26 FEBRUARY
What think you of Christ?
‘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: Acts 8:26–40
Nicodemus’s example is an encouragement to such as are like him. Perhaps some of you are much in his case. You have heard strange stories about the gospel preaching, much evil and some good. You have been considering, ‘If the doctrine is false, how comes it that so many flock to hear it? Surely they cannot be all fools. If, as I hear, it breaks people off from their sins, teaches liars to speak truth, drunkards to live sober, and those who were bad neighbours to become good ones, how can this be a delusion? Well, if it please God, I’ll go soon and know, if I can, what it is that causes all the stir.’ And now you are come. Well then, take encouragement. It’s a good thing to be enquiring after Jesus, as Nicodemus found it. He came very ignorant, as you may be now—he seemed to come, as it were, only to satisfy his curiosity, but he heard what he did not expect and by degrees became a faithful friend and follower of Christ. I hope the Lord who brought you now will incline you to come again, for I have many things to say to you. Perhaps you are not aware that the comfort of your life and the salvation of your soul is closely concerned in the judgement you make of what you hear amongst us.
Do not think I take upon me too much in saying this. I have reason to doubt of myself, but I am sure of my doctrine. Do you ask what is preached here? I answer, We preach Christ crucified—Christ the wisdom of God and the power of God; Christ the sinner’s friend, Christ the sure foundation, Christ the only hope and refuge for lost man. Surely then you will attend.
FOR MEDITATION: Should I ask this question: What think you of Christ?—perhaps some of you could give me no answer. But perhaps you have never considered that according to your thoughts of Christ, so will your eternal state prove. If you go out of the world with low, dishonourable thoughts of Jesus, you are lost for ever. But observe, Nicodemus was ignorant too till the Lord taught him, and he will teach you likewise if you seek him with your whole heart.
SERMON SERIES: JOHN 3:1–2, NO. 1 [6/7]
Milo 