John 3

John 3:1

Chapter 2 ended with belief based on miracles. Chapter 3 begins with a miracle based on belief as we see Jesus’ encounter with Nicodemus, a man who sought Him for all the right reasons. As the story unfolds, we will observe Nicodemus and Jesus as they meet face-to-face, in verses Joh_3:1-3, mind to mind, in verses Joh_3:4-8, and heart to heart in verses Joh_3:9-21. Three words come to mind in describing Nicodemus: religious, rich, and ruler. As a Pharisee, Nicodemus was extremely religious. We know this because the entire Pharisaical brotherhood, numbering six thousand, was dedicated to keeping the most minute regulations of the Old Testament law, as delineated by their fellow brotherhood, the scribes. It was the scribes’ job to interpret the law and the Pharisees’ job to implement it. As for riches, we know Nicodemus was wealthy because in John 19, we read it was he who brought costly myrrh and aloes to the tomb of Jesus. Thus, it is not surprising to read that Jewish tradition names him as one of the three wealthiest men in the nation of Israel. Furthermore, the fact that Nicodemus is identified as a “ruler of the Jews” means he was a member of the elite seventy-member Jewish Supreme Court, the Sanhedrina position that would have guaranteed him the highest regard and respect.

John 3:2

It has been suggested that the reason Nicodemus came to Jesus at night was because he was afraid to be seen with Jesus in the light. I disagree with this assumption. You see, in those pre-air-conditioned days, the most enjoyable part of the day was the evening. For this reason, each home had a flat roof, easily accessible by a narrow, outside stairway along the side of the house. Rooftop conversations in the cool of the evening were common. In addition to cooler temperatures, the evening hours provided a calm not found in the heat of the day. Keep in mind that this encounter took place during the Passover season. As a Pharisee and a member of the Sanhedrin, Nicodemus would have been teaching during this time, and Jesus would have been pressed by crowds familiar with His miracles. Thus, with the days during Passover particularly busy for both men, perhaps evening was the only time Nicodemus could make private contact with Jesus. David meditated on the Lord in the night watches (Psa_63:6). I like that, because sometimes, like Nicodemus, I feel pressed by the busyness of the day. In the “night watches,” however, my mind is free for concentration and meditation. Just as a radio picks up dozens of extra stations at night, so my heart is sometimes extra-sensitive to Him when the sky is black, the air still, and the house quiet at last. I’m so glad Jesus is One who welcomes late-night company. Put yourself in Nicodemus’ sandals. He didn’t know he was talking with the Son of God. He had simply heard that the thirty-year-old Carpenter who had raised a ruckus in the temple was now performing miracles the like of which he had never seen. Nicodemus felt he had to meet this Man.

John 3:3

Jesus could have answered Nicodemus by saying, “Oh, you’re aware of My miracles! Pretty powerful, huh? Quite incredible, eh?” But instead, Jesus cut through the flattery and immediately drew Nicodemus’ attention to the kingdom of God. The kingdom of God has past, present, and future application. If you don’t understand this, your interpretation of Scripture will be muddled and your understanding unclear. The past application of the kingdom of God is based upon the realization that when Jesus walked on earth as a Man, the kingdom was present on earth (Luk_10:9). The miracles and signs He ministered on this planet were but sneak previews of what the kingdom will be in its future state. The present application of the kingdom of God is based upon the understanding that it is presently not external but internal (Joh_17:21). The future application of the kingdom of God is based upon the belief that when Jesus Christ returns, we will see not only the internal manifestations of the kingdom, but the external aspects as well (Isa_11:6). Thus, in essence, Jesus said to Nicodemus, “You’ll not see the kingdom presently unless you realize who I am. You’ll not experience it internally unless you open your heart. You’ll not be there eternally unless you’re born again.”

