The Gospel of John: John 3.11-21

Read and meditate on John 3.19-21.
I’m sure Nicodemus must have been feeling rather “in the dark” about what Jesus was saying. He should have. Because he was, and Jesus was lovingly seeking to extricate him from it.

                                               ¹⁹And this, this is
the condemnation: Light has come to this
dark world, but men loved darkness more than light,
because their deeds are evil. ²⁰They love night
and hate the light, whose deeds are evil. They
will not come to the Light, but from it stay,
so that their wickedness remains concealed,
and not exposed. ²¹But good works are revealed
by Light, and those who do the truth come to
it, that the good works they are seen to do
are done in God.”

- John 3.19-21

Reflect
1.  Do you think people today who don’t believe in Jesus consider themselves to be “in the dark” about the most important thing in life? Why or why not? Complete the following brief prayer: Lord, I remember when I was in the darkness, and it…

2.  The graciousness of Jesus appears here in that He does not say to Nicodemus, who is sincerely seeking the Lord’s truth, “You are in the darkness, and you hate the light.” This was true, but Jesus didn’t need to say it this way; rather, He set this truth up somewhat at a distance, and let Nicodemus judge for himself where he stood in relation to it. What can you learn from this about being a witness? Lord, help me to show Your grace to others as I talk with them about You. Give me…

3.  Jesus makes the contrasts stark and clear: hate the light/love the darkness; practicing evil deeds/deeds done in God; hate the light/come to the light. Is it true that everyone falls into one or the other of these categories? Explain. Keep me, Lord, in…

4.  Light banishes darkness and exposes the wicked deeds which are concealed there. By saying this, Jesus, without directly confronting Nicodemus, challenges him to consider his own works, whether they’re as good as he has been supposing them to be. The Law of God – beginning with the Ten Commandments – can shine the light on evil works, as Paul explains in Romans 7.7-12. Should the Law factor into our witness for the Gospel? Explain. Lord, concerning Your holy and righteous and good Law, I want my own works to…

5.  Here Jesus connects His message (born again, see the Kingdom, work of the Spirit, believe in the Son of God, have eternal life) with good works. What place do good works have in the Gospel? Can we be saved by them? Can we be saved without them? Explain. Bring together into one prayer the prayers you composed from questions 1-4.

Summary
“Jesus says that unbelievers had the opportunity to be illuminated but preferred to remain in darkness. Such people, in fact, by failing to choose enlightenment, determine their own punishment against themselves and provoke their own suffering, which was in their power to escape. God preserved human freedom so that people might justly receive praise for good things and punishment for the contrary. As indeed he shows in another place, saying, ‘If you are willing and obedient, you shall eat the good of the land. But if you refuse and rebel, you shall be devoured by the sword.’” Cyril of Alexandria (375-444 AD)

Review question 5. Using the progressive outline Jesus suggests in His conversation with Nicodemus, write a presentation of the Gospel that you could share in two or three sentences. Share that with a Christian friend today, and ask for feedback. How might you improve your presentation?

Closing Prayer
Let my cry come before You, O LORD;
Give me understanding according to Your word.
Let my supplication come before You;
Deliver me according to Your word.
My lips shall utter praise,
For You teach me Your statutes.
My tongue shall speak of Your word,
For all Your commandments are righteousness.
Let Your hand become my help,
For I have chosen Your precepts.
I long for Your salvation, O LORD,
And Your law is my delight.
Let my soul live, and it shall praise You;
And let Your judgments help me.
I have gone astray like a lost sheep;
Seek Your servant,
For I do not forget Your commandments.

Psalm 119.169-176

Psalm 119.171-176 (Regent Square: Angels from the Realms of Glory)
With our lips we praise You, Jesus, for You teach us, full and free.
Now Your Word will ever please us; Your commandments true shall be.
Let Your hand come forth to ease us; we Your Word choose gratefully!

For Your saving grace we plead, Lord, and Your Law is our delight.
We to live and praise You need, Lord, all Your help by day and night.
Straying sheep, we do not heed, Lord; come and seek us by Your might!

T. M. Moore

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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.