FROM YOUR PASTOR’S DESK:
August 24
CHRIST UPLIFTED: ‘BEHOLD THE SON OF MAN’ – NOT THE ‘MAN OF SIN’! (Part 9)
We quote from the inspired writer, my favorite non fiction author of Bible truth:
“Nicodemus had heard the preaching of JOHN THE BAPTIST concerning REPENTANCE and BAPTISM, and pointing the people to One who should BAPTIZE WITH THE HOLY SPIRIT [see Matt. 3: 11, 12].
He [Nicodemus] had felt that there was a LACK OF SPIRITUALITY AMONG THE JEWS [although they were rigorously ‘religious’], that to a great degree, they were controlled by BIGOTRY and WORLDLY AMBITION. He had hoped for a BETTER state of things at the Messiah’s coming.
“Yet the heart-searching message of the Baptist had FAILED TO WORK IN HIM CONVICTION OF SIN. He was a STRICT Pharisee, and prided himself in his GOOD WORKS. He was widely esteemed for his BENEVOLENCE and his LIBERALITY IN SUSTAINING THE TEMPLE SERVICE, and he FELT SECURE of the favor of God [!]. He was startled with the thought of a KINGDOM TOO PURE FOR HIM TO ‘SEE’ in his present state!
“The figure of the NEW BIRTH, which Jesus had used, was NOT wholly unfamiliar to Nicodemus. [Why? How?] Converts from heathenism to the faith of Israel were often compared to ‘children just born.’ Therefore he must have perceived that the words of Christ were not to be taken in a LITERAL sense.
“But by virtue of his BIRTH [literal, physical] as an Israelite, he regarded himself as SURE of a place in the kingdom of God [as he understood it then]. He FELT that he needed NO change. Hence his SURPRISE on the Savior’s words. He was IRRITATED by their close application to himself. The PRIDE of the Pharisee was struggling against the HONEST DESIRE of the seeker after truth. [Note that!].
He wondered that Christ should speak to him as He did, not RESPECTING his position as ruler in Israel.” – The Desire of Ages, E. G. White, p. 171, Pacific Press Publishing Asso., Mt. View, CA, New Edition, 13th printing, Apr., 1950.
How many have and will lose eternal life because of pride! The Creator humbled Himself and condescended to partake eternally of the “likeness of sinful flesh” and condemned, not condoned sin in our human nature. Instead of uplifting Himself, He uplifted the Father! How about us professed Christians today?
(To be continued). Bless all, NMF.