The Way - Day 184 (John 3)

Pastor Tom's Journal on Today's Reading:
JOHN 3:1-21
After witnessing the miracles Jesus (2:23), a man named Nicodemus (a Pharisee and ruler of the Jews) came to Jesus at night and said,

"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" (John 3:2).

Jesus' response to Nicodemus doesn’t make sense unless we remember that Jesus already knew his heart (see John 2:24-25) and was uncovering the real reason he had come to see Him. Jesus says,

"Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God" (John 3:3).

Nicodemus’ greatest desire was to know how he could enter into the kingdom of God. Most Pharisees and Jews believed that entrance into the kingdom of God could be obtained through obedience to the law of Moses and their status as being a Jew. Contrastively, Jesus preached a message of repentance and faith to enter the kingdom of God, which confused many Pharisees and Jews. So, when Jesus illustrates a man being "born again" to explain entrance into the kingdom of God, Nicodemus becomes more confused. He asks,

"How can a man be born when he is old? Can he enter a second time into his mother's womb and be born?" (John 3:4)

Nicodemus thinks Jesus is speaking of physical birth, but He is really referring to being born spiritually. To help Nicodemus understand the concept of being born again, Jesus says,

"Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God. That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. Do not marvel that I said to you, 'You must be born again'" (John 3:5-7).

Instead of being reborn physically, Nicodemus needed to be "born of water and the Spirit." Jesus reference to water is not suggesting literal water, but a spiritual cleansing (repentance). He refers to the Holy Spirit as the One who accomplishes this work in the heart of people and brings new life through faith in Jesus Christ. Paul writes to Titus about this same concept.

"But when the kindness and the love of God our Savior toward man appeared, not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to His mercy He saved us, through the washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Spirit..." (Titus 3:4-5)

Jesus recognized that Nicodemus may not have been able to fully comprehend the Spirit's work, but He declared to him that the results would be apparent as the Spirit brings life change into a person who repents and believes (3:8).

Nicodemus is still confused (3:9), so Jesus describes the inability of righteous works to gain entrance into the kingdom of God. This is what the Pharisees taught (3:10).

Beginning in John 3:11, Jesus begins to explain to Nicodemus that his failure to believe in Jesus as the Son of God will prohibit him from entering the kingdom of God (3:11-12). Jesus further explains that He alone had a permanent residence in heaven (before becoming God in flesh), which made Him the exclusive witness to the things of God (3:12). He then recalls Moses' actions in the wilderness. The people of Israel had to look up to the bronze serpent on a pole to be spared from death (John 3:14; Numbers 21:4-9). In the same way, Jesus Christ would soon be "lifted up" on the cross to die, so that those who “look up” to Him in belief could have life (3:15). Why did God send Jesus to the world? John makes it clear that
"God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved" (John 3:16-17).

Jesus did not come to bring judgment on people, but He came so they could be saved from the penalty of sin, which is death. Jesus is careful to provide Nicodemus with a very important element to enter into the kingdom of God.

"He who believes in Him is not condemned; but he who does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God" (John 3:18).

What will hold men back from believing? John reveals that although light [Jesus] has come into the world, many are blinded by their love for sin. They refuse to repent of their evil deeds (3:19). Many choose to continue in a lifestyle of sinfulness instead of embracing the forgiveness of God through Jesus Christ (3:20). Which have you chosen?

JOHN 3:22-36
After Jesus' conversation with Nicodemus about entering into the kingdom of God, Jesus and His disciples departed to Judea where He "remained with them and baptized" (3:22). Although Jesus Himself did not baptize (4:2), He personally oversaw the disciples while they were baptizing others. John the Baptist was also preaching and baptizing when a group of Jews caused a dispute with some of John the Baptist's disciples about "purification" or baptism (3:25). Since both Jesus' disciples and John the Baptist's disciples were baptizing, the Jews viewed them as separate; furthermore, Jesus' ministry seemed to be gaining much more recognition than John the Baptist’s, so John's disciples were very concerned. When John's disciples could not resolve this conflict in their minds, they approached John saying,

"Rabbi, He who was with you beyond the Jordan, to whom you have testified--behold, He is baptizing, and all are coming to Him!" (John 3:26)

To the disciples of John it appeared that Jesus, whom they thought was one of John's disciples, was now welcoming large crowds of people while John's ministry was slowing down. For some reason, they believed that they were in competition with Jesus’ disciples instead of viewing themselves as preaching and teaching the same message. John the Baptist quickly settled their confusion.

"A man can receive nothing unless it has been given to him from heaven. You yourselves bear me witness, that I said, 'I am not the Christ,' but, 'I have been sent before Him'" (John 3:27-28).

John the Baptist was reminding his followers that God had given Jesus authority to preach and teach; therefore, they must accept Jesus' “success” as the will of God. John the Baptist reminded them that he was only sent to prepare for the coming of Jesus by calling people to repentance. To further illustrate his role, John tells them a story about the friend of the bridegroom.

"He who has the bride is the bridegroom; but the friend of the bridegroom, who stands and hears him, rejoices greatly because of the bridegroom's voice. Therefore this joy of mine is fulfilled" (John 3:29).

John the Baptist is revealing himself as the "friend of the bridegroom" who is responsible for arranging some of the details in the wedding, but is not the focus of the ceremony. John then reveals to his disciples that Jesus “…must increase, but I must decrease" (3:30). Eventually, John the Baptist's ministry would come to an end, but his goal was to bring attention and worship to Jesus Christ, not himself.

John the Baptist emphasizes that Jesus Christ was sent from God (3:31) and those things He speaks have been directly received from God the Father (3:32-35). John concludes his words to his disciples with this thought -  

"He who believes in the Son has everlasting life; and he who does not believe the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God abides on him" (John 3:36).

These final words invite John’s listeners to make one of two decisions:
- Believe that Jesus is the Savior from sin and receive eternal life
- Refuse to believe in Jesus as the Savior and face God's wrath (judgment)

John the Baptist did not want his disciples to be jealous of Jesus' ministry, but embrace Him as the One sent from God to deliver mankind from the penalty of sin and coming judgment. The choice is the same for all generations who read John's gospel - believe or reject Jesus Christ as Savior.

Dear God, thank You for the witness of John the Baptist, who declared Jesus as the Son of God and the One sent to deliver mankind from the penalty of sin. May those who read John's words put their trust in Jesus Christ as their Savior from sin.