John 3:1-21
September Memory Verse: Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! According to his great mercy, he has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead. 1 Peter 1:3 (ESV)
Read: John 3:1-21
Often in the Bible we see stories of Pharisees, who were religious leaders in Jewish culture. They have much scripture memorized, as was common in that time, and they were seen as very intelligent people. What the Pharisees lack is the ability to see that the scripture that they had committed to memory was being fulfilled right in front of their very eyes. Today, we learn of a Pharisee named Nicodemus and his interaction with Jesus.
Nicodemus was a very smart man, but he was having a difficult time understanding just what was going on. In verse 2, we see that he believed that Jesus was sent by God as a teacher (Rabbi), but he didn’t quite have a grasp on the mission that Jesus was on Earth to accomplish.
He came to Jesus at night, which is likely to conceal this meeting from the other Pharisees, as he likely wanted to avoid the unnecessary conflict (Pharisees weren’t Jesus’ biggest fan). Jesus doesn’t waste any time here. He jumps right in and heads straight to the Gospel. He tells Nicodemus that you have to be born again to enter the kingdom of God.
At this point, I picture Nicodemus scratching his head for a second, then impatiently asking Jesus what that meant. It can be reasonably assumed that Nicodemus didn’t actually think that Jesus meant a second physical birth, but you can tell by his response that he just wanted a clearer explanation. The next few verses show Jesus being patient with Nicodemus and taking the time to go into more detail and explain things a bit better for Nicodemus, but he still doesn’t quite get what Jesus means.
Jesus then breaks it down into an analogy that Nicodemus would understand by using the story of Moses lifting the serpent in the wilderness from Numbers 21. We then get to the most famous verse in the Bible, John 3:16, one that is likely the first verse we ever memorized. Jesus breaks down the Gospel so clearly for Nicodemus that we see no more questions.
This section of Scripture ends by Jesus explaining the consequences for not accepting the Gospel, and the results of becoming a believer. He makes it clear that if you don’t believe, you will be condemned. He then makes it known that when we accept Jesus as Savior, we will be empowered by God for good works.
Let’s finish by breaking down how Jesus took advantage of this opportunity to share the gospel:
Jesus was quick to share the Gospel
In verse 3, he jumps right in, taking advantage of the chance to share with someone who had questions and was eager to learn more.
Jesus was patient in sharing the Gospel
Nicodemus was a smart guy, but he didn’t exactly understand everything Jesus was saying. He was smart enough to know that he couldn’t be physically reborn, but he still needed some clarification, and Jesus walked him through everything patiently. We should be patient with people we share with because we were once where they were, and we didn’t have all the answers either.
Jesus was ready to share the Gospel
This is a picture of 1 Peter 3:15 (always being ready to make a defense…), and it shows that Jesus knew the scriptures, and could explain it in a way to help others understand. He had studied God’s word, and he knew how to explain it to others (insert shameless plug for Jumpstart and Prepare to Share).
Jesus didn’t sugarcoat the Gospel
We see Jesus get real with Nicodemus in verse 18, detailing what it looks like if you reject the Gospel. It may be hard for some to hear, but it is necessary that people know their position before a holy God and why they need to accept Jesus as savior.
How has God used today’s passage to speak to you about sharing with others? Is there one of the 4 points listed that you need to focus on or get better at? Let us know in the comments below!
By: Scottie Frans
Read: John 3:1-21
Often in the Bible we see stories of Pharisees, who were religious leaders in Jewish culture. They have much scripture memorized, as was common in that time, and they were seen as very intelligent people. What the Pharisees lack is the ability to see that the scripture that they had committed to memory was being fulfilled right in front of their very eyes. Today, we learn of a Pharisee named Nicodemus and his interaction with Jesus.
Nicodemus was a very smart man, but he was having a difficult time understanding just what was going on. In verse 2, we see that he believed that Jesus was sent by God as a teacher (Rabbi), but he didn’t quite have a grasp on the mission that Jesus was on Earth to accomplish.
