Jesus the Rabbi

Big Idea of the Series: This four-week series shows the offices that Jesus fulfills in the New Testament. Jesus is the Teacher (or Rabbi), helping us understand God’s law and will. He is the Prophet, speaking for God about things that are and things to come. Jesus is the final High Priest, bringing us into God’s presence. And ultimately, he is the rightful King and ruler of God’s creation.

In the Bible, the term 'rabbi' (Hebrew for 'my great one' or 'my master') is a mark of respect used for religious teachers. It's used to address Jesus, John the Baptist, and other religious figures, signifying their esteemed status as teachers.

Rabbi in the N.T.

In the New Testament, Jesus is referred to as 'Rabbi' (meaning 'teacher') by various individuals, including disciples, would-be disciples, and even those who later betray him. This highlights the complexity of his role as a teacher and leader.

Disciples recognized Him as the Rabbi

John 1:38 ESV

38 Jesus turned and saw them following and said to them, “What are you seeking?” And they said to him, “Rabbi” (which means Teacher), “where are you staying?”

John 1:49 ESV

49 Nathanael answered him, “Rabbi, you are the Son of God! You are the King of Israel!”

Judas the Betrayer

Matthew 26:25 ESV

25 Judas, who would betray him, answered, “Is it I, Rabbi?” He said to him, “You have said so.”

Matthew 26:49 ESV

49 And he came up to Jesus at once and said, “Greetings, Rabbi!” And he kissed him.

Jesus Response

Matthew 23:8–10 ESV

8 But you are not to be called rabbi, for you have one teacher, and you are all brothers. 9 And call no man your father on earth, for you have one Father, who is in heaven. 10 Neither be called instructors, for you have one instructor, the Christ.

Jesus was not into fancy titles. Jesus's rejection of the title "Rabbi" for his disciples suggests that he did not want them to be seen as status-seeking Pharisees who used the title as a sign of authority.

Jesus's teachings stood out because he taught with authority, unlike the scribes and Pharisees, and focused on radical love, forgiveness, and a relationship with God, unlike the legalistic and often hypocritical teachings of his time.

In John 3, one of the best-known texts, John 3:16, follows a discussion Jesus is having with Nicodemus.

Darkness, as we have seen (1:5), is an essential feature in this Gospel, which promises light. In this scene, a ‘ruler of the Jews’ named Nicodemus comes to Jesus by night, under cover of darkness, with an inquiry. Nicodemus seems to represent those in the community who are attracted to Jesus but, as yet, are not fully aware of who he is and what he means.

They have not recognized him as the "Light of the World." We need to remember that this Gospel comes from a situation in which there is a breakdown in relationships between Jews and Christians. Many in the Christian party have been expelled from the synagogue because they believe in Jesus as the Messiah. Let’s listen to the first part of Nicodemus’s conversation with the Rabbi.

John 3:1–8 ESV

1 Now there was a man of the Pharisees named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews. 2 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.” 3 Jesus answered him, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God.” 4 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?” 5 Jesus answered, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God. 6 That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. 7 Do not marvel that I said to you, ‘You must be born again.’ 8 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.”

What credentials will gain you Entrance into Heaven?

Every person who has ever lived will one day stand before the judgment seat of God. Hebrews 9:27 tells us that humans are destined to die once and then face judgment.

Some will be sent to hell, a place of eternal torment. Some will be given entrance to heaven, a place of everlasting joy. What credentials is God looking for? In chapter 3, Jesus gives a clear—and for many people, surprising—answer.

Before we delve into Jesus' response to Nicodemus’s question about how to enter the kingdom of heaven, we must first examine the conclusion of John 2.

John 2:23–25 ESV

23 Now when he was in Jerusalem at the Passover Feast, many believed in his name when they saw the signs that he was doing. 24 But Jesus on his part did not entrust himself to them, because he knew all people 25 and needed no one to bear witness about man, for he himself knew what was in man.

Jesus is in Jerusalem for the Passover. The next few chapters are filled with conversations. Jesus speaks with a religious leader, a promiscuous woman, a government official, and a lame man. In each conversation, Jesus looks into their souls.

Some believe in and follow Him, but many others listen to Him because they want Him to perform more miracles for them. Jesus' first extended conversation in John centers on the credentials required to enter heaven.

Who was Nicodemus

Nicodemus is a very religious person. We read in the first two verses that he is a ruler of the Jews. We know very little about Nicodemus except that he was a Pharisee. The Pharisees were a group of Jews who were very fastidious (attentive and concerned with accuracy and detail) about keeping the law.

