Author: Jeff Englund

John 3:18

“Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because they have not believed in the name of God’s one and only Son.”

When you hear the word, “Judgement,” what picture comes to mind? Do you tend to picture people smiling or people with a worried or fearful look on their faces? I personally tend to associate judgment with condemnation, probably because I have never met anyone in this life who was perfect and didn’t deserve some level of judgment.

It is heartwarming to me how Jesus flips this picture of judgment from one of condemnation to one of joy and happiness. “Whoever believes in him is not condemned…” WOW!

Q: Do you think Jesus means what he says about whoever believes in him is not condemned, or do you think there is some kind of fine print attached to that offer that people need to be aware of?

John 3: 17

“For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.”

The Bible is a long and detailed account of God’s dealings with his creation. It is an unusual book in that it records the failings of the people who wrote it. (If you ever wanted evidence that God inspired the writing of the Bible this is it! Why else would a people like the Jews write a book recording all of their failures unless God made them do it!) Throughout the Bible, God is giving people second chances and people are demonstrating that they don’t deserve them. Yet, in the end, after His chosen people have become so estranged that their leaders cannot even recognize God’s own Son when he shows up, God finds a way to restore life and relationship to those who repent (admit wrongdoing and turn from it) through his Son, Jesus Christ.

Q: If we were to operate using the same principle of love that God used when sending Jesus to earth, how would that change our lives? Our community? Our church? Our world?

John 3: 16

“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.”

As Jesus speaks to Nicodemus, he reveals everything that is important to him. His love for Nicodemus is evident in how he treats him and answers his questions. There are no hidden motives in Nicodemus’ heart, only a sincere desire to understand Jesus; who he was and what he was saying.

In this passage Jesus outlines the essence of what would become Christianity:

1. God loves the world and all the people he created.

2. There is a need to save the people of the world from perishing.

3. God has a Son, and somehow the son is given over.

4. Belief in the Son is the path to avoid perishing and have eternal life.

Q: If you were to share these truths with someone today, how would you say it?

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.

Continue reading “Complications”

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.’”

Continue reading “Gold”

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?