministers, teachers, etc. Ephesians 4:11.
These are the legatees of his will; and they are to dwell with him in Heaven, and to behold his glory.
III. The Purpose of Christ's Gracious Will: "Father, I will those you have given me to be with me where I am, and to see my glory!"
What a gracious will is this! How comprehensive its details!
How rich the inheritance which it bequeaths!
How substantial, satisfying, and durable the wealth given to the saints!
Talk not of the wills of the worldly rich, the noble, the honorable. Talk not of the wills of conquerors, or monarchs. They are all lighter than vanity when compared with the will of Christ the Prince of life, the King of kings, and Lord of lords.
You palaces, scepters, and crowns,
Your pride with disdain I survey;
Your pomps are but shadows and sounds,
And pass in a moment away!
The crown that my Savior bestows
Yon permanent sun shall outshine:
My joy everlastingly flows —
My God, my Redeemer, is mine!
The will of Christ refers,
1. To the place of happiness. "Where I am." This, doubtless, refers to Heaven, the dwelling-place of the great King. There he sits at the right hand of God, angels, etc., being made subject unto him. It is there, that his divinity shines through the humanity with ineffable brightness, and there he is beheld in all the moral grandeur of the only begotten Son of God!
It is a Heaven of unspeakable grandeur. It is a house, in which there are many mansions. It is a building of God — it is a kingdom — it is an inheritance. The gates of the celestial city are pearls; its streets are pure gold; it has no need of the sun, Revelation 21:21, 23, 25. Of the glory and beauty of every other part of the universe, compared with the magnificence of Heaven, it may be truly said, that "even that which was made glorious, has no glory in this respect, by reason of the glory that excels."
It is a Heaven of perfect purity. The "Holy One of God" dwells there, and no sin can exist where he resides. It is the "habitation of his holiness." Revelation 21:27. O glorious Heaven, where sin will never enter to contaminate!