John 3

There was a man of the Pharisees, named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews; (John 3:1 KJV)

As a leader of the Jewish people, Nicodemus had standing in the community and as such even speaking to Jesus could cause problems for him. In verse ten we’ll see he was a teacher of the Jews and should have understood much more than he did.

The same came to Jesus by night, and said unto him, Rabbi, we know that thou art a teacher come from God: for no man can do these miracles that thou doest, except God be with him. (John 3:2 KJV)

Why by night? Perhaps Nicodemus didn’t want to be seen with Jesus. However, the simplest explanation might be the best — as one of the rulers, Nicodemus’ day would have been pretty busy, and Jesus was always surrounded by crowds. So if you were a busy guy and wanted to see Jesus alone, when would you come? By night.

Nicodemus admits signs happened. He’s perhaps confused about exactly who Jesus is, but he knows Jesus is no regular guy. You can choose to accept or reject Jesus, but to deny His existence or miracles is stupid; we need to give Nicodemus credit for being a good skeptic and searching out the facts for himself and then coming to his own conclusion.

If we jump ahead to chapter nineteen, we know the conclusion Nicodemus comes to. He was one coming to Pilate asking for the body of Jesus.^[1] It’s easy to miss the significance of this, but for two things. First as you might know, just associating with Jesus could get you in hot water with the Jewish leadership.

But more importantly, recall why the Jews wanted the bodies off the cross. Remember? The passover was coming! Still don’t get it? It’s easy to miss. By touching a dead body, Nicodemus disqualified himself for the passover.^[2] As a ruler of the Jews, this would be totally outrageous — except perhaps Nicodemus knew more than we give him credit for. Perhaps he already knew God was fulfilling His word to Israel; a savior would come.

Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God. (John 3:3 KJV)

Imagine Nicodemus. What would he be thinking? Confused? Regretting he came? Wishing he had an answer?

Nicodemus saith unto him, How can a man be born when he is old? can he enter the second time into his mother’s womb, and be born? (John 3:4 KJV)

Nicodemus was certainly confused. It’s easy to be hard on the disciples and people of that day, but forget we have the benefit of additional knowledge. Nicodemus was raised a Jew observant to the Law and believed following the Mosaic Law made him acceptable to God. And then Jesus comes and says you must be born again. Nothing like that was in the Torah (at least explicitly).

Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God. (John 3:5 KJV)

Groups wishing to prove you must be baptized to be saved frequently quote this verse. This is another of those issues frequently dividing churches and the body of Christ. Notice the events are backwards — born of water and then of the spirit. Unless you think Jesus got the order wrong, it’s significant. I haven’t heard too many people say to get baptized before you make a proclamation of faith. Yet if you use this verse as a proof-text, that’s what it says.

So is baptism required?

During the crucifixion, two thieves were alongside Jesus. But the heart of one changed during those hours, asking Jesus “Lord, remember me when thou comest into thy kingdom”^[3]. Jesus’ response? “Verily I say unto thee, Today shalt thou be with me in paradise” ^[4]. Strange — no mention of baptism. It’s difficult to believe this thief could have been baptized before he died (the Romans wouldn’t be ones to let him down, be baptized, then put him back up). Does that make Jesus a liar since he wasn’t baptized, yet was saved?

We must conclude salvation occurs apart from baptism. Some claim a special case for this thief since Jesus Himself forgave his sins. But is that logical? To assume so requires two different means to salvation and has no biblical proof. The Bible states only one way exists for salvation (we are saved in the same manner as the thief) — through faith in Jesus Christ.

We reach a contradiction with baptism required for salvation. In effect, we need go no further. However, more evidence against the requirement for baptism from Paul said in Ephesians 2:

For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast. (Ephesians 2:8-9 KJV).

The act of baptism is a work (or ritual). Paul makes clear works do not (and can not) save us. Even the faith we have is a gift of God. Since works cannot save us, baptism plays no part in the salvation of the believer.

But also consider the logic of requiring baptism. Let’s assume it is required. After you make a proclamation of faith but before you get dunked, what state are you in? Saved? Unsaved? Half-saved? When people notice this, they must admit if baptism is required after accepting Jesus you still are unsaved. That makes them nervous (and rightly so) as they see the illogic in their position.

But an even more insidious problem develops if you believe the requirement of baptism. If you believe you must do something to be saved, you’re stating Jesus’ work on the cross was incomplete and insufficient for salvation. Not only does this contradict Jesus’ own words (“It is finished”), but you’re saying Jesus suffering and death didn’t seal the deal. Personally, I don’t want to be the one to tell God His plan wasn’t good enough.

