The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1899-01-21
THE SUNDAY SCHOOL LESSON.


The visit of Nicodemus to Jesus ought TO be
viewed in the light of events then transporting.
He has been criticised for the clandestine char
acter of his visit The widening breach between
the officials of the church and Jesus had begun.
Nicodemus rose superior to the prejudice Of his
clique when he visited the offending teacher.
The wonder is not that he came at night but
that he came at all. Considering the perversity
of the human heart, this action was admirable.
Jesus had signalized the opening of His min
istry by a series of miracles Nicodemus was
one Of many upon whom these signs had had
their designed effect. He refers at once IN his
polite address to the miracles as sufficient seals
to the supernatural origin of Jesus mission.
Jesus knew what was in His visitor MS status:
Here was man superior to ms class Dui not
free from their prejudices interested in the king
dom of God. but not experimenting its spiritual
character The tenor Of Jesus word hts the NOR
tise of NicOdemus's thought
The metaphor of the new birth was familiar
to the Hebrews. They considered proseytes 10
their faith as having been born again What
noplused Nicodemus was to be told that ne
could only come into the Kingdom OF Stod as the
proseyte came into the Hebrew Church. He eon-
sidered himself a charter member of that king
dom. Now 70 find that II was not question Of
higher lower seat but OF any seat at ALL
that dumfounded him Confusion led to the
sillest rejoinder. He attempted TO take literally
what he knew to be fgurative. His question dies
upon his lips.
See the gentleness Of Jesus. He does not break
the bending reed. He amplifes His expression,
born again in born OF water and the spirit.
Depravty only can beget depravity but the spirit
can beget the spiritual. Humenity's need is 10
be spirit born. This is the only way into the
kingdom of God.
This shirt birth is incomprehensible But this
is no insuperable objection to it, for there are
50 many earthly things that cannot be under
stood The invisible, imponderable breath OF
natUre-who knows 1t exhaustvely? But who
doubts its existence? Who would refuse 10 avail
himself of II for either his lungs his sails be-
cause he cannot know all about it?
DR. Rudolph Stier says: "A hard figure had
humbled to the position Of learner, a master in
An old proverb says: go to the Jordan and
thou shalt see the Trinity" This reference IL to
the simultaneous manifestation Of the three per-
sons at the baptism Of Jesus. So we may say:
Go to the gospel Of John, third chapter, and you
will find the three persons Of the Trinity" They
are engaged In the ineffabe work Of human re-
demption The Father loves lost world and
gives His The son Is lifted up to His ex-
piatory death. The holy spirit infuses a prn-
eipie OF new life in the soul. Stier describes this
paragraph the most sublime and simple ex-
preston OF the eternal mystery Of redemption
which the Scriptures contain"
THE TEACHERS LANTERN.
First-Nicodemuses abound to-day. They are
deferentia and complimentary TO Jesus. But they
find in Him only a teaching Messiah. His word
and example are the ladder to heaven. not His
second-Be born again; first sentence OF the
divine catechism. The very term inspires hope.
1t is effect which We cannot produce unon
ourselves. 1t is a gift.
Third-Sum and substance OF the Christian re-
ligion Is a principle OF life in the human soul.
1t is not doctrine, but life.
Fourth-If we only avail ourselves Of what we
knew we could not live day longer IN this
world.
Fnth-The effects of the new birth APP
parent incontestable. glorious eternal. This tree
is known by its fruits. We may never know
Just how this tree grows, but may its fruits be
in us They never will. II we stop to cipher il all
out. Faith Is the only means OF Demonstration
SALTWATER and spirit. The nation had lust
gone TO Johns LAYER. Nicodemus would UNDER
stand Jesus, alluson to water 1t was to hap
tism. Not Christian baptism for that had not
yet been instituted. The reference was 10 the
baptism OF john Water, therefore. in this con-
nectton signifies the human element in the new
birth, viz, repentance. The other term, spirit
signifies the Quiekening person by whom We are
begOtten again.