Evening star., 1932-01-16

Returning from Galilee, where He
| had revealed His power by performing
| His first miracle at the wedding In
| Cana. Jesus demonstrated His author
ity by cleansing the temple Of the
money-changers and the dealers In
| sacrificial cattle, who had obtained the
| concessions from the priests by paying
| them an exorbitant fee that allowed
| them to desecrate the place OF Worship
| by turning 1t into one of trade. He had
performed many signs that caused
many to accept Him as their Teacher
| but the Master did not place any con-
fidence in their profession. =
Among the number attracted to His
ministry was distinguished scholar
and religious leader, Nicodemus, who
was a member of the Sanhedrin. He
was a recognized leader of the Phari-
sees, the most popular and patriotic
sect. Although, as their name signified,
they we're strict observers OF the law
and ritualistic requirements OF their
worship, they were men of high Ideals
and had done much constructive work
for their nation and faith. They had
tendency to debate over many points
of insignificant detail" which resulted
in their opposing the Master who ap-
pears to have apparently had no SYM
pathy with the details of the service.
Nicodemus recognized in the miracles"
of Jesus signs that He was Teacher
sent from God. This caused him to
seek an interview with this young Gal
ilean, who, without being trained in any
of their schools, had entered the public
arena as a rabbi, or teacher. While
he did not risk his position, prestige or
power by visiting the Lord during the
fO1I rnG hn
age of his convictions and one night
made a personal investigation of
ChriSt's ministry.
A Night Call.
The Lord had demonstrated conclu-
Sively to Nicodemus that He possessed
divine authority, but the eminent Jew
iSh leader was puzzled about some po-
sitions taken by the Master. There
was only one who could explain the
Masters ministry, message and motives
satisfactorily, so Nicodemus decided to
lay aside all the formalities of his posi-
ton and make night call upon the
Lord Jesus and ask him for further
light. He came to take up with the
Master the most delicate questions con-
cerning His teachings. He did not hes
itate because some would claim that as
a member of the Sanhedrin he was
compromising his position and that OF
the distinguished court by visiting the
unordained Teacher from Galilee.
We have only hint of the CONVEX
sation that took place that night, when
Jesus surprised Nicodemus by insisting
that although he was clean, just, pious,
reasonable, sincere and jealous in meet
ing all the requirements of his faith"
Nicodemus must be born again" This
demand of a member of the Sanhedrn,
whose reputation for living good and
clean life was known, reveals that the
Master made the same demand OF the
eminent theologian that He did OF the
vicious sinner and humble toiler. He
was not a respecter Of persons. He did
not condemn Nicodemus, as a sinner,
because he had looked upon the out
ward manifestations OF lite; the Mas
ter went to the root of Nicodemus' dif-
ficulty when He insisted that the
worthy seeker of light must possess
change of heart before he could under
stand the spiritual teachings OF Jesus.
In requiring of all that they be born
again we see, as Drummond has point
ed out, that which distinguishes
Christianity from all other religions"
Insisting upon the personal experiences
of life from above" the entrance OF
this life into our own, SO that we f1nd
our whole outlook upon life Is changed.
is a stumbling block to many today
who are unwilling to meet the condl-