John 3:4

Notice Nicodemus did not ask, “Why should a man be born again?” He asked, “How can a man be born again?” No doubt, Nicodemus knew something no one else knew. That is, although others looked at him as a respected ruler, he saw in himself frailty and failure. Although others looked to him as someone spiritual, he looked at himself and saw a sinner. I wonder how many nights Nicodemus had fallen asleep with the unspoken desire in his heart to begin life all over again; to do things differentlyto love God more fervently, to serve his family more humbly, to treat people more gently. Oh, for a fresh start! And here was this Rabbi, offering him just that chance. Truly, I believe his inquiry was not the challenge of a hardened skeptic, but the question of a wide-eyed seeker.

John 3:5

To understand the meaning of “water and Spirit,” travel back with me to the Book of beginnings, the Book of Genesis. I, along with many others, believe that between Gen_1:1 and Gen_1:2, Lucifer was thrown out of heaven and cast down to earth, causing a tilting of the axis and cataclysmic changes upon our planet. These changes resulted in darkness, formlessness, and emptiness. Gen_1:2, therefore, begins an account not of the creation, but the re-creation, the rebirth of planet Earth. How did God re-create the earth? The Spirit of God moved upon the face of the waters (Gen_1:2). What does water refer to in Scripture? The Word of God (Joh_15:3; Eph_5:26). God re-created the earth by the Spirit and His Word. How does He re-create us? The same way. When the Word of God, energized and empowered by the Spirit of God, speaks to our dark, formless, empty livesa new birth, a re-creation takes place. When the Word and Spirit work in tandem to draw us to the Father by way of His Son, we are reborn.

John 3:8

Perhaps at this point in their conversation, a cool breeze arose. “The Spirit is like the wind,” Jesus said. “You can’t predict it. You can’t understand it. But you can take advantage of it.” It’s as if Jesus said, “Put up your sail of faith, Nicodemus, and let the wind of the Spirit carry you into the kingdom.”

John 3:9

The original language intimates that Nicodemus was not only “a master of Israel,” but “the master of Israel"which is why Jesus was amazed that Nicodemus, the primary spiritual teacher of Israel, would have such a difficult time understanding Him. You see, Jesus’ reference to the wind should have drawn Nicodemus’ mind to a passage well-known by every Jewish scholar: Ezekiel 37… After showing him a valley of dry bones, the Lord asked Ezekiel, “How can these bones live again?” “I don’t know,” answered Ezekiel. The Lord then instructed him to prophesy to the bones. Ezekiel did so and the bones connected together to form lifeless human bodies. Then, the Lord told him to prophesy to the wind, or ruwach in Hebrew. Ruwach is also translated “spirit.” Ezekiel did so and the dead bones came to life. They were, in essence, reborn. Prior to this account in Ezekiel, God promised His people a new heart and a new spirit (Eze_18:31). Known as the New Covenant, it was the promise with which Old Testament scholars like Nicodemus were most familiar. It was the hope for which they longed. And in a rooftop conversation that took place during this breezy Jerusalem evening, the Son of God began to explain to Nicodemus how all of the pieces fit together: the Spirit and water; dry bones and a desert wind; the New Covenant and a new life.

John 3:11

Perhaps it was with a heavy heart that Jesus said, “Nicodemus, you don’t understand because you haven’t been listening. John the Baptist came as a voice crying in the wilderness to prepare hearts for My coming. The law and the prophets all pointed to Me.”

John 3:13

Brass is the metal of judgment. Jesus, the Lamb of God, became like the brass snake of Numbers 21 when He was lifted up on the Cross to absorb the judgment that should have been ours. Here, He says to Nicodemus. “Look to Me and you will be born again. It’s so simple.”

