Book of Faith - John 3:1-13 - Born from Above

Before moving into the story of Nicodemus and being born from above, we revisited last weeks discussion.  John 2:23-25 is a little confusing.  The key seems to be in what translation you have.  The one we thought was the clearest was:

When he was in Jerusalem, at the Passover, at the Feast, many believed in his name, as they saw the signs which he did; but Jesus himself would not entrust himself to them, because he knew them all, and because he had no need that anyone should testify in him what man is like, for he well knew what was in human nature.  

Mark has the Messianic secret running all through his gospel.  Jesus would do a miracle and then tell people not to tell anyone.  John suggests the same pattern.  In this case, Jesus knew people and understood that they were not ready for the truth.  Like the old movie, they couldn't handle the truth.  They loved a man of signs and wonders, but they were not ready for a man of suffering.  Just like Mark, you have to wait until the cross and Easter to truly understand who Jesus is.  

From these two verses, we moved on to the story of Nicodemus who comes to see Jesus in the middle of the night.  Nicodemus is looking for the truth, but when Jesus gives him the truth, that he needs to be born again (born from above), Nicodemus cannot accept the idea that he must start again and deflects the truth by asking how can someone be born again.  Jesus' response seems harsh by challenging Nicodemus, but a more careful look suggests that Jesus was just calling Nicodemus on his supposed ignorance.  Jesus is saying that Nicodemus knew what Jesus was saying, he just didn't want to accept what he said.  We have that kind of encounter all the time with our children.  They pretend to not understand what we are saying because they do not like what we are saying.  We find ourselves calling their bluff.  Jesus calls Nicodemus' bluff.  Jesus sees Nicodemus as a person who puts up wallpaper.  The job is perfect, but the pattern is upside down.  Nicodemus was a righteous man, but his own righteousness was not the road to salvation.  He needed to go back to the beginning.  He needed to be saved.  The story of Nicodemus is no different than our own story.

Peace,

Pastor Summer