Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-02-01
Sunday School Lesson for February Discussed
by Rev. ]. E. Gilbert, D. D., Secretary
American Society of Religious Education.
JESUS. THE SAVIOR OF THE WORLD. John lii 1.ol

If much profit is to be derived from thi.
interview. He came confesslng the worth
and ability of Jesus. but questioned His
teaching He acknowledged ignorance
concerning what ought to have been we'll
known. yet failed to be satisfied with
the statement of one who did know
Yet NicodemuS was not captious-he was
unduly inquisitive. more anxious To push
his Investigations for intellectual ends
than to receive short. practical directions
for spiritual good Such men are in all
ages quibling about mysteries. and neg
iectng what is of present Importance.
Jesus perceived the mental condition. and
sought to remedy 1t. (Ee-se ~ III I
have told you earthly things" expert
ences here. land We believe not what
would be gained If / explained things that
you desire to know. concerning things in
heaven. the how of the spiritual life.
And then. to convince Nicodemus that the
wise way was in accepting His teaching.
Jesus called attention to the fact that
no man had gone up to heaven to learn
these things. but that the Son had come
down to reveal them. Verse 49,. This.
then. was the only way out of the diff
ticulty-believe Jesus. John viii SD.
METHOD.-If. however. it was not
possible to open fully to such a mind
the secret of spiritual life. showing pre-
cisely how the soul of man is new born
by the operation of the Holy Spirit, It
was possible to set forth some features
of the method by which this would be
Himself oversees 14-15). There were two
parts Of that method God must present
to men such visible proof of His favor
and purpose as would attract attention
and win confidence. Man would do MOTH
ing until God had done this. Our Lord
then declares that as the serpent was
lifted UP in the wilderness. so He tJesusp
must be lifted up John, viii:2S). He Is
here. at this early stage in His ministry.
referring to His own crucifxion as a nee
esSary part of the method or plan OF
bringing life to dead souls. But the lift
ing up of Christ on the cross did not meet
all the conditions of new life. a response
must be made by men. an acceptance OF
the generous proffer thus presented. This
was included in the term believe acts
xvi:3p. Thus the whole gospel plan was
opened to Nicodemus, waving its philoso-
ply.
ORIGIN.-The interview here might
have closed without serious loss. for the
way of life had been made exceedingly
plain. But Nlcodemus was silent, and Je-
sus went on to enforce what had been
said by casting light on variety of sub
Jects. Our lesson does not cover all the
remarks which followed. but one verse
(the 18TH is included. which is incompara-
bly, precious as a conclusion. In ii Jesus
shows the origin of the plan which He had
just described. as we'll as the extent OF
its application. 1t had it's source. not I'm
any agreement made with the patriarchs
on which the Jews laid such stress. bnt
III the ioFe VI IOd lfSOrn-, Vs. II was.
therefore. not the mans merit, but Divine
grace q Peter, v:1O.
SCOPE.-Moreover it was not a plan
for chosen family or race but the love
that devised it sought the world. the
whole family of Adam. and offered equal
privilege to every member of that world
wide and many-tongued household Who
ever believed, regardless of previous con-
dition. or descent. or other circumstances.
might have life everlasting. Here is the
basis of true catholicity proclaimed by
Jesus to a Jewish ruler.
SUMMARY.-The outline of the
Christian system. as stated herein by its
founder. under favorable circumstances
may be given in few words. Moved by
the love for the race of man. God gave
His only begotten Son. who. in fulfilling
the Fathers purpose. needed to be lifted
up before the eyes of the world. Who
ever believes in the uplifted or crucified
Son received a birth of the Spirit-a birth
from above, new life. That new life
is essential to an entrance into the king
dom Of God. and it should be publicly
announced by the ceremony of baptism
This is the dispensation under which we
(GaL. iif:14): more glorious than the for
mer dispensation Oh Cor. iii:S). because
the type has been superseded by the anti
type. This is essential Christianity-new
inward life by the spirit of God through
faith in Christ crucified: that life united
with other lives in subsection to the will
of Christ John i:12-13). Whatever is OPP
posed to this must be rejected by all who
call themselves Christians Whatever is
in accord with this is a legitimate ex-
pansion OF the vital principle.