The Carbon advocate. [volume] (Lehighton, Pa.) 1872-1924, 1886-04-24
INTERNATIONAL LESSONS.
BY REV. F. n. nARenrAvEs.
Lesson 4.
1pifl 25.
JESUS AND NICoDEMCs.

John iii, 1-1S Golden Text, John iii,
7. Time, April 0-16, A. d. u. Place,
Jerusalem. Rulers, Tiberius Cesar,
Emperor Of Rome; Pontius PLATE, Gov
ernor of Judea; Herod Antipas, Tet-
rarch of Galilee.
1t was in Jerusalem. The capital was
now in its glory. The Passover was at
hand. Thousands of people were gath
ering fiom all parts of the country to
take part in the great national festival.
The streets of the city were filled with
the eager crowds of strangers, and
droves of cattle and sheep which were
needed for sacriticial use, one hundred
thousand lambs alone, besides thousands
of sheep and oxen, being required.
The Temple, already 40 years in build
Ing, and yet completed, shone out In
magnificent splendor. Its marble walls
and golden roofs cleaned in the sun
light. It's massive pillars, lofty arches,
and long marble arcades, its glorous
gates OF silver and gold, its courts
paved with costly stones, all the wealth
and grandeur of that gorgeous structure
seemed more beautiful than ever in
the sunrise Of this bright April day.
The people were early astir, and all oyer
the city were heard the noises incident
to- such n vast asSemblage of people and
cattle. In the Temple itself all was an
inIation. Services we're being held in
some Of the courts, while in others
business was being transacted. In the
Court Of the Heather, where others be-
sides Jews might enter, were pens and
stalls for cattle and sheep, to be sold for
sacrliicial purposes. In one place were
the sellers of doves, which were bought
by poor women coming for publication.
In another place were the tables of the
money changers. Every jew had to
pay half shekel, about 10 cents, yearly,
rs atoRement money for his soul and
the support of the Temple. 1t could
only be paid in native coin, called
the temple shellel, and holders of Greek,
Roman and Eastern money were COM
PEELED TO do business with the money
changers, who charged exorbitant rates
for the exchange. The scene was one of
activity, hustle and confusion. Into it
there came a young man of quiet but
commanding presence. He surveyed
the scene q moment ;and filed with holy
tied together some small cords, and
first throwing out the sellers of sheep
and oxen, with their property, and then
the sellers Of doves, He drove the
money changers out of the temple and
overturned their table. 1t was Jesus,
the Christ, who had entered upon His
lite work, and in His Fathers house
vindicatcl His Fathers cause. Thus
brought prominently into notice, IL is
not surprising that He rallied round
Him followers who believed the doctrine
which He taught.
Amongst them was a Pharisee, a
member of the governing class in the
religious world. He was Rabbi.
wealthy, well advanced in years, and
one whose support would naturally be
desired by one who had simply temporal
power and authority In view. His name
was Nicodemu3. He was favorably i'm
pressed with the teachings of the Cali
lean and, after the crowds of the day
had dispersed. he sought an interview
with Jesus by night. He opens the in
tcrview with a compliment. He sup
poses that Jesus has come to set up
theocracy, and that every Jew would
have place in it. BY virtue of his
position he expects place in the new
Kingdom, and he wishes to know what
will be qurad of him. Jesus saw into
his heart and thoroughly understood
him. He replied with a statement
which utterly puzzled his guest. Al
though Nichodemus must have been
familiar with such Scripture as "a
proseiyte is like child new born" he
cannot understand Christ He has only
learnt eXternalisms, and is incompetent
TO grasp the great truth which is here
taught him. cart thou master of
lsreal, and knowest not these things?"
asked the Savior. Then He proceeds to
describe the nature of the Kingdom He
has come to establish, the method of
joining It. His claims upon those who
come to Him, and the eternal reward of
fidelity to Him.
The scene closes. Nicodemus slowly
wends his way homewarl. flushed are
the voices Of the thousands in the city.
Stilled are the sounds of industry and
trade. But, all along down the centur-
les, ont into the cycles of eternity there
ring the Masters words, ''Ye must be
born again"
LESSON THOUGHTS.
/. If in doubt, seek light and truth
of Jesus.
2. Get rid of your sins that you may
enter the Kingdom of God.
3. Christ is the Author of eternal
life
1. 1t is only by faith in Christ that
We can get to heaven.