John 3:1-21

jcnr@mpinet.net

This passage revolves around verbal interchange between Jesus and Nicodemus, a Pharisee and teacher of the Jews. It begins with Nicodemus’ approach to Jesus with religious questions. His approach to Jesus was a response to the ministry of Jesus. The actions of Jesus provoked honest inquiry. According to verse 2, Nicodemus was only one of other Jewish teachers who were intrigued by Jesus. Nicodemus was sent as their representative. “We all know that God has sent you to teach us. Your miraculous signs are proof enough that God is with you”

Nicodemus recognized Jesus as a teacher sent by God so Jesus begins to teach. We need to recognize that Jesus was not only teaching Nicodemus but He was also teaching the other interested Jewish teachers as well. What Nicodemus heard he told to the others. We should not see this as just a private teaching for Nicodemus. Jesus wanted Nicodemus and the others who still had open hearts to hear that God ways were different from theirs. God requires, and always has required, a spiritual relationship with His people. This relationship is not natural. Natural man, if left to himself, cannot relate to God. He must receive grace from God first.

A reoccurring theme throughout Jesus’ ministry is Jesus’ claims to be other than just a human teacher and the unbelieving Jews’ view that He was a illegitimate Samaritan child (John 8:41 and 48). He claimed to be someone entirely new to this world. He claimed to be equal with God, that God is His literal Father, to have preexisted before His birth into the world, to be the Giver of eternal life, and the forgiver of sins. Jesus repeatedly said to them, “If you do not believe Me believe the works I do that I come from God.” John 8 tells us that the Jews knew of the circumstances surrounding Jesus’ birth. They knew that Joseph was not Jesus’ biological father. If Joseph was not his father then who was? Either another man impregnated Mary or something special is happening. Jesus tells Nicodemus face-to-face that God is His Father, that He comes from heaven, and that He would die so that eternal life could be given as God’s gift to all who believe.

Nicodemus took this message back to the Jewish teachers and leaders. Jesus continues to build on the themes he taught Nicodemus throughout His ministry. He continues to press the issue of His true identity and mission. John 3 records the gospel in a nutshell. All later teachings merely fill out and expand our understanding about what Jesus is saying here. Jesus continued to perform verifying miracles to validate His message and mission. For three years Jesus taught. And for three years the Jewish teachers and leaders evaluated Him. As John 19:39 records, Nicodemus eventually becomes a believer. He came to Jesus with honest inquiry. He watched and listened to Jesus speak and act. And he believed. Nicodemus may not have completely understood Jesus’ full identity, but he knew that Jesus was indeed sent from God and that His message was true. Unfortunately, others saw the same acts and heard the same message but rejected Him. They did not want what He was offering. 

Copyright 2003 by James W. Skeen