Episode 5 – The New Birth – John 3
The Context
Entering into chapter 3 of the Gospel of John, you may notice that we fail to receive a time stamp like we did at the beginning of chapter 2 and throughout incremental parts of chapter 1. Only a short amount of time has likely passed between the cleansing of the temple and this night visit from Nicodemus, and it is worth noting that Jesus is still in Jerusalem, somewhat surprisingly not as one detained for public disturbance in the temple courts. Considering this along with the words chosen by Nicodemus when addressing Jesus, it seems that Jesus has gained the curiosity of the people and not yet their rejection.
Being a rabbi as well, which is the Hebrew word for teacher, we can only assume that Nicodemus is speaking to Jesus on behalf of himself and other Jews of prominent position seeking to acknowledge and know more about this new man in town. Perhaps Jesus is being approached at night for the concealment it offers those who have something to lose speaking privately with Jesus. However, the answers Nicodemus risked finding likely aren’t found in the way he had hoped in the rather cryptic words of Jesus.
In the second portion of chapter 3 we read that Jesus and his disciples leave Jerusalem and go out into the Judean countryside where John the Baptist is finishing the last leg of his ministry.
John the Baptist’s words in verse 30 attest to his profound wisdom and understanding of the mission of Christ, purpose that Jesus himself had stated to Nicodemus beforehand. “He must become greater; I must become less.”
“Just as Moses lifted up the snake in the wilderness, so the Son of Man must be lifted up, that everyone who believes may have eternal life in him.” John 3:14-15 NIV
Being a rabbi as well, which is the Hebrew word for teacher, we can only assume that Nicodemus is speaking to Jesus on behalf of himself and other Jews of prominent position seeking to acknowledge and know more about this new man in town. Perhaps Jesus is being approached at night for the concealment it offers those who have something to lose speaking privately with Jesus. However, the answers Nicodemus risked finding likely aren’t found in the way he had hoped in the rather cryptic words of Jesus.
In the second portion of chapter 3 we read that Jesus and his disciples leave Jerusalem and go out into the Judean countryside where John the Baptist is finishing the last leg of his ministry.
John the Baptist’s words in verse 30 attest to his profound wisdom and understanding of the mission of Christ, purpose that Jesus himself had stated to Nicodemus beforehand. “He must become greater; I must become less.”
“Just as Moses lifted up the snake in the wilderness, so the Son of Man must be lifted up, that everyone who believes may have eternal life in him.” John 3:14-15 NIV
Time Alone
Along with this book, have your Bible and a pen ready. Take a few minutes to just sit in a quiet moment, calming your mind, turning off the distractions racing through your head, and be still. Be present before the Lord your God.
Read John 3
Historically speaking, there is far too much evidence to deny the fact that Jesus of Nazareth was a real person. In fact, there is more historical documentation proving that Jesus walked the earth than there is for Alexander the Great. The question is, like Alexander the Great, was Jesus of Nazareth merely a man who made a profound impact on the course of history, or was he more than merely human?
Admittedly brushing with broad strokes; the Muslims will say that Jesus was a prophet. The Hindus often accept Jesus as one of the millions of gods to worship. Agnostics might say that Jesus was a good person with important moral teachings, while atheists might agree with the agnostic, or take up the position that Jesus was one of the greatest imposters in recorded history.
Then there are the Jews. Through Nicodemus, we are privileged to see a rare glimpse into the inner turmoil of a deeply avowed Jew encountering the evidence that the Messiah was standing before him. But the Jews had such a clear preconceived idea of who the Messiah would be, and even more importantly what the Messiah would do, that many simply could not open their minds to the truth that Jesus was and is the Christ, the anointed Son of God.
A few weeks ago, you were asked if you whole-heartedly believe God to be worthy of your full trust. But if someone were to ask why you even believe in the first place that Jesus is who he says he is, Christ the Lord our Savior, what reasoning would you give?
“Jesus replied, ‘Very truly I tell you, no one can see the kingdom of God unless they are born again.’” John 3:3 NIV
Perhaps you might wonder if Jesus is speaking of the kingdom of God that we read of in Revelation that reigns eternal in the heavens, or the kingdom God has established on earth through the Church. What if it’s both? By grace we are saved through faith placed in Jesus, reborn through the waters of baptism, and gifted with the dwelling of the Holy Spirit inside of us.
