The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1900-02-07
THE SABBATH SCHOOL
INTERNATIONAL LESSON COMMENTS
FOR FEBRUARY II.

,ubject: Jesus and Nicodemus. Johr
ILL.,, 1-1S-Goiden Text: John ILL.,, To-
Memory Verses. 14-I7-Cominentary
on the Days Lesson.
CoNNEcT1Na LINKs.-After Jesus left
3ethabara He journeyed north up tho Jor
Ian valley to Galllee. and over the noun
aims to Cana, near Nazsteth. Here HI
irst miracle, turning tue water into wine.
Thence with His mother and His brethren
He went down to Capernaum, about twenty
miles to the northeast on the sea OF Gall
lee, where He remained few days. John
2: 1-12. From here He went to Jerusalem
to attend the first Passover OF His minis
try. John 2: l3 At Jerusalem He asserted
HIS authority by cleansing the temple
from the traders. John 2: 1922.
I. "Of the Pharisees." A very strict and
religious sect OF the Jews. They were or
thodox and believed In the Immortality o
the soul and q future state. They laid
ing them as highly as they did the Scrip
lures. They expected the Messiah would
be q temporal deliverer and king. and
were generally looking for Him. "Nlco
demus." A rich ruler OF the Jews, Phar
isee and member OF the Sanhedrin, the
supreme, council OF the Jewish nation.
g. "Came to Jesus by night" The act
OF cleahslng the temple Gadfbrought Christ
into prominence. The plain inference Is
also, that He had performsd miracles that
are not. mentioned by .athe Bible writer's
: He came privately, by night, "as an act ol
prudence and discretion" The interest.
Ing point Is not why he came by night, but
that he came at all. Rabbi" This was
showing great respect to one who had not
been educated 10 the rabbinical schools
"a teacher come from:God. This was a
complete endorsement Of Jesus and His
Him, he was under greater obligations ia
accept the truth that Jesus was about to
proclaim. re
8. "verlly, verify" Expresses the truth
and unchangine validity OF what was about
to be spoken. This was considered o.
equal import with the most solemn oath.
"I say unto thee" Jesus here entered into
the very heart OF gospel truth. He did
not undertake to preach pleasing sermon
In order to maize q new disciple Of this
master In Israel" but RaSe q personal,
thorough, heart-sesrching talk, in which
Nioodemus was. made to un Understand that
because he was plous Jew. Except"
"Jesus meets the except OF Nlcodemus
with another except Nlcodemus says
'do;' Jesus says 'be.' We must BIZ before
We can do" "2orn again" From
above" Converted; rszeneratel. To be-
gin life anew. a new lie, with q new
nature, new principles, new affections, new
aims. It Is the being made new creature
In Christ Jesus. Gal. G:l5. As the natural
birth introduces us into natural life, opens
our natural senses, and prepares US tc
sujoy natural things; 80 the spiritual birth
Introduces US into spiritual life, opens our
spiritual senses, and prepares US to enjoy
spiritual things. Cannot see." Ea1oy,.
share In, enter. V.5. "RtngdoS ot Gods
The kingdom of'grace here and OF glory
hereafter.
S. 30; water and OF the Spirit" We
present three different views as to the
meaning OF the term "wqter." l. Water,
washing and cleansing ire fgurative ex.
pressions used In Scripture to denote
spiritual operation on map's heart. 1t Is
not necessary that we should understand
Two different things, as this is probably
only an eiliptical form OF speech for the
holy Spirit under the slmIlitude OF water.
3. A number OF exposltors think the water
has reference to Christian baptism. 8. The
expression refers to John baptism, which
was unto repentance, and was alone known
doubtedly tue correct explanation. Jesus
simply said to Nlcodemus, You must thor.
oughly repent and be born from above.
6, "Of the flesh Is flesh" Like produces
like with regard to both flesh and spirit.
We are thoroughly fallen, and clean
thing cannot come from an unclean.
7. "Marvel not" DO not wonder at this,
there are many things you do not under
stand. Thou canst not even understand
Lhe blowing OF the wind. $50 Is every
one." As with the wind the Spirits OPERA
tlons are invisible, beyond our discovery,
and known only by It's effects.
Q. chow can these things be?" He could
not comprehend spiritus! things.
10. "a master OF Israel" One who had
studied the Old Testament as he had, and
thought so much, and accepted the posi-
tion OF teacher, ought to have known these
things.
II. "We." Edershem thinks TINT in all
probability St. John was present during this
ontlrs interview. "Do know" He spoke
with the grsatest possible assurance. Not
upon hearsay but from pers knowledge.
"Ye receive not our Witness" They re-
ceived His miracles as genuine, yet refused
to accept the spiritual truths He taught.
Ye Is always plural and this Is spoken with
reference to the class to which Nlcodemus
belonged.
"a. "How shall ye believe" II you do
not believe the first prlnciplesIthe oe'
vinnlngs OF gospel truth-how shall ye oe-
Ileve II continue the subject farther and
tell you OF the deeper things, tho heavenly
things, such rs "My divinity (v. 13); the
atonement (v. 14); salvation by faith ". l5):
The great love of God (v. 1872"
IS. "And no man, ETC." There was false
notion among the Jews that Moses had
ascended up to heaven to get the law.
Jesus In effect says, No one, not even
Moses, hath ascended up to heaven to
search out heaven.y things; but tho Son OF
Man has dwelt "from all eternity in tue
bosom OF the Father" and has come direct
from heaven. "In Heaven" he is omni'
present, filling heaven and earth with His
presence. and even Iow Is In heaven.
"A. "The Serpent" NUN. 81: 4.9. The
history Of the brazsl serpent Is n parable
81 the gospel. "Sor o. Mnn be lifted up"
|. In His crucifxion. 2. In His exhalta.
lion. 8. In the publishing and preaching
OF His everlasting gospel. ~'
Is, whatsoever Gentiles as we'll az
Tsws. "Not perish" Not bo 5anished
.fom the presence OF God. "Have eternal
i,e." Here is double benefit ofrered.1l:
Those who believe in Christ are exempted
rom eternal perdition. 2. TEey a-e
brought to eternal glory.
49, $50 loved" Such love ccald mol
he described. Jesus does not attempt it
There is an eternity OF meaning II. thai
little word 80"
~, "To condemn the world" To de
stroy the Gentiles which the Jews supposed
would take place when the Messiah came
e. "3elleveth on Him." This .E plies 0
,ice-sration from the world and thorough
.s3snrance, as we'll as obedience and :tish
..|elieveth not Is condemnad." The
greatest sin we can commit agalast Gc1 is
to reject His Son. The moralist, as well as
the profligate, is condemned already il he
rejects Christ.
MUMMEST OF. ALL BROTHERS.