3. About ourselves. The benefit of such a Friend (Ps. cxliv. 15). Difference between this world's blessings and those of Christ. This world's come first—health, riches, fame, etc. Christ's come last—glory, honour, immortality. Which are best? Then seek those things which are above (Col. iii. 1).
God's Bounty.
On a cold winter's day a poor woman stood at the window of a King's greenhouse looking at a cluster of grapes which she longed to have for her sick child. She went home to her spinning-wheel, earned half a crown, and offered it to the gardener for the grapes. He ordered her away. She returned home, took the blanket from her bed, sold it for five shillings, and offered this sum to the gardener. He repelled her with anger. The Princess, overhearing the conversation and seeing the woman's tears, said to her, "You have made a mistake, my good woman. My father is a king; he does not sell, but gives." So saying she plucked a bunch of the best grapes and placed them in the happy woman's hands.
January 22nd.—Christ and Nicodemus.
To read—St. John iii, 1-17. Golden Text—Ver. 16.
Christ now in Jerusalem. Probably in retirement because Jews hostile. Picture Him with His new disciples in house in a back street on a windy night (ver. 8). A knock at the door. A Rabbi, member of the Sanhedrim (vii. 50), enters cautiously; he seeks to know more of this new teaching.
I. Regeneration of Man (1-8). The inquiry. Nicodemus, a searcher after truth, comes to Christ the new Teacher, whom he acknowledges as sent from God, as testified by His miracles. What must he do?
The answer. He must have a new birth, i.e. be changed into a spiritual state—be concerned with inner things of God. This change only wrought by work of Holy Spirit on soul, of which washing by water, as in baptism, is outward sign. How does the Spirit work? Invisibly—seen in effects, as wind on water. Irresistibly, its power being divine—as at Pentecost 3,000 converted (Acts ii. 41). But man's will must co-operate.
II. Lifting up of Christ (9-15). Effects of new birth. The regenerate see the truth revealed desired long (St. Luke x. 24), and bear witness to others—as new converts after Stephen's death (Acts viii. 4).
Subject of the new teaching. Christ Himself, His Person, Son of Man—the Perfect Man. His dwelling-place, heaven; not by ascending there, but as being His own eternal home.