own Image as in a glass, and Nathanael could see in Jesus the Son of God and the King of mon. II. Ills OIIARAOTER IN REI,ATION TO JEBUB. 1. It was such as to attract the admirinq attention of Jesus, Philip was quick in thought and motion with regarJ to Nathanael. He ro.n to inform and invite him; but Jesus was before him. "Before Philip called thee, . . . I saw thee." There is a law of attraction in the spiritual worlJ-Natbanael was attracted by Jesus, and Jesus by Nathanael. The pure are attracted by the pure ; the sincere by the sincere; and Israel's King was attracted by the" Israelite indeed." 2. It was such as to cause Jesus to point it out to others. Jesus was frank and open, e.nd loved to reveal his moral taste and likings. "Behold!" he exclaimed; "look at it, it is worth seeing." (1) It is rare. Comparatively rare in every age, especially in that age of unbelief, hypocrisy, and sham. It was a lonely fruit on the almost barren fig tree of Judaism. It was like a lonely star in a sky of almost universal gloom, like a field of corn in a continent of barrenness, or like a lonely well in a burning dtsert- a treat to Jesus and to his disciples then and now. (2) It is very valuable. A genuine coin, a pearl. Most valuable because real and useful. Jesus was going to cultivate the world, plouah and sow it; it was most important to have good grain for seed-it was scarce. J~us could only have a handful, but quality was more important than qu:mtiLy. Nathanael had the right quality-a genuine seed of the kingdom of heaven, a pillar of the new temple of truth, and a model of character for all ages. (3) It wa~ very beautiful. Beauty is ever attractive and worthy of notice, especi?-lly spiritual beauty-beauty of character, beauty of soul; and of all beautiful things a beautiful character, a beautiful soul, is the most attractive and most worthy of attention. Jesus points to it, and thus directs the moral taste of the world. The world says," Beno!J this or that ; " but Jesus, " Behold an Israelite indeed," etc. N athanael's character was beautiful, especially in that age of moral deformity. It was like a lily among thorns. 3. It is such as introduces its possessor to a closer acquaintance with Jesus, and to brighter visions of his Person, character, and position. "Thou shalt see greater things than these." (1) Greater proofs of his Divinity and Messiahship. Clearer proofs of bis superhuman knowledge, especially of his power in his miracles-his miracles of power and love; new manifestations of the beauty of his Divine and human character. (2) A clear view of the communication between htaven and earth of which Jesus is the Me<lium. "Ye shall see heaven open," etc. 'l'he heaven was not merely open, but it was opened, and opened by Christ. This was one of the first acts of his redeeming inter- vention. It was closed by man's sin, opened by the Son of man's grace. Heaven is ever open to the" Son of man," and ever open to faith in him. Jacob saw the com- munication between heaven and earth in the ladder. Jesus is the reality of his vision. Angels ascend o.nd descend on and through him. Every prayer goes up and every blessing comes down from heaven through him, 'l'hrough him there is a free trade carried on between heaven and earth. " Angels ascend and descend," etc. They are very fond of him. As soon ns he left hea.ven for earth they were after him, singing the hymns of his advent and the anthems of his loving mission; they were ready to serve him in his temptation, his agonies, and his ascension; they were ever surrounding his Person. And they are fond of all who by faith are related to him; they become "minis- tering spirits." 'l'he descent from and ascent to heaven woul<l be too deep and high for angels but on the Son of man. LESSONS. 1. Many of the most beautiful characters are comparatively private, like Nathanael-rather felt than seen and heard, characterized by quiet usefulness, moral beauty, transparency and sunshine of soul, rather retiring, and to be found under the fig tree rather than on the branches. 2. You must have the Saviour to appreciate them fully and point them out. At the last day he shall exhibit many of these retiring but ~pecially beautiful ones. 'l'hey are only fully known and valued by him. They shall appear with him in glory. 3. Faith is rewarded here and hereafter. Its reward i; seeing great things, and ever greater thing8. It is vision of the spiritual and the Divine, and its visions are increasingly grand. Believe in Christ, and heaven is opened; and, onco opened, the privileges are great, 0.11d the outlook glorious and illimitable.-B. T,
Ver. 4.-Tl,e life that gives light to men. "In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth : " so nms the first verse of the Book of Genesis. "In the beginning 11·as 74 THE GOSPEL ACCORDING TO S'l'. JOHN. [en. I, 1-ul.