29.1 Not all of the religious leaders were against Jesus. One of them came to talk with him. He was Nicodemus, a member of the Sanhedrin, of the ruling council of Israel.
There was a man of the Pharisees, named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews: The same came to Jesus by night, and said to him, Rabbi, we know that you are a teacher who came from God: for no one can do the miracles you do unless God is with him. John 3:1-2
29.2 Jesus could tell that this man was honest, so he spoke plainly,
Jesus answered and said to him, "I tell you the truth, unless a man is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God." John 3:3
29.3 Nicodemus was alarmed. He naturally thought that being born again was impossible.
Nicodemus said to him, "How can a man be born again when he is old? Can he enter into his mother's womb a second time, and so be born again?" John 3:4
29.4 Jesus explained what he meant.
Jesus answered him, "I tell you the truth, unless a person is born of water, and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God. that which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. Do not marvel that I said, 'You must be born again'. The wind blows where it wants to; and you hear it, but you can not tell where it comes form, or where it is going. That's how it is with everyone who is born of the Spirit." John 3:5-8
29.5 Nicodemus was more puzzled than ever. It was obvious now that Jesus was talking about a spiritual rebirth, but how could that happen?
Nicodemus answered and said to him, "How can these things be?" John 3:9
29.6 Jesus gave Nicodemus a very lengthy and complete answer which Nicodemus would remember, and which would lead Nicodemus to salvation. When we are witnessing to people we need to do this!
Jesus answered and said to him, How can you be a leader of Israel and not know these things? I tell you the truth, We, (meaning himself and John the Baptist), speak what we know, and tell of what we have seen, but you do not receive our witness. If I have told you about earthly things, and you do not believe them, how will you believe if I tell you of heavenly things? No one has gone up into heaven except he who came down from heaven, even the Son of man which is in heaven. And as Moses lifted up the snake in the wilderness, even so must the Son of man be lifted up: so that whoever believes into him should not perish, but have eternal life. For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, so that whoever believes into him should not perish, but have everlasting life. John 3:10-16 (parenthesis mine)
29.7 Nicodemus would not have understood very much of this until after Jesus rose from the dead. Yet there was no riddle at all. Jesus was speaking very directly, leading Nicodemus onward from what he already knew. The snake that Moses had "lifted up" in the wilderness, was a brass snake fastened to a cross. When the people looked at the snake they would not die of snakebite, but live, (Numbers 21:9). The title "Son of man" was the name Jesus used for himself. It was a clear reference to Daniel 7:13 (see also Psalm 8:4-6 & Hebrews 2:6-9)
29.8 Jesus had made it clear that he was speaking of a spiritual rebirth that would take place when the Holy Spirit of God brought a person to faith in Christ, and that a person so believing would have everlasting life.
29.9 Jesus continued on,
"For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved. He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God. And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil. For every one that does evil hates the light, neither comes to the light, lest his deeds should be reproved. But he that does truth comes to the light, that his deeds may be made manifest, that they are done in God." John 3:17-21
29.10 It was important for Nicodemus to understand that sin was the issue. Sin separates people from God, and ultimately even condemns them to hell, because the wages of sin is death. This horrible judgment comes upon them because they love darkness rather than light. They would not turn from their evil deeds to Christ. People will never be able to experience all the joy, peace, healing, power, forgiveness, kindness, love, and goodness of God, or heaven that God would give them, unless they have a spiritual rebirth, by the Holy Spirit, turning from their evil deeds to Christ, Who is the light of the world, in humble faith, believing on him for forgiveness and salvation.
29.11 Nicodemus became a believer, and one of Jesus' most loyal friends. He would understand everything better much later, after Jesus rose from the dead.
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