He came to Jesus at night, which is likely to conceal this meeting from the other Pharisees, as he likely wanted to avoid the unnecessary conflict (Pharisees weren’t Jesus’ biggest fan). Jesus doesn’t waste any time here. He jumps right in and heads straight to the Gospel. He tells Nicodemus that you have to be born again to enter the kingdom of God.
At this point, I picture Nicodemus scratching his head for a second, then impatiently asking Jesus what that meant. It can be reasonably assumed that Nicodemus didn’t actually think that Jesus meant a second physical birth, but you can tell by his response that he just wanted a clearer explanation. The next few verses show Jesus being patient with Nicodemus and taking the time to go into more detail and explain things a bit better for Nicodemus, but he still doesn’t quite get what Jesus means.
Jesus then breaks it down into an analogy that Nicodemus would understand by using the story of Moses lifting the serpent in the wilderness from Numbers 21. We then get to the most famous verse in the Bible, John 3:16, one that is likely the first verse we ever memorized. Jesus breaks down the Gospel so clearly for Nicodemus that we see no more questions.
This section of Scripture ends by Jesus explaining the consequences for not accepting the Gospel, and the results of becoming a believer. He makes it clear that if you don’t believe, you will be condemned. He then makes it known that when we accept Jesus as Savior, we will be empowered by God for good works.
Let’s finish by breaking down how Jesus took advantage of this opportunity to share the gospel:
Jesus was quick to share the Gospel
In verse 3, he jumps right in, taking advantage of the chance to share with someone who had questions and was eager to learn more.
Jesus was patient in sharing the Gospel
Nicodemus was a smart guy, but he didn’t exactly understand everything Jesus was saying. He was smart enough to know that he couldn’t be physically reborn, but he still needed some clarification, and Jesus walked him through everything patiently. We should be patient with people we share with because we were once where they were, and we didn’t have all the answers either.
Jesus was ready to share the Gospel
This is a picture of 1 Peter 3:15 (always being ready to make a defense…), and it shows that Jesus knew the scriptures, and could explain it in a way to help others understand. He had studied God’s word, and he knew how to explain it to others (insert shameless plug for Jumpstart and Prepare to Share).
Jesus didn’t sugarcoat the Gospel
We see Jesus get real with Nicodemus in verse 18, detailing what it looks like if you reject the Gospel. It may be hard for some to hear, but it is necessary that people know their position before a holy God and why they need to accept Jesus as savior.
How has God used today’s passage to speak to you about sharing with others? Is there one of the 4 points listed that you need to focus on or get better at? Let us know in the comments below!
By: Scottie Frans
5 Comments
I spent my time here, this morning...
As you do not know the way the spirit comes to the bones in the womb of a woman with child, so you do not know the work of God who makes everything. (Ecclesiastes 11:5, ESV)
The wind blows where it wishes, and you hear its sound, but you do not know where it comes from or where it goes. So it is with everyone who is born of the Spirit." (John 3:8, ESV)
He cannot be controlled or understood, but the proof of God the Holy Spirit's work is apparent. Where the Spirit works, there is undeniable and unmistakable evidence.
Then he said to me, "Prophesy to the breath; prophesy, son of man, and say to the breath, Thus says the Lord GOD: Come from the four winds, O breath, and breathe on these slain, that they may live." (Ezekiel 37:9, ESV)
Well, Scottie, for some reason this all escaped me the first 30 years of reading this passage. Wow, Jesus just broke it down to make it make sense and then draw him to it, didn’t he?! Clearly Nicodemus’s heart was to do right, based on the last verse, and Jesus knew if he showed him, Nicodemus would love the Light.
Beautiful! Thank you for this!
As to your question, I would say part 4 over here. Part 3 might be a close second. :)
I need to be better at being quick. This really showed me how I can improve and take more opportunities. Thank you, Scottie!
SO good Scottie! I’m with everyone else….what a great outline. Yes, more quick to share and patience for this Type A. Thanks for your encouragement. Great job!!
Enjoyed this blog! The takeaway for me is to be ready at all times to share the Gospel.