Exposition on John 5, John 5 · Verse 28
Verſ. 28.
Maruell not at this: for the houre is comming, in which all that are in the graues ſhall heare his voyce.
IN this Verſe is contained, firſt, a Reproofe of the incredulity of the Iewes, [Maruell not]: for they tooke Chriſt for no other then an ordinary man, and therefore did not beleeue that which he had ſpoken, Verſ. 26, 27. of his power and authoritie; but wondred much that he ſhould ſay ſuch things of himſelfe. There is an holy admiration without doubting, as when we admire the great workes of God, whereof yet we make no doubt: but ſo to wonder, as to call in queſtion any truth of God, to thinke it impoſſible, becauſe wee apprehend not the reaſon of it; this is a fault, and here reprooued. For hereby we doe impeach the power of God, and bring it to our owne reaſon.
2. A further proofe and confirmation of the point in queſtion, viz. the power and authority of Chriſt. The proofe is drawne from the effect, namely, the raiſing vp of the Dead. So that in briefe, it containeth a deſcription of the Reſurrection: wherein obſerue.
1. The Time.
2. The Parties.
3. The Cauſe.
1. In the Time note, firſt, that it is a ſet time and period appointed by God [the houre], which time we are with patience to waite for. Secondly, it commeth; it ſhall not bee preuented, not ouerpaſſed, but ſhall certainely come. Which, firſt, is againſt all deniers of the Reſurrection. Secondly, it is for our comfort at the time of death, as alſo in regard of our friends departed. And laſtly, it ſerues to encourage vsus to goe on in our Chriſtian courſe: 1. Cor. 15. laſt verſe.
2. The Parties are deſcribed.
1. By their place of abode: all that are in their graues: that is by a Synecdoche of one kind for all the reſt, by what manner of death ſo euer they died, and howſoeuer they were conſumed. This implies; That the conſumption of our bodies ſhall not hinder the reſurrection; becauſe the ground of it is the power of Chriſt, in regard of which there is no difference.
This ſerues for an encouragement againſt the diuers kindes of death whereunto we may come: as it was to the Martyrs: Heb. 11.30.
2. By their generality, [All] none, no not one ſhall bee forgotten in the graue: as appeares by the Parable of the Net that gathereth of all kindes: Matth. 13.47. Which is for the comfort of thoſe which in this world hauehave been forgotten, none hath taken notice of them, theſe at the reſurrection, Chriſt will not forget. Secondly, it is for the terror of the wicked, that none of them ſhall eſcape. Thirdly, it teacheth vsus to prepare our ſelues ſo in this life, that wee may riſe vntounto ioy and glory.
3. The cauſe of the reſurrection is the voice of Chriſt [heare his voice:] that is, the voice of Chriſt; verſ. 27. they ſhall heare not in regard of any facultie, or ability in the dead, but of the powerfullnes of the voice of Chriſt, that peirceth euen to the duſt, and giueth a power of hearing vntounto that which had none at all.
Doct. The cauſe of the reſurrection is the almightines of the voice of Chriſt: 1. Theſ. 4.16. Act. 17.31.
Obiect. 1. Theſ. 4.16. Matth. 25.31. this is attributed vntounto an Archangell, &c.
Anſw. Theſe places indeed ſhew, that there ſhall bee a meanes vſed, and that an externall meanes by the miniſtery of Angells, like as there was in the giuing of the Law, but yet the efficacy, and force of this meanes, commeth from the power of Chriſt: as verſ. 25. it is the voice of Chriſt ſpeaking in his miniſters that conuerteth the heart: as 2. Cor. 13.3.
Obiect. But how ſhall the wicked be raiſed vp by Chriſt ſith they hauehave no right vntounto him?
Anſw. We muſt conſider Chriſt in a double reſpect, as a Sauiour, or as a Lord; as a Redeemer, or as a Iudge. He raiſeth vp the righteous by vertue of his owne reſurrection, and of that vnion betweene him their Head, and they his Members: but the wicked he raiſeth by t…e almighty power of a Iudge, to bring them vntounto Iudgement.
Ʋſe. Here we may note a difference betweene the faith of the Iewes, and of vsus, in one and the ſame Article of Religion; they belieue the reſurrection only by the generall power of God, we by the power of Chriſt alſo.
2. This ſerues for a proppe to ſtrengthen and vphold our faith, in the doctrine of the reſurrection, if our reaſon ſhall diſpute againſt it: for it is moſt true that by na…urall reaſon and argument, that the body once conſumed to duſt, ſhould riſe againe the ſame.