Series on John’s Gospel

John 2:23-3:21.

I. There is something wrong with Man!

I have begun my consideration of chapter 3 by reading the last two verses of chapter 2.

At the end of that chapter John tells us that as a result of Jesus performing "miraculous signs" during the seven day feast of Passover "many people...believed"(v23). Jesus however:"would not entrust Himself to them, for He knew all men. He did not need man's testimony about man: for He knew what was in man"(vs 24,25).

What an indictment of man this is! He is not to be trusted! There is a dangerous tendency in him which makes him unpredictable! - "Of all the creatures that were made he Man] is the most detestable. Of the entire brood he is the only one - the solitary one - that possesses malice. That is the basest of all instincts, passions, vices - the most hateful...He is the only creature that inflicts pain for sport, knowing it to be pain...Also - in all the list he is the only creature that has a nasty mind" (Mark Twain in vol II of his autobiography. p.7).

It is clear from Jesus' reaction that their confession of belief was suspect!

It was belief based on miraculous evidence not faith and therefore it was not true faith at all!

So man was not to be trusted! There is something wrong with Him!

This leads naturally into the opening words of chapter 3 "Now there was a man of the Pharisees, named Nicodemus..'.

Nicodemus is a man' who came to Jesus at 'night'(v2) symbolic for 'a man' in darkness.

Jesus and Nicodemus talk of how 'a man' in darkness may enter into light by being born again' or from ‘above'(v3,5, 31).

Godet may not be far from the mark when he says that Nicodemus acts as a 'specimen’ of the race Jesus knew so well'

II. Man needs to Change!

There was apparently one man who saw these signs and wanted to know more about Jesus. <:f240,2Times New Chapter 3 records for us the visit "Nicodemus, a member of the Jewish ruling council"

He comes to Jesus by night possibly for two reasons:

(i). Some - Because he feared the Jews(see on

(ii). Others - It was common for Rabbi's to debate into the early hours of the morning, undistracted by duties.

1. Nicodemus expresses a conviction

Nicodemus is not simply speaking for himself - “we know"! Perhaps Nicodemus came representing a small

group who in contrast to the majority of Pharisees who believed that "this man is not from God" (9v16). They actually believed that Jesus had the authority of the One who was sent from God.

They believed this because of "the miraculous signs"(v2). This does not yet imply saving faith but only that they are moving toward this!

2. Jesus enunciates a non-negotiable requirement for salvation

Jesus immediately confronts Nicodemus with the centrality of the gospel concerning man's need, namely - to see the kingdom of God one must be born again, or born from above.

There is something wrong with man! Man needs to change! And so, Jesus points out a universal need among all men. He points out that man must have a radical change of nature and character; a transformation must take place. He must be "born again"

3. Jesus explains the nature of this new birth

Nicodemus is perplexed. He has already been born once, how can he be born again? Jesus explains: a. It is a birth of "water and the Spirit". To what does this refer? There have been various suggestions:

(i). It refers to the need for both natural birth and spiritual birth:

"Water"is used of natural birth(i.e. the amniotic fluid surrounding the foetus is used in contrast of supernatural birth. Jesus is thus emphasising that two births are necessary if a person is to see the Kingdom of God.

(ii). It refers to the need for baptism in water and the Spirit for salvation

"water" refers to baptism - what the Church does!

Spirit refers to what God does - supernatural birth!

The proponents of this view teach that in order for a person to enter the Kingdom of God they must be baptised and then because of that baptism the Spirit makes them and fits them for Heaven!

(iii). It refers to the sign and seal of salvation:

Water refers to baptism. Spirit - to supernatural birth. The proponents of this view in contrast with the above deny that baptism saves but rather insist that baptism is but a sign which is of no benefit unless it is accompanied by the new- birth which it signifies.

(iv). It refers to the need for cleansing and regeneration for salvation -

"water" signifies cleansing or purification. Spirit signifies regeneration. "He saved us by the washing of rebirth and the renewal of the Holy Spirit"(Tit 3v5).

