CONTEXT
The public ministry of Jesus is being noticed. At the end of chapter 2 we read, “Now when he was in Jerusalem at the Passover Feast, many believed in his name when they saw the signs that he was doing.” (John 2:23). The signs and miracles of Jesus were creating a buzz. For some, they produced faith, for others fear. However, most remained curious. The curiosity of Nicodemus moved him to approach Jesus under the safety of night. Even so, Nicodemus was unprepared for the exchange that took place. Jesus engages Nicodemus in a conversation that leads to the most famous verse in the Bible (John 3:16).
OBSERVATIONS
Nicodemus is a Pharisee. Pharisees (an influential Jewish sect) took the Bible very seriously. Their error was believing that strict adherence to the law would eventually bring about the Messiah who would deliver Israel from Gentile (Roman) oppression. He is also part of the Sanhedrin (a ruling council that functioned somewhat like the supreme court of Israel).
Nicodemus approaches Jesus at night which may show his desire for secrecy. The darkness highlights the overall sense of confusion that Nicodemus experiences when Jesus explains the Kingdom of God to him.
Jesus pivots the conversation very directly to the Kingdom of God.
Jesus uses vivid imagery (being born again, water, spirit) to explain the concept of spiritual regeneration.
Jesus uses Israel’s judgement and salvation episode with the fiery serpent in (Numbers 21:4-9) to explain the coming Cross he would bear.
MEANING
Jesus gets to the heart of the matter quickly with Nicodemus. Instead of engaging in banter, he steers the conversation towards the Kingdom of God. Jesus tells Nicodemus twice that new birth is required to both see and enter the Kingdom of God. This was shocking. Weren’t Jews as children of Abraham already in God’s Kingdom? Why would they need to be born again? Jesus makes it clear that salvation is a work of the Spirit, not a function of lineage.
The “water and Spirit” were most likely referring to God’s promise to give Israel a new heart: “I will sprinkle clean water on you, and you shall be clean from all your uncleannesses, and from all your idols I will cleanse you. And I will give you a new heart, and a new spirit I will put within you. And I will remove the heart of stone from your flesh and give you a heart of flesh.” (Ezekiel 36:25–26).
The passage wraps up with the most famous passage in the Bible, John 3:16. God’s love is revealed in His sending of the Son. God’s love is the foundation of all that Jesus accomplished. Like the serpent that was “lifted up” in the wilderness, Jesus was lifted up on a Cross that all who place their trust in him might have eternal life. It’s not adherence to the law that will save Nicodemus, but freedom from the law through faith in Jesus. Being “Born again” is evidenced by heart-level obedience and love of God.
QUESTIONS
What does Jesus mean when he says, “unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God.”
Why was this so hard for Nicodemus to understand?
Why is it hard for you to understand?What does it feel like to be born again?
How does Jesus use the fiery serpent episode (Numbers 21:4-9) to help Nicodemus understand salvation?
Does God love you because Jesus died for you - or did Jesus die for you because God loves you?