Understanding New Life

Introduction

Life as she knew it seemed over. When the Nazis took control, Corrie ten Boom and her family resisted, protecting and hiding Jewish people. The Netherlands—once a place of freedom—had become an extension of Nazi Germany. Oh, how she longed for new life, for herself and for her country.

At least she still had her hiding place—somewhere she could do something, make a difference. Through that work, her family helped over 800 Jews escape and find new life.

And then the secret police came. Corrie and her family were arrested and sent to a concentration camp. All hope seemed lost. What could she do now? Only pray and long for rescue.

And the day did come when Corrie was released. For most people, walking free from a prison camp would feel like being born again—a new chance at life. But for Corrie, that wasn’t the moment.

That moment came many years earlier, when as a little girl she placed her faith in Jesus and was born again into new life.

That life was the relationship she had with God while living as a simple watchmaker—an ordinary life, but one powered by God’s presence. It was that life that inspired her and her family to rescue Jews. It was that life that sustained them in the darkness of the concentration camp, surrounded by death. Even with only smuggled-in Bibles, they continued to worship God.

After her release, Corrie would tell the world, “There is no pit so deep that God’s love is not deeper still.”

This is not the story of some hero—it’s the story of an ordinary person who found true life through the love of God. And so can you.

As we turn to John 3 today, we will see that very life—the life that Jesus offers to each of us.

Prayer

Heavenly Father, We thank You for Your love—that You would send Jesus to bring us life.

We pray that You would remove any obstacle that is keeping us from receiving that life and walking in it today.

Open our hearts to Your Word and to the work of Your Spirit. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

1. Signs -> Born Again (John 3:1-8)

Transition

I invite you to open your Bibles to John 3. We’ll be starting in verse 1.

Jesus has left Cana in Galilee and headed south to Jerusalem for Passover. While He was there, He drove the merchants out of the temple.

Needless to say, He caused quite a scene. And shortly afterward, one evening, a Jewish leader came to Jesus for a conversation.

Will you read along with me in John 3:1?

Read John 3:1-8

John 3:1–8 NKJV

1 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 and said to him, “Most assuredly, 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, “Most assuredly, 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 the sound of it, but cannot tell where it comes from and where it goes. So is everyone who is born of the Spirit.”

Explanation

It’s hard to know for sure Nicodemus’ motives. Is he coming to to prove Jesus wrong? To butter him up only to find some flaw in his teaching? Or is he interested in Jesus teaching- curious and willing to believe, but too afraid to come in the daylight?

We can’t be certain of his motives, but it’s clear what he wants to know.

He’s coming to ask Jesus about the miracles, the signs he’s been doing. All of Jerusalem has been talking about it. And to ask him about the disruption he’s causing too. But Nicodemus comes in politely recognizing that Jesus character, his miracles, and his authority are signs pointing God being with him.

But throughout this conversation, Jesus keeps answering a question Nicodemus is not asking.

I think of this as the original “Jesus juke.”

Usually when we use that term, we’re talking about someone unexpectedly turning a normal conversation toward Jesus.

Someone says, “Man, I’m tired.” And a pastor replies, “Well, Jesus will give you rest.”

“Oh, these cookies are amazing!” “You know what else is amazing? The grace of Jesus.”

Jesus jukes Nicodemus just as hard.

Nicodemus comes asking about signs and authority. He’s questioning Jesus. But Jesus shifts the conversation to where it really needs to go.

Not: How did Jesus get this authority? But: How can Nicodemus be made right with God?

Jesus says, “You must be born again.”

And Nicodemus doesn’t get it.

How can you be born again?

Illustration

But I grew up in Asia, so I do get it. It’s just like rice. One thing you learn quickly is this: if you mess it up while cooking rice, there’s nothing you can do to fix it. It must be cooked again.

If it’s too dry, you can’t just add water later. If it’s too wet, there’s no way to get the water out. The only option is to start over—you need new rice.

Jesus is saying something like that about our relationship with God. This isn’t something we can fix on our own. We can’t add a few good works or remove a few bad habits and make it right.

What we need isn’t adjustment—we need new life. We must be born again.

Born of Water and Spirit?

Born of Water and Spirit

Jesus clarifies what Nicodemus has missed. He’s not talking about a second physical birth—He’s talking about a spiritual rebirth. You must be born of water and Spirit. This is something that comes from above—from God Himself.

