Nicodemus (Pharisee)

From Above

This Sunday is Trinity Sunday. I think I should ask you what that means to you. I feel that the discussion in the passage by John reflects the message of the Trinity. Nicodemus, a Pharisee, came to Jesus (God) by night. Now there was a Pharisee named Nicodemus, a leader of the Jews. He came to Jesus by night and said to him, “Rabbi, we know that you are a teacher who has come from God; for no one can do these signs that you do apart from the presence of God.” Jesus answered him,

The Holy Bible: New Revised Standard Version. (1989). (Jn 3:1–3). Nashville: Thomas Nelson Publishers.

Does this scripture make you wonder why Nicodemus has ventured to speak with Jesus who was at best consider an inferior preacher, and why has he acknowledged that Jesus is doing things that only a godly man could do. Now some people say that Nicodemus came to visit with Jesus (God) because the Spirit, ( God) had brought him there. In this Nicodemus acknowledges that Jesus (Son) is connected to God (Father) in a mighty way.

Jesus then brings before Nicodemus the truth of Salvation by combining Earthly knowledge and Spiritual knowledge.

The New Revised Standard Version Nicodemus Visits Jesus

“Very truly, I tell you, no one can see the kingdom of God without being born from above.” Nicodemus said to him, “How can anyone be born after having grown old? Can one enter a second time into the mother’s womb and be born?” Jesus answered, “Very truly, I tell you, no one can enter the kingdom of God without being born of water and Spirit. What is born of the flesh is flesh, and what is born of the Spirit is spirit.Do not be astonished that I said to you, ‘You must be born from above.’ The wind blows where it chooses, and you hear the sound of it, 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 a teacher of Israel, and yet you do not understand these things?

Has anyone here today seen the kingdom? Can anyone here today tell me how you can be born again? Jesus tells us that in order to be in the kingdom we must be born of the Water, and the Spirit. Jesus also tells us that the two items are separate; flesh and Spirit. Jesus then tells Nicodemus that he should be able to understand these things if he is going to teach.

The New Revised Standard Version Nicodemus Visits Jesus

“Very truly, I tell you, we speak of what we know and testify to what we have seen; yet you do not receive our testimony. If I have told you about earthly things and you do not believe, how can you believe if I tell you about heavenly things? No one has ascended into heaven except the one who descended from heaven, the Son of Man.And just 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.