John 3:1-17
1 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 without being born again." 4 "How can anyone 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 without being 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.
This is a very full passage for only 17 verses. I first read it and I didn’t know where to begin. I still don’t have a sense where I’ll end up this week, maybe you can help. The verse that did catch my attention that I know I’ll be thinking about more is verse 10. Jesus seemed so surprised that a teacher of the people didn’t understand these spiritual things. I wonder how this translates to us. If Christians are to be the teachers of the world, the people who teach the world about Christ and things of God, would Jesus ask us the same question? ‘How come you don’t understand this stuff?’ He was talking about some pretty deep stuff, being born again of water and Spirit, heavenly things that are beyond common earthly experience, God’s salvation. Could we say that we’ve delved into these mysteries and have understanding? If the answer is no, is it because we have sold ourselves short of Jesus’ expectations for us and been content to just be good people rather than spiritual people? What do you think? Please comment.
-Pastor Eric
Community Reformed Church - Newton, Iowa
Sunday, February 10, 2008
February 17 - John 3:1-17
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Pastor Eric
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2 comments:
This same reading from John is as very real and possible today as it was when Jesus said it over 2000 years ago.
How many intelligent people do you know, (or know of), that are not believers in Christ, because the Bible doesn't seem to make any sense to them? Wasn't the same true with Nicodemus? He was of the ruling council which should have been of some of the wisest of the Jews. Sometimes even the simpilest of things that God does or has done is confusing to us.
It makes me wonder, How far away from God is my heart sometimes, when I don't feel or act as Jesus did or said? Jesus had compassion for the woman at the well, the lepers, tax collectors, and the list goes on and on. Somewhere on that list is your name and my name, and it certainly isn't because I'm wise or favored by God. It's because He loves me despite the sin in my life, and knows that all who are born by water and spirit will find a new life in Him.
I'm lazy when it comes to furthering my spiritual knowledge. Why would I pick up a book or magazine to read an earthly article, when I can pick up my bible and read of countless stories, (many of which are still mysteries to me) which teach me what I really need to know? How many times have we heard some bible stories and then another message is spoke on that passage, and a new revelation is opened for to our mind? The thoughts of my family, church family, friends and co-workers remind me that though I now some very wise, intelligent people, I'm also seeing them as well as myself, challenged by what Jesus has showed us by example. Is it because I've not tried to saturate myself with His word, but let the earthly things choke His word out?
A Baptist church down is Oskaloosa, Ia. has a sign hanging on the door of their church library that reads:
"Those who are illiterate, have no disadvantage over those who can read, but choose not to."
It takes the Spirit to open the scriptures for me to understand, but I have to at least make an effort to open the book and read what I need to understand better.
When we seek God, we are being spiritual people. Nicodemus was fortunate in his day to be able to personally come to Jesus...and He even came to Jesus at night. He knew Jesus as a teacher and coming from God but he came with questions. Like Nicodemus, just when we think we are starting to have everything figured out, Jesus always seems to offer us in exchange...something that we do not quite understand - so that we might know his Father more. Jesus reminds us that we do not know everything and even that we do not believe. But that is why we need Jesus. Like when Jesus was talking to Nicodemus about being "born again". We come to Jesus seeking spiritual translation and asking questions about the earthly things we don't understand. But at the same time we also like to share with Jesus the things that we do know about Him. Jesus even trys to talk in our language so we understand. He does what he can to remind us that he is the Son and that he is here to save us because God so loved the world. Jesus keeps a relationship with us open by feeding our seeking appetite with things that we do not quite understand. He tells us the things we need (and really too, want) to hear because He loves us and we love Him. Seeking Jesus is open to everyone -and at all hours of the night! When we seek the spirit and the truth, "hear its sound", accept and believe things that we have not seen - we will be able to spend eternity with him and that is what he wants...a relationship with us forever! One day, we too will be able to see Jesus face to face!
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