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Chosen no: R-1696 b, from: 1894 Year. |
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Jesus And Nicodemus
III. QUAR.,
LESSON XI., SEPT. 9, `JOHN 3:1-16`.
Golden
Text--"God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son, that
whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life."--`John
3:16`.
For
a consideration of this interview between the Lord and Nicodemus, see M. DAWN,
VOL. I., Chap. xiv. In
connection with `Verse 13` see `Acts 2:34` and `2 Tim. 4:8`.
VERSES 14-15`. The reference here is to the circumstance recorded in `Num.
21:4-9`, when the bite of a fiery serpent was cured by a look at the brazen
serpent which Moses raised up. The fiery serpents here represented Sin, from
whose deadly bite all humanity is suffering. But Christ, who knew no sin, was
made a sin-offering on our behalf, that we might be made the righteousness of
God in him. (`2 Cor. 5:21`--Diaglott.) He is the antitype of the brazen
serpent. The lifting up of the serpent in the wilderness prefigured the lifting
up of Christ on the cross of Calvary; and the look of faith to him and the
merit of his sacrifice for salvation is the never-failing cure for sin, as it
is also the only hope of our fallen race.
`VERSE 16` suggests the cost of the world's salvation to our Heavenly Father. His
only begotten Son was the delight and treasure of his heart; and all the
painful process of his humiliation and sacrifice even unto an ignominious and
cruel death were at the expense of the fondest affection of him who loves as
never man loved. With the assurance of this example of divine love for our
race, the Apostle Paul (`Rom. 8:31-39`) would further encourage our faith,
saying, "He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all,
how shall he not with him also freely give us all things? If God be for us, who
can be against us?"
W.T. R-1696 b : page 272 – 1894 r.