Jesus often denounced them and called them out for their misrepresentation and interpretation of the law. John reports that Nicodemus planned his visit with Jesus at night. Some have concluded that the nighttime visit suggests that he was ashamed to be seen with Jesus in broad daylight; therefore, he made a nighttime visit. Nicodemus questioned Jesus; as a part of the ruling body, it would have been his job to investigate any teachers or other public officials who might lead the people astray.

Jesus’ teaching caused people to stop and think.

What set Jesus apart as a Rabbi from other Rabbis teaching?

He Spoke with Authority

Jesus' authority was not of this world. This meant that he did not just repeat established traditions but spoke with divine authority.

Emphasis on Love and Forgiveness

He challenged the notion of strict adherence to rules and rituals, instead focusing on the heart and attitude. It was a love not of this world; it was a forgiveness not of this world.

Focus on Relationship

Jesus emphasized a personal relationship with God, not just adherence to rules and rituals. He called them to follow Him as disciples of Christ.

Radical Teachings

Jesus challenged the status quo by speaking out against hypocrisy and injustice, calling people to a life of self-sacrifice and humility. He taught that God’s kingdom was a future reality.

What makes Jesus the best Rabbi ever born?

1. Jesus Teaches the Necessity for Decision and Commitment

The decisions we make and the commitments we keep reveal everything about what we believe. The decisions we make come from the spirit, not the flesh; the commitment we make is not to what we can see but to what is unseen.

Nicodemus begins his investigation of Jesus by using the age-old strategy of flattery. First, he refers to him as a Rabbi, which is interesting given that he had not attended the rabbinic school for rabbis.

In biblical times, aspiring rabbis would typically study at a "Beit Midrash" (house of study), often starting around age 15, and learn from established rabbis, focusing on Torah, prophets, and writings, with a strong emphasis on memorization and interpretation.

We know from the Book of Acts that the Jews looked at Peter and the Apostles with amazement on the Day of Pentecost, for they saw that they seemed like 'ordinary and unlettered men' (Acts 4:13) - yet they had been taught by Christ Himself.

Jesus was the son of a carpenter from Nazareth, a backwater town that did not produce rabbis. Jesus would have been considered unschooled and not very literate. This is what puzzled the religious leaders, given that He was literate and appeared to be very well-schooled in the things a Rabbi would know.

The local rabbi would not just have been a preacher and teacher; he would have been an adjudicator in Law - something between a judge and a lawyer, perhaps arguing a case on behalf of someone or even hearing cases being presented if he were prominent as a rabbi of great wisdom and experience in his community.

Note: Notice that Jesus ignores the flattery and gets right to the point of Nicodemus’s struggle. Remember, at the end of chapter 2, John postulates that Jesus knows himself what was in a man.

Jesus begins by stating that a decision must be made about the kingdom of heaven. Jesus begins with "Truly, Truly," meaning He is about to give him the absolute truth about heaven. The truth about heaven is that you must be born again, or you cannot see the kingdom of heaven.

Jesus is refuting Nicodemus’s religious status and title, saying those things will not gain you a favored status with God and His kingdom. Nicodemus has lived his entire life believing that his religious credentials would assure him a place in God’s kingdom.

How many of us here today have been relying on other things to gain entry into the kingdom of God: our religious background, baptism, good works, God’s grace and mercy, or keeping the law?

In other words, an entirely new lookout is necessary for us to see the kingdom of God. We must grasp the necessity for a decision and commitment to Jesus' plan, not our own. We must see things as Jesus sees them.

John 1:51 ESV

51 And he said to him, “Truly, truly, I say to you, you will see heaven opened, and the angels of God ascending and descending on the Son of Man.”

*Heaven is open for those who can see.

The word is made flesh for those who can perceive its grace and truth.

Remember the dramatic picture of Stephen as he is being stoned to death. He sees heaven opened and the Son of Man seated at the right hand of the Father, ready to receive him into the eternal kingdom of God.

Sadly, Nicodemus does not have ears to hear or eyes to see what Jesus is telling him. He can only hear and see the mundane things of this world that have distorted and corrupted what Jesus is telling him he must do to receive eternal life.

Why we need Jesus as our Rabbi, our guide in this journey of faith and understanding.

Here is the cultural issue that concerns us today. The world has blocked the message that Jesus is sending, and it’s a corrupt way of seeing our lives and the eternal problem.

Nicodemus, like many of us, came to Jesus with a burning question in his heart. However, Jesus' response was not what he expected. It was a call to action, a call for a decision and commitment. This urgency is not lost on us today.

