January 7, 2018
Morning Service

In chapter 2, Jesus began his ministry with His first miracle; turning the water into wine.  He then traveled with His disciples to Jerusalem for the Passover and there He boldly cleansed the temple area of those taking advantage of true worshippers. During His time in Jerusalem John said that “many believed in His name when they saw the signs which He did.”  He also had His first encounter with the Jewish leaders who began to question Him.  One of those leaders was truly seeking after the truth and as we begin chapter 3 he comes to speak to Jesus at night. 

John 3:1-2  And there was a man of the Pharisees named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews.  (2)  He came to Jesus by night and said to Him, “Rabbi, we know that you are a teacher come from God; for no man can do these miracles which you do unless God is with him.”

·        In coming to Jesus at night we can deduce that Nicodemus had not yet believed fully in who He was, but he was seeking enough to come himself and not send one of his servants.  He had a growing conviction that there was something special and came seeking the truth.  He came in a very humble and meek fashion not ordinarily displayed by someone of his stature.  Jesus begins His teaching right away.

John 3:3-6 Jesus answered and said to him, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless a man is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.”  (4)  Nicodemus said to Him, “How can a man be born when he is old? Can he enter the second time into his mother's womb and be born?”  (5) Jesus answered,” Truly, truly, I say to you, unless a man is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.  (6) That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.”

·        Nicodemus is confused because he is thinking on the physical realm (flesh) and Jesus is speaking on the spiritual realm.  The word translated for “again” (anothen) can also mean “from above;” so it would read “unless a man is born from above.”  That seems to help with our understanding.  Just as in creation “like produces like” and the same is true in the spiritual world; flesh produces flesh and spirit produces spirit.

·        Being born of “water and the Spirit” refers to our spiritual death, burial and resurrection in the waters of baptism and the gift of the Holy Spirit that comes with it.  The water washes away our sins and the Spirt fills us and changes us into “a new creation.”

2 Corinthians 5:17 So that if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.

·        It certainly all ties together with Jesus referring to our conversion as being “born again.”

 

John 3:7-13 “Do not marvel that I said to you, “You must be born again.”  (8) The wind blows where it wishes, and you hear the sound of it, but you do not know from where it comes, and where it goes; so is everyone who is born of the Spirit.”  (9)  Nicodemus answered and said to Him, “How can these things be?”  (10)  Jesus answered and said to him, “Are you the teacher of Israel and do not know these things?  (11)  Truly, truly, I say to you, we speak what we know and testify what we have seen. And you do not receive our witness.  (12)  If I have told you earthly things and you do not believe, how shall you believe if I tell you heavenly things?  (13)  And no one has ascended up to Heaven except He who came down from Heaven, the Son of Man who is in Heaven.”

·        Jesus further explains the difference between the physical and the spiritual using the example of the wind comparing it to the Spirit.  We can’t see or touch the wind, but we know it is there because we see what it does and feel it as it blows.  So is the Spirit of God.  We cannot see it or touch it, but we can feel it and see what change it makes in our and other’s lives.  To follow Jesus, we must be able to grasp this truth.  Our conversion, or rebirth, is not only the physical act of baptism, but the spiritual death and resurrection unto the newness of life that we experience.

 

John 3:14-21 But even as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of Man be lifted up, (15)  so that whosoever believes in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life.  (16)  For God so loved the world that He gave His only-begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.  (17)  For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but so that the world might be saved through Him.

·        In Numbers 21, God sent in venomous snakes to bring judgement upon the rebellious children of Israel.  Moses, at God’s command, made a bronze snake and held it above his head.  Anyone who was bitten and looked up at the snake was healed (saved).  Judgement and salvation came by the same image, a snake.  The same is true with us as Jesus is both our Judge but also our Salvation if we will look up to Him in faith believing.  We shall not perish, but will be given eternal life.

·        Verse 16 is probably the most quoted and memorized verse in the Bible.  It is also one of the most complete explanations of the gospel message.  God so loved the world He offered us His most prized possession; His Son.  He was all in for us.  We tend to look at the statement of “the world” in a very broad sense.  In reality, we need to take that very personal even insert our name in place of “the world.”  For God so loved Greg that He gave His only begotten Son, so that when Greg believes in Him he will not perish but have eternal life.

·        Put your mind around that for a minute.  God loved me enough to allow His Son to be born a human, live a perfect life, and die a terrible, painful death upon the cross.  Would He do that for someone who is worthless?  Would He do that if He didn’t have a plan for my life?  Would He do that and then leave me alone to fend for myself?   NO!

·        He made you just like you are.  He knows you are not perfect, but He has made a plan to fix that.  He placed you here today in this service.  He wanted you to hear how much He loves you in hope that you would choose to follow Him.  In so doing, you are made perfect in Christ.  You are given His righteousness.  He loves you that much and only asks that you believe in Him by faith and accept the free gift of redemption that comes through the cross.

·        The fact that He loves you means He has plans for you and a purpose for your life.  How do you repay love like that?  Give Him your life; become clay and present yourself to the great Potter.  Allow Him to make you into what He desires and what He can use to fulfill His will and bring Him glory.  Seek Him and His kingdom first in your life.  You will not be sorry, He has so much more for you than you can even imagine.

 

What do we learn about Jesus?

·        He welcomes us to come to Him with questions and concerns.

·        He must be lifted up in our lives as we look to Him for our salvation.

·        He loves us enough to die for us.

 

Lord, thank you for loving us and now draw us to love you more and more.