The Gospel of John Lesson 8 (11-04-2012) – John 2:24-3:21

The Gospel of John (11-04-2012)

Lesson 8 – John 2:24-3:21

Before we begin chapter 3 I want to go back and pick up the last two verses of John chapter 2. At first one might pass over these two verses too quickly. At first glance these two verses seem kind of mysterious in their meaning to us. In reading them we get the sense that these verses contain some important spiritual message or meaning, but it is a message that contains a concept that may be hard for us not only to understand, but to admit or accept as being accurate. But, John makes a comment here in these two verses that are important. These two verses lay a foundation for the dialog that occurs in the beginning of chapter 3 showing our need for a Savior.

V. 24 says that Jesus did not commit Himself to those present because He knew them. In the preceding verse it tells us who He was referring to. It seems that He was not just referring to the religious leaders that appeared obviously opposed to Jesus’ message and actions knowing the damage that they could cause Him, but, instead, v. 24 seems to be referring to a rather sizable group of people that were attending the Passover celebration that actually believed in Him and decided to follow Him. In essence saying that they believed in what He was saying and that they were on board with His message committing themselves to Him.

But He knew and understood their ability to keep their commitment to Him and that He could not trust them with the details of what was about to happen at this time understanding that there was the possibility that even they could betray Him and His plan or God’s will for Him.

In looking at God’s revelation through His Word we see that even as His followers we have the ability to not only let Him down, but without God’s intervention in our life even turn against Him as amazing as it seems. At the end of v. 25 we get an interesting look deep, very deep into the heart of man. It is a look into an area that we do not like to go or even admit exists. But, the Apostle John here makes mention of it reminding us of what God was up against when He came to redeem us. That is, deep in the heart of man, in his core of his being, his nature, man’s heart is capable of anything…. in other words, any evil imaginable.

This is hard for us to swallow. In coming to Christ we want to commit ourselves to Christ offering our dedication, devotion and service to God. These are all good things and are exactly what we should offer to God. But, we can often forget that what we offer is not what saves us making us fit for the Kingdom. In essence the Gospel is that we have nothing, and we bring nothing to Christ to offer Him for salvation. These verses at the end of chapter 2 open a window allowing us to take a peek deep into the soul of man and what we see is not good. The deeper we go into the heart of man the more we see what man is capable of. This was not a judgment upon those mentioned here as to the shallowness of their commitment. For all we know they were sincere in their commitment to Christ at this time. These verses seem to refer to all men or man in general. Deep inside man has nothing to draw from to offer God making us just before Him.

In John 1:5 it tells us that the Light that came to this world came to darkness, not goodness. In essence our position was/is completely hopeless. Without God’s intervention in our life and world we would gravitate toward total and complete darkness or depravity. In looking at the first 2 chapters of this Gospel we see God’s love revealed to us in that He had pity on our desperate situation and because of His love He devised a plan willingly going out of His way to rescue us. As we will see, this is the message of John chapter 3. It was God’s love and commitment to us in spite of our hopeless situation that made the difference. It is true that when we come to Christ we offer Him our selves including our gifts and talents, but our salvation really stems from our realization and need for a Savior knowing that we are hopeless without Him, we need Him.

This is what kept the Pharisees from coming to Jesus. It was their self-righteousness, saying to Christ/God, ‘I am good enough…here God take this, I offer to you my goodness and good works’. As we will see in this Gospel and the other Gospels as well Jesus had some very harsh words concerning this approach to God. This dark nature can be termed as man’s blind side. The Pharisees were oblivious to this and at times so are we. It is not easily identified or recognized for it lies deep below the surface of man’s awareness.

If asked those present in 2:24-5 would have denied any possibility of such betrayal happening. Peter denied its existence in him. So did those that heralded Christ as King one day and cried crucify Him shortly thereafter.  But, Jesus knew the possibilities and decided here in chapter 2 that this was not the time to share His plans. He would give them more details later when it was time. Rom. 3:9-24

These verses at the end of John chapter 2 are not verses of condemnation, but are verses of mercy as we will see explained in John chapter 3 verses 17-21. These are verses that are essential for us to understand if we are to receive God’s full mercy and the peace that He offers to us knowing God’s full and complete forgiveness. In understanding and receiving God’s Full forgiveness we find peace. Full and complete. All of Israel’s religious leaders were blind to this and received verbal condemnation and judgment from our Lord for their blindness. That was all except one who shows up at night asking questions…the right questions.