*We must be able to distinguish between the flesh and the spirit

The world teaches us to trust in the things we can see; however, Jesus is challenging Nicodemus to trust in the things that he cannot see.

In the most straightforward terms, Jesus is now distinguishing the difference between the spiritual and the physical.

The flesh represents a limited physical perspective and outlook. The Spirit is about freedom and openness.

Nicodemus thought that entering the kingdom of God had everything to do with his physical birth. If a person were born a Jew, he would automatically have a spot in the kingdom of God. The only way he would be kept out was by committing blasphemy or extreme wickedness.

What a person needed was an internal transformation. God made this promise in the Old Testament.

Ezekiel 36:25–27 ESV

25 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. 26 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. 27 And I will put my Spirit within you, and cause you to walk in my statutes and be careful to obey my rules.

Unfortunately, most people mistakenly believe that God is looking for a clean exterior: if I make better choices, avoid sin, and attend church on Sunday, then God will be pleased with me.

2. Jesus Teaches the Mystery of God

One of the greatest mysteries of God is how and when His Spirit chooses to move. Let me share with you one of the greatest mysteries of God that most people struggle to understand. This may be a shocking statement for some of you.

*We cannot do anything to enter the Kingdom of God

Look at verse 8. Jesus is trying to explain how the Spirit of God works. He uses the wind as an illustration. You can feel the wind, hear it, and perceive it. However, you do not know where it comes from or where it is going. Entering God’s kingdom is something that you can do in your power.

If you have any affection in your heart for Jesus Christ at all today, it is because the Spirit of God alone has placed that sweetness and power of His mercy in your heart.

*The new birth is the Sovereign work of God’s Spirit

John 3:9–13 ESV

9 Nicodemus said to him, “How can these things be?” 10 Jesus answered him, “Are you the teacher of Israel and yet you do not understand these things? 11 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. 12 If I have told you earthly things and you do not believe, how can you believe if I tell you heavenly things? 13 No one has ascended into heaven except he who descended from heaven, the Son of Man.

You may not know where the wind is coming from, where it is going, or why it is blowing, but we know when it has arrived.

The Landers Quake of 1993

We had little warning or knowledge of when the earthquake would occur. It swept through the area in the dark of night and left just as quickly as it had come.

However, when we went to help with the relief effort in Landers, we could see where the road had split wide open; we could also see where buildings were cracked and had been knocked off their foundations. All the evidence suggested that a massive earthquake had rocked the desert around us.

When the Spirit of God blows life into a person’s soul, there will be unmistakable evidence. The first piece of evidence is that the person will believe in Jesus. That’s what Jesus tells Nicodemus (vv. 9–13).

If you are genuinely born again of God, then you will believe what Jesus says. You will understand that He came from heaven fully God and fully man, and put your faith and trust in Him.

The single, unmistakable sign of new birth is complete faith and trust in Jesus Christ.

Paul concludes in 1 Corinthians 2:7 that they had revealed to the people the secret, hidden wisdom of God. However, none of the rulers of this age understood it. “What no eye has seen, nor ear has heard, what God has prepared for those who love Him.”

Jesus Teaches the Heart of God

John 3:14–21 ESV

14 And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, so must the Son of Man be lifted up, 15 that whoever believes in him may have eternal life. 16 “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. 17 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. 18 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. 19 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. 20 For everyone who does wicked things hates the light and does not come to the light, lest his works should be exposed. 21 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.”

Time magazine asked several people how they pictured God.

Here was one response: God is “a lot like he was explained to us as children. As an older man, who is just and who can get angry at us. I know this isn’t the true picture, but it’s the only one I’ve got” (Elson, “Toward a Hidden God”). This response is quite common, particularly among those who have grown up in a religious environment. God is the unhappy, white-bearded father figure who “gets angry at us.”

The following verses reveal that God is not the grumpy, ruthless older man in the sky. He exemplifies graciousness and kindness.

God who loves and cares for His children.

*Jesus teaches the demonstration of God’s love

John 3:16 is undoubtedly one of the most well-known and frequently quoted scriptures in the Bible. However, the most important word is the little connecting word “for.”

It connects verses 14 and 15, which indicate that Jesus must be lifted in death; otherwise, verse 16 is a null and void promise. Why would the son of God need to be brutalized and killed on the cross to pay for our sins?

The third word in John 3:16,the way most of us have memorized us, is what? the word “so.” It could mean that God really, really loves us. When you ask a child how big something is, they often respond with their arms outstretched, saying, “It was so big.” It could reveal the intensity of God’s love or refer to the demonstration of God’s love.

