John Chapter 3 Verses 1 – 2

 It’s been said that Nicodemus represents all men because he has the

qualities of the best of us. Well respected in his community and

culture. Authority and influence among his peers. A man of integrity,

discipline and even leadership in the faith being a Pharisee. No doubt

well accomplished and educated as he was a Jew but Nicodemus is a

Greek name.

 And he comes to Jesus by night. Some would say it was because he

didn’t want it known, but I’m not so sure. Jesus would be surrounded

during the day, perhaps distracted with activity. By coming at night,

Nicodemus would have audience alone with Jesus. I think it was a

great move.

 His opening statement is a statement of respect by calling Jesus,

“Rabbi.” A warm greeting from a Pharisee… “You are blessed and

from God above… God is with you.” This is a wonderful greeting and

a mark of Nicodemus’ character.

 Now, what signs had Nicodemus seen? Only one! The moment and

ecosystem of what happened when Jesus drove out the merchandisers

from the Temple was far more involved than what we get simply

reading about it! The authority of Jesus. The confidence without

arrogance in His words and steps. The zeal without sin. The

effectivity! And the reality that everyone else had grown dull to the

fact that something ungodly was taking place… But here comes One

who will stand for what is right… This was the sign that impressed

Nicodemus to the point that he knew God was with Jesus!

John Chapter 3 Verse 3

 I love this! The first thing that Jesus says to this man is the most

important thing he could have heard! What a reward! Nicodemus, a

man of faith, discipline, character, wisdom…, a man of personal

purpose for himself and humility, respect towards others! And Jesus

rewards him with something ultimate! I like that…

 Deuteronomy 28:13, “The LORD will make you the head and not the

tail; you shall be above only, and not be beneath, if you heed the

commandments of the LORD your God, which I command you today,

and are careful to observe them.” God can use the donkeys, the rocks,

He can use whomever and whatever to glorify Himself. And, He is a

rewarder of those who diligently seek Him. If I ask for the best from

the Lord, isn’t it right for me to also strive to be the best version of

myself for Him? Absolutely!

 Also, just a note here, notice it says Jesus “answered,” Nicodemus,

but I didn’t hear a question. Didn’t need to be asked. He had come to

Jesus by night, approached Jesus, opened up to Jesus… Nicodemus

was asking but not with his mouth. Jesus answered the question on his

heart that Nick didn’t know how to put into words.

 Ok, so what Jesus says here is revelational. “Unless one is born again,

he cannot see the kingdom of God.” The Greek here is interesting and

super helpful. Born again in the Greek is “gennao anothen.” Gennao

is to be genetically related by way of birth. To begat. To be born of…

Where we get our word genetics. And anothen is most translated in the

Bible as “from above.” It’s also translated as again but it’s also the

same word for “from above,” in the Greek.

 For example, Mark 15:38, “Then the veil of the temple was torn in two

from top to bottom.” From anothen to bottom. John 3:31 REALLY

gives us some help here. “He who comes from above (anothen) is

above (different word) all; he who is of the earth is earthly and speaks

of the earth. He who comes from heaven (compare with previous

“comes from” statement) is above all.”

 Ok, science class over although we could dive much much deeper. Let

me give you the pop quiz and the answer! Jesus said, “Unless a man is

born of heaven, from above, he cannot see the Kingdom of God.”

There is only One that came from heaven to earth and that is God in

the Person of Jesus Christ and God in the Person of the Holy Spirit.

Genetics… the Holy Spirit must be my gennao… Born of the Spirit…

John Chapter 3 Verses 4 – 6

 Born of the Spirit. The Spirit given from heaven, sent from the Father,

generates a new birth in the heart of a person and that new birth is the

single and only thing that is required to see the kingdom of God. If

not, then Jesus was not only wrong but He was cruel. If anything else

was required… Baptism, church membership, confirmation,

catechism, speaking in tongues, confession, mass or going on a

mission… Jesus said be born again, born of the Spirit.