Should you be baptized? Yep. Is it required? Nope. I hope that’s clear now. So what’s going on here? If this isn’t baptism, what is it? Simple. You need to be born twice — once naturally, and once spiritually. Following the Mosaic Law wouldn’t do it. That’s the point, and if you know the context and the person Jesus speaks to (a leader of Jews with considerable knowledge) it makes sense.

That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again. (John 3:6-7 KJV)

You are a three-fold creature: body, soul, spirit. But the spirit is dead (Ephesians 2). Thus, to be spiritually alive you must have a second birth — that of the spirit. Nicodemus should have known this.

The wind bloweth where it willeth, and thou hearest the sound thereof, but canst not tell whence it cometh, and whither it goeth: so is every one that is born of the Spirit. Nicodemus answered and said unto him, How can these things be? Jesus answered and said unto him, Art thou a teacher of Israel, and knowest not these things? (John 3:8-10 KJV)

Nicodemus believed what he couldn’t see, so why have a problem? It’s strange how people have no problem believing some things, yet have a big problem with others. Nicodemus is still confused.

Jesus replies a teacher of Israel should know these things; teachers are responsible and held to higher standards. ^[5] Teachers of God’s word must be sure of their calling and what they’re doing. I can’t imagine some guys on TV actually believing some of the garbage they peddle, yet they are going to answer for it at the throne of God — I hope they’re ready.

Certain groups have extra responsibility according to the Bible. Teachers, pastors, men in households must show leadership. Just because you don’t like it (or delegate your responsibility to someone else) doesn’t relieve you of your responsibility. For example, back in Genesis, who sinned in the garden of Eden (Eve)? Yet throughout the rest of the Bible, who is responsible (Adam)? You can’t get away from your duty and responsibility — whether you like it or not.

Verily, verily, I say unto thee, We speak that we do know, and testify that we have seen; and ye receive not our witness. If I have told you earthly things, and ye believe not, how shall ye believe, if I tell you of heavenly things? (John 3:11-12 KJV)

You need to progress in your knowledge; you have to understand the basics first. You don’t start right in with quantum mechanics — you need calculus first, and before that algebra. If Nicodemus doesn’t understand the foundations, how can he understand higher things? People want to jump in to the cool, advanced stuff, but if you’ve never laid a foundation you’re doomed to fail. That’s why it’s important to be in a church that teaches through the entire Bible — not just sermonize over part of it.

And no man hath ascended up to heaven, but he that came down from heaven, even the Son of man which is in heaven. And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of man be lifted up: That whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal life. (John 3:13-15 KJV)

This refers back to Numbers 21:4-9 which you should read for yourself. During the plague, God instructs Moses to take a pole and make a bronze serpent and hold it up. Anyone who was bit and looked at the serpent on the pole was saved.

Did this make sense? Of course not. You mean I don’t need medicine or anything? Not in this specific situation. But suppose you didn’t believe, what happened if you tried it your own way? Death. But this makes no sense! I don’t accept it. The result is still death.

So does faith in Jesus make sense? Nope. You mean I don’t need works? Nope. Just accept Jesus as savior. That makes no sense either, just as the situation in Numbers. But in either case, if you ignore God’s word, the result is death. It’s more natural to do a list of things to get something in return. Grace is hard for many people to get — the idea God gives you something you don’t deserve. (Remember, grace is getting what you don’t deserve, and mercy is not getting what you do).

All this leads to God’s biggest problem.

For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. (John 3:16 KJV)

God’s problem of showing infinite love is solved; He allows you to get into a situation you have no possibility of getting out of. If left to yourself, you have no chance of solving your sin problem — the requirement is perfection, and anything short is unacceptable.

This should also unite Christians. We don’t fight about baptism or pre-trib or wine/grape juice for communion or anything else. I won’t compromise doctrine, but I won’t waste time on petty matters either. The whole world goes to hell while we’re fighting about nothing. Some of the worst email I get is from Christians; why fight among ourselves? Salvation is simple. God loves you; all sin is forgivable.

For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved. (John 3:17 KJV)

This is the mission of Jesus. But what is the Gospel? Some will say good news (and it is). Others will say Jesus did miracles, while others say He was a good teacher. But what is the Gospel? Don’t guess, let Paul explain it.

