_NICODEMUS_ ‘There was a man of the Pharisees, named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews.’ John 3:1 The accounts given us in Holy Scripture of Nicodemus are, in many respects, of peculiar interest. I. A NIGHT VISITOR.—Of the early years of Nicodemus we know nothing. We first hear of him in this thir... [ Continue Reading ]
_A MOMENTOUS INTERVIEW_ ‘The same came to Jesus by night and said unto Him … Jesus answered and said unto him … Except a man be born again, he cannot see the Kingdom of God.’ John 3:2 Why did Nicodemus come to Jesus _ by night?_ You say that it was _ through fear_. Perhaps it was. We do not know... [ Continue Reading ]
_NEW BIRTH_ ‘Ye must be born again.’ John 3:7 It is quite impossible for the human mind to have any subject for consideration of more profound importance than the new birth. I. THE NEW BIRTH IS THE COMMENCEMENT OF A NEW LIFE, and it involves of necessity two new and most precious gifts— _ (a)... [ Continue Reading ]
_THE PUZZLED INQUIRER_ ‘How can these things be?’ John 3:9 In the interview between our Lord and Nicodemus, we have an early instance of difficulties of belief in a candid and thoughtful mind. The question contained in the text has often been repeated since with the same cautious timidity, and th... [ Continue Reading ]
_THE GIFT OF THE CROSS_ ‘As Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of Man be lifted up.’ John 3:14 The only remedy for the serpent-bitten Israelites was the serpent of brass; the only remedy now is Christ lifted up on the Cross (1 Peter 2:24). The Son of Man _ must_ b... [ Continue Reading ]
_THE MAGNA CHARTA OF CHRISTIANITY_ ‘For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life.’ John 3:16 That is the great Magna Charta of Christianity. What is the meaning of it? I believe that it meets with a re... [ Continue Reading ]
_OUT OF DARKNESS INTO LIGHT_ ‘And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil.’ John 3:19 Is any one liable to this reproach of loving darkness more than light? It sounds, as it is, a very shameful thing, but... [ Continue Reading ]
_THE JOY OF THE BRIDEGROOM’S FRIEND_ ‘The friend of the bridegroom, which standeth and heareth him, rejoiceth greatly because of the bridegroom’s voice: this my joy therefore is fulfilled.’ John 3:29 John the Baptist here compares his own position with regard to our Lord to that of the friend of... [ Continue Reading ]