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The Gospel of John: John 3.1-10
Read and meditate on John 3.1-10.
John’s Gospel is about Good News – that we can overcome the inertia and confusion of our finite experience, break out of the blinders of our puny rationalism, and be set free from our constant preoccupation with self. And all this is spotlighted, here in Jesus’ late-night meeting with Nicodemus.
1There was a man, a Pharisee, whose name
was Nicodemus, 2and one night he came
to Jesus. Now he was a ruler of
the Jews, and said to Him, “We know, because
of all the signs You do, that You must be
a teacher come from God. I cannot see
how anyone, apart from God, could do
such things.” 3And Jesus said, “I say to you,
assuredly, no one will ever see
the Kingdom of the Lord except he be
born from above.” 4Said Nicodemus to
Him, “How, when he is old, can a man do
this thing? Can he his mother’s womb begin
to occupy a second time, again
to be born?” 5Jesus said, “Assuredly,
I say to you, unless a person be
of water and of Spirit born, he can
not enter God’s eternal Kingdom. 6Man
of flesh begotten is but flesh; but he
who is begotten by the Spirit will be
of spirit. 7Do not be confounded when
I say to you, ‘You must be born again.’
8The wind blows where it will; you hear the sound
of it, but know not where it may be found.
And so is everyone begotten by
the Spirit.” 9Nicodemus answered, “I
cannot imagine how these things can be!”
10And Jesus answered, “So, you claim to be
the teacher of all Israel, yet you do
not understand these things?”
- John 3.1-10
Reflect
1. There is nothing “pat” or “formulaic” about Jesus’ interview with Nicodemus. He knew this man – well, He knows every man, as we have seen. And He knew what He must do to further fuel Nicodemus’ interest in Him and His message. Jesus will get to the best and most important parts of His message soon enough, as we shall see. But for now, He’s content to set the stage with Nicodemus. Who are the people in your Personal Mission Field who need to hear the Good News about Jesus? What can you learn from Jesus about how you should be praying for these people? Complete this prayer: Lord, I want to pray daily for the unbelievers in my life. Help me know how, and remind me each day to…
2. We make a mistake, when it comes to thinking about sharing the Good News with a lost person, if we let ourselves get on the defensive, or think this will be a waste of time, or that this person is too smart or clever to be interested in spiritual things. How does the example of Nicodemus encourage us to look for opportunities to share the Good News with our unbelieving friends? Lord, it’s probably true that many people I know are like Nicodemus. They…
3. Conversation is one of the skills we need to practice well as we work our Personal Mission Fields. Jesus’ conversation with Nicodemus was on his terms, following his interest and concerns. How much do you know about the interests and concerns of the people in your Personal Mission Field? How could you begin to find out more? Lord, make me truly interested in the people to whom You send me each day, so that…
4. Jesus clearly understood that Nicodemus would not understand His “spiritual talk.” But He talked it anyway, because it was true and real for Him. Do the people in your Personal Mission Field think that spiritual matters are true and real for you? Explain. Help me, Lord, to be true and real about…
5. Jesus walked into the temple and turned that world upside-down. Nicodemus walked into Jesus’ presence with the same result – a man’s world turned upside-down. Jesus, it seems, is about upsetting things. Why? Should we as believers fear to upset things in people’s lives? Explain. Bring together into one prayer the prayers you composed for questions 1-4.
Summary
“No one sees the Spirit. And how do we hear the voice of the Spirit? A psalm sounds forth: it is the Spirit’s voice. The gospel sounds forth: it is the Spirit’s voice. God’s word sounds forth: it is the Spirit’s voice. ‘You hear his voice, but do not know where he comes from or where he goes.’ But if you too should be born of the Spirit, you will be such that he who is not yet born of the spirit has no idea where you come from or where you go. For he continues and says, ‘So is everyone who is born of the Spirit.’” Cyril of Alexandria (375-444 AD)
The world may not understand us as we talk calmly and confidently about spiritual matters. We may exasperate them no end by refusing to answer all their questions, and by continuing to point to spiritual things such as are revealed in the Bible and revolve around Jesus. We may even upset some people by living and talking as if these spiritual things are true and real. Well. That would be different, eh?
Closing Prayer
Now therefore, be wise, O kings;
Be instructed, you judges of the earth.
Serve the LORD with fear,
And rejoice with trembling.
Kiss the Son, lest He be angry,
And you perish in the way,
When His wrath is kindled but a little.
Blessed areall those who put their trust in Him.
Psalm 2.10-12
Psalm 2.9-12 (Agincourt: O Love, How Deep, How Broad, How High!)
To Christ, the Lord, be given all who humbly embrace Him and on Him call.
Be wise, be warned: His judgment comes to break the prideful, sinful ones.
Rejoice with fear in Jesus’ grace, and worship before His exalted face!
Beware His anger and judgment grim: How blessed are all who rest in Him!
T. M. Moore
Visit The Ailbe Seminary, where our course, One in Twelve: Introduction to Christian Worldview, can show you how Jesus is central to all aspects of life in the world – and beyond! Our course is free, and you can study at your own pace, watching videos and using the free materials provided.
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Except as indicated, Scripture taken from the New King James Version. © Copyright 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved. All psalms for singing adapted from The Ailbe Psalter. All quotations from Church Fathers from Ancient Christian Commentary Series IV a and b: John, edited by Joel C. Elowsky, General Editor Thomas C. Oden (Downers Grove: InterVarsity Press, 2006. Verse translation of John by T. M. Moore.