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te His merits； the remedy for sin。 And we cannot even repent without the aid of the Spirit of God。 The Scripture says of Christ； 〃Him hath God exalted with His right hand to be a Prince and a Saviour； for to give repentance to Israel； and forgiveness of sins。〃 Acts 5：31。 Repentance comes from Christ as truly as does pardon。
How； then； are we to be saved？ 〃As Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness；〃 so the Son of man has been lifted up； and everyone who has been deceived and bitten by the serpent may look and live。 〃Behold the Lamb of God； which taketh away the sin of the
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world。〃 John 1：29。 The light shining from the cross reveals the love of God。 His love is drawing us to Himself。 If we do not resist this drawing； we shall be led to the foot of the cross in repentance for the sins that have crucified the Saviour。 Then the Spirit of God through faith produces a new life in the soul。 The thoughts and desires are brought into obedience to the will of Christ。 The heart； the mind； are created anew in the image of Him who works in us to subdue all things to Himself。 Then the law of God is written in the mind and heart； and we can say with Christ； 〃I delight to do Thy will； O my God。〃 Ps。 40：8。
In the interview with Nicodemus； Jesus unfolded the plan of salvation； and His mission to the world。 In none of His subsequent discourses did He explain so fully； step by step； the work necessary to be done in the hearts of all who would inherit the kingdom of heaven。 At the very beginning of His ministry He opened the truth to a member of the Sanhedrin； to the mind that was most receptive； and to an appointed teacher of the people。 But the leaders of Israel did not welcome the light。 Nicodemus hid the truth in his heart； and for three years there was little apparent fruit。
But Jesus was acquainted with the soil into which He cast the seed。 The words spoken at night to one listener in the lonely mountain were not lost。 For a time Nicodemus did not publicly acknowledge Christ； but he watched His life； and pondered His teachings。 In the Sanhedrin council he repeatedly thwarted the schemes of the priests to destroy Him。 When at last Jesus was lifted up on the cross； Nicodemus remembered the teaching upon Olivet： 〃As Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness； even so must the Son of man be lifted up： that whosoever believeth
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in Him should not perish； but have eternal life。〃 The light from that secret interview illumined the cross upon Calvary； and Nicodemus saw in Jesus the world's Redeemer。
After the Lord's ascension； when the disciples were scattered by persecution； Nicodemus came boldly to the front。 He employed his wealth in sustaining the infant church that the Jews had expected to be blotted out at the death of Christ。 In the time of peril he who had been so cautious and questioning was firm as a rock； encouraging the faith of the disciples； and furnishing means to carry forward the work of the gospel。 He was scorned and persecuted by those who had paid him reverence in other days。 He became poor in this world's goods； yet he faltered not in the faith which had its beginning in that night conference with Jesus。
Nicodemus related to John the story of that interview； and by his pen it was recorded for the instruction of millions。 The truths there taught are as important today as they were on that solemn night in the shadowy mountain； when the Jewish ruler came to learn the way of life from the lowly Teacher of Galilee。
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Chapter 18
〃He Must Increase〃
For a time the Baptist's influence over the nation had been greater than that of its rulers； priests； or princes。 If he had announced himself as the Messiah； and raised a revolt against Rome； priests and people would have flocked to his standard。 Every consideration that appeals to the ambition of the world's conquerors Satan had stood ready to urge upon John the Baptist。 But with the evidence before him of his power； he had steadfastly refused the splendid bribe。 The attention which was fixed upon him he had directed to Another。
Now he saw the tide of popularity turning away from himself to the Saviour。 Day by day the crowds about him lessened。 When Jesus came from Jerusalem to the region about Jordan； the people flocked to hear Him。 The number of His disciples increased daily。 Many came for baptism； and while Christ Himself did not baptize； He sanctioned the administration of the ordinance by His disciples。 Thus He set His seal upon the mission of His forerunner。 But the disciples of John looked with jealousy upon the growing popularity of Jesus。 They stood ready to criticize His work； and it was not long before they found occasion。 A question arose between them and the Jews as to whether baptism availed to cleanse the soul from sin； they maintained that the baptism of Jesus differed essentially from that of John。 Soon they were in dispute with Christ's disciples in regard to the form of words proper to use at baptism； and finally as to the right of the latter to baptize at all。
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The disciples of John came to him with their grievances； saying； 〃Rabbi； He that was with thee beyond Jordan； to whom thou bearest witness； behold； the same baptizeth； and all men come to Him。〃 Through these words； Satan brought temptation upon John。 Though John's mission seemed about to close； it was still possible for him to hinder the work of Christ。 If he had sympathized with himself； and expressed grief or disappointment at being superseded； he would have sown the seeds of dissension； would have encouraged envy and jealousy； and would seriously have impeded the progress of the gospel。
John had by nature the faults and weaknesses common to humanity； but the touch of divine love had transformed him。 He dwelt in an atmosphere uncontaminated with selfishness and ambition； and far above the miasma of jealousy。 He manifested no sympathy with the dissatisfaction of his disciples； but showed how clearly he understood his relation to the Messiah； and how gladly he welcomed the One for whom he had prepared the way。
He said； 〃A man can receive nothing； except it be given him from heaven。 Ye yourselves bear me witness； that I said； I am not the Christ； but that I am sent before Him。 He that hath the bride is the bridegroom： but the friend of the bridegroom； which standeth and heareth him； rejoiceth greatly because of the bridegroom's voice。〃 John represented himself as the friend who acted as a messenger between the betrothed parties； preparing the way for the marriage。 When the bridegroom had received his bride； the mission of the friend was fulfilled。 He rejoiced in the happiness of those whose union he had promoted。 So John had been called to direct the people to Jesus； and it was his joy to witness the success of the Saviour's work。 He said； 〃This my joy therefore is fulfilled。 He must increase； but I must decrease。〃
Looking in faith to the Redeemer； John had risen to the height of self…abnegation。 He sought not to attract men to himself；