READ: John 3:1-21: … For God so loved the world …
Nicodemus, a prominent Pharisee, has been deeply impressed by Jesus’ actions and teachings. Has Jesus perhaps come to establish a new Messianic kingdom? But does Nicodemus realize that forgiveness of sins is needed for such a kingdom?
When he comes to Jesus, He immediately addresses the core issue: He preaches a spiritual, not earthly, Kingdom. Nicodemus still believes that entrance into God’s Kingdom can be earned through works. He must learn that only grace can give life, and that he stands before God with empty hands. To accept that, he must become a completely new person—through rebirth (v. 3).
Nicodemus does not understand how that is possible. Jesus then emphatically says: “Truly, truly, I tell you, unless someone is born again, he cannot see the Kingdom of God” (v. 5).
Nicodemus must move from being fleshly and sinful to being spiritual and cleansed. This can only happen through rebirth by the Holy Spirit, along with repentance and the washing away of sins, as reflected in baptism.
In short: faith and repentance are needed to perceive the true Kingdom of God, but people cannot achieve this by themselves. Only the Spirit can produce it. Therefore, one must pray.
But Nicodemus still doesn’t understand. Jesus reproaches him for that: isn’t this what the Scriptures teach (v. 10)? Yet to accept even that, one needs faith and repentance. Let him believe that Jesus came down from heaven and knows the truth.
Jesus identifies Himself as the Son of Man from Daniel 7 who must be lifted up on the cross (vv. 13-14). He is the Light of the world (vv. 19–21). Walk in the light, not in darkness!
Jesus strongly appeals to Nicodemus: This is a matter of life or death. Only by believing in Me—the One sent by God to this earth—can you be saved from God’s judgment and receive eternal life. But anyone who does not believe in Me is already condemned.
What does the “lifting up” of Jesus in verse 14 mean?
Sing: Ps. 25:6