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Testimonies to Ministers and Gospel Workers
humble opinion of himself, because of his spiritual ignorance. Yet
the words of Christ were spoken with such solemn dignity, and both
look and tone expressed such earnest love to him, that he was not
offended as he realized his humiliating position.
Surely one entrusted with the religious interests of the people
should not be ignorant of truth so important for them to understand
as the condition of entrance into the kingdom of heaven. “Verily,
verily, I say unto thee,” continued Jesus, “we speak that we do know,
and testify that we have seen; and ye receive not our witness. If I
have told you earthly things, and ye believe not, how shall ye believe,
if I tell you of heavenly things?”
This Lesson is for Us Today
This lesson to Nicodemus I present as highly applicable to those
who are today in responsible positions as rulers in Israel, and whose
voices are often heard in council giving evidence of the same spirit
that Nicodemus possessed. Will the lesson given to the chief ruler
have the same influence upon their heart and life? Nicodemus was
converted as the result of this interview. The words of Christ are
spoken just as verily to presidents of conferences, elders of churches,
and those occupying official positions in our institutions, “Verily,
verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see
the kingdom of God.” “A new heart also will I give you.”
If you have the Holy Spirit molding and fashioning your heart
daily, then you will have divine insight to perceive the character of
the kingdom of God. Nicodemus received the lesson of Christ and
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became a true believer. His voice was heard in the Sanhedrin council
in opposition to their measures for compassing the death of Christ.
“Doth our law judge any man, before it hear him?” he said. The
scornful answer was returned: “Art thou also of Galilee? Search,
and look: for out of Galilee ariseth no prophet.”
Jesus had a disciple in Nicodemus. In that night conference
with Jesus the convicted man stood before the Saviour under the
softening, subduing influence of truth which was shining into the
chambers of his mind and impressing his heart. Jesus said: “If I have
told you earthly things, and ye believe not, how shall ye believe,
if I tell you of heavenly things? And no man hath ascended up to