Giovanni 4:34

DISCORSO: 1620
LA DILIGENZA DI CRISTO NEL SERVIRE DIO

Giovanni 4:34 . Gesù disse loro: Il mio cibo è fare la volontà di colui che mi ha mandato e portare a termine la sua opera .

Il nostro benedetto Signore, in tutta la sua vita, fu il modello più illustre di condiscendenza all'uomo e di fedeltà a Dio. Entrambe queste disposizioni sono state eminentemente mostrate nella storia prima di noi. Nonostante fosse già sfinito da un lungo e faticoso viaggio, aveva lavorato per la salvezza di un'adultera abbandonatissima: e spinto a interrompere per un po' le sue fatiche per ristorarsi con qualche refrigerio necessario, dichiarò: che il cibo non era così delizioso per un corpo affamato, come lo era per la sua anima il perseguire i grandi fini del suo ministero.
Dalle sue parole prenderemo occasione per,

I. Considera l'esempio di nostro Signore:

Gesù, nella sua qualità umana e mediatrice, era il servo del Padre. E l'opera a lui assegnata era di rivelare in modo più perfetto la volontà di Dio e di salvare l'umanità mediante la sua stessa obbedienza fino alla morte.
In questo lavoro si è impegnato,

1. Con fervente affetto:

[Niente poteva eccedere la gioia con cui intraprese l'arduo compito [Nota: Salmi 40:7 .]: nulla lo zelo con cui lo portò a termine [Nota: Luca 12:50 .]. Se vediamo i suoi indirizzi privati ​​a Dio [Nota: Ebrei 5:7 .

], o i suoi pubblici ministeri tra gli uomini [Nota: era pieno di gioia alla minima prospettiva di successo, ver. 35 e si addolorava e piangeva quando non poteva farcela, Marco 3:5 . Luca 19:41 .], vedremo che in lui si è compiuta quella profezia: “Lo zelo della tua casa mi ha divorato [Nota: Giovanni 2:17 .].”]

2. Con instancabile diligenza:

[Dall'inizio del suo ministero alla fine di esso non un giorno fu disoccupato. Spesso, dopo aver lavorato tutto il giorno, passava la notte in preghiera, e riprendeva le sue fatiche con la luce che tornava. Come il sole nel firmamento, procedette in un corso costante attraverso tutte le città, paesi e villaggi; né cessò mai dal suo lavoro, finché non poté dire: "È compiuto".]

3. Con imperterrita risoluzione—

[What “continual opposition” did he endure! He was truly “a sign spoken against,” or a butt of contradiction [Note: Luca 2:34.]. There was not any thing however perverse, scandalous, or contemptuous, but his ears were assailed with it from day to day. From the very first discourse he uttered till the hour of his crucifixion, his enemies never ceased to seek his life [Note: Giovanni 11:8.]. Yet did he persevere in the face of every danger, and at last complete his obedience, by surrendering up his life upon the cross.]

That we may profit from this great example, we will,

II.

Propose it for your imitation—

We also have a work to do for God—
[Our work is great; but O! how different from that which was committed to our Lord! We have not to satisfy the demands of justice, or to endure the wrath due to sin: blessed be God! that was the Redeemer’s, work; and it has been finished by him on our behalf. The work which we have to do is to believe in Christ [Note: Giovanni 6:29.], and, from a sense of his love to us, to devote ourselves unreservedly to his service [Note: Romani 12:1.]

Let us then engage in it,

1. Heartily—

[“Whatever our hand findeth to do, we should do it with all our might [Note: Ecclesiaste 9:10.].” A lukewarm service is unacceptable, yea, hateful to God [Note: Apocalisse 3:15.]. Let us then first labour to know the will of God, and then endeavour to do it with our whole hearts. Let us be “fervent in spirit, while we serve the Lord [Note: Romani 12:11.].”]

2. Uniformly—

[It is not an occasional act of zeal that will please God, but a steady conscientious, uniform discharge of our duty. Our spirit, alas! is often faint; and even, when “the spirit is willing, our flesh is weak.” But we must counteract our sloth, and “give all diligence to make our calling and election sure [Note: 2 Pietro 1:10.].”]

3. Courageously—

[We shall surely meet with reproach and persecution, if we set ourselves in earnest to serve the Lord [Note: 2 Timoteo 3:12.]. But let us “remember him who endured such contradiction of sinners against himself [Note: Ebrei 12:3.

].” Woe be to us if we draw back through the fear of man [Note: Ebrei 10:38.]. We must hate, not only father and mother, but even our own life also, if we would be Christ’s Disciples [Note: Luca 14:26.]. Let us then “take up our cross daily” after Christ’s example, and “suffer with him, in order that we may be also glorified together [Note: Romani 8:17.].”]

Address—
1.

Those who are unconcerned about the work of God—

[Has not God appointed you a work to do; and ought you not to have begun it long ago? Is it expedient to leave it to a dying hour? What if you should die before it is finished? O, begin instantly; for the “night cometh, wherein no man can work.”]

2. Those who do his work deceitfully—

[God has pronounced such persons accursed, no less than if they did nothing for him [Note: Geremia 48:10.]. His service must be your “meat” and drink; the joy of your souls, and the business of your lives. See then that ye “approve yourselves to God as servants that need not be ashamed [Note: 2 Timoteo 2:15.].”]

3. Those who are in a measure conformed to their Saviour’s image—

[Bless your God, who has thus far enabled you to serve him. But O! think how much you fall short of your heavenly pattern! Forget then what is behind, and press forward for that which is before you [Note: Filippesi 3:13.]: so shall you in due season “rest from your labours,” and be welcomed as good and faithful servants to the joy of your Lord [Note: Matteo 25:21.]