John Chapter 3

It is from these events and setting that many believe that chapter 3 begins. Chapter 3, v. 1-2, begins with a ruler of the Jews, a Pharisee, coming to Jesus at night to ask Jesus some personal and inquisitive questions. He was troubled. He may not have been able to sleep. We do not know at what time of the night he came, but his conscious, his heart had moved him to take action and do something about his uneasiness. God’s conviction and dealing with his heart had overcome his deep Pharisaical pride and you have to give him credit, Nicodemus took a bold step and swallowed his pride and came to Christ… with real questions.  

Maybe it was Jesus’ 3D message in the temple that got him thinking? There is a good chance that he had seen Jesus make a scene at the Temple during this Passover. If so, it might have got him to thinking about the traditions of men vs. the truth of God prompting him to action seeking out the real truth.

The Pharisees pretty much across the board were a proud bunch depending upon their good works to justify themselves before God. Although they generally led moral dedicated lives they were also self righteous and as such were blind to their sinfulness and need for a Savior. (Read Matt 3:7 Scofield note concerning Pharisees)  In Matthew chapter 23 we see Jesus denounce them publically and very pointedly pronouncing harsh judgment upon them for their self righteousness and their denial of their heart condition and need for a Savior. Like many in our world today, religion and the practice of their religious beliefs made it nearly impossible for them to come to the Lord on His terms. Our day is plagued with the philosophy of the Pharisees many claiming self righteousness offering to God instead their plan of justification rejecting the truth that our Lord is about to share with Nicodemus.

Nicodemus setting aside his pride for a moment knew that he was missing something and had to see if he could find the answer looking to fill his heart with what he could not explain nor put into words he could not come up with. His inability to put his finger on the truth of John 2:24-5 led to an awkward conversation between Jesus and Nicodemus, but Jesus knowing his heart and what he needed and what he was looking for gives him the real answers that he is looking for.

This brings up a tangential discussion that we need to take a look at. So too, we often fill these wrestles urgings of life with fillers, things that have no substance. He could have filled his troubled and possibly lonely soul with pills or drugs, or wrestles activities, or a movie, or pleasure, or an endless number of things. Our world is filled with endless possibilities to attempt to temporarily fill these empty longings for God. Temporary thrills, incomplete pleasures… But, we have to give Nicodemus some credit here. Although, he could not put his finger exactly on what was troubling him expressing it in words, innately he knew down inside, too deep down inside to bring it up, that those afore mentioned things, fillers, would not do. Neither would find his incomplete religious understanding and beliefs enough.

The trouble with this world is that there are too many things that can temporarily fill the urgings of our heart and soul that are saved or reserved for God. Our trouble in our current culture is that we are an instant culture and when something moves us inside we all too quickly want to and expect to fill or quench the longing or uneasiness doing something to at least scratch our itch. Give me anything, just make it quick. After our attempt to quench our longing, we often tend to pause and say to our self ‘That was not exactly what I needed, but I guess it will have to do’…Fillers…The fillers of life. Not what we really need and not what we are really looking for, but they are quick, they are available and they are easily applied. But, they do not really meet the need in our heart.

One of these fillers that Nicodemus could have chosen and maybe had chosen in the past was ‘religion’. Religion and philosophy are often deemed as the two of the biggest obstacles to finding God and the answers to our problems. These two areas coupled with pride are often impregnable to the work of the Holy Spirit. But, Nicodemus let down his guard …for a moment and gave into his heart admitting that he did not have all of the answers, even as a leader, and came by night to the best shot that he had seen in a long time. Maybe it was the only thing that he had ever seen that had these possibilities.

In all likelihood, Nicodemus had been pondering and had been troubled by what was in his heart for a while. However, he had never been met by an opportunity like this that had likely possibilities of getting some real answers.  In coming to Christ he did not know what he was going to say. He didn’t know how to put it into words. But, he decided to wing it and be bold, pushing aside his pride for a moment and took the first step coming at night in his ignorance to the Answer.