There is something wrong with man! man must change! If he is to change he must be first washed and renewed by the Holy Spirit, cleansed of sin and made anew. (c/f Ezek 36v25-27;Isa 1v18)

b. It is a supernatural birth -

Man can only bring forth natural children. God alone can bring forth children of new-birth(c/f Jn 1v13).This is a critical problem for mankind because "flesh"cannot inherit the Kingdom of Heaven (Rom 8v8).

c. It is a sovereign work of God

Jesus likens the work of the Spirit to the blowing of the wind. Just as the wind comes and goes as it pleases and blows wherever it pleases, so the Spirit acts in a way which He Himself determines.

We cannot dictate to the Holy Spirit anymore than we can dictate to the wind. We cannot demand that He works nor can we possess His power to confer it on anyone else. Furthermore just as we cannot see the wind but only its effect on the objects in its way so we cannot see the Spirit but can see the effects of the Spirit on the lives of the people He touches "by their fruits you recognise them"(Mtt 7v20) We know that the Spirit has cleansed a person and given them life when we see the effects of His operations on the lives of individuals. (see note 4)

d. It is a radical work of God - "born again"

The wind is sometimes gentle, while at other times it is forceful and catastrophic. The working of the Spirit is similar. Upon some there has been a gentle working in bringing them under conviction and then regenerating them. In others there has been a great and mighty move of the Spirit, like a tornado, breaking down sinful practices and barriers, and removing wicked obstacles.

It is not for us to determine the manner in which someone is converted. Some indeed have known great anguish of soul - weeping and groaning, crying out to God for mercy. Others, have quietly acknowledged their sinful state and in the quiet hour of the night have repented by their bedside, confessing Christ as Lord and Saviour.

Perhaps you are not a believer. Here is the remedy for your need. You must be born again. This is not the statement of a particular denomination. This is the statement of the Son of God! You must be born again, and there is nothing you can do in and of yourself to produce this new birth; the Spirit must effectually work it within you.

Pray for Him to do so. Ask Him to make you a "new creation in Christ”(2 Cor 5v20).

III. God invites Man to change:

Ignorance still prevails - "How can this be?"(v9) and this ignorance is rebuked by Jesus. "You are Israel's teacher and do you not understand these things?"(v10). He was "THE TEACHER" and interpreter of the Torah and yet he was unable to understand.

1. Ignorance is down to inbuilt prejudice - When a man speaks the truth and yet we refuse to accept his testimony to the truth this reveals a gross prejudice in the hearer!

The Jews knew that what Jesus taught was true but still they refused to believe Him - (Jn 1v11,12).

To believe in Christ is to accept the testimony of the Word of God. If you reject Christ you reject the Word of God.

2. Ignorance is down to an inherent spiritual blindness - Jesus had revealed spiritual truth by use of common everyday illustrations to Nicodemus and yet he still did not understand! "How then will you believe if I speak of heavenly things" If you cannot understand spiritual truth when I use common everyday illustrations how will you grasp the truth when I unfold its full extent - when I speak of that which is a stumbling block to the Jew (1 Cor 1v28) “Christ crucified' - the redemptive action of God through His Son on the Cross being made a curse for us’(Gal 3v13).

The teacher of Israel could not understand the truth because he was spiritually blind, like all men by nature!

3. Jesus has come from Heaven to reveal spiritual truth - There is something wrong with man! Man must change! Jesus has come down from Heaven to make it possible for man to change!

4. Jesus invites men to change:

a. Look and live! - Just as Moses lifted up the snake in the desert(Num 21) "So the Son of man must be lifted up that everyone who believes in Him may have eternal life"(John 3:15). Moses made a bronze snake so that afflicted people could look and live for a little while longer. Christ was lifted up on the Cross so that we could look and live forever!

Just as the person bitten and feeling the dreadful pain of the snake bite would cry for mercy so the sinner who feels the dreadful pangs of a guilty conscience for sin may look to Christ and cry for mercy and be saved!