For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures (1 Corinthians 15:3-4 KJV)

Notice how simple the Gospel is. It’s not miracles, teaching or good works. It’s Jesus dying for our sins; paying the penalty we are unable to. But now note the contrast John shows.

He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God. (John 3:18 KJV)

Only one way exists. People believe if they’re sincere, God will accept them. Nope. Only one way to heaven exists. But that’s so narrow-minded, you say. Exactly — Jesus said it was. ^[6] No “big tent” exists where religions of the world come together in agreement. Religions are exclusive. Period. You have to make a choice. If you study Christianity, Islam, Judaism, Mormanism, Buddhism, and others you’ll come to one conclusion — at most one of these can be right (they can also all be wrong as well).

So how do you choose? Which one is right? What about evolution (from the goo to the zoo to you)? My proposal is simple. Any religion must be able to answer the basic questions of life:

• How did I get here?
• Why am I here?
• Where am I going?

First, evolution is a joke — it just doesn’t fit the facts. Ask yourself these questions regarding evolution. First, where are the scientific experiments showing matter can come from nothing? Second, where is the data showing life can come from non-life? Last, prove explosions produce order. Evolution is a joke and is by definition un-scientific as it doesn’t follow the scientific idea of experimental data verifying a theory.

A god must be responsible since the naturalistic explanation (evolution) is unworkable. But which god and from which religion? Remember our questions — a candidate religion must be able to answer them or it’s excluded. Thus, eastern religion is excluded as it can’t answer how we got here. You’re left with a handful of choices; Christianity, Judaism, Islam and perhaps a few others. Pick one that is consistent. Only one (Orthodox Christianity) fits. But the bottom line is you must analyze the data and decide for yourself.

And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil. (John 3:19 KJV)

The people in this verse are completely given to darkness — it’s their nature. The Greek is deliberate and precise, its a choice, what they’re devoted to, what they value, esteem, delight, want, and desire. Why do people like darkness? Because light exposes them. Man possesses a basic understanding of right and wrong, and these people know their deeds are wrong and don’t want to be exposed.

But to touch on a controversial subject, why are we seeing so much “coming out of the closet” these days? Simple answer — it’s just as dark outside as inside. Our society moves away from God and gets darker and darker, so today it becomes just as comfortable to be in the closet as out. Once you get rid of morals, anything goes.

We live in dark times; it’s important to show the light. Many will reject it, but that’s their choice. Our job is to be watchers on the wall like Ezekiel. It’s our job to give people information; what they do with it is up to them. It is not our job to convert people. Never get the two jobs confused. Information is our job; conversion is the Holy Spirit’s. Recall Noah and how many were saved during his life (zip). Yet did God consider him a failure? I don’t think so.

For every one that doeth evil hateth the light, neither cometh to the light, lest his deeds should be reproved. But he that doeth truth cometh to the light, that his deeds may be made manifest, that they are wrought in God. (John 3:20-21 KJV)

People don’t like light; they continue in their path and refuse to admit the light. They want to continue with their bad ways, and don’t want to change; it’s a willful choice. Notice the light shines on all — God wants all to be saved and come to the knowledge of the truth. Everyone has the same opportunity; some accept it, some don’t.

After these things came Jesus and his disciples into the land of Judaea; and there he tarried with them, and baptized. And John also was baptizing in Aenon near to Salim, because there was much water there: and they came, and were baptized. (John 3:22-23 KJV)

Did John see a mighty vision telling him where to go? Why go there? Just because there was water. Sometimes we look for a big sign when the answer is simple practicality. Baptism needs water, so John went where there was water. God gives you intelligence, use it.

For John was not yet cast into prison. Then there arose a question between some of John’s disciples and the Jews about purifying. (John 3:24-25 KJV)

Religion rears it’s ugly head. Remember what we’ve seen all along — salvation is simple, yet we continually take a simple idea and make it complex. Just as the Jews did with the Mosaic law, we turn salvation into something God never intended. Jesus continually ran afoul of what the Pharisiees thought was God’s law, yet Jesus never violated the true Mosaic law, only man’s additions. We must not count on ceremony instead of a relationship.

Wherefore the Lord said, For as much as this people draw near me with their mouth, and with their lips do honor me, but have removed their heart far from me, and their fear toward me is taught by the precept of men: (Isaiah 29:13 KJV)

That’s religion. You can’t play Christian. You can fool me, but not God. It’s an attitude of the heart, not outward ceremony. Salvation is by faith alone not works.

