November 26

PART V.—John 3:2.

CHRIST was not only a teacher, but a divine teacher — one evidently sent from God. As such he was announced by the Baptist; for John acted as his herald, prepared his way, and then pointed the people to him as the Lamb of God who taketh away the sin of the world. His divinity was attested at his baptism, when the heavens were opened, as the Holy Ghost descended, and the voice was heard from the excellent glory, "this is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased." His doctrines bore the impression of divinity upon them. The clearness, the fulness, and the glory of the truth he uttered; and the authority and power with which he spoke; shewed that he was a teacher sent from God. Then there was the purity of his doctrine, the benevolence which he constantly enforced, and the power which accompanied the statements he delivered. There was also the miracles with which they were connected. He did what no other teacher ever did. He healed all manner of sicknesses, expelled devils, raised the dead, allayed tempests, and stilled by his own omnific voice the stormy seas. And all these things he effected by his own power. God would never have given his divine power to the attestation of an impostor; and thus, by these clear, and numerous, and striking signs was he approved the Son of God. His own resurrection also still further established his divine claims. On this, in fact, rested all the pretensions he had advanced to the Messiahship; and by his resurrection he was proved to be the Son of God with power. Have we received Jesus as the sent of the Father? — with reverence, humbly, in faith, and in love; have we sat at his feet, and received him? For God speaketh to us, and enjoins the command by his great authority, "hear ye him." He that heareth shall live, and he that refuseth to hearken, shall surely die.