05 November

Bible in 365 Days

John 3-4

John 3

Nicodemus would seem to have been one of the finest products of Judaism. He was thoroughly sincere. Moreover, he was determined to investigate for himself, and so came to Jesus by night, not because he was cowardly, but because he sought a lonely and personal interview. This was the man to whom our Lord revealed the necessity for the new birth. When the statement created difficulty in the mind of Nicodemus, our Lord revealed to him the fact and necessity for the Cross. Whether Nicodemus understood Him it is impossible to say. The ultimate in his story shows that he became a disciple.

The whole history of John the Baptist is characterized by a rugged splendor, but nowhere does his greatness stand out more conspicuously than in the scene recorded here. There was no touch of jealousy, no latent sorrow in his heart as he said, "This my joy therefore is fulfilled; He must increase, but I must decrease." John the evangelist comments on this attitude, showing how reasonable and right was this position. The speech from heaven must, of necessity, be above all other. That witnesses to certainties, not to speculations.

John 4

The words, "He must needs pass through Samaria" are arresting. The final explanation must be found in His dealing with the woman of Samaria. In itself, it is a radiant revelation of His method as He led this woman step by step from an almost flippant carelessness into a confession of discipleship.

It was while dealing with her that the disciples, who had gone away to find food, returned, and they were amazed to see Him talking to a woman. With love for Him, they sought to persuade Him to eat. He took the opportunity to reveal to them the deeper things of His heart, telling them that He had meat to eat that they knew not of, which was to do the will of God. He had been doing that will in dealing with this needy woman.

The sequel of that conversation was His tarrying in the Samaritan city for two days, during which He so dealt with them that they made the great confession, "This is indeed the Saviour of the world."

Leaving Samaria, He returned to Galilee, and He came to Cana. There, at a distance, He wrought a wonder in healing the boy in answer to the father's urgent appeal.