Thus, what if Jesus is saying that we not only forfeit our admission into the heavenly kingdom of God by refusing the call to faith, but we also remain blind to the kingdom of God that is at hand called the Church? Sure, we see the church buildings as we drive down the road. We can even go inside and listen to the songs of worship and hear the Bible taught from the pulpit.
What if we are simply unable to see the kingdom of God reigning on earth as the Church, the body of Christ, unless we are born again with the Spirit of God that gives us eyes to see what sin has hidden from us?
Until we choose to believe that Jesus is in fact Christ the Lord, we are stuck like the Jews trying to fit Jesus into the mold of teacher rather than Savior. The Spirit of God gives us eyes to see what sin has hidden, we are unblinded and our hearts are able to comprehend the depth of truth, love, mercy, and grace that Jesus imparts to his followers.
If not yet, what keeps you from believing in and surrendering to the saving grace of Christ Jesus, so that you may be reborn into the kingdom of God?
If you are reborn, how has your faith in Jesus changed the way you see the kingdom of God working through the Church to actively impact your local community, our country, and even the world?
Coming to the end of chapter 3, verse 36 reemphasizes a critical point that John doesn’t want his readers to miss from the moments of Jesus teaching Nicodemus, the testifying of John the Baptist, and the commentary of John himself in between the two. “Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life, but whoever rejects the Son will not see life, for God’s wrath remains on them.”
John 3:36 NIV
In fact, throughout this chapter alone the phrase “who/whoever believes” is used four times. With such weight placed upon our belief in Jesus that comes before our second birth, this last question is one worth giving considerable time and effort to answer.
How would you explain to someone what it means to believe in Jesus? Is it just an acknowledgement that Jesus is who he says he is, or does this belief change things?
Read John 3
Historically speaking, there is far too much evidence to deny the fact that Jesus of Nazareth was a real person. In fact, there is more historical documentation proving that Jesus walked the earth than there is for Alexander the Great. The question is, like Alexander the Great, was Jesus of Nazareth merely a man who made a profound impact on the course of history, or was he more than merely human?
Admittedly brushing with broad strokes; the Muslims will say that Jesus was a prophet. The Hindus often accept Jesus as one of the millions of gods to worship. Agnostics might say that Jesus was a good person with important moral teachings, while atheists might agree with the agnostic, or take up the position that Jesus was one of the greatest imposters in recorded history.
Then there are the Jews. Through Nicodemus, we are privileged to see a rare glimpse into the inner turmoil of a deeply avowed Jew encountering the evidence that the Messiah was standing before him. But the Jews had such a clear preconceived idea of who the Messiah would be, and even more importantly what the Messiah would do, that many simply could not open their minds to the truth that Jesus was and is the Christ, the anointed Son of God.
A few weeks ago, you were asked if you whole-heartedly believe God to be worthy of your full trust. But if someone were to ask why you even believe in the first place that Jesus is who he says he is, Christ the Lord our Savior, what reasoning would you give?
“Jesus replied, ‘Very truly I tell you, no one can see the kingdom of God unless they are born again.’” John 3:3 NIV
Perhaps you might wonder if Jesus is speaking of the kingdom of God that we read of in Revelation that reigns eternal in the heavens, or the kingdom God has established on earth through the Church. What if it’s both? By grace we are saved through faith placed in Jesus, reborn through the waters of baptism, and gifted with the dwelling of the Holy Spirit inside of us.
Thus, what if Jesus is saying that we not only forfeit our admission into the heavenly kingdom of God by refusing the call to faith, but we also remain blind to the kingdom of God that is at hand called the Church? Sure, we see the church buildings as we drive down the road. We can even go inside and listen to the songs of worship and hear the Bible taught from the pulpit.
What if we are simply unable to see the kingdom of God reigning on earth as the Church, the body of Christ, unless we are born again with the Spirit of God that gives us eyes to see what sin has hidden from us?
Until we choose to believe that Jesus is in fact Christ the Lord, we are stuck like the Jews trying to fit Jesus into the mold of teacher rather than Savior. The Spirit of God gives us eyes to see what sin has hidden, we are unblinded and our hearts are able to comprehend the depth of truth, love, mercy, and grace that Jesus imparts to his followers.
If not yet, what keeps you from believing in and surrendering to the saving grace of Christ Jesus, so that you may be reborn into the kingdom of God?
