Christ's lifting up. On a cross—a sacrifice for sin, giving eternal life to those who believe, of which brazen serpent was a type (Num. xxi. 9).
III. Love of the Father (16, 17). How shown? He gave, sent, spared not His Son (Rom. viii. 32). Why shown? That man may not die, but live eternally.
Lesson. 1. The new birth. Am I changed?
2. Christ lifted up for me. Am I saved?
3. God's love. What am I giving in return?
A Great Change.
Queen Victoria once paid a visit to a paper-mill. Among other things she saw men picking out rags from the refuse of the city, and was told that these rags would make the finest white paper. After a few days her Majesty received a packet of the most delicate white paper, having the Queen's likeness for the water-mark, with the intimation that it was made from the dirty rags she had noticed. So our lives, renewed by God's Spirit, can be transformed and bear His likeness.
January 29th.—Christ at Jacob's Well.
To read—St. John iv. 5-15. Golden Text—Ver. 14.
Christ leaves Jerusalem, travels north with His disciples, passes through Samaria, reaches Sychar, near Shechem. Rests at Jacob's well while disciples buy food in neighbouring town.