And they came unto John, and said unto him, Rabbi, he that was with thee beyond Jordan, to whom thou barest witness, behold, the same baptizeth, and all men come to him. (John 3:26 KJV)

What would the normal response be? They’re taking my guys! What about my ministry? What about my building fund? I think of TV preachers and wonder what they would do if this happened to them, yet John maintains the correct perspective.

John answered and said, A man can receive nothing, except it be given him from heaven. (John 3:27 KJV)

Everything you have is from God — talent, possessions, skills. It’s easy to become prideful and believe we are something when we’re not. For example, I’m a network administrator. When I first started at the company I work for, we had no network. We now have over 150 computers and 14 servers over four locations across the United States, and I designed the whole thing. That’s the skill God gave me. No big deal.

One day, as I was walking through the plant and looking overhead, considering the fiber optic lines carrying our network, I said to myself “Is this not a mighty empire I have built”? You might recall those words to be similar to Nebuchadnezzar in Daniel 4:28-33 (it didn’t work out too well for him). I spent the next few minutes repenting on my way back to the office. I don’t know how many times this happened that I didn’t recognize it.

Recall the problem back in Genesis with the fall of Adam — the knowledge of good and evil; the thought we can do it on our own and don’t need God. That somehow we developed our talents and skills. Not so, all is a gift from God. Paul writes to the carnal Corinthian church about this.

For who maketh thee to differ from another? and what hast thou that thou didst not receive? now if thou didst receive it, why dost thou glory, as if thou hadst not received it? (1 Corinthians 4:7 KJV)

It’s easy to think we develop skills ourselves; after all we work hard at it. Yet not only do we not have anything to do with what skills we have, we aren’t able to help anyway, as John continues.

Ye yourselves bear me witness, that I said, I am not the Christ, but that I am sent before him. (John 3:28 KJV)

John is clear — I am not the person you’re looking for. John knew his job was simply to point to Jesus. I cannot help you. I can share the Word of God, we can pray, but I am not the solution to your problem. I can’t really advise you either; all I can do is share the Word of God, and if you reject God’s word, we don’t have much left to talk about.

He that hath the bride is the bridegroom: but the friend of the bridegroom, which standeth and heareth him, rejoiceth greatly because of the bridegroom’s voice: this my joy therefore is fulfilled. (John 3:29 KJV)

It’s natural they go to Him, that’s why John wasn’t upset when his disciples left to follow Jesus. It’s exactly what they should do.

He must increase, but I must decrease. (John 3:30 KJV)

Everything I have comes from God, so do you see me? Am I the focus, or Jesus? If I’m the focus, somethings wrong. I don’t need (or want) to call undue attention to myself. It’s not my ministry, it’s His — I’m just the mouthpiece. And if God can use Ballam’s donkey, He can sure use me.

What is the original sin? Pride. Pride disqualifies us from being used by God as He won’t share His glory with anyone. Pride also prevents us from being used by God as we feel we don’t deserve the sometimes unpleasant occurrences from being obedient. Remember what Paul told Timothy:

Preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; convince, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and teaching. (2 Timothy 4:2 NKJV)

Unfortunately that’s a bad translation. The Greek really means whether it’s convenient or inconvenient. Many times I get instructions that are not really pleasant, yet I’m just a soldier in God’s army and it’s my job to follow orders. But pride keeps us from doing our job because we want everything to be convenient.

Thou therefore endure hardness, as a good soldier of Jesus Christ. No man that warreth entangleth himself with the affairs of this life; that he may please him who hath chosen him to be a soldier. (2 Timothy 2:3-4 KJV)

If you’re prideful and lack perspective you won’t act as a soldier doing his duty. C.S. Lewis is one of my favorite authors as he can write fiction, commentary and anything in between. In his book “The Screwtape Letters” C.S. Lewis writes a dialog between satan and one of his demons on earth trying to influence a particular person. Let’s listen in on some of satan’s instruction.

... Your patient has become humble; have you drawn his attention to the fact? All virtues are less formidable to us once the man is aware that he has them, but this is especially true of humility. Catch him at the moment when he is really poor is spirit and smuggle into his mind the gratifying reflection “By jove! I’m being humble”, and almost immediately pride — pride at his own humility will appear. If he awakes to the danger and tries to smother this new form of pride, make him proud of his attempt. ^[7]

How do you encourage people without developing pride? We don’t want our pastors to toil without encouragement, yet we don’t want them to become prideful which harms their work. The solution is really simple, never tell someone they did a good job; only say the Lord gave them a good message, or skill or whatever. You’ve then encouraged them (which they need), and by acknowledging the source of their talent (God) you’ve avoided the temptation to develop pride.

