IN these words of our Lord the connection is seen between ignorance of the Father and the Son, and the spirit that rejects disciples of Jesus.
In the Epistle of John the contrast to this evil spirit is seen in the connection between the fellowship there is with the Father and His Son, and the love there exists to those who are the Lord’s.
In the Lord’s teaching when on earth, as generally through the Word, the instruction given by contrast is constantly seen. Thus, in the sermon on the Mount, “It is written in the law, an eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth; but I say unto you that ye resist not evil.” The difference between the law and the dispensation of grace in which we stand, is set forth in the contrast between Mount Sinai, and the appearing of Jesus Christ when He came― “the Lamb of God which taketh away the sin of the world.” To Mount Sinai none could approach―there was “lightning and tempest.” To Christ Jesus, who came as a babe in Bethlehem, whoever cometh shall in no wise be cast out.
It is written concerning the Lord Jesus in the first chapter of John― “The world was made by Him, and the world knew Him not:” again, “in Him was Life, the Life was the Light of men:” and again, “the darkness comprehended Him not.”
Part of this darkness to which Christ the True Light was opposed is described in Matthew 23―it was not that which was dark in the eyes of men, it was beautiful outside. Neither was it professed ignorance; but in connection with this which was dark before God, there was the profession of knowledge― “Now ye say, we see, therefore your sin remaineth.”
It is further witnessed of Christ in John 1 as in contrast with the law, that “the law was given by Moses, but grace and truth came by Jesus Christ.” The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ is the grand characteristic of this dispensation. “Ye know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though He was rich, yet for our sakes He became poor, that we through His poverty might be rich.”
The constant enmity of Satan, and the expression of darkness around, was in the opposing the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ.
The law had made po provision―it proved, it exposed, it condemned the sinner. Jesus, the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth, He provides, He atones, He pardons.
When He was accused of eating and drinking with publicans and shiners, His answer was, “Wisdom is justified of all her children.” “The Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost.”
When in the Pharisee’s house, the liberty of the pop; woman who washed the Lord’s feet with her tears was rebuked, ― “This man, if He were a prophet, would have known who and what manner of woman this is that toucheth Him, for she is a sinner.” In reply, He sets forth the mission of His grace and forgiveness, as the ground of His acceptance of this poor woman in all her love, ― “A certain man had two creditors, one owed him five hundred pence and the other fifty, and when they had nothing to pay he frankly forgave them both.” This left no room for boasting, but where there was the deep sense of pardoning love, there was the bright expression of love to Jesus; but the Pharisee found fault.
Thus it was constantly as light from God―a heavenly light shining in a dark place, that Jesus walked in this world―the fullness of grace and truth. There was in those who could not bow to this expression of grace the final casting out of the Son of God. On this ground, (the hatred manifested in the world to Him who came forth from the Father,) the Lord Jesus forewarns His disciples, that as the Father sent Him into the world, even so He also sent them in the world; and that, as they would be His witnesses, they would, as He did, meet rejection from the world in its ignorance of the Father and of Him. “If they have persecuted Me, they will also persecute you.”
Now is the question of offenses raised. The word is, “These things have I spoken unto you that ye should not be offended.”
When the Lord had forewarned His disciples, as recorded in John 13 and Matthew 26, Peter had said, “Though all men shall be offended because of Thee, yet will I never be offended.”
It was for no offense of the poor blind man which was healed, that he was cast out by the Pharisees― he did not offend. Though they hid cast out one of the Lord’s little ones, the Lord opened His arms to receive him. Woe unto the world because of offenses! Woe unto that man by whom the offense cometh: better for that man that a mill-stone were hanged about his neck, and that he were drowned in the depth of the sea, than that he should offend one of the Lord’s little ones.
But there is danger to the disciples in a day of offenses, lest they join in that which offends―it is not being cast out that offends as far as the Lord’s little ones is concerned, but it is standing with that which rejects the testimony of the grace of Christ.
When Peter warmed himself with those who rejected his gracious Master―when he chose ease there, rather than be rejected with his gracious Lord, then he failed.
May the Lord save His people from taking a place which would lead them to reject disciples of Jesus.
May fellowship with the Father, and His Son Jesus Christ, be more and more manifested in the fruits of His Spirit, bringing out love, peace, joy, long-suffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, and charity.