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Portrait 4

John 3

Not all of Jesus’ people, called “His own” (John 1:11), rejected Him out of hand. Some did sincerely want to know more about Him; some did believe “in His name” (2:23). Nicodemus was very likely one of these even though he was “a ruler of the Jews” (3:1). How to know God for sure and have eternal life must have been why he came to Jesus. As the Son of God, Jesus read Nicodemus’ mind, as it were, and gave him the answer to his question even before he asked it. Jesus made it abundantly clear that He alone was the Savior of sinners and apart from Him there was no salvation. Jesus told him right up front that he needed to be born again.

Jesus and Nicodemus, vv. 1–21

The two met personally for the first time, it seems, when Nicodemus came to Jesus. Rabbi teacher, he called Him. This was a term of respect. God must be with you, you must come from Him, Nicodemus insisted, because of the signs or miracles you are performing. This “ruler” was different than most of the others in that he did not reject Jesus out of hand.

Nicodemus was not just an average Jew either. He mwas a member of the Sanhedrin, one of the highest classes in Judaism, consisting of 70 or 72 teachers, rulers, of the nation. Added to this honor, this man was also a Pharisee. That tells us he was a devoted believer in the Old Testament and a strict interpreter of its laws. As a group, the Pharisees were well-intentioned but spiritually blind to who Jesus really was. We do not know for sure why Nicodemus came to Jesus by night. Maybe it was because he was fearful of being seen by his peers. More likely, it was because he wanted to visit with Jesus alone and that would be easier to do at night.

The response Jesus gave Nicodemus seems a bit abrupt at first sight. He ignored completely the high commendations which Nicodemus gave Him. Instead, Jesus went immediately to the real issue. The interested ruler had a much greater need than an answer as to how Jesus did what He did. Nicodemus needed to be born again first; then his surface and general questions could be answered. In essence, what Jesus said to him was, Here is how you and anyone else can get into the kingdom of God, can get rightly related to God, and have eternal life.

How does one become born again? That is what the puzzled ruler of the Jews then asked Jesus. He was confused and expressed his confusion very clearly. Nicodemus knew no one could ever be physically reborn. And even if that were possible, how would that equip one to see the kingdom of God? This ruler knew he needed a new start in life. Being a ruler of the Jews apparently did not give Him any assurance of eternal life with God. That is sad, is it not? This man was not a wicked person. Why did he and his peers need such a transformation which only a new birth could provide? And how could he get it if he wanted it?

Entrance into the kingdom of God, Jesus said, required two births—one physical and the other spiritual. “Unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God” (v. 5). The water Jesus referred to was the water sack housing the fetus in the womb. Before physical birth this must be broken. This seems to be the meaning of the “water” Jesus spoke of to Nicodemus. Contextually, it fits perfectly with the questions he raised. In this way, the inadequacy of physical birth alone was stressed. Jesus spoke similarly as He comforted Martha when she mourned her brother Lazurus’ death. On that occasion He said, “. . . everyone who lives and believes in me will never die” (Luke 11:26). Of course, one must live before he or she can believe in Jesus. Here again, Jesus was teaching that physical life does not equip one for heaven.

Do not try to understand what I have said to you, Jesus told Nicodemus. Then he illustrated from nature how even though we know the wind blows, yet we do not know where it comes from or where it’s going. So it is with the Spirit-produced new birth (v. 8). It is all of God and must be experienced by faith.

Nicodemus’ question, “How can these things be?” (v. 9) shows his genuine interest in what Jesus was saying. He was groping for an answer. Jesus gently reminded him that as a religious teacher of the Jews, he should have known what was being told him (v. 10). Jesus and His disciples spoke the truth but their testimony was not believed by many including Nicodemus (v. 11). Further, Jesus said to him that he had not believed what He had told him about earthly things and the liklihood was that neither would he believe what He said about heavenly things (v. 12).

It is difficult to know for sure whether verses 16 to 21 continues Jesus’ conversation with Nicodemus or represents John’s own words as he summarizes Jesus’ teaching regardingt the new birth. Evangelical scholarship is divided over this issue. It seems to me that these verses constitute the words of John the apostle as he was led by the Spirit to write.

The key verse in John’s summary and in the entire chapter is verse 16. Without doubt, it is the most often quoted verse in the entire Bible. It states clearly the extent and degree of God’s love, the greatest gift ever given, the condition of salvation and the promise of eternal life to those who believe.