How do you battle pride? By having a good self-image. Not what you hear in psychology class, a good self image is JB — He must increase, I must decrease. That’s a natural thought when you understand your position, where your talents come from, and your relationship with God. Pride is the first sin and proves deadly to your ministry (make no mistake, we’re all in ministry).

How art thou fallen from heaven, O Lucifer, son of the morning! how art thou cut down to the ground, which didst weaken the nations! For thou hast said in thine heart, I will ascend into heaven, I will exalt my throne above the stars of God: I will sit also upon the mount of the congregation, in the sides of the north: I will ascend above the heights of the clouds; I will be like the most High. Yet thou shalt be brought down to hell, to the sides of the pit. (Isaiah 14:12-15 KJV)

Other verses on pride you should look up — Proverbs 11:2, 16:18-19, 18:12, 22:4, 29:23, Micah 6:8, Romans 12:3, Galatians 6:3, James 4:10, 1 Peter 5:5, 1 John 2:16. You should also study a few biblical situations — Pharaoh in Exodus 5-12, Naaman in 2 Kings 5, Nebuchadnezzar in Daniel 4, Belshazzar in Daniel 5, Herod in Acts 12, Sodom and Gomorrah in Ezekiel 16:49. (Are you getting the hint pride is a big problem?). Finally in Revelation 3 to church at Laodicea, Jesus says:

Because thou sayest, I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing; and knowest not that thou art wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked: I counsel thee to buy of me gold tried in the fire, that thou mayest be rich; and white raiment, that thou mayest be clothed, and that the shame of thy nakedness do not appear; and anoint thine eyes with eyesalve, that thou mayest see. (Revelation 3:17-18 KJV)

Do you think we need to be reminded about Pride? I do. Pride disqualifies us and prevents us from many things we should do when we forget our status as a soldier. Taking enemy fire? Praise God! They don’t waste time on non-combatants. If you’re under attack, it means you’re doing something. Without Jesus you can do nothing, with Him anything is possible. We can get things done if and only if we do them through Christ (John 15:5, Matthew 19:26, Philippians 4:13).

Finally, be careful of false humility like Eeyore in Winnie the Pooh. You’ve heard the types, “I can’t really do anything, I have no talents”. That’s not humility. God says you have gifts and talents; if you don’t think you do you’re calling God a liar and that’s not humility, that’s pride. We need balance. God says you’re something and fit into his plan. Again, from The Screwtape Letters:

The Enemy wants to bring the man to a state of mind in which he could design the best cathedral in the world, and know it to be the best, and rejoice in the fact, without being any more (or less) or otherwise glad at having done it than he would be if it had been done by another. The Enemy wants him, in the end, to be so free from any bias in his own favor that he can rejoice in his own talents as frankly and gratefully as in his neighbor’s talents. ^[8]

That’s the balance we need. Pride is a killer in your spiritual life.

He that cometh from above is above all: he that is of the earth is earthly, and speaketh of the earth: he that cometh from heaven is above all. (John 3:31 KJV)

Christ is preeminent. Collisions 1:17 says Jesus even holds the atoms together.

And what he hath seen and heard, that he testifieth; and no man receiveth his testimony. He that hath received his testimony hath set to his seal that God is true. For he whom God hath sent speaketh the words of God: for God giveth not the Spirit by measure unto him. (John 3:32-34 KJV)

In the Old Testament the Spirt comes and goes. David prayed don’t take the Holy Spirit from me. That’s something we can’t pray as the Spirit lives within us.

The Father loveth the Son, and hath given all things into his hand. He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him. (John 3:35-36 KJV)

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^[1] John 19:38-40

^[2] Numbers 19:11, 9:6

^[3] Luke 23:42 KJV

^[4] Luke 23:43 KJV

^[5] My brethren, let not many of you become teachers, knowing that we shall receive a stricter judgment. (James 3:1 NKJV)

^[6] Enter in at the narrow gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be who go in that way; Because narrow is the gate, and hard is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it. (Matthew 7:13-14 KJV)

^[7] C.S. Lewis The Screwtape Letters page 71

^[8] C.S. Lewis The Screwtape Letters page 73

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For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast. For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them. (Ephesians 2:8-10 KJV)