 When a woman is pregnant, there is life in her womb, centimeters

from the world and yet totally unaware of any of it. Equipped with

senses that don’t interact nor are even a part of the world it is a part

of… Eyes that don’t see anything, ears that hear only muffled sounds,

and on and on…

 Such is the experience of the soul that is not born again. Surrounded

by the world of the spirit, the kingdom of God all around you all the

time, and yet totally unaware. Then that baby is born and it all begins.

The world that was always there is now revealed to that newborn and a

new existence, a new life type interaction begins. Just like one who is

born of the Spirit.

 The Spirit of God, unhindered by the darkness and sinfulness of my

heart because Jesus has died for the sins of the world…, not just mine,

but all. Paid for all sin in the place of man, effectively reversing the

breakup between God and man caused by sin…, and now, the Holy

Spirit, God Himself can enter into the heart of man and cause this

gennao anothen. Born from heaven, born from above, born into

awareness and interaction and into the Kingdom of God.

 This is the transaction of salvation. Desired by God for all men. The

will of God for all men. But the will of God is not always

accomplished in this fallen world. Why? Free will. Whosoever would

believe in Him would not perish but have everlasting life… You must

make a personal decision to believe in Jesus Christ. His sacrificial

atonement of giving Himself in your place and in mine for the sins of

the world and surrender your heart to God to be filled by His Spirit…

 You have to essentially be ready to die to the amniotic fluid of the

false world you’ve lived in your entire life and be born, born again,

into the real world. This is why it is by grace you have been saved,

through faith… and not of yourself… By faith, you enter into right

relationship with God because you come into His kingdom through the

genetics of heaven infiltrating your mortal heart! It’s Mortal Kombat

on an eternal level! HA!

 One quick note here, some take this to mean that you must be baptized

to be saved. If that was correct then Jesus and Paul were the worst

evangelists of all. John 4:1-2, “When the Lord knew that the Pharisees

had heard that Jesus made and baptized more disciples than John

(though Jesus Himself did not baptize, but His disciples).” Right

there…, if baptism was a requirement for someone to be saved then

why would Jesus not do that Himself since only God saves? Not

convinced?

 1 Corinthians 1:17, “Christ did not send me to baptize, but to preach

the gospel…” And, the nail in the coffin is always the thief on the

cross!

 John is talking about the indwelling, enlightening, reincarnation of the

indwelling presence of the Holy Spirit, the absolute single and only

requirement for anyone to be saved! To be saved, you MUST be born

again!

John Chapter 3 Verses 7 – 9

 I love this first of two examples that Jesus gives to Nicodemus for

understanding purposes. (We will get to the other one next week) You

hear the sound, you feel the force, you see the effects of the wind, and

yet you absolutely refuse to believe unless you understand where the

wind is coming from!? “I won’t believe in wind unless you tell me

where it originated!” HA! It’s a great example!!

 The wind is just the wind. It happens. It’s there. It’s real. It’s

something. And the cause and reason of origination for it all is past

finding out! The born again by the Spirit, the perceiver of the wind

simply accepts that the wind is blowing! That’s the simplicity of the

gospel and why children can even be saved! Such is everyone who is

born of the Spirit…

 The things of God, the mind of God, the heart of God, the fact of

God… DUH. Obvious. But the fool has said in his heart there is no

God…, that is unless I can be convinced! Prove it to me! While their

hair is blowing in the wind! HA! It’s such a great great example given

by Jesus!

 Romans 1:18-23, “For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven

against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who suppress the

truth in unrighteousness, because what may be known of God is

manifest in them, for God has shown it to them. For since the creation

of the world His invisible attributes are clearly seen, being understood

by the things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead, so

that they are without excuse, because, although they knew God, they

did not glorify Him as God, nor were thankful, but became futile in

their thoughts, and their foolish hearts were darkened. Professing to

be wise, they became fools, and changed the glory of the incorruptible

God into an image made like corruptible man—and birds and four-

footed animals and creeping things.”

 So, Nicodemus doesn’t reject what Jesus is saying… He is still trying

to figure it out like a good lawyer, a good scribe… “How can these

things be?” How does this work!? It’s simple. Believe in Jesus Christ.

Believe that He is who He said He is… The Son of God that came not

to condemn the world but to save it. And by believing in Him,

ACCEPTING, you will not perish but have everlasting life!