Nicodemus - Four Object Lessons
The Gospel of John - Part 5 - 9/13/20
Key passage: John 3:1-21
Nicodemus - John 3:1-2
A Pharisee (3:1)
Very strict adherence, in all possible ways, to the rules.
A “ruler of the Jews” (3:1)
Well educated
Wealthy aristocrat
He came to Jesus at night (3:2)
He, most likely, wanted to be discrete.
“These signs must be from God” (3:2)
Four Object Lessons
Birth - John 3:3-7
“Unless someone is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God.”
How can this be?
Jesus was using imagery that Nicodemus should have understood as a Pharisee.
“Born of the water”
Could be a reference to baptism or simply a reference to natural birth.
Wind - John 3:8-10
John 3:8 (HCSB): The wind blows where it pleases, and you hear its sound, but you don’t know where it comes from or where it is going. So it is with everyone born of the Spirit.”
Ezekiel 36:26-27
There is some mystery when it comes to this transformation.
“How can these things be?”
John is using Nicodemus’s density as an ironic foil for Jesus’ wisdom.
John 3:10 (HCSB): Are you a teacher of Israel and don’t know these things?”
Snake - John 3:14-18
Just as Moses lifted up the snake... the Son of Man must be lifted up.
Numbers 21:4-8
In the same way that the Israelites suffered from snake venom, we all suffer from the venom of sin in our lives.
In the same way that the snake was lifted up to save the Israelites, Jesus was lifted up on a cross to save all who look to Him.
John 3:16-18
Romans 8:1 - there is now, therefore, no condemnation for those in Jesus Christ.
Light vs Darkness - John 3:19-21
The light came into the world, but the people loved darkness. (3:19)
Everyone who does evil hates the light. (3:20)
Those who live by truth come to the light (3:21)