Encounters with Christ

Nicodemus Devout & Religious

John 3:1-15

1- Nicodemus the Pharisee (3:1)

The Pharisees were self-righteous and hypocritical; they were exceedingly moral in regard to traditions.  They were the keepers of tradition and of the laws of Moses.  They became corrupt when they added to the Law of God.  To the people, they seemed very righteous.  Nicodemus, while being a Pharisee, was a little different.  He showed real interest in Christ.  He had some questions to ask.  Another thing we know about Nicodemus is that he was a leader of the people.  He was a, a ruler of the Jews.  

This counsel was called the Sanhedrin, the highest ruling body in Jerusalem . 

2. Rabbi, we know that you are a teacher come from God… (3:2-3)

He calls Jesus Rabbi to show respect and then goes on.  He says, we know.  This is his way of telling Jesus that he is a representative of the counsel.  He comes with the strength and support of his position and fellow member of the Sanhedrin council. 

Any mere man would have jumped at the chance to be greeted by this important person.  Jesus was not a mere man. He is the Son of God.  Jesus did not need the support of the Sanhedrin to accomplish His work.

Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God .  There it is, simple and to the point.  Jesus wasn’t taking the bait.  He wasn’t about to get into a religious debate about things that were trivial. 

This is the whole point of the Gospel of John.  John’s emphasis is the new birth. (cf. John 1:12-13)

This was the barrier for our friend.  His whole life he had worked to be righteous.  He had been a stickler for the tradition.  Jesus is telling him that his Abrahamic lineage and his religion is not what are required to enter into the Kingdom of God .  Jesus says it takes another kind of birth and another kind of righteousness.

3. How can a man be born when he is old?... (3:4-7)

This birth is what a religious teacher like Nicodemus should be familiar with.  An elite and famous teacher of the Law like Nicodemus should already know these things. 

We have all been born of the flesh, but not all people have been born of the Spirit.  Apart from the regenerating work of God you cannot be born of the Spirit.  Unless you are born spiritually, you cannot be a part of the kingdom.

The main problem with Nicodemus was he lacked the new birth.  He knew all manner of religion. 

Without the New-Birth, Nicodemus’ deep well of knowledge was useless.  He knew all the teachings of the prophets.  But he did not know the Lord.  He was spiritually dead.—Martin Lloyd-Jones

There is no way we can know anything spiritually until we are made alive by the Spirit.  Spiritual birth is the only answer. (1Cor. 2:14 )

Unless you have come to a place in your life where you look on Jesus Christ as your Savior from sin and then have entered into a new life, one characterized by a growing relationship with Him and increasing obedience to God.  Unless this is your story, what Jesus is talking about has not happened to you. 

The New Birth is proven by the effect it has on you.  By God’s sovereign grace you have been totally transformed.  It is His work that causes you to change.  We cannot turn over a new leaf, or do better next time.  As humans, we are fallen in every part of our being.  It takes a work of God to eternally change someone.

Jesus knows that Nicodemus is supposed to be an expert in the OT Scriptures, so He explains things to him in OT terms. (Ezekiel 36:25-28)  

This is the new birth—God cleansing us from sin and God giving a new heart. A heart that is sensitive to Spiritual things.

God moves and regenerates without our knowing where He will be going next.  We cannot arrange a movement of the Spirit just like we can’t make the wind blow.  It is a total work of God.

4. How Can This Be?... (3:9-13)

Jesus knew he didn’t understand these things.  Jesus as patient and as firm as ever and answers his question.

5. The means of the New Birth ( 3:14 -15)

In this discourse on eternal life, Jesus gives us two “Musts” First, if you want to enter the Kingdom of God , you must be born again. Second, the Son of Man must be lifted up.

6. The Rest of the Story… (John 7 & 19)

What changed Nicodemus was his…

 Encounter with Christ.