The third chapter of John's Gospel has so much in it that we could teach on it for our entire lifetime and never run out of things to say! One of the most important is this interaction between Jesus and Nicodemus, a Pharisee who was intrigued by Jesus and wanted to believe, but was also timid to do so openly. Look at verses 1-2:
1 Now there was a certain man among the Pharisees named Nicodemus, a ruler (a leader, an authority) among the Jews, 2 Who came to Jesus at night and said to Him, Rabbi, we know and are certain that You have come from God [as] a Teacher; for no one can do these signs (these wonderworks, these miracles—and produce the proofs) that You do unless God is with him.
Nicodemus said "we know that You come from God as a Teacher". This "know" is not "ginosko", which means learning to know, coming to know (progressively). Instead this is the Greek word "oida", which means: a fullness of knowledge, to know perfectly. There was NO doubt in the mind of Nicodemus that Jesus was sent from God! He didn't understand, yet, that Jesus was actually God the Son, Who became the Son of God. Nicodemus thought Jesus was just a Teacher sent from God because of the wonderful miracles that He was performing. Remember when Jesus said to believe Him for the very works' sake (John 14:11)? Jesus began to reveal the very plan of God to Nicodemus right here! Verse 3:
3 Jesus answered him, I assure you, most solemnly I tell you, that unless a person is born again (anew, from above), he cannot ever see (know, be acquainted with, and experience) the kingdom of God.
Jesus did NOT come to the earth to simply deliver God's people from their oppressors! He came to give HIS life, in OUR place, so that WE could be born AGAIN. This time, we would be born of the Spirit with the nature of God in us! New creatures we are told in 2 Corinthians 5:17! Jesus goes on to say this in verse 16:
16 For God so greatly loved and dearly prized the world that He [even] gave up His only begotten (unique) Son, so that whoever believes in (trusts in, clings to, relies on) Him shall not perish (come to destruction, be lost) but have eternal (everlasting) life.
His purpose in giving HIS life for OUR lives was so that we who would believe in (trust, cling to and rely on) Him would have His Life in us! This is "zoe", the absolute fullness of Life that is in God and that HE wants to be in every person! 1 John 5:10-11 tells us that if we have Jesus, we HAVE His Life! Have YOU received His Life in you yet? If not, is there really ANY reason why you cannot receive Him today? Maybe this, from verse 17, will help you understand the Love that HE has for YOU!
17 For God did not send the Son into the world in order to judge (to reject, to condemn, to pass sentence on) the world, but that the world might find salvation and be made safe and sound through Him. AMP
Are you ready now? If so, pray this prayer with me:
Almighty God, I am a sinner. I believe that Jesus Christ came to this earth, died on the cross for me, was raised from the dead, and is now seated at Your right hand. I accept and receive Jesus Christ as my personal Saviour and I invite Him to come into my heart and become Lord over my life. I thank You now Father, for welcoming me into Your family. You are my Father. I am Your child. Jesus is my Lord! Amen.
AMEN! Now you need to be in a good local church that teaches the Word of God! Check out our website through the link on the left and let us help you find one in your area! This is just the beginning of all that God has planned for you! Thank You Jesus! Here, to encourage you, is Hillsong with an older song called "Shout Your Fame":
Shalom in Him!
