John 17:11 And now I am no more in the world, but these are in the world, and I come to you. Holy Father… What formula could more thoroughly express the intensity and purity of Divine love. There is more spiritual philosophy and force in the two words, "Holy Father," than in the cream of all literature. Jesus alone knew how holy that love is that comes down to save man. In this name there is — I. A GLIMPSE OF A GREAT CHARACTER. We ask, "What's in a name?" The man on 'Change answers, "Five per cent.;" the expectant might say there is a passport in it; another that there is in it a prophecy of failure, of doom. A name is something, but in what name is there so much that is transcendently glorious as in "Holy Father." The disturbed condition of humanity has made us so familiar with unholy paternity, that it is an immense elevation of spirit to have the idea of an absolutely Holy Father. Parentage in man ought thus to be a holy thing. II. FULNESS OF HELPING POWER. We know what it is for sons to be respected and befriended for their father's sake. The social position open to many a young man, the manner in which he is treated on the public platform, the safe, yet prosperous circles to which he is admitted is owing to his father's name. But all this is increased in an infinite degree when we think of the name of the Holy Father. His name is good for any amount of helping power our souls require. III. A GROUND OF GREATEST CONFIDENCE — that the affairs of the vast family, the interests of the vast home, will have that management which will secure the highest interests of every child. How often are families divided by paternal partialities, fortunes squandered by paternal weaknesses and sins; and children beggared through lack of that in the father that could bind the home in one. But the strong band that binds the childlike hearts together is this father-name. IV. A GREAT ARGUMENT FOR CHILDLIKE CONDUCT. Blessed is the child who, when he looks at a human father, feels that he knows no more upright man than he. Such a father has a right to expect that his child should be good. Well, the "Holy Father," who is conscious of doing everything before His children that is fitted to command their love, has a right to expect that like Himself they shall be holy. We know what it is for the young man going to business, college, public life, to resolve on good behaviour and success if it were only for his father's sake. Such is the aspiration which the Holy Father expects of His children. (R. Mitchell.) Parallel Verses KJV: And now I am no more in the world, but these are in the world, and I come to thee. Holy Father, keep through thine own name those whom thou hast given me, that they may be one, as we are. |
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