Visit By Night
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· 3 viewsHow is it possible that a man at the very top of the ladder in Jewish Spiritual leadership did not understand the most basic teachings of Jesus? These are ideas that are considered foundational for Christian children but it often eludes those who have been in the faith for a long time. Let's study this night-time visit with Nicodemus.
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Now there was a man of the Pharisees named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews.
Who was He?
Who was He?
a ruler
Sanherid
Spiritual leader
revered and respected
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.”
Came to Jesus
Came to Jesus
surprising he same
most leaders
rejected Jesus
Pharisee
Sadducees
hated him
rejected him.
By Night
By Night
Nice he came
had some faith
showed humility
Why night
so other
wouldn’t see...
His faith
not there..
He is
unsure
scared
embarrassed
checking out...
Rabbi
Rabbi
Notice the greeting.
For most
sign of respect
from ruler of Jews
amazing respect
humility
honor
Comes Short!
Jesus is
Not just good teacher
God
Messiah
The Signs
The Signs
You are from God
honor
respect
faith
Perhaps here
to ask question
like others
Are you Messiah?
What did Nicodemus
expect?
response?
Didn't get it.
Jesus answered him, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God.”
First look,
doesn’t make sense
out of context
does not respond
to Nicodemus
comments.
When woman at well
Jesus says plainly:
Jesus said to her, “I who speak to you am he.”
Not so with Nicodemus.
Nothing about Messiah.
Yes
No
Maybe
Doesn’t talk about himself.
focuses on Nicodemus.
Jesus answered him, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God.”
Seems out of place...
Jesus not just
collecting disciples.
Doing more.
Growing him spiritually.
This is not the answer
to the question that
Nicodemus came with.
But it is
the answer to
a good question.
Perhaps,
the question he
should have asked.
The question
Rich Young Ruler
Matthew 19:16–20 (ESV)
And behold, a man came up to him, saying, “Teacher, what good deed must I do to have eternal life?” And he said to him, “Why do you ask me about what is good? There is only one who is good. If you would enter life, keep the commandments.” He said to him,
--
“Which ones?” And Jesus said, “You shall not murder, You shall not commit adultery, You shall not steal, You shall not bear false witness, Honor your father and mother, and, You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” The young man said to him, “All these I have kept. What do I still lack?”
Good question
Blind to problems but
good question.
What do I still lack.
Jesus answer
the the
unasked question:
Jesus answered him, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God.”
Nicodemus
caught off guard
doesn't know how
to respond...
Knew need for
conversion in
Israel
Nation
People
Politic
Others
But not Him!
Jesus says to him:
Desire of Ages (Chapter 17—Nicodemus)
It is not theoretical knowledge you need so much as spiritual regeneration. You need not to have your curiosity satisfied, but to have a new heart.
--
You must receive a new life from above before you can appreciate heavenly things. Until this change takes place, making all things new, it will result in no saving good for you to discuss with Me My authority or My mission. - DA 171
Nicodemus
pride hurt
gains composure
desire to deflect
Responds:
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?”
Nicodemus doesn’t say:
thank you
I needed that
I know what to do
Tries to find
problem in Jesus’ words:
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?”
Does he not
understand the words?
Or does he not
want to understand?
His words are clear...
You must be converted.
So often,
when people don’t
want to hear
play dumb?
I don’t get it.
what do you mean?
It is not a riddle!
You are spiritual leader!
But you are
unconverted!
It hurts a little
Wasn’t it enough
he humbled
ruler came
said rabbi
expressed faith
Nicodemus was
rich
ruler
powerful
influential
born Jew
teacher
pharisee
legalistic
HE WAS RIGHTEOUS!
“How could Jesus
say that to me?”
Nicodemus was sure
he had salvation...
Desire of Ages Chapter 17—Nicodemus
He who is trying to reach heaven by his own works in keeping the law is attempting an impossibility. There is no safety for one who has merely a legal religion, a form of godliness. The Christian’s life is not a modification or improvement of the old, but a transformation of nature. There is a death to self and sin, and a new life altogether. This change can be brought about only by the effectual working of the Holy Spirit.
By his response
it shows what kind
of spirituality
he has...
The natural person does not accept the things of the Spirit of God, for they are folly to him, and he is not able to understand them because they are spiritually discerned.
“I don’t get it...”
Why not?
Because not spiritual!
Maybe he thought
Jesus would
let him off hook.
Nope!
Jesus comes back
More strongly:
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.”
More emphatic
More clear
You need to be
born again!
You are leader
but you are not there.
Jesus explains
mystery of conversion.
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.”
Storms lately
strong wind
see affects
can’t see wind.
Why wind comes
to this tree
this way
not that way
not that tree
Some mystery to it.
but it is real
nonetheless.
Desire of Ages (Chapter 17—Nicodemus)
While the wind is itself invisible, it produces effects that are seen and felt. So the work of the Spirit upon the soul will reveal itself in every act of him who has felt its saving power. - DA 173
Genuine Transformation
Nicodemus Responds:
Nicodemus said to him, “How can these things be?”
What does he mean?
Two ways to interpret
Deflecting again
Asking genuinely...
how to be converted
I believe
second one.
How can I
experience conversion?
Jesus was not there
win an argument
parse theological terms
Jesus was there
to win a soul.
He saw
Nicodemus’ heart
ready to receive.
Nicodemus asks:
How can I be converted?
Jesus answers:
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.
Serious
How are you
Spiritual leader
Can’t understand
basic concept
conversion
He understood
wind metaphor
born again
born of water
born of spirit
gets it intellectually.
Some today
understand religion
purely intellectual plain
resist conversion
resist surrender
resist transformation
Next verse:
If I have told you earthly things and you do not believe, how can you believe if I tell you heavenly things?
Jesus talked plainly
Nicodemus struggling.
Why???
Hard to accept
Everything he
knew
has been
spiritual leader
bankrupt
worthless
unconverted
Hard to admit.
Hard to accept.
Leaders today
teach
preach
understand prophecies
keep list of standards
unconverted
Many say,
I can’t be leader
I don’t know...
bible well enough.
What is leader?
Nicodemus
Great Leader....
respected by all
memorized scripture
teacher
preacher
bad example
unconverted
True leader
this is hard.
humble
serving
converted.
Nicodemus was conversion
willing to accept.
How?
Today,
some here
like Nicodemus
know truth
long time.
not converted.
Jesus is speaking
to you today.
Salvation is simple:
Conversion is simple:
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.
Nicodemus knows story.
OT
Fiery Serpents
Dying
Serpent on Pole
Look and live
They could have
No
Silly
Bronze Serpent
Can’t heal!
scientific solution
(history channel)
Conversion
Salvation
not through
science
enlightenment
argument
LOOK AND LIVE
LOOK AND LIVE
Conversion is not
complex concept.
Simple surrender
Desire of Ages (Chapter 17—Nicodemus)
The light shining from the cross reveals the love of God. His love is drawing us to Himself. If we do not resist this drawing, we shall be led to the foot of the cross in repentance for the sins that have crucified the Saviour.
--
Then the Spirit of God through faith produces a new life in the soul. The thoughts and desires are brought into obedience to the will of Christ. The heart, the mind, are created anew in the image of Him who works in us to subdue all things to Himself. Then the law of God is written in the mind… - DA 176
Nicodemus
left that day
converted man.
Still had
questions
Pharisee garb
Sanhedrin
Knew:
foundation of
christian walk
Born Again.
Today,
Each of us
should leave
like Nicodemus
transformed.
Altar Call
Appeal
Appeal
Be Born Again