JOHN 3:1-21
Now there was a Pharisee, a man named Nicodemus who was a member of the Jewish ruling council.2 He came to Jesus at night and said, “Rabbi, we know that you are a teacher who has come from God. For no one could perform the signs you are doing if God were not with him.”
3 Jesus replied, “Very truly I tell you, no one can see the kingdom of God unless they are born again.”
4 “How can someone be born when they are old?” Nicodemus asked. “Surely they cannot enter a second time into their mother’s womb to be born!”
5 Jesus answered, “Very truly I tell you, no one can enter the kingdom of God unless they are born of water and the Spirit.6 Flesh gives birth to flesh, but the Spirit gives birth to spirit.7 You should not be surprised at my saying, ‘You must be born again.’8 The wind blows wherever it pleases. You hear its sound, but you cannot tell where it comes from or where it is going. So it is with everyone born of the Spirit.”
9 “How can this be?” Nicodemus asked.
10 “You are Israel’s teacher,” said Jesus, “and do you not understand these things?11 Very truly I tell you, we speak of what we know, and we testify to what we have seen, but still you people do not accept our testimony.12 I have spoken to you of earthly things and you do not believe; how then will you believe if I speak of heavenly things?13 No one has ever gone into heaven except the one who came from heaven—the Son of Man.14 Just as Moses lifted up the snake in the wilderness, so the Son of Man must be lifted up, 15 that everyone who believes may have eternal life in Him.”
16 For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.17 For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.18 Whoever believes in Him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because they have not believed in the name of God’s one and only Son.19 This is the verdict: Light has come into the world, but people loved darkness instead of light because their deeds were evil.20 Everyone who does evil hates the light, and will not come into the light for fear that their deeds will be exposed.21 But whoever lives by the truth comes into the light, so that it may be seen plainly that what they have done has been done in the sight of God.
John 3:1-21 JESUS: GIVER OF ETERNAL LIFE
Springford Baptist Church: March 20, 2022.
Have you noticed that we often do not give a lot of thought to needing something until we are the one who needs it? You do not think a lot about what pair of shoes or new tea kettle or watering can is best until the time comes that one of these or any other number of things is what you need.
There can be a similar tendency to not give much consideration to God’s gift of eternal life until a person feels that he or she is near the end of their journey here.
This record of the exchange between Nicodemus and Jesus gives important insight into a simple truth that reveals significant understanding of our God.
We can know that our loving God wants us to have the gift of eternal life that only His Son Jesus can provide. This is a gift that not only assures us of heaven but gives assurance for the living of life here and now in God pleasing ways.
Consider John 3:16
16 For God so loved the world that He gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life.
In our ongoing desire to KNOW GOD BY KNOWING JESUS, we can recognize that God has intentional purpose in providing His Son Jesus as our means to obtain eternal life.
Realize with me that God wants each of us to have this gift of eternal life with Him in heaven. He wants us to be with Him forever. This can only be because He loves us so intensely.
When a close friend or family member invites you to come over for a visit that is enjoyable and you look forward to that time together. However, the invitation is not to have you move in and stay permanently.
Understand that God in arranging eternal life for us is intending and wanting us to move in and stay with Him forever in heaven. This has been God’s plan all along and this is why he sent His Son Jesus to secure eternal life with God for all who believe in Jesus as their Saviour.
While many people may not give much thought to eternal life until they feel they are close to the end here, it is indeed something to be settled now.
Not only is the gift of eternal life through believing in and trusting Jesus, God’s Son as the GIVER OF ETERNAL LIFE making firm plans for our future when we die, it is for the living of our lives here and now.
Jesus, in his conversation with Nicodemus recorded in John 3 reveals more crucial aspects of KNOWING GOD BY KNOWING JESUS.
When Nicodemus comes to talk with Jesus at night he says, “Rabbi, we know that you are a teacher who has come from God. For no one could perform the signs you are doing if God were not with him.” (John 3:2)
At this point, Nicodemus has concluded that Jesus is a teacher that God has sent, but He does not yet understand that Jesus is God’s own Son and can give anyone who believes the gift of eternal life.
Jesus replies to Nicodemus’ statement with these words, “Very truly I tell you, no one can see the kingdom of God unless they are born again.” (John 3:3)
Not only is it necessary to be born again to see heaven, it is necessary to be born again to see and recognize the kingdom of heaven in God’s will and God’s way being carried out on earth in the meantime.
Where do you see the kingdom of God in your life and in our world at this time? Where do you see God at work in spite of the fierce opposition of the forces of evil?
Nicodemus was wanting to understand, but this concept of being born again was puzzling to him.
Jesus explains,5“Very truly I tell you, no one can enter the kingdom of God unless they are born of water and the Spirit.6 Flesh gives birth to flesh, but the Spirit gives birth to spirit.7 You should not be surprised at my saying, ‘You must be born again.’8 The wind blows wherever it pleases. You hear its sound, but you cannot tell where it comes from or where it is going. So it is with everyone born of the Spirit.” (John 3:5-7)
Here Jesus reveals that this rebirth comes through God’s Holy Spirit. All 3 persons of the Trinity: Father, Son and Holy Spirit participate in giving this gift of rebirth that results in us being sealed for eternal life.
There is mystery in this that requires us trusting God for what we do not fully understand.
The love and compassion of God in longing for us to be reborn to eternal life is confirmed in Jesus’ words,
17 For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through Him.18 Whoever believes in Him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because they have not believed in the name of God’s one and only Son. (John 3:17,18)
Nicodemus was confronted with a choice of what to believe and we too are confronted with a choice of what to believe. Do we believe that God sent Jesus His Son to save us? Do we believe that we need saving?
It is only because of His great redeeming love that God would be willing to follow through on His plan of how to save us. Jesus is the central figure in this plan.
Jesus’ final words to Nicodemus that we have record of in John 3 are these:
19“This is the verdict: Light has come into the world, but people loved darkness instead of light because their deeds were evil.20 Everyone who does evil hates the light, and will not come into the light for fear that their deeds will be exposed.21 But whoever lives by the truth comes into the light, so that it may be seen plainly that what they have done has been done in the sight of God.” (John 3:19-21)
This love for darkness instead of light because of deeds which are evil is apparent on the world stage at this time. Vladimir Putin may quote the Bible at a rally in Russia but the Light of Jesus who has come into our world exposes Putin’s deeds as evil.
In the living of our lives here and now, as we anticipate receiving the gift of eternal life by believing in Jesus God’s Son, each one of us is accountable. God expects us to live by the truth and to step into His Light so that we will not hesitate to have what we have done be exposed in the clear sight of God. It is when there is conviction of sin that we would hesitate to step into the Light.
Our God of love sent Jesus so that whoever believes in Him will live in the Light of His truth for as long as they are here on earth and then there is the promise of eternal life in heaven. This can only be available because God really does want to spend eternity with us. Looking to JESUS: GIVER OF ETERNAL LIFE confirms that God wants to live with us and have us live with Him, now and always!