Now, to a Jewish leader like Nicodemus, baptism in water wasn’t unfamiliar. Gentiles received water baptism when coming to the Jewish faith. And in some circles, people even spoke of converting to the true God as starting a new life.

But Nicodemus is already a Jew. A leader of the people. Why would he need to convert? Why would he need to be made right with God? If being born a Jew and following the law isn’t enough, what could he possibly do?

He needed to be born again.

And the truth is, we have that same need today. If we want the life Jesus offers—if we want to see the kingdom of God—we, too, must be born again.

2. Born Again -> The OT (John 3:9-15)

Transition

Flabbergasted, Nicodemus asks Jesus, “How can this be?” He’s ready to talk about being born again.

But can you guess what Jesus does next? He jukes him—again. This time, He starts talking about the Old Testament.

Look with me at verse 9.

Read John 3:9-15

John 3:9–15 NKJV

9 Nicodemus answered and said to Him, “How can these things be?” 10 Jesus answered and said to him, “Are you the teacher of Israel, and do not know these things? 11 Most assuredly, I say to you, We speak what We know and testify what We have seen, and you do not receive Our witness. 12 If I have told you earthly things and you do not believe, how will you believe if I tell you heavenly things? 13 No one has ascended to heaven but He who came down from heaven, that is, the Son of Man who is in heaven. 14 And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of Man be lifted up, 15 that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life.

Explanation

First, Jesus reminds Nicodemus that he should know this already—because he is a teacher of Israel.

Jesus is pointing out something we sometimes forget today: the Old Testament, the very Scriptures that Nicodemus is an “expert” in, point to Jesus.

Over and over, passage after passage, the Old Testament shows our need for salvation from sin and death. It points to our only hope—rescue and redemption from God.

And over and over, it promises a coming Messiah—a Savior who would bring life, that humanity might be born again from above.

Jesus makes it clear: the problem isn’t Nicodemus’ intelligence. The problem is spiritual. He doesn’t understand what God is saying because he doesn’t believe. He has seen Jesus doing exactly what the Scriptures say the Messiah would do. And he’s come to Jesus.

Polite? Yes. Curious? Maybe. But believing? Not yet.

Moses in the Wilderness

Then Jesus gives a biblical illustration explaining what he’s talking about in verse 14-15.

John 3:14–15 NKJV

14 And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of Man be lifted up, 15 that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life.

How to Use Cross References

Jesus is referring to something from the Old Testament, but what? Let me show you something really cool you can do with your Bible, or at least Bibles include cross references.

Here is a picture of my Bible. Right after the number for verse 14 is a small little a and at the bottom of the page are a bunch of footnotes. IF you zoom in you can see the a more clearly. And if we look at the bottom of the page we can see in the footnote for 3:14 a Bible verse Numbers 21:9.

The Story

In Numbers, we read about Israel wandering in the wilderness after God had rescued them from slavery in Egypt. And Israel sins against God. As a consequence, God sends serpents among the people.

The people cry out for mercy, and God tells Moses to craft a bronze serpent, put it on a pole, and lift it up. Then, anyone who had been bitten could look at the bronze serpent—and they would live.

How does this connect to being born again? The people had to turn their eyes to the bronze serpent. Not because the snakes were good, but because they had to face their sin and trust God. They believed and lived!

That’s how we are born again too. We too must face our sin and turn to Jesus in faith Jesus would be lifted up on the cross, not as a symbol of sin, but to take on our sin Himself. What do we do? All we must do is simply turn to Jesus in faith, believe in Him, and we will live.

3. OT-> Life & Condemnation (John 3:16-21)

Transition

I can imagine Nicodemus just starting to follow the Old Testament lesson—and then what does Jesus do? He changes directions again.

Now He zooms in on two competing realities: life and condemnation. Nicodemus has to choose. Which will he pick?

Read John 3:16-21

John 3:16–21 NKJV

16 For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. 17 For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved. 18 “He who believes in Him is not condemned; but he who does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God. 19 And this is the condemnation, that the light has come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil. 20 For everyone practicing evil hates the light and does not come to the light, lest his deeds should be exposed. 21 But he who does the truth comes to the light, that his deeds may be clearly seen, that they have been done in God.”

Explanation John 3:16

Jesus tells us exactly how God loves the world. He shows it like this: by sending His only Son, so that whoever believes in Him will not perish, but have eternal life.

Just as in the story of Moses in the wilderness, God offers forgiveness and life to His people. Because of His love, God sends His Son to bear the sin of the world, offering eternal life to all who believe.

