The Bible In Your Hand

John 3:5-12

Nicodemus was surprised when Jesus said he needed to be born again. I invite you to read the post “What, Who Me?” for the background of this post. As a learned teacher in Israel, Nicodemus answered Jesus with sarcasm, “How can a man be born when he is old? Can he enter his mother’s womb and be born?

In verse 5, Jesus answered. “Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God.” Jesus is telling Nicodemus that just because you are a Jew, a son of Abraham, does not guarantee you a spot in God’s kingdom. Jesus goes on to say, “That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the spirit is Spirit.

Verse 5 is a reference to Jesus’s own baptism. As we will remember from John the Baptist’s testimony, when Jesus was baptized, there was a voice from heaven indicating how pleased God the Father was with Jesus, and the Holy Spirit in the form of a dove rested upon Jesus. Jesus is referring to His example as being baptized with water and Spirit.  Jesus says, “Do not marvel that I said to you, you must be born again” (John 3:7).

Jesus finishes his statement by saying, “The wind blows where it wishes, and you hear the sound of it, but cannot tell where it comes and where it goes. So is everyone who is born of the spirit.” We see this in Acts 2:2 when the Holy Spirit was poured out on those in the upper room.  “Suddenly there came a sound from heaven, as of a rushing mighty wind and it filled the whole house where they were sitting.”

But Jesus is also referring to the act of conversion. Like the wind, the Holy Spirit begins to work on a person’s heart. It can come out of nowhere; you don’t see it, but you can see the results of the Spirit blowing on the hearts of people.

I can just imagine the disbelief in Nicodemus as he answered and said, “How can these things be?” (Vs. 9). Imagine being a learned teacher of Israel and finding out your entire understanding of the process of conversion is wrong. Add to that, you come to realize that you are not automatically a part of the kingdom of God. You can understand Nicodemus’ disbelief and question how these things can be. Nicodemus, you must choose this for yourself, and the Holy Spirit aids you in this decision. Will you accept the Holy Spirit and decide to be part of the Kingdom of God?

Jesus answered and said to him, “Are you the teacher of Israel, and do not know these things?” (John 3:10). After all, being a Pharisee, Nicodemus has spent a lifetime studying the Hebrew Scriptures, which all point to Christ and what heaven is doing on our behalf. It has also pointed out what happens to humanity when they try to live life apart from God and depend on God. So, Jesus is asking a question of Nicodemus. “How is it that you do not know these things?” Verse 11 is very surprising in that it states and sums up the entire Old Testament in one phrase. “Most assuredly, I say to you, WE speak what We know and testify what We have seen, and you do not receive Our witness.” Remember, the Old Testament and the temple system serve as an illustration or object lesson of what all of heaven is doing on our behalf. To get us out of the mess humanity created in the garden when they left the presence of God.

Notice the words used by Jesus. “We speak what We know and testify what We have seen, and you do not receive Our witness.” It is a link back to the Creation account where God said, “Let us make humanity in our image.” Three times in this passage, Jesus uses the word “We.” And finishes the statement, “You have not received Our witness.” The Law and the Prophets, the entirety of the Old Testament, testify of God and his love for us and how one would become part of the Kingdom of God. “And you do not receive Our witness.”

Jesus is reviewing and about to reveal further details as to who He is. Jesus is slowly explaining to Nicodemus his purpose and that He is the Messiah. Even though this was nearly 2000 years ago, is there any application that applies to us?” I invite you to return again to see our next post, where Jesus uses an illustration from Israel’s rich history to explain his mission.