God so Loves Us

Good morning, everyone. And welcome to the Pod Pastor Podcast

Today, we are going to journey together into the story from John 3:1-21, where we see just how deep and boundless God's love for us truly is.

John 3:1–21 (ESV)

Now there was a man of the Pharisees named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews. This man came to Jesus by night and said to him, “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.”

Jesus answered him, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God.”

Nicodemus said to him, “How can a man be born when he is old? Can he enter a second time into his mother’s womb and be born?”

Jesus answered, “Truly, truly, 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.’ The wind blows where it wishes, and you hear its sound, but you do not know where it comes from or where it goes. So it is with everyone who is born of the Spirit.”

Nicodemus said to him, “How can these things be?”

Jesus answered him, “Are you the teacher of Israel and yet you do not understand these things? Truly, truly, I say to you, we speak of what we know, and bear witness to what we have seen, but you do not receive our testimony.

If I have told you earthly things and you do not believe, how can you believe if I tell you heavenly things?

No one has ascended into heaven except he who descended from heaven, the Son of Man. And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, so must the Son of Man be lifted up, that whoever believes in him may have eternal life.

“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.

For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him. Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only Son of God.

And this is the judgment: the light has come into the world, and people loved the darkness rather than the light because their works were evil.

For everyone who does wicked things hates the light and does not come to the light, lest his works should be exposed.

But whoever does what is true comes to the light, so that it may be clearly seen that his works have been carried out in God.”

We closed our last study with John 2:24-25

John 2:24–25 ESV

But Jesus on his part did not entrust himself to them, because he knew all people and needed no one to bear witness about man, for he himself knew what was in man.

We open today’s study with a look at one of those people, Jesus knows so well.

Nicodemus represents one of the group of witnesses of the Chapter 2 events.

To understand why Nicodemus approached Jesus at night, we need to recognize his position and responsibilities as a Pharisee..."

The Pharisees, were the Rabbi’s or Teachers of the Law, their focus was on proper worship and teaching in the Synagogue, they considered themselves as the Spiritual guides of the Jewish community.

While the Synoptic Gospels record several confrontations Jesus had with the Pharisees, this is their first appearance in Johns Gospel.

The Nicodemus account begins a series of conversations Jesus has with those same people mentioned in Ch 2 verse 24:

Nicodemus- Representing the Religious Authority

The Samaritan Women at the Well- Samaritans being looked down on by Jewish culture

A Roman Leader- Jesus heals his son, breaking down the wall between Jew and Gentile

The Crippled man at Bethsaida- Breaking down the rules of the Sabbath.

With Nicodemus, John continues with a format that is unique to his Gospel-

The Conversation-

Earlier we saw that Jesus had a conversation with Andrew, Peter and Nathaniel.

He had a conversation with His own mother at the Cana Wedding

He had conversations at the Temple, while chasing out the blasphemers who defiled the Holiness of the Temple.

Some of those conversations were with groups of people, but most often Jesus took the time to have a chat with the individual-

Jesus took time to talk to the person, not just the people. And, as we will see going forward, Jesus was not concerned about crossing social/cultural/ethnic boundaries to have these conversations.

Imagine Nicodemus, a respected Pharisee, sitting in his chamber late at night, torn between his duties and a burning desire to understand this teacher named Jesus. His heart pounds as he decides to venture out under the cover of darkness."

Nicodemus approaching Jesus, “by Night” has many connotations.

Nicodemus, as a “Teacher of Israel” could have been concerned about being seen by his fellow Pharisees, and viewed as a follower of Jesus.

He may have just been seeking a time when he could have a private chat with Jesus. (They were both quite busy during the day)

There is also the Spiritual perspective:

John often refers to the night or darkness as the place of unbelief or evil. The only other confrontation Jesus has at night is with Judas Iscariot.

Judas leaves the Last Supper, into the night to betray Jesus and then leads the soldiers into the Garden, at night to have Jesus arrested.

This encounter isn't just a meeting of minds; it's emblematic of a deeper spiritual truth: Nicodemus coming in the night symbolizes humanity in the darkness, contrasted with Jesus, the everlasting light..."

John’s teaching, through the entirety of his Gospel, is that Jesus has come as the Light to the world, but humanity prefers the darkness

Whatever the case, Nicodemus appears to be genuinely curious about Jesus.

And to his credit, Nicodemus makes the choice to approach the Light to ask the questions.

His first question amplifies this curiosity: verse 2

“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.”

Calling Jesus “Rabbi” is a sign of respect from Nicodemus that confirms the rest of his statement.

Saying, “We know...” suggests there are others in the Sanhedrin that believe as well- Nicodemus wasnt acting alone here.

The challenge from Nicodemus, though subtle, is still there- He wanted Jesus to validate the miracles that had been witnessed by the crowds. Nicodemus, obviously being a part of that crowd.

Jesus turns the question back on Nicodemus, by challenging Nicodemus to examine his Personal Relationship with God.

Being a member of the Sanhedrin and a teacher of the Law of Moses, Nicodemus would have been well aware of the OT teachings of the coming and future Kingdom of God.

Jesus adding the pre-requisite to be ‘Born Again” is something new.

The word used here can be either mean “Born again, or Born “from above”

Nicodemus saw it one way and Jesus meant it the other way. One of the first of many misunderstandings of Jesus’ teachings by the listeners in John Gospel.