This was an incredible step for Nicodemus. He was a religious leader. In essence he was the pastor or church elder. He had led the service, teaching, training, telling others what they should do to serve and please God. But, in this moment Nicodemus saw and realized and was honest admitting that he did not really know the way. He was kind of like the ‘Wizard of Oz’ who claimed to and was expected to know the way and have all the answers, but probably for the first time in his life he admitted to himself that he was lost and in reality had no idea where he was going.

Jesus brings this point home to him a little later in this chapter, v. 10, pointing out to him that he should already know these things because of his position. Jesus was not being mean, but wanted him to admit his lost-ness to himself. You cannot be found or find your way unless you first admit that you are lost.

It has been said that he was the only Pharisee recorded in the Gospels that ever came to Jesus inquiring of Him seeking the truth. That means that what Nicodemus did in coming to Jesus was not a popular thing among his peers. As a matter of fact there was a good chance that coming to Jesus asking the questions that he did, honestly looking for the truth as he did could have had some serious reprimands and repercussions. In all likelihood this is why he came to Jesus at night, not to be seen. But, he had to come. He could not help himself. He took a risk although at night and reach out for help. Jesus had caught his attention. Someone was dealing with his heart. The Holy Spirit was at work here. The wind had blown in his direction. V. 8

In v. 2 Nicodemus makes his opening formal greeting recognizing Jesus’ gifts and abilities, but in reality pretty much flattering Him not openly admitting the real reason for his visit. It is good here that a Pharisee, a ruler of the Jews, acknowledges Jesus as a spiritual leader stating the proofs of Jesus’ ability to go with it. But, Nicodemus was still playing the proud, saving face game, not being totally honest with Jesus, beating around the bush not asking Him what was really on his heart and mind. The answers that he was looking for were serious and so often the inability to obtain and receive the answers that one desperately needs is lost in dialog. Too much chit chat. Too many formalities. But, Jesus cuts through the formalities and meets him in his heart focusing on the real issue.

In this interchange between Jesus and Nicodemus we see Nicodemus express the volley between being openly honest with his self and his pride. We all too often are found playing this game, not realizing the seriousness of what is at stake and that pride often wins out if we are not careful. But, Jesus in v. 3 understands what is happening and what is at risk and speaks truth into the situation and to his heart. In the next few verses Jesus and Nicodemus have real dialog…an honest chat, Jesus being kind but frank and Nicodemus replying honestly willing to hear the truth. This is a rare place for a man to find himself…being frank and openly honest with himself and his need. In reality Nicodemus is looking for the answers to life.

 Jesus begins by witnessing to him about the spiritual realities of life. In these verses we will not find spiritual suggestions, but Jesus here is telling Nicodemus how things are, v. 11. How things work. A mystery that is not often easy for man to understand. These are spiritual things that are too deep for the mind alone and are best understood in the heart. They can in reality only be understood with some help, help from God and His Holy Spirit.

The work of the Holy Spirit,..now there is an interesting mystery. In Jn. vs. 5-8 Jesus shares the workings of this mystery with a well educated religious man, a religious leader of the people and nation and when it was all over telling him about these things to Nicodemus it was still a mystery. This was not just a conversation meant for Nicodemus only, but what we see here would in reality apply to any person looking for the truth. Jesus here is witnessing to the world concerning spiritual truths for all men find themselves in essence in the same position as Nicodemus when faced with these truths and the real questions of life. The truths stated here are realities that any or all of us need to understand and act on.

This in reality is a complex dynamic at work here. On the one hand you have Nicodemus representing the spirit of man, his person, his understanding, his viewpoint and his ignorance or lack of understanding of spiritual things at this point. We know from Scripture that the natural man is spiritually dead. Spiritually dead means no awareness of true spiritual things around him as defined by God. In this case it is referring to the realm of God or the realm of the Holy Spirit which is life. In essence he represents to us man and his approach to God.

On the other hand you have Jesus reasoning with Nicodemus representing the natural man about things that he, the natural man cannot understand. This appears to be an impossible situation. But, Nicodemus is not without help. There is a third party here. God’s Holy Spirit is at work here quickening Nicodemus’s spirit and understanding that he may begin to understand the truths of God that Jesus is sharing with him.