John 3:16

“In twenty-five words or less, tell us why your mother should be Mother of the Year,” reads the contest rules. “In twenty-five words or less, explain the importance of the French Revolution upon the economic and social structures of the thirteen colonies,” reads the test question. Now, although I probably wouldn’t have much trouble with the second question, the first one would be extremely difficult for me because the more we know about any given subject, the harder it is to communicate our thoughts succinctly. Not so with Jesus. Joh_3:16 is exactly twenty-five words long, and in these twenty-five words, Jesus communicates the Father’s heart, the Father’s plan, and the Father’s will… His heart: He loved the world. His plan: He gave His only begotten Son. His will: Whosoever believes in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life. Although I know it is somewhat coincidental, I find it interesting that in our English translation of this verse, the middle word is Son. It is no coincidence, however, that those who have experienced God’s presence most powerfully are those who have made the Son the center of their lives. Just as Jesus is the center of the greatest verse in all Scripture, He must be central in our hearts and lives if they are to have meaning, purpose, and impact (Eph_1:10). This means that any person, pursuit, or passion in my life that cannot be centered on Jesus Christ has no place in my life. Surrounding the word “Son” in this verse, there are nine other key words: God, loved, world, gave, whosoever, believeth, perish, have, and life. If you want to be really blessed, meditate on Joh_3:16 every day for ten days, giving emphasis to a different word each day… For God so loved the world… For God so loved the world… For God so loved the world… Perhaps you memorized this verse when you were three years old. But I believe it will come alive for you in new ways as you contemplate the enormity of its simplicity.

John 3:17

Jesus came to this world not to come down on people, but to reach out to people. God sent His Son into the world not to point His finger at the world, but to embrace the world and draw it to Himself. An old legend tells of a traveler attempting to circle the globe who found himself trapped in quicksand. As he slowly sank, Confucius came by and said, “Confucius say, it is evident man should avoid such situations.” And he went on his way. Mohammed came by and said, “Alas, it is the will of Allah.” And he went on his way. Buddha came by, and said, “Let this man’s dilemma be an illustration for many.” And he went on his way. Krishna came by and said, “Better luck next time.” And he went on his way. Jesus Christ came by, reached out to the man, and pulled him out. You see, the unique thing about our Lord is that, while all others tell us what we must do to reach up to heaven, He alone reaches down from heaven and pulls us out of the quicksand of sin. God sent not His Son into the world to condemn the world, to give us some cute spiritual sayings, or to make us feel bad because of our spiritual inadequacy. No, the purpose of God in sending His Son was singular: to save us.

John 3:18

Why don’t people come to the light? It is not because they don’t believe the gospel intellectually or because they struggle with it philosophically. Please remember this the next time you’re involved in a discussion with those who attempt to undermine your faith. The issue is never evolution, Cain’s wife, or the Immaculate Conception. According to Jesus, the one and only reason people don’t come to the Light is because they prefer darkness.

John 3:22

Why did John baptize in Aenon? Was it because he had received heavenly instructions to minister there? No. Was it because he was fulfilling Old Testament prophecy? No. John baptized in Aenon “because there was much water there.” Too often, we make finding the will of God very difficult. I believe we would do well to demystify the process of discovering what God wants us to do. John simply went where the water was. His location was perfectly suited to what God had instructed him to do. I am reminded of Chuck Smith’s account of how he determined it was God’s will he go to Costa Mesa… In the early 1970s, Calvary Chapel was located in the middle of nowheresmack in the center of a huge bean field. In the ensuing twenty years, not only did the church explode numerically, but the Costa Mesa area grew to the point that Calvary Chapel is now sitting on some very valuable real estate. Chuck has often been asked if he had received a vision, a word of prophecy, or a special sign to pastor the little church in the sticks. And he just laughs as he replies, “I took the church in Costa Mesa because I like to surf and it was the closest available church to the beach!” Augustine said it best when he essentially said, “Love God with all of your heart and do whatever you please.” If you truly love God with all of your heart, your desires will be in harmony with His will. Therefore, I encourage you to trust the Lord to use your desires, interests, and abilities in His naturally supernatural way to bring joy to your heart and glory to Himself. Whether it’s for baptizing or for surfing, go where the water is!

John 3:25

At this point, John was presented with news from his disciples that multitudes were coming to Jesus for baptism. But John’s disciples missed the point. What they perceived as competition to John’s mission, John saw as completion of his ministry.