If you are reborn, how has your faith in Jesus changed the way you see the kingdom of God working through the Church to actively impact your local community, our country, and even the world?
Coming to the end of chapter 3, verse 36 reemphasizes a critical point that John doesn’t want his readers to miss from the moments of Jesus teaching Nicodemus, the testifying of John the Baptist, and the commentary of John himself in between the two. “Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life, but whoever rejects the Son will not see life, for God’s wrath remains on them.”
John 3:36 NIV
In fact, throughout this chapter alone the phrase “who/whoever believes” is used four times. With such weight placed upon our belief in Jesus that comes before our second birth, this last question is one worth giving considerable time and effort to answer.
How would you explain to someone what it means to believe in Jesus? Is it just an acknowledgement that Jesus is who he says he is, or does this belief change things?
Time Together
Whether you are a part of a small group or have decided to get together with a couple of friends to discuss Sunday’s teaching over coffee, this section of questions is provided to help guide a group discussion. Our hope is that these questions, along with sharing from moments during your personal study time, will lead to conversations that are both edifying and life changing.
Have someone read John 3:19-21
Do you remember the last question from this episode’s Time Alone? Though not plainly said, it is implied by John that one aspect of believing in Jesus is to come into his light.
But what happens when we come into this light?
Jesus, the light of the world, exposes what is hidden in darkness so that we may bring it before God in repentance and receive forgiveness. But in contrast to what is exposed; is the works of God we find, revealed in and through us by the power of Jesus Christ!
If today you are truly walking in the light, what did you love that was hidden in the dark that Jesus exposed and did away with so that you could walk in light as he is in the light?
If within this group trust and transparency has been established, is there anything that you have kept hidden in the dark that needs to come into the light so that you can truly follow Jesus with your whole heart?
One part of the Christian life that can be exceedingly disheartening is when friends, and possibly family, push away and even reject you for walking in the light. John says that those who love the dark and hate the light do so because they fear having their deeds exposed in the light, and/or they love what they do in the darkness. Sometimes those in the dark feel threatened by being too close to those doing what is right and living in the light, a light that could begin to expose what they long to keep hidden.
This is one reason why being in community with other believers is so important.
Have someone read Hebrews 10:19-25
Have someone read John 3:19-21
Do you remember the last question from this episode’s Time Alone? Though not plainly said, it is implied by John that one aspect of believing in Jesus is to come into his light.
But what happens when we come into this light?
Jesus, the light of the world, exposes what is hidden in darkness so that we may bring it before God in repentance and receive forgiveness. But in contrast to what is exposed; is the works of God we find, revealed in and through us by the power of Jesus Christ!
If today you are truly walking in the light, what did you love that was hidden in the dark that Jesus exposed and did away with so that you could walk in light as he is in the light?
If within this group trust and transparency has been established, is there anything that you have kept hidden in the dark that needs to come into the light so that you can truly follow Jesus with your whole heart?
One part of the Christian life that can be exceedingly disheartening is when friends, and possibly family, push away and even reject you for walking in the light. John says that those who love the dark and hate the light do so because they fear having their deeds exposed in the light, and/or they love what they do in the darkness. Sometimes those in the dark feel threatened by being too close to those doing what is right and living in the light, a light that could begin to expose what they long to keep hidden.
This is one reason why being in community with other believers is so important.
Have someone read Hebrews 10:19-25
Time for More
If you are looking to grow in your knowledge of the Bible and desire to have a plan for further reading, here is a list of Scriptures that cross reference to certain parts within this week’s text. A cross reference is two biblical texts that share similar meaning and reading these is an effective way to expand your understanding of the Bible as one book, divided into 66 little books, all centered on Jesus Christ.
John 3:5-6 < > 2 Corinthians 5:16-19
John 3:13 < > Proverbs 30:4
John 3:16-18 < > Romans 5:8-11
John 3:19-21 < > 1 John 1:5-10
John 3:29 < > Revelation 19:7-9
John 3:35 < > Daniel 7:13-14
John 3:35-36 < > Hebrews 1:1-3
John 3:5-6 < > 2 Corinthians 5:16-19
John 3:13 < > Proverbs 30:4
John 3:16-18 < > Romans 5:8-11
John 3:19-21 < > 1 John 1:5-10
John 3:29 < > Revelation 19:7-9
John 3:35 < > Daniel 7:13-14
John 3:35-36 < > Hebrews 1:1-3
Posted in For Second Chances