We see in this dialog through v. 21 that even with God’s help the natural man, Nicodemus, is slow to understand. We must remember that He, God, is dealing with a dead man who by himself is not normally responsive to life. The principles that Jesus is sharing with Nicodemus are reserved for the living. That is, those who are spiritually alive. But God’s Spirit is persistent. He is in the process of quickening Nicodemus’s spirit, preparing him to experience that which He had talked to Nicodemus about at the beginning of this chapter.

In v. 3, 5 and 7 Jesus states a requirement or necessity for entering God’s Kingdom. He states that to enter God’s Kingdom one must be born not only physically, but Spiritually. A couple of words stick out in these passages. One is the use of the word must in v. 7, the other two verses stating essentially the same only using different wording. Must is equivalent to essential. He did not give Nicodemus any room for other possibilities here. He did not say that being born again is what happens in most cases and doing other things sometimes also works. His statement here was clear concerning the realities of entering the Kingdom of Heaven, coming down to one event. i.e. the new birth or being born again. This left Nicodemus with only one way or choice if he was going to enter God’s Kingdom. However, this did not make sense to the natural man. At this time Nicodemus did not fully understand this truth, mentally or spiritually.

In v. 6 another interesting component of this required new birth was given to Nicodemus. Jesus tells him that that was required was the work of the Holy Spirit of God and does not come from man or of his ability. Jesus goes on to in v. 8 to explain again spiritual concepts and principles saying in essence to Nicodemus that the Spirit moves as He chooses and His way is not easily understood, if at all, but that the work of this birth or regeneration is the Spirit’s work and not man’s.

Nicodemus responds to these things with a very much of this world response…’How can these things be’?...or, this does not compute. In essence Nicodemus is responding saying, ‘I am not programmed to understand such things or reasoning’. Nicodemus here is only partially right for in I Cor. 2:14  it says ‘but, the natural man receives not the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him, neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned’. But, Jesus gives us another perspective saying at the end of v. 11 that Nicodemus is in actuality being stubborn and is choosing not to receive these spiritual truths that Jesus is offering. In reading v. 11 we find Jesus’ response to Nicodemus appears to be a rebuke for his unbelief of these spiritual things.

In explaining these spiritual principles to him Jesus in v. 10 asks him a pointed question. He does not ask Nicodemus this question to rub it in so to speak, but to point out to him that he is missing some key components in understanding how this God thing works. Nicodemus like all of the Pharisees held a flawed doctrine requiring works or ritual/observance to obtain favor with God. But, these principles that Jesus shared did not contain any of their principles.

In V. 11-2 Jesus makes a clear statement that what He is sharing were facts and not just here say or supposition and goes on with His rebuke saying that the things that He is explaining to him are spiritual principles relating to this earth and should be easily understood by someone who is looking for truth and going on to say in essence that spiritual truths in the heavenly realm are much more difficult to understand by the natural man even with some help from God. Jesus here is not saying that these heavenly truths are impossible for man to understand, but as we have seen here in chapter 3 and in other parts of this Gospel that they are only understood with the help of the Holy Spirit.

 In v. 13 Jesus again continues to point out Nicodemus’s reason for his inability to understand these spiritual truths pointing out his, and our, flawed approach in trying to ascend or make our own way to God. He, Jesus, makes a definitive statement not only to Nicodemus, but to all mankind saying here that we cannot get to God by our own effort. In telling Nicodemus that ‘no man has ascended up to heaven’ Nicodemus and most of us would flash back in our mind to an image of the ‘Tower of Babel’, man’s best try and attempt to reach up to God by his own efforts. In doing so we would also have a visual image of ruinous end of that attempt.

Jesus was reminding him that man is not a trustworthy source for the truth and in looking for real answers one should continue their search and look elsewhere. In this verse Jesus reveals Himself as the only trustworthy source for the Truth as unlike man He came from the Truth or God coming from heaven to earth. Nicodemus had been using religion to try to build a bridge, or in other words climb a ladder to God. Jesus states that no man has ever ascended or done well enough to gain entrance to God telling him in essence that no matter how long he practices or got good at his religion that it would never be good enough. In saying this to Nicodemus Nicodemus probably would have immediately thought of a number of men in the Scriptures that were much more spiritual than he realizing that if they did not measure up that he would surely not have a chance.

