Primary Text: John 3:1-36
Memory Verse: Jesus answered, “Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God. That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. Do not marvel that I said to you, ‘You must be born again.’” John 3:5-7
Introduction:
A large part of this lesson deals with Nicodemus, a man that was perhaps one of the finest in the Jewish nation. He was a teacher, a Pharisee, and a member of the Sanhedrin (the Jewish ruling council). The Sanhedrin had 70 members who were responsible for religious decisions, and under the Romans, for civil rule. Two Sanhedrin members who appear favorably in the gospels are Joseph of Arimathea (John 19:38) and the Rabbi Gamaliel (Acts 5:34-39; 22:3). After the Sanhedrin put Jesus on trial (Luke 22:66), Nicodemus later rebuked them for condemning Jesus without hearing Him (John 7:50-51), then helped Joseph of Arimathea bury Jesus’ body (John 19:39-40).
Why did Nicodemus go to Jesus at night? Was it fear? Was it the normal time for visits? Did he want uninterrupted conversation? It doesn’t say, but nighttime has a sinister tone in John’s Gospel (John 9:4; 11:10; 13:30; 19:39). Nicodemus began, “Rabbi, we know You are a teacher come from God” (John 3:2). The titles “Rabbi” and “Teacher” are polite and flattering on one hand, but they also showed Nicodemus’ inadequate comprehension of who Jesus is. The words “from God” are in an emphatic position in the Greek, which infers that the signs had pointed out Jesus as God’s Man (God was with Him), and Nicodemus wanted to talk to Him as one Rabbi to another.
But Jesus Christ was “from above” (anōthen; John 3:31); therefore Nicodemus must be born “from above.” To be born again or born “from above” means to have a spiritual transformation which takes a person out of the kingdom of darkness into the kingdom of God (Colossians 1:13). The kingdom is the sphere or realm of God’s authority and blessing which is now invisible but will be manifested on earth (Matthew 6:10). Repentance by water baptism and regeneration by the Holy Spirit are both essential to salvation.
Studying the Word
Lesson Study
- How did the first temple cleansing become a sign to prove Jesus’ absolute spiritual authority to the Jews? John 2:13-22
- What reaction did the people have to Jesus’ first miracles? John 2:23
- How did Jesus respond to this reaction? John 2:24-25
- What things did Jesus communicate to Nicodemus about being “born again”? John 3:1-8
- What vital truth about the New Covenant did Nicodemus misunderstand from the Old Testament scriptures? John 3:9-15
- What did Jesus teach about eternal life being granted not on man’s terms, but only on God’s terms? John 3:16-21
- Discuss John the Baptist’s response and feelings concerning the rise of Jesus’ popularity. John 3:22-30
- What are the basic elements of Jesus’ superiority described in John’s gospel as the Lord’s popularity began? John 3:31-36
- What action does Jesus take when John the Baptist is imprisoned? Matthew 4:12; Mark 1:14; John 4:1-3; Luke 3:19-20; and Luke 4:14 Why is it important that Jesus makes this move?