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a) People lean towards Jesus (John 2:23-25)
JOHN 2:23-25
23 Now when he was in Jerusalem at the Passover, during the feast, many believed in his name, observing his signs which he did. 24 But Jesus didn’t trust himself to them, because he knew everyone, 25 and because he didn’t need for anyone to testify concerning man; for he himself knew what was in man.
At the Passover crowds came to Jerusalem the center of worship. They were thinking of the Lamb that shielded their forefathers from God’s judgment just before their exodus from Egypt, so they shared the flesh of sacrifices in their meals.
Jesus, God’s appointed Lamb, had come to Jerusalem and worked many signs, showing his love and power. At this he became noticeable to the crowds and his name was on many lips; they were whispering, "Is he a prophet, or Elijah the forerunner, or perhaps the Messiah?" Many were drawn to him and believed he had come from God.
Jesus saw into their hearts, but chose none of them for discipleship. They had not yet discovered his deity, but were thinking in worldly terms. On their minds was freedom from Rome, suitable careers and comfortable futures. Jesus knew all men; no heart was hid from his eyes. Not one sought God sincerely. Had they sincerely sought God, they would have been baptized in the Jordan, repenting and confessing their sin.
Christ knows your heart, your imaginings, your prayers and sins. He knows your thoughts and their sources. He realizes that you wish for a life of decency and righteousness. When will your pride be shaken? And when will you turn away from your self-esteem, to be filled by the Holy Spirit?
b) The need for a new birth (John 3:1-13)
JOHN 3:1-3
1 Now there was a man of the Pharisees named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews. 2 The same came to him by night, and said to him, “Rabbi, we know that you are a teacher come from God, for no one can do these signs that you do, unless God is with him.” 3 Jesus answered him, “Most certainly, I tell you, unless one is born anew, he can’t see the Kingdom of God.”
From among the crowds appeared one called Nicodemus, who was deeply pious and prominent, one of the seventy in the Sanhedrin. He recognized the power of God active in Christ. Perhaps he wished to build a bridge between this new prophet and the Jewish assembly. At the same time he feared the high priest and the common folk. He was uncertain about the person of Jesus, so he came to Jesus secretly in the dark, wishing to test Jesus before joining his circle.
By ascribing the title "teacher", Nicodemus was expressing a majority view, who saw Christ as one who taught the Scripture with a band of followers. He agreed that Jesus was sent from God, attested by signs. He confessed, "We believe that God is with you and upholds you. You may be the Messiah?" This was more an implicit admission.
Jesus answered his question, not entirely relying on this go-between from the leaders of the people to Christ. He saw into Nicodemus’ heart, his sins and his longing for righteousness. He could help him only after showing up his spiritual blindness. Despite Nicodemus’ piety, he did not truly know God. Jesus was frank with him and said, "Surely no man can know God by his own efforts; he needs the regeneration of the heavenly Spirit."
This pronouncement was Christ’s judgment on theological studies and dogmas based on logic alone. For knowledge of God comes not by intellectual lectures, but by new birth. On a radio set, unlike a TV, you can turn knobs as you please, but you cannot get any images. Pictures require a set that is totally different from the radio. So also the natural man, despite his piety and activity cannot see God by thought or feeling. This spiritual realization requires a revolution, a heavenly birth and a new creature.
JOHN 3:4-5
4 Nicodemus said to him, “How can a man be born when he is old? Can he enter a second time into his mother’s womb, and be born?” 5 Jesus answered, “Most certainly I tell you, unless one is born of water and spirit, he can’t enter into the Kingdom of God!
Christ’s answer which implied ignorance of God on the part of Nicodemus confused him. He had not heard of the second birth. On hearing of this he was puzzled by the suggestion that an old man could go back into the womb. This response based on sense experience indicates short-sightedness. He did not understand that God the Father can beget children by His Spirit.
Jesus loved Nicodemus; after leading him to confess that he did not know the way to God’s Kingdom, he stressed the fact by affirming he was the Truth. We have to believe that we cannot enter the Kingdom without a second birth, the only condition.
What is the second birth? It is a birth, not just a concept, nor does it spring from man’s efforts, since no one can give birth to himself; God becomes the parent and giver of life. This spiritual birth is by grace, not just a reformation of character, nor a social discipline. All mankind is born into sin and without hope for improvement. Spiritual birth is the entry of God’s life into mankind.
How does this come about? Jesus told Nicodemus, it is achieved by water and the Spirit. Water speaks of John’s baptism and the purification jars at the wedding. Members of the Old Covenant knew that water was needed in ablutions which were signs of cleansing from sin. As if Jesus was saying, "Why do you not go down to the Baptist, confess your sins and be baptized?" Elsewhere Jesus said, "If any one would follow me, let him deny himself, take up his cross and come after me." Brother confess your guilt, accept God’s judgment on your sin. You are corrupt and perishing.
Jesus was not content only with the water baptism of repentance and forgiveness, but he baptized the penitent with the Holy Spirit, creating the new life in the broken-hearted. After his crucifixion, we learn that the cleansing of our consciences is by his precious blood. This cleansing in the one who repents is effected through the Holy Spirit. When man obeys the working of the Holy Spirit, he is filled with eternal life and its fruits and characteristics, and becomes a good man according to Christ's guidance. This development does not happen suddenly, but needs enough time; just as the fetus takes time to develop in the womb before it is born. This is how the second birth takes place and becomes a reality in the believer, who truly knows that he was born anew and that God is his father and that he has eternal life from Christ.
Jesus made this the aim of his preaching, the theme of God’s Kingdom. So what is this Kingdom? Not a political movement, or any economic theory, but the fellowship of the reborn with the Father, Son and Holy Spirit. This blessed Spirit comes on them, as they yield themselves to Christ, and acknowledge him as their Lord and King to be obeyed.
PRAYER: Lord Jesus, thank you for my rebirth by grace alone. You have opened my spiritual eyes. Let me abide in your love. Open the eyes of those who seek you sincerely, to know their sin and confess, to be renewed by the power of your Holy Spirit, resting on your shed blood, so that they may enter into lasting fellowship with you.
QUESTION:
- What is the difference between the piety of Nicodemus and the aims of Christ?