Daily Meditations on the Bible / We stand with Israel
John 3: 14-15
“Just as Moses lifted up the snake in the wilderness, so the Son of Man must be lifted up, that everyone who believes may have eternal life in him.”
This verse is a personal favorite of mine. It encompasses the breadth and width of Jesus’ work on the cross and explains the childlike simplicity of the path to eternal life.
John 3: 13
“No one has ever gone into heaven except the one who came from heaven—the Son of Man.”
Having just made the claim that he is able to speak authoritatively about heavenly things (v 12) Jesus now explains why that is true: Only he has been to heaven before becoming a man so that he alone is qualified to speak about heaven.
At the beginning of this chapter, in verse 2, Nicodemus says, “…we know you are a teacher who has come from God.” Jesus is now affirming to Nicodemus that what he said was quite literally true.
Q: Imagine you are in the place of Nicodemus and have just heard Jesus claim he was very literally from heaven. What kind of thoughts would be going through your mind?
John 3: 12
“I have spoken to you of earthly things and you do not believe; how then will you believe if I speak of heavenly things?”
It could be said that our Lord Jesus’ words were often pithy. He came to earth as a baby, but before that he existed as one with God, Creator of all. He doesn’t come to earth unaware of who he is or why he is here. He comes with the full knowledge of who his Father is and what his mission is. Because of who he is and what he knows, Jesus can literally answer any question imaginable. Yet he is constrained by the limits of people’s understanding. He is also constrained by what people are willing to believe.
Q: How has your ability to believe what Jesus tells us changed over the years you have known him?
John 3: 10-11
“‘You are Israel’s teacher,’ said Jesus, ‘and do you not understand these things? Very truly I tell you, we speak of what we know, and we testify to what we have seen, but still you people do not accept our testimony.’”
John 3: 9
“‘How can this be?’ Nicodemus asked.”
What a great question! Nicodemus has seen or heard reliable testimony that Jesus has done extraordinary things. The signs Jesus caused to happen point to a relationship with a higher power than any known on earth. Recognizing that what they are seeing is beyond the power of mortals, some accuse Jesus of being demon possessed. Others believe he is the Messiah. Certainly, Nicodemus is living in a most amazing and challenging time.
“How can this be?” he asks…
Q: How would you answer Nicodemus?
John 3:8
“The wind blows wherever it pleases. You hear its sound, but you cannot tell where it comes from or where it is going. So it is with everyone born of the Spirit.”
As I read this passage and write this short comment, the wind outside my house is blowing. More than 2000 years after he spoke them, Jesus’ words still ring true. I can hear the wind blowing but I have no idea where it comes from or where it is going.
I remember when I was a child, I went through a phase of building and flying kites. Once, I flew a kite so high in the sky that I almost lost sight of it. And then, the string broke, and within seconds I did lose sight of it. Where did it go?
Q: How is being born of the Spirit like being borne on the wind?
John 3:7
“You should not be surprised at my saying, ‘You must be born again.’”
Remember, that when Jesus speaks this verse, he is talking with Nicodemus, a high ranking member of the Jewish Sanhedrin, and a respected teacher in Israel. Jesus clearly expects that Nicodemus should understand the things he is saying. Yet, Nicodemus seems confused.
Q: If you were able to help Nicodemus understand what Jesus meant, what would you tell him?
John 3:5-6
“Jesus answered, ‘Very truly I tell you, no one can enter the kingdom of God unless they are born of water and the Spirit. Flesh gives birth to flesh, but the Spirit gives birth to spirit.’”
With this verse Jesus lays down a gauntlet. (In olden days, to ‘throw down the gauntlet’ was to challenge someone to a duel … often to the death.) Here he literally spells out a challenge that means the difference between life and death.
Q: How do you understand the meaning of, “Flesh gives birth to flesh, but the Spirit gives birth to spirit?”
John 3: 4
“How can someone be born when they are old?” Nicodemus asked. “Surely they cannot enter a second time into their mother’s womb to be born!”
I expect that Nicodemus was taken off guard a bit by Jesus’ statement that only people who are born again will see the kingdom of God. What could this mean? Considering that Jesus was speaking directly to Nicodemus’ heart, it is not surprising that his mind went into overdrive trying to recover control of the conversation. Logically a person can only be born once! Right?
Q: If you agree with Nicodemus that it would be awkward at best to try and be born again physically, what do you think Jesus was really trying to get Nicodemus to see?
John 3: 3
“Jesus replied, ‘Very truly I tell you, no one can see the kingdom of God unless they are born again.’”
You gotta admit that the way John tells this story, Jesus does not mess around! No chit chat or small talk this evening! Jesus does not have to ask, “Why Nicodemus, what brings you out this way so late at night?” He knows! He knows Nicodemus’ heart and what is on his mind. Without preamble or further introduction, he cuts right to the heart of the matter: You need to be born again!!
Q: What do you think Nicodemus had on his heart and mind for Jesus to make the statement he did?