Nicodemus Learns of New Birth

March 25, 2012


Background Scripture: John 3:1 – 25; Numbers 21:4 – 9
Lesson Passage: John 3:11 – 21

The narrative of today’s lesson provides the context for one of the most translated statements throughout the world’s many languages. Of course I speak of John 3:16. Sadly, many know this statement and can quote it accurately but they are not familiar with the narrative. It is the narrative that gives the statement substance. This lesson is a reminder that what is done in darkness will be brought to the light—both good and bad. Throughout his ministry Jesus faced constant harassment and threats from the Jewish religious leaders. His opposition did not come from the leaders of the local government but from religious leaders. So our background scripture details a very unlikely nighttime meeting. One of the Jewish religious leaders sought Jesus out at night with some basic theological questions. He also made it known that the religious leaders were aware that Jesus was sent by God because of the miracles that he was doing. Rather than wait for Nicodemus to stumble through all of the questions, Jesus began to lecture Nicodemus on the requirements for eternal life. The words Jesus used were confusing to Nicodemus. Jesus spoke of a new birth which left Nicodemus even more confused. To this, Jesus asked how could Nicodemus consider himself a teacher of God’s people and not know the fundamentals. Jesus sternly rebuked Nicodemus for the position the religious leaders had taken in opposition to him without even knowing the very truths that he espoused. Jesus then related his coming into the world as being foreshadowed by Moses’ wilderness experience. God’s remedy supplied to Moses to cure the plague of snakes in the wilderness was no different than God’s remedy to the world to cure the plague of sin. As Moses’ brass snake on a tree was the cure in the wilderness, Jesus was to become sin on a tree as the cure for the world. As in the wilderness, so too is it in the world that God’s actions were motivated by His divine love for mankind. Everything Jesus was on earth to do was motivated by God’s love for mankind. Although the Jewish religious leaders were constantly opposing him and his teaching, Jesus’ entire purpose was a fulfillment of God’s love. Jesus was God’s cure for what ailed man. Not only did they not recognize or accept him, they did not want any of the Jews to receive him either. In spite of the miracles, they insisted that Jesus was destroying the people of God through his doctrine. No amount of reasoning would change their minds or their hearts. Yet, Jesus was the answer they needed and were so desperately seeking. Their only hope was the same as it is for everyone. The new birth is required for one to be saved from his sin. This can only take place through Jesus. The miracles they accepted as being from God but they were rejecting the miracle worker who God had sent. We know from two other incidents involving Nicodemus in the Gospel accounts that he did heed Jesus’ instructions to him that night. Apparently, Nicodemus did not forget that night what he learned about the new birth.


Robert C. Hudson
March 14, 2012