For God so loved the world John 3:1-21
John’s Gospel leaves no doubt about the identity of Jesus – He is the Son of God and He is God. (John 1:1)
Nicodemus was a man of high position: “a ruler of the Jews.” Jesus referred to him as “THE teacher of Israel”, so it’s significant that Nicodemus called Jesus “Rabbi” (teacher).
Nicodemus was a Pharisee. Pharisees were all about keeping the law and so they presented to the common people an outer veneer of righteousness. (Matthew 23:13-33)
Being familiar with the law, the Pharisees should have been aware that they were guilty. (Romans 3:20)
It seems that Nicodemus was aware of his sin problem, because Jesus didn’t call attention to it, but went on to explain salvation to him (John 3:3). In Matthew 7:6, Jesus says not to throw your pearls before pigs, but he gave to Nicodemus the most valuable of pearls. Nicodemus was not the proverbial pig.
Jesus said-
“I say to you, unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God.” (verse 3)
Nicodemus didn’t understand this (verse 4)
Jesus said quite a few things that were difficult for people to hear.
(Matthew 19:16-22, John 6:48-66)
To Nicodemus’ credit, he persisted. He recognized that there was something special about this man. “No one can do these signs that you do unless God is with him.”
Being born again presents a very appropriate metaphor. We didn’t contribute to our physical birth. So it is with our spiritual birth.
Nicodemus had trouble understanding, so Jesus explained it in direct terms. (John 3:5-6)
The spiritual birth of a person happens according to the will of God.
This was all very difficult for Nicodemus to take in. (John 3:9-10) Perhaps you’ve experienced the same type of response from people.
Salvation has always been by the grace of God through faith. (Ezekiel 36:25-27, Hebrews 11)
The religious leaders knew all of this, and yet still, instead of having faith in God, they looked to their own righteousness, which in God’s sight was like filthy rags.
This concept of salvation by works wasn’t exclusive to the Jewish people two thousand years ago. A common theme of every false religion is some kind of salvation by human effort, but it’s a false hope. (Ephesians 2:8-9)
Anyone who takes their eyes off Jesus lifted up on the cross is in grave danger of reverting to a default belief in human works; that’s why we meet around the Lord’s Table regularly. It’s a major reason why every sermon preached from this pulpit points to the cross. We need to constantly remind ourselves of the true Gospel, lest we fall into apostasy.
In verse 13, Jesus re-asserted his credentials-
13 No one has ascended into heaven except he who descended from heaven, the Son of Man.
He then continued, further revealing that he is the Messiah. (John 3:14-15)
Jesus was alluding to historical events which are recorded in Numbers 21:4-9.
The Israelites who were following Moses at that time sinned against God. This sin was leading to death. There was nothing they could do to save themselves. They had to look up to the serpent on the pole to live physically for a few more years. Their healing was clearly a supernatural work of God.
When Jesus said “the Son of Man be lifted up,” He was talking about his crucifixion. We’ve all sinned against God. Sin leads to death. There’s nothing we can do to save ourselves, but anyone who looks up to Jesus’ on the cross for salvation will have eternal life. Our salvation is clearly a supernatural work of God.
John 3:16 “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.
This one sentence spoken by our Lord is the most concise summary of the Gospel. Most of us have heard it so often, that the words just bounce off, but we need to keep remembering how significant it is. Romans 5:7-8 helps keep it in perspective.
Anyone who trusts in Jesus for their salvation will be saved: Jew or Gentile, slave or free, male or female. (John 3:17-18)
These passages contain two parallel truths which are seemingly contradictory.
1. God’s sovereignty (John 3:8, Eph 1:4-5)
2. Man’s responsibility (John 3:16, Acts 16:31)
See also John 1:12-13
God’s sovereignty and our responsibility exist both in tension and perfect harmony.
If you truly believe that Jesus died for your sins and trust in him for your salvation, then God chose you from before the foundation of the world.
But along with the good news, Jesus gave a warning. (John 3:18,36)
Only Jesus can save us (Acts 4:12)
Jesus tells us what is in the hearts of those who don’t believe. (John 3:19-20)
People who don’t believe, don’t want to come to Jesus, because they don’t want to let go of their sin.
Pray for people you know who aren’t saved, that God would soften their hearts to the Gospel.
As believers, we should delight in fellowship and being held accountable. (John 3:21)
As the Holy Spirit works in us, sin becomes more detestable to us, and a desire for righteousness grows in us. Coming to the light should be a joy to us.
Nicodemus struggled with what Jesus said in this conversation, but it seems that eventually he did come to believe, because Nicodemus came to Jesus’ defence. (John 7:50-52)
After Jesus had been crucified, Nicodemus did a remarkable thing. (John 19:38-40)
Nicodemus was willing to put aside a lifetime’s worth wrong ideas, and although the text doesn’t state it explicitly, it seems he finally believed in Jesus.
We need to keep reminding ourselves of John 3:16 and Jesus’ conversation with Nicodemus. If we don’t keep reminding ourselves of the truth then, just like the religious leaders in Jesus’ time, it is far too easy to fall into error.
We need to keep reminding ourselves so that sharing the Gospel becomes second nature.
John 3:16 “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.