Jesus Teaches Nicodemus

John 2:23-3:15 (New International Version)

23Now while he was in Jerusalem at the Passover Feast, many people saw the miraculous signs he was doing and believed in his name.^[a^] 24But Jesus would not entrust himself to them, for he knew all men. 25He did not need man's testimony about man, for he knew what was in a man.

1Now there was a man of the Pharisees named Nicodemus, a member of the Jewish ruling council. 2He came to Jesus at night and said, "Rabbi, we know you are a teacher who has come from God. For no one could perform the miraculous signs you are doing if God were not with him."

3In reply Jesus declared, "I tell you the truth, no one can see the kingdom of God unless he is born again.^[b^]"

4"How can a man be born when he is old?" Nicodemus asked. "Surely he cannot enter a second time into his mother's womb to be born!"

5Jesus answered, "I tell you the truth, no one can enter the kingdom of God unless he is born of water and the Spirit. 6Flesh gives birth to flesh, but the Spirit^[c^] gives birth to spirit. 7You should not be surprised at my saying, 'You^[d^] must be born again.' 8The 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."

9"How can this be?" Nicodemus asked.

10"You are Israel's teacher," said Jesus, "and do you not understand these things? 11I tell you the truth, we speak of what we know, and we testify to what we have seen, but still you people do not accept our testimony. 12I have spoken to you of earthly things and you do not believe; how then will you believe if I speak of heavenly things? 13No one has ever gone into heaven except the one who came from heaven—the Son of Man.^[e^] 14Just as Moses lifted up the snake in the desert, so the Son of Man must be lifted up, 15that everyone who believes in him may have eternal life.^[f^]

Footnotes:

1. John 2:23 Or and believed in him
2. John 3:3 Or born from above; also in verse 7
3. John 3:6 Or but spirit
4. John 3:7 The Greek is plural.
5. John 3:13 Some manuscripts Man, who is in heaven
6. John 3:15 Or believes may have eternal life in him

I. Message:

Content:

1. Jesus sees the heart of people (v.2:23-25)
2. Nicodemus came to Jesus at night, and the precious dialogue between them (v.1-15)

Theme:

1. Born again
2. no one can see the kingdom of God unless he is born again

II. Who is God? Who is Jesus Christ? Who is Holy Spirit?

1. Jesus Christ who respected and observed the Law (v.2:23)
2. Jesus Christ who performed miracles (v.2:24, 3:2)
3. Jesus Christ who is worthy to be believed (v.2:23)
4. Jesus Christ who saw through the heart of people (2:24-25)
5. Jesus Christ the teacher (v.3:2)
6. God who sent out Jesus Christ (v.3:2)
7. God who is with Jesus Christ (v.3:2)
8. Jesus Christ who came from God (v.3:2)
9. Jesus Christ who is with God (v.3:2)
10. God who reigns in His Kingdom (v.3:3, 3:5)
11. Being born again through the Holy Spirit (v.3:3-8)
12. Jesus Christ who came from heaven (v.3:13)
13. Jesus Christ who ascends into heaven (v.3:13)
14. Salvation through Jesus Christ (v.3:15)
15. The Trinitarian God

III. What is God teaching me (command, promise, model, rebuke, warning)?

1) Jesus knew what was in a man (v2:23-25)

Now while he was in Jerusalem at the Passover Feast, many people saw the miraculous signs he was doing and believed in his name. But Jesus would not entrust himself to them, for he knew all men. He did not need man's testimony about man, for he knew what was in a man. (v.2:23-25)

Christ Jesus is omnipresence, all-knowing, omnipotent, mighty and the everlasting God. Thus He sees all things, both past and future, both revealed and hidden, both outer words and inner deeds – He sees them all. Things that can be hidden from people, cannot be hidden from Christ.

Reflection: By what attitude do I face Jesus? In truth? In righteousness? In transparency?

I may wear mask before people, but do I dare to do so before Christ?

2) All people need Jesus (v.3:1-2a)

Now there was a man of the Pharisees named Nicodemus, a member of the Jewish ruling council. He came to Jesus at night (v.3:1-2a)

During the earthly ministry of Jesus, he was often seen around tax-collector, sinners, and those who were sick, weak, or insignificant. We can understand why such people needed Jesus. But how about the others? Those who are rich, prominent or healthy. Do they have no need for Jesus? Of course not.

Because in this Scripture passage, Nicodemus who came to Jesus at night, was certainly not insignificant. What we know is that he was a Law observing Pharisee, a member of the Jewish counsel, a part of the ruling body. Therefore, he was someone who had power, influence, status, and someone who was righteous by the Law.

Such a person should be satisfied with success. But in reality, his heart was empty, thus he came specifically to Jesus, seeking truth, hoping to fill the void in his heart. In this we see that all people need Jesus!

Reflection: No matter rich or poor, all people need Jesus. Do I feel such a need?

