Jesus and Nicodemus
-Introduction
-early Judean portion of the public work of Jesus
-John 2: - 1st miracle performed by Jesus; visited Jerusalem
-When Jesus cleansed the temple, the Jews (presumably the leaders) questioned
His authority - i.e. “Just who do you think you are and what gives you this right?”
-Can you imagine what some of the conversations must have been like amongst the
Pharisees?
-For those who would oppose Jesus, a huge hurdle stood in the way - the miracles (John
2:23). Yet, it was these miracles that brought Nicodemus to Jesus.
-Nicodemus - A Man of Growing Faith
-In addition to John 3, we find Nicodemus in John 7:50-51 where he speaks up for Jesus
amongst his peers on the Sanhedrin and in John 19 when he honors Jesus by caring for
His body. He seems to be a man with growing faith.
-Here in John 3, his faith was just getting underway.
-John 3:2
-Nicodemus came to Jesus by night - perhaps an issue of availability on either his part or
the part of Jesus - or perhaps a matter of fear for what his peers might think.
-“Rabbi” - a term of respect used for distinguished teachers
-Note the word “we.” They knew that Jesus was a teacher sent by God. They needed
to better grasp the degree and significance of this fact. He was not like the other
prophets, but was The Prophet (Deut 18:18) - God in the flesh.
-We see that Nicodemus was willing to examine and consider the evidence.
-It seems that Nicodemus had a heart which was receptive to Jesus’ words; yet, his physical
perspective would make it difficult for him to understand the spiritual truths of our Lord.
-John 3:3-8 - Being Born Again
-Jesus is very direct in His teaching here - a person must be born again.
-vs 5 - “born of water and of the Spirit”
-1 Peter 1:18-19, 22-25
-We are born again when we are baptized into Christ in accordance with the truth of
God’s word as revealed by the Spirit.
-What else would the water be in reference to? prior to this passage - John 1:26;
following this passage - John 3:22-23 (and elsewhere of course - i.e. Acts 8:36-39, etc.)
-Keep in mind, although the baptism of the Great Commission was yet to come when this
conversation took place, the baptism of John was already in place - and the Pharisees had
rejected it - John 1, Matthew 3.
-vs 8 - To help Nicodemus understand these teachings, Jesus gave the example of the wind
and its effects. Notice the point here, being born against isn’t just that act but the entering
into a new life of which the effects should be visible. (2 Cor. 5:17, Rom. 6:4, 13, 19)
-Nicodemus was a religiously-minded man. Yet, he still needed to be made righteous.
For that to take place, he had to be born again and live the new life.
-John 3:9-15
-Nicodemus struggled to understand. He was a teacher in Israel. Actually, Jesus referred
to him as “the” teacher. Yet, Nicodemus needed to continue as a student.
-Let us teach and be diligent in those efforts (Heb 5:12). Yet, let us always remain
students as well.
-Nicodemus was a teacher but didn’t know these truths. And, of course, there was much
more for him to learn.
-Let’s remember, this was to be a time of great change for these Pharisees - to leave
behind the ways of the Law and enter into the blessed Gospel of Christ.
-Remember what Jesus told His disciples - John 16:12.
-Jesus here gives indications of His deity. He was not sent by God as in terms of a prophet.
He was in heaven and was willing to come to earth. In so doing, He would willingly allow
Himself to be lifted up so that mankind could be spiritually healed.
-John 3:16-21
-vs 16 - Jesus was/is the Savior of the world and is the ultimate manifestation of the love
of the Father. Imagine this in the mind of the Pharisee. Yes, not only does God love the
“elite” of Israel; not only does He love the Jews, He loves all.
-Jesus’ role was that of Savior. He will return as Judge (Acts 17:31, 2 Cor. 5:10).
-Yet, judgment was/is taking place - vs 19.
-Those who choose to live in sin do not like the revealing nature of the Light. Those, whose
hearts are open to the truth and desire to abide within it, seek the Light, come to it and
continue in it.
-Nicodemus had taken the preliminary steps in this process. Now, he needed to continue.
-Summary and Invitation
-In this passage, we are only given a glimpse into the life and character of this ruler of the
Jews. Yet, from this early beginning, I like Nicodemus. He has some admirable traits that I
hope I have exhibited in my life and you in yours.
-In Nicodemus, we see a person who was willing to examine the evidence and contemplate it.
We see a person who was desirous of the truth and willing to pursue it. We see a man who,
even amidst those who strongly opposed the truth, grew within it.
-Yet, let be careful that we don’t focus so much on Nicodemus in this passage that we miss
the compassionate teaching of our Savior who here indicated to Nicodemus the basics of
His loving mission - He left His home in heaven, came to this earth to deliver and exhibit
the truth, willingly submitted Himself to the agonies of the cross for the saving of mankind.
-Thanks to Jesus, we can be born again, grow stronger in our faith and strive to be more and
more like Him.
-What about you? Have you been born again? If not, won’t you take those steps this
morning? Believe in Jesus (John 3:16, 8:24), Confess that faith (Matt. 10:32, Rom. 10:9-
10), Repent of sin (Luke 13:3,5; Acts 17:30), Be Baptized into Christ (Mark 16:16, John
3:5, Acts 2:38), Walk in Newness of Life (Rom. 6:4, Eph. 4:22-24).
-For those who have been born again, is your life continuing to show its effects? If not, if
you haven’t continued in faithful service to the Lord, won’t you renew those efforts?
Confess your shortcomings, repent of them and pray to God for forgiveness (1 John 1:7-
9; Acts 8:22-24).