John 3:27

John knew he had nothing apart from God. Any abilities, gifts, or ministry he possessed came directly as a gift from his heavenly Father. So, too, if there is any area in which you excel, it is solely because God sovereignly and graciously gave you the necessary desires, abilities, and provisions. Truly, God uses and blesses us not because of who we are but in spite of who we are!

John 3:28

When John first “met” Jesus, both were in their mother’s wombs. John leapt for joy when Mary, pregnant with Jesus, entered the room (Luk_1:41). Here in our text, we see that, at the zenith of his ministry, John still finds his joy in the sound of Jesus’ voice. To explain the reason for his ministry and the basis for his joy, John used an analogy very familiar to his disciples. You see, wedding custom in John’s day dictated it was the best man, the “friend of the bridegroom,” who invited the guests to the wedding, made preparations for the wedding, and finally, upon completion of the wedding, escorted the bride and groom into the bridal chamber. Thus, it was the voice of the bridegroom signaling to him that everything was okay within the chamber that brought joy to the heart of the best man. Do you know when joy is fulfilled? It is not when we get something from the Lord, or do something for the Lord, but when we hear the voice of the Lord. If you are expecting your joy to be fulfilled through a nicer husband, faster car, or better job, you are headed for disaster. If you are caught up in thinking, If I can move to this place, teach that Bible study, or sing with the other worship team; if I can just be effective here, or used there, then I will be joyfulyou are headed for disappointment and despair. But if you spend time with the Lord, reading His Word, and simply listening for His voice, your joy will be fulfilled. If you are a baby Christian like John in the womb, you will leap for joy at the sound of His voice. And if you are a seasoned saint like John in the desert, your joy will be full when you realize that what you longed for all along is found in Him.