Just as the person bitten saw in the serpent the only remedy for his sad condition so Christ is the only remedy for our sin! He is the only One given for our salvation:

b. See God's love and believe!(vs 16-17)

The incident with the snake in the wilderness was an act of grace on God's part. Grace in the midst of judgement, having mercy on anyone who would look and live!

The sending of Christ is a revelation of the love of God for sinners all that he requires of us is that we "believe in" Christ!

3. Hear God's verdict and take warning

We are taken into a Courtroom where God sits in judgement.

Something is wrong with man. He "stands condemned"(v18) because his "deeds are evil"(v19).

Man needs to change - unbelief bars the way of God's mercy. He "loved darkness instead of light"(v19) and so rejected God's remedy for salvation.

Only God can change man - When a man moves from unbelief to belief; from darkness to light; from living in sin to living by truth "it may be seen plainly that what he had done has been done through God"(v21). It is evidence that God has made Him anew. He is "born again"

The Bible then speaks plainly and simply on this most important matter. The person with an abiding faith in Jesus will not be condemned but the person without such an abiding faith “stands condemned already.” He is as it were waiting on death-row and the only hope for him is a pardon from the Judge!

Notes:

John chapter 3 depicts a series of contrasts which permeate the whole book. There is the contrast of: ‘light' and darkness'(v19); flesh' and 'spirit'(v6);'earthly' and heavenly things'(v12); 'condemned' and 'not condemned'(v17,18); ascended and descended(v13). As such then it acts almost as a 'synopsis' of the whole book revealing both the condition of man and the salvation of God in Christ, summarised in the 'golden text' of the Bible. "For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life"(v16).

"Jesus would not entrust himself to them" - Grk: "autos de sous ouk episteuen hauton autois" Lit: "But Jesus himself kept on refusing (negative imperfect) to trust himself to them." The double use of pisteo here is shown again in Acts 8:13 where Simon Magus "believed" (Grk: ”episteusen" and was baptized, but was unsaved. He merely believed that he wanted what Philip had.

"For He knew all men" (Grk: “dia to auton gin skein pantas" - Causal use of dia and the accusative case of the articular infinitive "to gin skein" "because of the knowing" with the object of the infinitive “pantas” all men and the accusative of general reference - "auton" as to himself. This supernatural knowledge of man is a mark of deity.

Nicodemus was a Pharisee - The Pharisees were an exclusively religious group, very popular among the common people. He was a prominent teacher and ruler of the people in the Sanhedrin. As a Pharisee "he belonged to that party which with all its bigotry contained a salt of true patriotism and could rear such cultured and high-toned men as Gamaliel and Paul" (Marcus Dods).

Nicodemus is mentioned only by John. His character is marked by prudence amounting almost to timidity. At Joh 7:50-52 he defends Jesus, but without committing himself as a believer in Him. Then in Joh 19:38,39 he brought spices for the body of Jesus, but only after Joseph of Arimathea had secured the body.

"Rabbi we know that you are a teacher sent from God" - We learn from Joh 12:42,43 that late in the ministry of Christ, when hostility towards him was most bitter, many of the rulers still believed in him. No doubt, when Nicodemus said "we", he used the word advisedly and conscientiously. Those Nicodemus represents are convinced of two things:

(i). Jesus is a teacher - John 7v14,15;8v2 c/f Mtt 4v23,24;7v28,29;7v46.

(ii). Jesus is from God - John 7v29;16v27.

"Signs" is the word John uses to speak of those miracles which point to Christ's Messianic Sonship. That Nicodemus recognised these things was evidence that a grain of faith was to be found in his heart. The general consensus among the Pharisees was that "by the prince of darkness He casts out demons"(Mk 3v22). The hardness of their hearts is comparable to that of Pharaoh who alone stood unconvinced in the face of the plagues being poured out upon Egypt. Even his magicians acknowledged that "this is the finger of God" but unfortunately "Pharaoh's heart was hardened and he would not listen"(Ex 8v19). What an indictment this is against the Pharisees in general who far from showing the faith of their father Abraham were actually exhibiting the unbelief of Pharoah. (see Jn 8v39f).

v3. "unless a man is born again” - "from above" - anothen). he cannot see the Kingdom of God"(c/f Lk 9v27) - It would appear at first sight that Jesus ignored Nicodemus' question and cut him off in mid sentence. However, Jesus wanted Nicodemus to think of the implications of what he had just said - "If you believe that I am truly a teacher sent from God that means my origins are from above(John 8:23). I have come from above to tell you that unless you are born from above you will never enter the Kingdom of God!. It is not enough to merely recognise that I have come from above you must be born from above"!