3) A Hidden Christian (v1-2)

Nicodemus needed Jesus in his heart, but he did not come during the day because he was concerned about being mocked by other Pharisees. If we consider him to be a follower of Christ, then he would be called a hidden Christian. How many Christians today do not dare to reveal their faith to their classmates, colleagues, or neighbors.

To be honest, a hidden Christian cannot be called a Christian. Because the life of a true Christian stands out; it cannot be hidden; because he/she is the lamp to the world, and the salt of the earth.

Jesus once said, "Whoever acknowledges me before men, I will also acknowledge him before my Father in heaven. But whoever disowns me before men, I will disown him before my Father in heaven.” (Matthew 10:32-33)

A hidden Christian is someone who disowns Jesus. And before God the Father, Christ will also such a person.

Reflection: In front of non-Christians, do I dare to publicly give grace before a meal?

4) Earthly Kingdom vs. Heavenly Kingdom (v3)

In reply Jesus declared, "I tell you the truth, no one can see the kingdom of God unless he is born again. (v3)

According to this dialogue, we can discern that there are two kingdoms: first the earthly kingdom, second the heavenly kingdom. Kingdom of God shall be revealed on earth, and the people of God shall enter into it.

The Kingdom of God does not belong to a nation, a tribe or a group; it belongs to individuals. Furthermore, the cost to enter into such a kingdom is through repentance and being born again.

Reflection: Do I belong to the Kingdom of God? Or am I still wondering outside?

5) Born by Flesh or Born by Spirit (v3, v6-7)

Jesus answered, "I tell you the truth, no one can enter the kingdom of God unless he is born of water and the Spirit. Flesh gives birth to flesh, but the Spirit gives birth to spirit. You should not be surprised at my saying, 'You must be born again.' (v5-7)

There are, in this world, not only two types of kingdom (earthly and heavenly), there are also two types of birth – that is to be born by flesh, or to be born by water and the Spirit. Water is used for cleansing, and it symbolizes baptism by which one’s sins can be washed away. So, to be born of water and the Spirit, is to be born again. Therefore, a born again Christian, not only being born by flesh, is also to be born of ‘water and the Spirit’.

Reflection: Have I been born of water and of the Spirit, or am I still belonging to the flesh? Do I live the life of someone who is born again?

6) Earthly Things vs. Heavenly Things (v12)

I have spoken to you of earthly things and you do not believe; how then will you believe if I speak of heavenly things? (v12)

Through the words of Jesus, we discern that the world has two concerns – earthly and heavenly. So we need to care not only for things early, we also need to care for things heavenly. The earthly things are temporary; only heavenly things are eternal.

Reflection: In my daily life, how much do I care for heavenly things? Or do I simply care for earthly things?

7) Jesus Prophesized being Crucified (v14)

Just as Moses lifted up the snake in the desert, so the Son of Man must be lifted up. (v14)

The Scripture recorded this following story: “They traveled from Mount Hor along the route to the Red Sea, to go around Edom. But the people grew impatient on the way; they spoke against God and against Moses, and said, "Why have you brought us up out of Egypt to die in the desert? There is no bread! There is no water! And we detest this miserable food!" Then the LORD sent venomous snakes among them; they bit the people and many Israelites died. The people came to Moses and said, "We sinned when we spoke against the LORD and against you. Pray that the LORD will take the snakes away from us." So Moses prayed for the people. The LORD said to Moses, "Make a snake and put it up on a pole; anyone who is bitten can look at it and live." So Moses made a bronze snake and put it up on a pole. Then when anyone was bitten by a snake and looked at the bronze snake, he lived.” (Numbers 21:4-9)

In the Old Testament, as Moses led the Israelites through the wilderness, the people grumbled and complained. As the result, God sent venomous snakes to punish them. When Moses prayed for the Israelites, God instructed him to ‘make a snake and put it up on a pole’. All who were bitten can look at it and live. Therefore, when the bronze snake is lifted up, it symbolizes salvation.

Jesus uses this metaphor described being crucified on the cross, thus fulfilling the plan of salvation. Clearly, Jesus also used this opportunity to prophesize the crucifixion.

Reflection: Do I understand the salvation of Christ through the cross? Do I value this grace, and do I respond to it?

8) Eternal Life through Faith in Christ (v14-15)

Just as Moses lifted up the snake in the desert, so the Son of Man must be lifted up, that everyone who believes in him may have eternal life. (v14-15)

In the Old Testament, in the wilderness, those who grumbled were bitten by snakes. But God had prepared salvation for them. That is to say all those who were bitten by snakes, as long as they look towards the bronze snake, they would live. In the New Testament, sinners can look towards the Christ on the cross, and they would have eternal life.

Apostle John in the Gospel of John, chapter 3, had clearly explained that, "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. (John 3:16)

Reflection: Do I often look towards Jesus on the cross? Am I willing to receive the grace of salvation the Christ has prepared for me?

IV. Prayer/ Life Application