Most of the time, we stop at verse 16. But verse 17 gives an important clarification—one that Rob Mason especially loved:

John 3:17 NKJV

17 For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved.

Illustration (Not a cop, but a firefighter or medic)

Jesus isn’t coming into the world like a SWAT team, kicking down doors to take out the bad guys.

No. His mission is more like a firefighter, running into a burning building to rescue people trapped in deadly danger.

Or like a medic, racing to resuscitate the victim of a heart attack.

Jesus has not come to condemn the world. He has come so that, through Him, the world might be saved.

Explanation: Condemnation

Does that mean there’s no danger of condemnation? No—not at all. The danger is real. But here’s the key: Jesus is the solution, not the source of the danger.

The danger is that, on our own, we are already condemned.

Some, like Nicodemus, might have thought that simply being good or following God’s rules was enough. But it isn’t. When we go our own way and reject the salvation found in Jesus, we won’t experience the life He is offering.

Others, like the Samaritan woman Jesus will meet in the next chapter, might feel they’ll never be good enough for God’s love. But that’s not true either. When guilt and shame keep us from accepting the forgiveness and salvation Jesus offers, we also miss the life He came to give.

Conclusion

This story ends anticlimactically. What happens to Nicodemus? Does he believe? Is he alive today in Heaven with Jesus—or did he leave in darkness, just as he came?

If you keep reading the Gospel of John, you’ll meet him twice more and get your answer. But John ends here on purpose.

Because Nicodemus’ moment to believe has already come—and gone. He made his decision. But that’s not why John is writing. He’s writing to encourage you in your decision.

If you are already a Christian, will you choose to live fully in the reality of Christ’s love and life today?

And if you are like Nicodemus, in need of spiritual rebirth, that offer still stands for you. Christ has come, He has been lifted up on the cross, and when you believe in Him, you will receive eternal life.

There is no need to stand in condemnation or guilt a moment longer. Today, will you believe and receive the life Jesus offers?

Sermon Notes

1. Bible Translation

I’m choosing the NKJV for preaching because I believe it offers the strongest balance of faithfulness to the historic text of Scripture, clarity for modern readers, and continuity with the church’s worshiping tradition.

At the same time, I deeply value other faithful translations—such as the NASB, ESV, CSB, and NIV—which also serve the church well and can enrich our understanding of God’s Word.

2. Commentary Recommendation's

I have found the following commentaries helpful in my study of John.

Introductory

Explore the book in greater depth. Ideal for curious church members, Bible study leaders, and Sunday School teachers who want a clearer understanding of the text without being overwhelmed by technical detail.

1. Holman New Testament Commentary: John by Kenneth O. Gangel

2. Christ-Centered Exposition: Exalting Jesus in John by Matt Chandler and Josh Wredberg

3. Be Alive (John 1-12) and Be Transformed (John 13-21) by Warren Wiresbe

4. The Life Application Bible Commentary: John Editor: Grant Osborne

Intermediate

More advanced, with increased attention to historical context, theological nuances, and interpretive questions. Best for teachers or small group leaders seeking a scholarly yet accessible examination of passages.

1. Signs of the Messiah: An Introduction to John’s Gospel by Andreas J. Köstenberger

2. Cornerstone Biblical Commentary: The Gospel of John by Grant Osborne

3. ESV Expository Commentary: John by James M. Hamilton Jr.

In-Depth Study

These are a bit more advanced than the previous recommendations and go into more depth. These resources are ideal for those preparing lessons or sermons and looking to engage more deeply with the biblical text.

1. New American Commentary: John 1-11 and John 12-21 by Gerald L. Borchert

2. Pillar New Testament Commentary: The Gospel According to John by D.A. Carson

3. New International Commentary on the New Testament: The Gospel According to John by Leon Morris

3. Quotes and Illustrations Used

Corey Ten Boom

https://www.corrietenboom.com/en/information/the-history-of-the-museum

Life Application Commentary

John Nicodemus Visits Jesus at Night / 3:1–21 / 24

With one stroke Jesus reversed the flow of discussion from his identity as a God-sent teacher to the crucial question of the destiny of each person. Jesus made it clear that his own qualifications were not up for debate, but that Nicodemus ought to be concerned about where he stood before God.

4. Scripture References

Numbers 21:4-9 tells the story of Moses lifting up the serpent in the wilderness.

Want to know what happens to Nicodemus?

Will he end up believing in Jesus? Read the following passages to find out:

John 7:50-53

John 19:39-42