Luther comments on the import of the passage with these words: “My doctrine is not of doing, and of leaving undone, but of being and becoming; so that it is not a new work to be done, but the being new created--not the living otherwise, but the being “new-born.'

“Born of water and the Spirit” - Nicodemus' misunderstanding is obvious therefore Jesus reaffirms his statement by adding a more familiar metaphor to help Nicodemus' understanding.By far the vast majority of scholars consider the word "Water" in this verse as a reference to Christian baptism. The Cambridge Bible says, ‘The outward sign and inward grace of Christian baptism are clearly given, and an unbiased mind can scarcely avoid seeing this plain fact. This becomes clearer when we compare Joh 1:26,33,where the Baptist declares, the Messiah “baptizeth in the Holy Spirit." The fathers, both Greek and Latin, thus interpret the passage with singular unanimity.' However I agree with Calvin who makes water and Spirit refer to the one act - the cleansing work of the Spirit. The necessity of the Spirit-birth is shown in that it is not possible for flesh to give birth to anything other than flesh and flesh cannot inherit the Kingdom of God(Rom 8:8).

"You are Israel's teacher and do you not understand these things?" He was THE TEACHER and interpreter of the Torah and yet he was unable to understand. (Robertson). "The well-known or the authorised (the accepted) teacher of the Israel of God. Note both articles understandest not these things? After being told by Jesus and after so propitious a start. His Pharisaic theology had made him almost proof against spiritual apprehension. It was outside of his groove (rote, rut, rot, the three terrible R's of mere traditionalism".

"earthly things...heavenly things" - "ta epigeia" = Things upon the earth like 'ta epi(Col 3:2), not things of an earthly nature or worldly or sinful. "ean humin ta epourania = Jesus means the things that take place in heaven like the deep secrets of the purpose of God in the matter of redemption such as the necessity of the lifting up of Christ as shown in v14.

v13. "No one has ever gone into Heaven except the One who came from Heaven, the Son of Man who is in Heaven"(NIV footnote included).

It is far more likely that the footnote has been dropped in a scribal error than added for it expresses something deep and almost incomprehensible and yet entirely keeping with the wonder of the Person of Christ. The One whose "goings forth are from of old, from the days of eternity"(Mic 5v2) who was eternally with God’(Jn 1v1), left the courts of Heaven and "humbled Himself"(Phil 2v8) "taking the very nature of a servant"(Phil 2v7) in order that He might "give His life a ransom for many"(Mk 10v45) and yet He was ever “at the father's side(Jn v18). "Jesus Christ according to His divine nature was present in Heaven even while He is in His divine and human nature on earth"(Hendriksen).

Jesus speaks of himself as being present in heaven, because his divine nature was in constant communication with the powers of heaven. If we conceive of heaven as a locality (a proper conception), Jesus was upon the earth; but if we conceive of it as a present communion with the presence of God (also a proper conception), then Christ was in heaven as he talked with Nicodemus (Joh 8:29).

v16 Luther calls this verse "the Bible in miniature" It has also been called the “Little Gospel"(Robertson)<:f200, or the “comfortable word" (the Anglican Liturgy). It is a lesson as to God's love, its (i). magnitude--he gave his only begotten Son (2) Its reach--he gave it to a sinful world (Rom 5:8). (3) Its impartiality--he gives it to whoever, that is, to all alike (Mt 5:45 Rev 22:17). (4) Its beneficial richness - it blesses with life eternal. (5) Its limitations--it is nowhere said that God so loves that he will save unbelievers. Love is the mutual and binding grace between God and man; it may also be said that in Christ is made God human and man