John 3:30

He must increase, but I must decrease: seven words which capture the essence of true ministry. Three Major Musts A Topical Study of Joh_3:7, Joh_3:14, Joh_3:30 Those who study such things tell us that the average person makes three thousand decisions a day. The majority of these decisions are admittedly inconsequential. But in our text, we are presented with three decisions that are eternally essential. They’re not maybes. They’re musts… The Must of the Sinner Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again.Joh_3:7 George Whitefield, mighty preacher of the Colonial Era, was asked why he always preached that man must be born again. “Why do I preach you must be born again?” said Whitefield? “Because you must be born again!” Gang, the message of Jesus Christ is not about giving us maxims on how to be better people. It’s about seeing the Spirit of God birth something new in our lives. It’s not about reformation. It’s about regeneration. Two courtiers argued incessantly over whether a man could be made a gentleman, or whether he had to be born one. Finally, in frustration, the king gave each of them some money and sent them out to settle their dispute. The courtier who held the viewpoint that a man could be made a gentleman walked into an inn, where he ordered a cup of hot chocolate. After a few minutes, in walked a cat, dressed like a waiter, carrying a cup of hot chocolate between his front paws. “Oho!” said the courtier to the innkeeper. “Here’s my answer, for if a common cat can be trained to be a waiter, certainly a man can be trained to be a gentleman. Sir, I want to buy your cat.” “That will be one thousand pounds,” said the innkeeper. “No problem,” said the courtier as he paid the innkeeper and went on his way. As the excited courtier traveled toward the palace, his opponent got word of the cat. “Oh no” he said, “how can I argue my point against a cat who can serve hot chocolate?” But as he headed dejectedly toward the palace, his eye caught something in a shop window that pleased him greatly. “Could I buy what’s in the window?” he said. “Gladly!” answered the shopkeeper as he put the courtier’s purchase in a box. So it was that both courtiers arrived at the palace within moments of each other. “Do you have your answer?” asked the king. “Yes,” said the fellow with the cat. “Here is proof that a man can be made into a gentleman,” he said as the cat walked in, bringing the king a cup of hot chocolate. At this point, the other courtier opened his box and released twelve mice. As the mice scampered across the floor, the cat dropped the cup and saucer, and took off after themproviding conclusive proof that one cannot be made a gentleman because he will eventually return to his baser instincts. It’s true, folks. You can wear a tie, go to church, and learn how to be a Christian. You can sing in the choir and take Communion. You can go through the motions, but sooner or later, a mouse will run across your path and your real nature will suddenly dominate you unless you’re born again. That’s why Jesus wasn’t talking about reformation. He was talking about regeneration when He said, “You must be born again.” The Must of the Savior And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness,even so must the Son of man be lifted up.Joh_3:14 As the children of Israel wandered in the wilderness, they grew tired of the manna God had provided for them. No doubt, they prepared it every way possible: bamanna splits, bamanna bread, manna-cottibut finally said, “Manna-live! We’re tired of this!” Poisonous snakes began to smite them as they complained and grumbled and murmured, and they began to die by the thousands. Seeking the Lord for a remedy, Moses was instructed to make a brass snake on a brass pole and erect it in the center of the camp. Whoever looked upon the brass snake would not die. When Moses told this to the people, some must have said, “What kind of a cure can there be in a brass snake on a brass pole?” But those who simply looked in faith upon the snake were spared (Numbers 21). Jesus Christ was made a snake when He was made sin for you and me. Not only have we been bitten by the snake of sinwe are ourselves the snakes. We have hurt other people. We have wounded them, lied to them, and cheated them. But here is the Good News: Jesus said, “Because you’ve been bitten by the snake of sin and because you are also the snakes through which sin is unleashed, I will become like you, yet without venom. I will go to the Cross in order that you who have been bitten will be healed, in order that you who are biting will be forgiven. If you will just look on Me and believe in Me, you will be saved. I must be lifted up. There is no other way.” The Must of the Servant He must increase, but I must decrease.Joh_3:30 Like John, we must get out of the way and talk to people about Jesus, focus our attention on Him, and live for the purpose of sharing Him. In other words, we must decrease. If I don’t pull in a big salary, so be it. If I don’t play for the Forty-Niners, so be it. If I don’t have a nice house, I don’t care. I must decrease so that I can be about the business of sharing Him. Jesus said, “If you die to self, you’ll find life” (see Mat_10:39). Therefore, the more we spend on our hobbies, pursuits, and pleasures, the more miserable we’ll be. But the more we say, “I must decrease and He must increase,” the more clearly we’ll hear His voice and the greater our joy will be.

John 3:31

Jesus didn’t speak theoretically. He spoke experientially. When Moses lifted up the brass snake, Jesus was there. When Ezekiel prophesied to the wind, Jesus was there. Thus, Jesus doesn’t teach from secondhand information. His is a firsthand, eyewitness account. God says, “Rejoice evermore. In everything give thanks. Be ye holy, for I am holy.” But mankind refuses to receive His testimony, saying, “I can’t rejoice evermore because I’m emotionally starved. I can’t give thanks because I came from a dysfunctional family. I can’t be holy because I’m co-dependent.”

John 3:33

The one who does receive His testimony will proclaim loudly with John, “God is true!” for the one who believes God’s commandments are His “enablements” will find God true every time. The one who refuses to excuse sin with psychological jargon and instead steps out in faith to “flee youthful lusts,” to “reckon the old man dead unto sin,” to “judge not” will experience God’s faithfulness at every step.

John 3:34

In the Old Testament, it was with limitation that the Spirit of God was given to men. Such was not the case with Jesus. He was totally and completely Spirit-filled.

John 3:35

The Son being central to the Father’s heart, plan, and will (Eph_1:10), it is on the basis of belief in Jesus that we are given not only eternal life but everlasting lifelife that begins the moment we believe on Him. Why does the wrath of God abide on the one who does not believe on His Son? Because he who does not believe is trampling on the sacrificial blood of His only begotten Son. This world is sinking fast in the quicksand of sin. God does not condemn us for being in that placeonly for refusing to reach out to the nail-pierced hand offering to pull us out.