John 3:1-21
John uses the story of Nicodemus to introduce us to probably the most well-known verse in the Bible: “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish, but have eternal life” (3:16). It is a verse we all should memorize and be eager to share with others.
Nicodemus was a religious intellectual and was well respected in the Jewish community. As he listened to Jesus teach, he did not completely understand what Jesus was saying and he approached Him with questions. We are not sure about his attitude, but the important thing is that he came to Jesus, willing to listen to Him. He apparently did not understand the statement in v. 3 “unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.”
We shouldn’t be surprised that Nicodemus didn’t understand Jesus. Paul says in I Corinthians 2:14 “But a natural man does not accept the things of the Spirit of God; for they are foolishness to him, and he cannot understand them, because they are spiritually appraised.” One of the valuable ministries of the Holy Spirit in the believer is to give him understanding of the Scriptures as it applies to his life. As Christians, we still may not comprehend everything in the Bible, but we can understand those things we need to know when we need to know them. As we study God’s Word He gives us understanding and, interestingly, we can read a passage many times during our lives and continue to increase in knowledge. That is because we are growing in our faith.
Notice in verse seventeen Jesus carefully explains why He came to the earth: “For God did not send the Son into the world to judge the world; but that the world should be saved through Him.” Jesus purpose in His first coming was to bring eternal salvation to wicked man. He will come again to judge the world after He has taken the believers to heaven with Him (I Thes. 4:13-17).
Jesus then helps Nicodemus understand that man can’t sit on a fence. We must either actively choose to trust Him as our Savior, or we will choose to live life without Him. If we reject Him, we have chosen to live without Him for eternity, not for just our life on earth.
If you have placed your faith in Jesus as Your Savior, thank Him again today for your salvation. If you have not made that decision I urge you to do it today. If I may be of any help, please let me know.
Nicodemus was a religious intellectual and was well respected in the Jewish community. As he listened to Jesus teach, he did not completely understand what Jesus was saying and he approached Him with questions. We are not sure about his attitude, but the important thing is that he came to Jesus, willing to listen to Him. He apparently did not understand the statement in v. 3 “unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.”
We shouldn’t be surprised that Nicodemus didn’t understand Jesus. Paul says in I Corinthians 2:14 “But a natural man does not accept the things of the Spirit of God; for they are foolishness to him, and he cannot understand them, because they are spiritually appraised.” One of the valuable ministries of the Holy Spirit in the believer is to give him understanding of the Scriptures as it applies to his life. As Christians, we still may not comprehend everything in the Bible, but we can understand those things we need to know when we need to know them. As we study God’s Word He gives us understanding and, interestingly, we can read a passage many times during our lives and continue to increase in knowledge. That is because we are growing in our faith.
Notice in verse seventeen Jesus carefully explains why He came to the earth: “For God did not send the Son into the world to judge the world; but that the world should be saved through Him.” Jesus purpose in His first coming was to bring eternal salvation to wicked man. He will come again to judge the world after He has taken the believers to heaven with Him (I Thes. 4:13-17).
Jesus then helps Nicodemus understand that man can’t sit on a fence. We must either actively choose to trust Him as our Savior, or we will choose to live life without Him. If we reject Him, we have chosen to live without Him for eternity, not for just our life on earth.
If you have placed your faith in Jesus as Your Savior, thank Him again today for your salvation. If you have not made that decision I urge you to do it today. If I may be of any help, please let me know.
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