John 2:23-3:8, Gospel Bridges (Nicodemus, 1)

We have come to Jesus’ conversation with Nicodemus.  But before that, we have the short paragraph at the end of Ch. 2.  Having cleansed the temple and ruffled the feathers of the temple leadership, Jesus is about to be approached by one of those leaders.  What 2:23-25 tells us is that Jesus understood the situation.  Things were not always as they seemed to be.  Many believed in His name.  Yet, Jesus did not entrust Himself to them, for He knew what was in man.  Many who first believed in Him would later turn away from Him (Jn. 6:66). 

It is with this in mind that we come to two important conversations: Jesus with Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews; and Jesus with the woman at the well, a Samaritan sinner.  We will learn a lot about building bridges, “gospel bridges.” 

Nicodemus was a Pharisee, the strictest sect of the major Jewish parties.  For the Pharisees, it was all about “external religion.”  He came to Jesus by night, possibly because that was the most opportune time, but more likely, to avoid being seen by his fellow Pharisees.  He came, recognizing that Jesus was a teacher and had done great signs.  You might think Jesus would say, “so how about it, Nic?  Do you believe the signs?  Why don’t you come follow me?”  But Jesus did not do that.  If Jesus had taken that approach, He would have left Nicodemus in his sins.

Instead, Jesus’ first words were a reproof and instruction: “Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.”  Here is one of those places where the translation could be better.  The double words (“truly, truly” or “verily, verily”) were an important tool of the prophets when calling Israel to hear and repent (cf. Isa. 51:9,17; 52:1, etc.).  Jesus used this approach frequently (1:51; 3:3,5; 5:19,24,25; 6:26,32,47,53; 8:34,51,58; 10:1,7; 12:24; 13:16,20,21,38; 14:12; 16:20,23; 21:18).  These words are important; you better pay attention.

John 3:3 and 5 have similar statements, but not exactly the same.  To be “born of water and the Spirit” is a more detailed statement of “born again.”  We believe it explains the two births: the normal human birth, from the water of the womb (born of blood, of the will of the flesh, of the will of man, Jn. 1:13a), and the birth from above (that is spiritual or by the Spirit, Jn. 1:13b). 

A new birth is required because we are entering a totally different sphere, one that is spiritual.  We are not naturally equipped to live in that sphere.  But further, we are sinful through and through.  Every aspect of our natural lives is affected by sin.  Therefore, it is not sufficient simply to correct us or to “remodel” what is there.  There must be renovation of the whole nature.  What was required was not something that Nicodemus’ religion, or anyone’s religion, could accomplish.  It is being “born from above.”  In other words, we must be born of God.

Jesus, knowing what people are like, hit Nicodemus hard from the start, lest he continue to seek God through his religion.  Are we listening to Jesus?