In the second part of v. 13 Jesus begins to replace Nicodemus’s self effort with God’s Provision for the problem saying that the Son of Man came down from heaven to help man out pointing the way to God. Although Nicodemus probably did not fully understand Jesus’ visual in v. 14 he would at least have been able to visualize what Moses had done in the OT following God’s direction and would have begun to ponder it’s possible importance and application to their conversation. By this time in the conversation he probably would have connected Jesus’ reference to the Son of Man as being applied to Jesus Himself. Much of the conversation at this point was still a mystery and not very plain, but he was sure that Jesus’ reference here was too Jesus Himself. Now the wheels in Nicodemus’s mind were turning.

In v. 15 Jesus begins to challenge Nicodemus with a bigger picture making reference to eternity. He challenges him to change his whole perspective from self effort to putting his trust in a person. This would have been difficult for a Pharisee to do for they were to only worship God. But, in v. 16 Jesus makes the claim that this Person that He is referring to is just that, claiming that he is referring to God’s only begotten Son. He makes it clear in this verse that transferring belief and trust from our self and self efforts transferring belief and trust to the One that will be lifted up will result in life that will not end and is not earthly. Jesus is doing all the talking at this time. From what we are told here in the next few verses, it seems that Nicodemus is all ears and appears to be processing it all. The Holy Spirit is at work…

In vs. 17 and 18 again Jesus makes reference to the Son of Man come down from God. There is a good possibility that Nicodemus, as other Jews would have, saw this coming of God as one of coming in judgment, to at least to judge their enemies. But, I am sure to his surprise, Jesus paints for him a different picture. In these verses He points out that a sentence of judgment has already been issued and tells him that His coming was not to carry out this judgment at this time, but was to offer a pardon to all who would accept His terms of peace referring to His point made to Nicodemus in v. 14 concerning the ‘Son of Man being lifted up’. This is God reaching out to man making an offer of peace and pardon that should be a no brainer for man to accept or receive costing him nothing, God paying for and taking care of all the debt and details. But, as yet, we do not see Nicodemus respond to His offer. Nicodemus would not have fully understood exactly what Jesus meant by His offer referenced to Moses and the serpent or the Son of Man being lifted up. However, in time he would, and Jesus knowing what was in store for Nicodemus lays the groundwork for what most believe will be his future faith in the Messiah.

But, Jesus reminds him of a few other details that Nicodemus had not as yet fully acknowledged. In vs. 19-21 Jesus again refocuses on the dilemma between God and man pointing out to Nicodemus man’s desperate situation. In v. 19 He points out the nature of man without God’s intervention saying that by nature man does not just make an occasional mistake, but that in essence man left to his own would naturally seek out darkness or that which is against God making it perfectly clear at the end of v. 19 saying that man’s deeds are evil. By now Nicodemus in all probability was a little uncomfortable beginning to understand that he too might fall into the category that Jesus was describing.

In saying these things to Nicodemus He tells him essentially that while he, and also man for that matter, was in darkness that man’s ways were not seen for what they were being dark and that now that the Light had come man now had to make a choice. A choice between the Light and darkness.

In doing so not all would make the right choice. As a matter of fact, many or even most would chose darkness and continue to seek out dark places so they can continue to perform dark deeds avoiding the Light. Oddly enough, Jesus had placed the Pharisees and their religious deeds that to some appeared to be good on that dark side. Jesus in essence was asking Nicodemus which he would choose. Jesus had exposed his deeds for what they were, self righteous and not necessarily righteous according to God and His standards. The spotlight was now on Nicodemus. Would he stay and deal with what he saw needing himself a Savior or would he bolt and flee from the exposure of the light to the darkness? Staying in the light was uncomfortable and required changes adopting God’s ways and standards.

We are not told for sure what decision Nicodemus makes at this point. It is yet to be determined. We will pick up with Nicodemus and his journey later in this Gospel. When we rendezvous back with him we will see that it appears that he had decided to stay in the light and work through the details seeing his thoughts and beliefs being reshaped as the light exposed the error of his religious foundation choosing instead to adopt God’s truths as his own. In watching Nicodemus’s journey we will see a process involved though occurring over time to reach his destination. His faith was not demonstrated at least to us right away during this encounter found here. However, at the end of this Gospel record we find Him interestingly enough at the Cross.