We pick up our study of the Gospel of John at verse 9 in Chapter 3. Jesus had just told Nicodemus, that “to enter the kingdom of heaven you must be born again.” In other words, we must be born into the kingdom as a child of God by the Holy Spirit, just as we were born into our family of flesh by the miracle of child birth.
Not understanding what Jesus meant, Nicodemus asked “How can this be?” “You are Israel’s teacher,” said Jesus, and you do not understand these things? Very truly I tell you, we speak of what we know, and we testify of what we have seen but still you people do not accept our testimony. I have spoken to you of earthly things and you do not believe; how then will you believe if I speak of heavenly things? No one has gone into heaven – except the One who came from heaven – the Son of Man. Just as Moses lifted up the snake in the wilderness, so the Son of Man must be lifted up, that everyone who believes may have eternal life in Him.” (John 3:9-15)
As a teacher, Nicodemus knew the old Testament. He no doubt knew the prophecy given to Isaiah that we read in chapters 51 thru 66, in the Book of Isaiah. He knew the words, but He did not understand the truth of the Word. Nicodemus was a teacher of Israel, and Israel was his focus. God had raised up Israel to show all mankind what it looked like have Him as Protector, Provider, Power, and Peace. And because of all that He had done, Israel thought they were separate from everyone else, and that God was their God alone. Jesus came – as the Son of Man – to teach them, and all who will listen, that God is Love, and that His Love is for all mankind. For us to understand that no matter who you are, or where you are, the kingdom of God is available to all who will believe in Him because it is in each of us not just in a particular place.
Jesus told Nicodemus, as He spoke of the coming cross for Himself, that He would be lifted up just as Moses lifted up life to all who would believe, (Numbers 21: 8-9). That salvation would come through His finished work, not that of mankind, and that everyone who believes will have eternal life in Him.
May the Lord bless you, and keep you, God’s Beloveds. May His grace, mercy, peace and love be yours in abundance as you journey forth. Live each day to the full.
In His love,
Poppa