25 FEBRUARY
Come and hear for yourself!
‘There was a man of the Pharisees, named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews: the same came to Jesus by night, and said unto him, Rabbi, we know that thou art a teacher come from God: for no man can do these miracles that thou doest, except God be with him.’ John 3:1–2
SUGGESTED FURTHER READING: 1 Kings 5:1–15
What Nicodemus did: he came to Jesus. And thus his weak, infant faith expressed in his words, was justified by his works. He had heard much against Jesus, but then the power of his miracles struck him—he thought there must be something extraordinary. Though he was a ruler and Jesus, to outward appearance, a despised and poor man, he thought it worthwhile to go and see him. He did not send others to judge, but went to hear for himself. In this his example is a reproof to many. As there were disputes about Jesus in person—some saying he was a good man and others, Nay, he deceiveth the people [John 7:12]—so it is now wherever his gospel is preached. When it comes first into a place, it occasions a talk all around the country. Many are hasty to charge it with folly and madness—a strange doctrine that frightens some people out of their wits. The men that have turned the world upside down are come in our neighbourhood likewise. And O, what numbers of poor ignorant souls are kept back by such foolish reports and take up with lies and falsehoods at second hand, when if they could but be persuaded to come and hear for themselves they might perhaps receive conviction. I can only pity and pray for those that will not come; the absent cannot hear me.
FOR MEDITATION:
LORD, I am come! thy promise is my plea,
Bowed down beneath a heavy load of sin,
Without thy word I durst not venture nigh;
By Satan’s fierce temptations sorely pressed,
But thou hast called the burdened soul to thee,
Beset without, and full of fears within,
A weary burdened soul, O LORD, am I!
Trembling and faint I come to thee for rest.
Be thou my refuge, LORD, my hiding-place,
I know no force can tear me from thy side;
Unmoved I then may all accusers face,
And answer every charge, with, ‘JESUS died.’
SERMON SERIES: JOHN 3:1–2, NO. 1 [5/7]
