180. Love's Importance.

Ye have heard how I said unto you, I go away, and come again unto you. If ye loved me, ye would rejoice, because I go unto the Father: for my Father is greater than I. - John 14:28.

JESUS' love makes him use the disciples' love to himself as a comfort for themselves when they are distressed about his going away.

He appeals to the warmest feeling in their hearts in order to raise their spirits.

It is well when grace has put within us principles which are springs of consolation.

O blessed Master, thou speakest ever with a view to our joy!

From our text let us learn—

I. THAT WE SHOULD TRY TO SEE THINGS IN CHRIST'S LIGHT.

1. He sees the whole of things. He says not only, "I go away," but also, "I come again unto you."

2. He sees through things. He does not say," I die, "but he looks beyond, and says, "I go unto the Father."

3. He sees the true bearing of things. The events which were about to happen were in themselves sad, but they would lead to happy results. "If ye loved me, ye would rejoice."

To see facts in his light we must dwell with him, live in him, grow like him, and especially love him more and more.

II. THAT OUR LOVE SHOULD GO FORTH TOWARDS HIS PERSON. "If ye loved me." All about him is amiable; but he himself is altogether lovely (Song of Sol. 5:16).

1. He is the source of all the benefits he bestows.

2. Loving him, we have him, and so his benefits.

3. Loving him, we prize his benefits the more.

4. Loving him, we sympathize in all that he does.

5. Loving him, we love his people for his sake.

6. Loving him, our love endures all sorts of rebuffs for his sake.

7. Loving him, the Father loves us (John 14:23).

8. Loving him, we are married to him. Love is the sure and true marriage-bond whereby the soul is united to Christ.

Love to a person is the most real of emotions.

Love to a person is the most influential of motives.

Love to a person is, in this case, the most natural and satisfying of affections.

III. THAT OUR SORROW OUGHT NOT TO PUT OUR LOVE IN QUESTION.

Yet, in the case of the disciples, our Lord justly said, "If ye loved me." He might sorrowfully say the same to us ---

1. When we lament inordinately the loss of creatures.

2. When we repine at his will, because of our severe afflictions.

3. When we mistrust his wisdom, because we are sore hampered and see no way of escape.

4. When we fear to die, and thus display an unwillingness to be with our Lord. Surely, if we loved him, we should rejoice to be with him.

5. When we complain concerning those who have been taken from us to be with him. Ought we not to rejoice that Jesus in them sees of the travail of his soul, and has his prayer answered, "Father, I will that they also, whom thou hast given me, be with me where I am" (John 17:4)?

IV. THAT OUR LOVE SHOULD MAKE US REJOICE AT OUR LORD'S EXALTATION, THOUGH IT BE OUR PERSONAL LOSS.

l. It was apparently the disciples' loss for their Lord to go to the Father; and we may think certain dispensations to be our loss—

· When we are tried by soul-desertion, while Christ is magnified in our esteem.

· When we are afflicted, and he is glorified, by our sorrows.

· When we are eclipsed, and in the result the gospel is spread.

· When we are deprived of privileges for the good of others.

· When we sink lower and lower in our own esteem, but the kingdom of God comes with power. >2. It was greatly to our Lord's gain to go to his Father.

· Thus he left the field of suffering forever.

· Thus he reassumed the glory which he had laid aside.

· Thus he received the glory awarded by the Father.

· Thus he became enthroned for his church and cause.

It will be well for us to look more to our love than to our joy, and to expect our joy through our love.

It will be well for us to know that smallness of love may dim the understanding, and that growth in it may make us both wiser and happier.

In all things our Lord must be first. Yes, even in those most spiritual delights, about which it may seem allowable to have strong personal desires.