Podcast Introduction

Today we will complete the book of  John 3-4. I’ll have comments on both chapters after the reading, and I’m calling today’s episode “The Late Night Meeting.”

Comments on John 3

Of John’s gospel, chapter three Charles Spurgeon said, “If we were asked to read to a dying man who did not know the gospel, we should probably select this chapter as the most suitable one for such an occasion; and what is good for dying men is good for us all, for that is what we are; and how soon we may be actually at the gates of death, none of us can tell.” 

One of the Jewish elites came to Jesus in the night. Nicodemus, a member of the Sanhedrin, the ruling council of the Jews, may have come for personal reasons or official. We aren’t told. 

That he came at night might have been because the crowds that typically gathered around Jesus would be gone for the day, and they would be able to have a quiet discussion. Or he may have come at night so that he would not be seen with Jesus. By now, Jesus had a reputation as a miracle worker, having turned the water to wine at the wedding, and as a trouble maker, having overturned the tables in the Temple. 

As a member of the Sanhedrin, perhaps he went to speak to Jesus in the official capacity of ascertaining who Jesus was, what He was teaching, and what He meant to accomplish. 

Or maybe Nicodemus just wanted to see this charismatic man with his own eyes. Nicodemus obviously knew who John the Baptist was, and perhaps he was aware of what John said about Jesus: ““I also did not know who the Messiah was. But the one who sent me to baptize with water told me, ‘You will see the Spirit come down and rest on a man. He is the one who will baptize with the Holy Spirit.’ I have seen this happen. I saw the Spirit come down from heaven like a dove and rest on this man. So this is what I tell people: ‘He is the Son of God.’” Perhaps Nicodemus wanted to see if Jesus was the Messiah.

The first thing he said was, “Teacher (Rabbi-a term of respect), we know that you are a teacher sent from God. No one can do these miraculous signs that you do unless they have God’s help.” In saying “we know that you are”, Nicodemus might have been saying “We the Sanhedrin know…”. But it is just as likely that he meant “People in these parts consider you to be…”. 

Notice that Jesus did not even address Nicodemus’ statement. He didn’t acknowledge it at all. He went directly to the heart of His purpose. ““I assure you: Unless someone is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.” This statement must have hit Nicodemus like a ton of bricks, because the Jews believed that as God’s chosen people, they were already guaranteed a place in the kingdom of God. They thought that their birth into the Jewish race assured that. Jesus said, “You need a *new* birth!”

This idea of a new birth, or of being a new creation, or of having new life is a recurring theme in the New Testament. Paul, in Romans 6:1-11 writes of dying with Jesus and rising anew. In 1 Corinthians 3:1-2, Paul refers to new believers as newborn babes. In 2 Corinthians 5:17 he says that we are a new creation when we are in Jesus. The apostle Peter wrote in 1 Peter 1:3 that we are born anew by God’s great mercy. And these are just a few instances.

Nicodemus’ answer, in essence was, “What are you talking about? How it that possible?” He knew that you can’t actually be born a second time like you were the first. So he might have meant, “How can a man change who he is? How can you teach an old dog new tricks?”

And in answering Nicodemus, Jesus said for the second time, “I assure you…” Jesus is saying, “What I am telling you is true. This is a fact.” Jesus wants Nicodemus to understand the gravity of what He is saying.

And then Jesus elaborates. He isn’t saying a man has to change who is his, how he acts. He isn’t saying that the old dog has to learn new tricks. These are things that a man *can* do, but a man cannot with his own effort be born again.

Jesus told Nicodemus, “Unless someone is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God. 6Whatever is born of the flesh is flesh, and whatever is born of the Spirit is spirit.” Bringing about a new birth is only something the Holy Spirit can do. Charles Spurgeon said it this way, “A man may cast away many vices, forsake many lusts in which he indulged, and conquer evil habits, but no man in the world can make himself to be born of God; though he should struggle never so much, he could never accomplish what is beyond his power. And, mark you, if he could make himself to be born again, still he would not enter heaven, because there is another point in the condition which he would have violated — ‘unless a man be born of the Spirit, he cannot see the kingdom of God.’” 