How do you know whether someone loves you? The easiest way is when you hear those three magical words: “I Love You.” The reality is that words can be cheap and overused. If I were to ask your children how they know that Mom and Dad love them, they would inevitably respond with something I have done, usually involving time or money.

What Jesus gave as his demonstration was far more precious than time or money.

Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends. (John 15:13) Jesus then follows this statement with, “You are my friends if you do what I command you.”

It is often the demonstration of our love that shows how much we genuinely care for someone. The gift that God gave cost Him the life of His son.

Notice the choice of words, “that He gave.” This is the one statement that trips up most people when they come to faith in Christ.

His love extended to the entire world or cosmos, as described in Greek. God’s love is remarkable not because the world is so vast but because our sin is so great.

We did not earn it; we were rebels, enemies of God, yet He still gave the gift anyway. Romans 5:8. “God demonstrates His love.”

God loves us in the present tense now that we have been made His children.

God loved us in the past before we were saved. Ephesians 1:4 “Even as He chose us before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before him. I love he predestined us for adoption to himself as son’s through Jesus Christ.”

God loves us in the future tense; it is His love for us that will hold and keep us for eternity. (John 10:27-29) “My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me.” I give them eternal life, and they will never perish; no one will snatch them out of my hand.

*Jesus teaches the result of our beliefs

Whoever believes in Jesus is not condemned. Romans 8:1

Romans 8:1 ESV

1 There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.

To condemn means to judge a person to be guilty and liable to punishment. We are no longer guilty; our sin has been removed, and it cannot be held against us again.

Jesus did for us what we could never do. We could stand before God and proclaim our innocence until we were blue in the face, but it wouldn’t matter. We’re not innocent.

The Problem

The key word in verse 18 is “is not condemned.” This is a definitive term in scripture, meaning it remains unchanged. For those who are in Christ, they are not condemned.

It is easy for Christians to feel the weight and guilt of their sin and condemn themselves. When he does so, He forgets the power of the cross. We are then saying that God is not big enough or powerful enough to keep us saved. We are saying that somehow, we can take ourselves out of God's hands. Are you more powerful than God?

We have already been freed from the penalty of sin and death; we are now being freed from the power of sin and death. Sin is no longer our master; we should no longer wallow in the guilt of our sin.

*Jesus Teaches the Response of Man

Unfortunately, verse 18 has a reverse result. Anyone who does not believe already stands condemned. Verse 19 states that the light has come into the world; however, people preferred the darkness to the light.

Most of us think we’re OK because we’re decent people. We look around and compare ourselves to the worst people we can find, and we feel pretty good about ourselves. However, pride and self-sufficiency often hinder the admission of the real problem and the addressing of the actual need. Every man, woman, and child is a sinner in need of a Savior. God is our Creator, and He deserves our trust and honor; however, we have disrespected Him.

Words like condemnation and judgment may lead you to doubt that God is loving, but these verses make it clear: condemnation is a result of refusing to accept God’s gift. People will face the consequences of their sin not because God’s gift of Jesus is insufficient but because they refuse to turn from their sin and trust in Jesus to save them from sin’s penalty.

If you reject Christ, you have no one to blame but yourself.

CONCLUSION

The message of the Bible is a simple message about God’s love and mercy, about man’s sin and need, and about the rescue that’s found in Jesus Christ. In simple words, Sally Lloyd-Jones captures the love of God demonstrated in the death of his Son:

“So, you’re a king, are you?” the Roman soldiers jeered. “Then you’ll need a crown and a robe.” They gave Jesus a crown made from thorns. And put a purple robe on Him. And pretended to bow down to Him. “Your Majesty!” they said.

Then they whipped Him. And spat on Him. They didn’t understand that this was the Prince of Life, the King of Heaven and Earth, who had come to rescue them. The soldiers made him a sign—“Our King” and nailed it to a wooden cross. They walked up a hill outside the city. Jesus carried the cross on His back. Jesus had never done anything wrong. But they were going to kill Him the way criminals were killed. They nailed Jesus to the cross.

“Father, forgive them,” Jesus gasped. “They don’t understand what they’re doing.” “You say you’ve come to rescue us!” people shouted. “But you can’t even rescue yourself!” But they were wrong. Jesus could have rescued Himself. A legion of angels would have flown to His side—if He’d called. “If you were truly the Son of God, you could just come down from that cross!” they said. And, of course, they were right. Jesus could have just climbed down. Actually, He could have just said a word and made it all stop, just as He did when He healed that little girl—and stilled the storm—and fed five thousand people.

But Jesus stayed. You see, they didn’t understand.

It wasn’t the nails that kept Jesus there. It was love.