Why will many never experience the eternal life which Jesus referred to? Could it be they just did not work hard enough, did not do enough good works? Or could it be the fact that they were born in sin and committed terrible sins? No, regardless whether Jesus said it or John, it is precisely recorded that it is because they have “not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God” (vv. 17–18) that they will experience eternal condemnation. Of course, it is true that because of their sin, they commit the greatest sin of all—reject Jesus the gift of God’s love.

Jesus and John the Baptist, vv. 22–36

The second part of this chapter (chap. 3) is introduced by “after these things.” John uses this phrase several times in his Gospel (cf. 3:22; 2:12; 5:1; 6:1 and 7:1). The meaning is not that what follows took place immediately after what preceded. John selected, and was guided by the Spirit to select those things in Jesus’ life on earth which were in keeping with his purpose. That purpose is clearly stated as “that you may believe that Jsus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing you may have life in His name (20:30–31).

While Jesus and His disciples stayed on for a while in Judaea and baptized repentant Jews, John the Baptist was ministering near Salem (vv. 22–23). This was very likely a Samaritan town near the Jordan River. Jews there were responding to John’s message about Jesus and were being baptized by him. Some time later, perhaps soon after this, he was thrown into prison (v. 24).

John the Baptist was a truly humble man, a humble servant of the Lord. He fulfilled his calling by announcing Jesus the Messiah’s coming and by preparing for His coming. After his work was finished, he stepped back so attention would be on Jesus, not on himself. John was blessed to have witnessed the Holy Spirit represented by a dove descend on Jesus at His baptism. He also heard the voice of God the Father say, “Thou art My beloved Son, in Thee I am well-pleased” (Mark 1:11).

It appears that some of John’s disciples disputed over some “purification” issue (3:25). This was no doubt the same custom referred to at the wedding in Cana (2:6). The dispute may even have been over John evangelizing and baptizing Samaritans who were treated like dogs by many Jews at that time.

Some Jews came to John calling him “Rabbi” with a question (v. 26). It centered over the fact that Jesus was getting more attention and having more converts than the John the Baptist was having. The language used here suggests there was some bitterness in the hearts of these people. Perhaps they feared they were losing some popularity and hold on the people because John the Baptist’s disciples were many and they were following Jesus.

Without any hesitation, John responded to these disciples of his with much the same as he had given them before. His answer to their perceived problem was, “He must increase, but I must decrease” (v. 30).

It seems that John the apostle gives a summary with further explanation in verses 31 to 36 of what John the Baptist said about Jesus. In other words, John the Baptist’s words appear to conclude with verse 30. What follows in verses 31 to 36 seems to be the words of John the apostle. In these verses he gives profound statements about Jesus the Savior of sinners. Jesus is “From above” (v. 31). His origin is eternal (vv. 31–35). He did not begin to exist in Bethlehem’s barn and manger. Jesus bears witness of God. He gave a divine testimony. Everything that Jesus says is from God. Those who receive what He says are at the same time accepting what God says. They are hearing from heaven! Jesus has received His authority from God. He has the Holy Spirit. He is filled or controlled by the Spirit.

This chapter which gives us the portrait of Jesus as the Savior of sinners concludes with the same emphasis given earlier in verses 16 to 18. In both passages those who believe, who receive Jesus as their Substitute for sin, are given eternal life. Those who do not receive Him will perish” (v. 16) and will experience “the wrath of God” (v. 36). The “eternal life” God gives to believing sinners does not begin at death. It commences the instant the new birth takes place. Those who will experience “the wrath of God” (v. 36) or eternal condemnation will do so because they have not accepted God’s love in Christ.

Personal Application

Personal applications from this portrait of Jesus include our need to be forgiven by God, to be born again. Regardless how good or religious we may be, we need to be born from above just as Nicodemus did. He was a good religious man too. Surely, no one wants to experience God’s wrath. Yet that is what will happen to all who do not accept Jesus the Savior of sinners as their own Savior.

Jesus did not tell Nicodemus to add more good works to things he was already doing. The only way he or anyone else can avoid eternal condemnation is to be born again, born from above.

Study Questions

1. What do you think attracted Nicodemus to Jesus the Savior of sinners?

2. Do you have any idea why Nicodemus chose to come to Jesus at night?

3. How was Jesus able to know what was on Nicodemus’ mind before he even asked?

4. What is the key verse in this chapter? Can you quote it?

5. Can you think of ways you can present the gospel message of this chapter to someone today or tomorrow?

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