November 22

We know that thou art a teacher come from God.— John 3:2.

SUCH was the address of Nicodemus to Christ The Jews professedly despised Christ, and treated him as an impostor, but we know not how to account for an infatuation so deep, as that which blinded them to the astounding miracles wrought by Jesus. Nicodemus frankly confesses, "No man" says he, "could do these miracles that thou doest, except God be with him." In meditating upon Christ as a Divine Teacher, let us briefly notice the nature of his instructions. His instructions were greatly diversified, and embraced a rich variety of subjects. He revealed the true and proper character of the Deity; no man had ever seen Jehovah, but his Son fully declared him. And how gracious and benignant is the description he gave of him. He exhibited him as the bountiful Father of all his creatures, and as the merciful and compassionate God of a fallen and guilty world. He often referred to him as the fountain of pity, and as the source of goodness and love. He explained and illustrated the doctrines of providence. Referred to the benevolent rule of his heavenly Father. Stated his care for the welfare of all his creatures, so that a sparrow could not fall to the ground without his notice. And he affirmed in reference to the Lord's children, that they should be free from all anxiety, seeing that as their Father clothed the lilies, and fed the fowls of heaven, he would more assuredly feed and clothe them, and declared that the very hairs of their head were all numbered. He exposed the depravity of the human heart. By the most solemn declarations, and the most striking figures, he set forth its vileness and misery. He exhibited also the great and blessed means of recovery, which God had provided. He enforced repentance towards God, and faith in the testimony and mission of himself. He insisted on a total renewal of the soul, complete regeneration, involving the change of heart by the Spirit of God, and the washing of the body in the waters of baptism. (John 3:5.) He also published a new code of laws for the regulation of his disciples, involving the exercise of mercy and goodness towards all men, and extending to every thought and purpose of the heart towards God.