And then Jesus said, “Do not be amazed that I told you that you must be born again.” Nicodemus seems to have been incredulous that *he* needed to be born again. He thought that of all people, surely he had earned the right to enter the kingdom of God. He was a member of the Sanhedrin, a religious leader, an educated man, and he seems to be an honest and well-intentioned man. 

But these words, “You must be born again” as Bible commentator Leon Morris said, “…forever exclude the possibility of salvation by human merit. Man’s nature is so gripped by sin that an activity of the very Spirit of God is a necessity if he is to be associated with God’s kingdom.”

Beloved, we are absolutely unable to remake ourselves sufficiently to be accepted by God. No matter how hard we try to learn new habits, refine our language, give to charity, attend the right church or associate with the right people, we cannot earn entrance to God’s kingdom. We must be born again. It’s the only way.

So how do we become born again? Here’s what Jesus told Nicodemus: “… the Son of Man must be lifted up, so that everyone who believes in Him will have eternal life. For God loved the world in this way: He gave His One and Only Son, so that everyone who believes in Him will not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send His Son into the world that He might condemn the world, but that the world might be saved through Him. Anyone who believes in Him is not condemned, but anyone who does not believe is already condemned, because he has not believed in the name of the One and Only Son of God.”

When we believe in Jesus, the only begotten Son of God, we are born again. What does that mean..to believe in Jesus? It doesn’t mean that we believe that He existed. It’ doesn’t mean that we believe what He said about Himself. It means that we put our faith in Him. We put our trust in Him. It means that we put him at the helm of our life. For some, maybe most, that can be a difficult proposition. To hand that kind of control over to someone else is scary. But Jesus is not just “someone else.” Jesus is God. We read in the first chapter of John that nothing that has been made was made without Jesus. In other words, Jesus made all that is. Including you! So don’t you think that He might just be able to handle your life better than you? And did I mention that He loves you? And since He loves you, don’t you think that He has good things in mind for you? Of course He does. There are no better hands to put your life into than His. And if you have not yet invited Him into your life, He is standing at the door, knocking. Waiting for you ask Him in.

Now is the time. Today is the day of salvation. Right now. Are you ready to start a new life? To be born again? Pray with me now.

“Dear Jesus, I believe you are who You said You are. I believe that You are the Son of God. That You are God. And I believe that you came to die in my place for my sins, and rose from the dead on the third day. I know that I am a sinner, and I’m sorry. I turn from them now, and ask you to make me a new person. I’m asking you to be the Lord of my life right now. Thank you for hearing me, Jesus. And thank you for loving me. Amen.”

If you prayed that and meant it, then you have been born again! You heard Jesus’ words for yourself a few moments ago. You can rely on them. He said it, that settles it. You are now a new person with a new life. Welcome to the family! To help you get started on the right foot, I would love to send you a copy of the New Believers Bible. It’s a NT with hundreds of notes in it tailored for new Christians. And right now, you’re one of the newest Christians around! I want to send it to you for free, no strings. Just send me an email at st***@*************ia.com and tell me you prayed that prayer with me. Let me know your mailing address and I’ll send it right off to you. Of course, I will not share your info with anyone, and I won’t put you on a list or spam you. 

Today’s Bible Translation

Bible translation used in today’s episode: Ch. 3 ERV; Ch. 4 NKJV

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The Team

Transcript Correction: Lifespring Family Berean, Sister Denise
Podcasting 2.0 Chapters: Lifespring Family Berean, Brother Sean of San Pedro and Lifespring Family Berean, Brother Michael Haner
Show Art: Lifespring Family Berean, Brother Scott Snider and Lifespring Family Berean Jason Paschall
Newsletter Publisher: Lifespring Family Berean, Sister Brittaney