Jesus was trying to get Nicodemus to believe, not by signs and wonders, but by having a real and personal relationship with God.

In the “Rebirth” narrative, Jesus is driving home a point that seems to be beyond Nicodemus’ ability to comprehend- The total and complete renewal of the whole person.

Think of being born again like rebooting a computer. When a system is corrupted and running slow, a reboot clears the glitches, giving it a fresh start. In the same way, Jesus offers us a complete spiritual reboot, renewing our hearts and minds."

Jesus’ is confirming that we cannot fix us by ourselves, simply because there is no part of us that is good- Our Flesh is inherently corrupt and evil.

We cannot make ourselves good enough to be presentable to a Holy God.

In other words, Jesus was suggesting becoming a completely new person, starting at the Spiritual level and changing the entire person-

NOT JUST A BETTER VERSION OF THE OLD PERSON- BUT A COMPLETELY NEW VERSION.

With Nicodemus’ next question, he is either holding to a defeatist attitude or is truly cynical:

“How can a man be born when he is old?” Is really a question of can human nature really be changed?

“Can he enter his mothers womb a second time and be born?” Is a very cynical, human view of a Spiritual concept.

More importantly, it shows how Nicodemus, despite his Knowledge of OT teachings, his Standing in the community and his leadership role in the Sanhedrin, is still in the dark and clueless about the true meaning of the Kingdom of God.

Can we, like Nicodemus, step out of our comfort zones and seek understanding, even if it means admitting we don't have all the answers? How often do we cling to our old selves instead of embracing the new life Jesus offers?"

To grasp the significance of 'water and spirit,' let's connect it to the broader scriptural narrative, from John the Baptist's ministry to the Old Testament promises in Isaiah, Joel, and Ezekiel..."

Is. 32 and Joel 2 are both familiar passages of this future time of God pouring out His Spirit on ALL people.

And...

Ezekiel 36:25–27“I will sprinkle clean water on you, and you shall be clean from all your uncleannesses, and from all your idols I will cleanse you.

And I will give you a new heart, and a new spirit I will put within you.

And I will remove the heart of stone from your flesh and give you a heart of flesh. And I will put my Spirit within you, and cause you to walk in my statutes and be careful to obey my rules.”

Jesus is breaking new ground here of Eschatological “End Times” era.

John the Baptist initiated this era with his water baptism and now Jesus completes the beginning as the Baptizer, “In the Spirit”

Included in this beginning is the idea that this era will be grounded in how the Spirit of God will move across Humanity- in the same way the Wind moves across the earth and cannot be contained or controlled by the religious systems that jesus has already confronted.

Nicodemus' genuine confusion underscores the revolutionary nature of Jesus' message - a message that would upend not just beliefs, but the very core of one's identity and faith practices..."

Jesus has just upended his religious and pious apple cart.

Everything Nicodemus held to:

The Torah, his dedicated obedience

Prayers and Sacrifice

His understanding of election, responsibility and standing

Have all been declared inadequate and incomplete.

The bigger picture in view is simple:

Since the Scripture was available in the first century and still is today,

It is not an issue of Knowledge.

If the written Word of God cannot be understood, accepted and believed...

It is impossible for the profound Spiritual things of God to be understood.

Jesus Christ alone can teaching of Heavenly things, as He is the only one to have seen, first hand the wonders of Heaven.

But if we cannot even accept the basic teachings of Jesus, there is no way we will ever comprehend the deeper realities.

Nicodemus' journey is our journey. We all have moments of doubt, times when we seek deeper meaning, and the desire for transformation.

His story reminds us that seeking the light, even in our darkest times, can lead us to profound truths and a renewed spirit."

In verses 16-21, John gives the conclusion of the conversation with Nicodemus with a brief, yet complete summation of Message and Purpose of Jesus the Messiah.

We often hear John 3:16 as a standalone verse, but in this context, it serves as a powerful summation of Jesus' mission:

'For God so loved the world...'

This unprecedented love extends beyond any cultural or national boundary..."

Yet it is only the beginning of the summation.

Judaism, rarely included the world outside of Israel as being a part of God’s love.

Gods plan was to reach the world THROUGH Israel, His chosen people.

It is the unique idea of Christianity that Gods love crosses all boundaries of nation or ethnic background.

The sacrifice of the Son of God was not provided for a select few or a single people group, but rather for the entirety of all humanity.

"As we reflect on this encounter and the profound truths it reveals, let us be reminded of our own inclinations. Although the human heart leans towards darkness, the light of Christ calls us to transformation and renewal..

In fact the Soul of Man loves the dark and hates the light.

So much so, that the dark heart of mankind does not just ignore the Light, but actively Wars against the Light.

The darkness of man has, at every turn of history, tried to wipe out and eliminate the Light from the World.

Ultimately the Darkness of Evil has begun the very battle that will lead to it’s demise.

This Week:

Reflect on your own spiritual journey. Can you identify a moment of "rebirth" or transformation in your faith?

This week, make an effort to have a one-on-one conversation about faith with someone, following Jesus' example of individual engagement.

Consider areas in your life where you might be avoiding the "light." Commit to bringing one of these areas before God in prayer this week.

Closing Prayer: I thank you, God for Your boundless love and ask for the courage for all of us to walk in Your light. Amen