The One From Heaven

INTRO

Our phrase for the book of John is the Son of God. In the Gospel of John, Jesus continued to show who He is.

TEACHING

John 3:1: There was a man named Nicodemus who was a ruler of the Jews and a high priest. Usually, this position was appointed because of family lineage or political affiliation because the Pharisees were considered the main ruling body of the Jews. The name “Pharisee” means “separated one.” What we have here is a radical story! Christ was drawing man unto Himself. John 1:24– 27: “Then some members of the religious sect known as the Pharisees questioned John, ‘Why do you baptize the people since you admit you’re not the Christ, Elijah, or the Prophet?’ John answered them, ‘I baptize in this river, but the One who will take my place is to be more honored than I, but even when he stands among you, you will not recognize or embrace him! I am not worthy enough to stoop down in front of him and untie his sandals!’”

The Pharisees heard John say there was someone greater coming. Blackaby wrote, “Once you know where He is working you can adjust your life to join Him in His divine purposes.”¹That was what Nicodemus was doing.

John 3:2: Nicodemus came to Jesus at night. Why? He was of high profile and afraid. John 12:42 explains, “Nevertheless, many did believe in Him even among the rulers, but because of the Pharisees they did not confess Him, so they would not be banned from the synagogue.” There was a good chance that if others found out Nicodemus met with Jesus, he would be done as a ruler.

Let’s look at the end of Nicodemus’s life. In John 7:50, Nicodemus stood among his peers and stood up for Christ. I think fear will eventually lead us to faith. Don’t let fear dictate what you do! Be bold enough to talk to your neighbors! In John 19:35, Nicodemus brought myrrh and aloe as preparation for Jesus’ body. He broke free from the spirit of religion! We know how it ended for Nicodemus. How did he get there?

It would have been normal for people to hang out on the roof during the evening. Jesus and Nicodemus sat down to talk. First, Nicodemus complimented Jesus, and then he questioned Him.

John 3:3–5: Jesus told Nicodemus that unless he was born again, he could not see the kingdom of God. Nicodemus said, “What?!” Jesus again said one must be born again or they could not enter the kingdom of God. Jesus said, “You have to be born of water and spirit” (v. 5). This verse is challenging because it could mean so many things. It could mean: physical birth and spiritual birth, or born of water could symbolize repentance and regeneration, while birth could refer to a spiritual birth.

John 3:6–7: Jesus said, “Do not be amazed that I say this.” Born again means “born from above.” Second Corinthians 5:17: “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away, and look, new things have come.” You become a new person. Titus 3:5 says, “He saved us - not by works of righteousness that we had done, but according to His mercy, through the washing of regeneration and renewal by the Holy Spirit.” Why was Nicodemus wrestling with this?

1 Corinthians 2:10: “Now God has revealed these things to us by the Spirit, for the Spirit searches everything, even the depths of God.”

1 Corinthians 2:13–16: “We also speak these things, not in words taught by human wisdom, but in those taught by the Spirit, explaining spiritual things to spiritual people. But the unbeliever does not welcome what comes from God’s Spirit, because it is foolishness to him; he is not able to understand it since it is evaluated spiritually. The spiritual person, however, can evaluate everything, yet he himself cannot be evaluated by anyone. For who has known the Lord’s mind, that he may instruct Him? But we have the mind of Christ.”

When you are born again from above, these things begin to make sense. In this moment, even though Nicodemus is hungry to learn more, he is not quite grasping what Jesus is telling him.

Ezekiel 36:25–26: “I will also sprinkle clean water on you, and you will be clean. I will cleanse you from all your impurities and all your idols. I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit within you; I will remove your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh.”

There was enough language here that Nicodemus might have remembered the prophets and started to understand.

Ezekiel 37:11–14: “Then He said to me, ‘Son of man, these bones are the whole house of Israel. Look how they say, “Our bones are dried up, and our hope has perished; we are cut off.” Therefore, prophesy and say to them: This is what the Lord God says: I am going to open your graves and bring you up from them, My people, and lead you into the land of Israel. You will know that I am Yahweh, My people, when I open your graves and bring you up from them. I will put My Spirit in you, and you will live, and I will settle you in your own land. Then you will know that I am Yahweh. I have spoken, and I will do it.’ This is the declaration of the Lord.”

Only things of the spirit can come from the Holy Spirit.

John 3:8–11: The Holy Spirit comes and goes just like the wind. The Holy Spirit never leaves you but moves in different ways in your life. Nicodemus once again said, “What?!” Jesus rebuked him, “Aren’t you a teacher? We speak what We know and what We’ve seen but you do not accept our testimony.” Jesus was speaking as Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.

John 3:12: How can you fathom the things of heaven?

Numbers 21:8–9: “Then the Lord said to Moses, ‘Make a snake image and mount it on a pole. When anyone who is bitten looks at it, he will recover.’ So Moses made a bronze snake and mounted it on a pole. Whenever someone was bitten, and he looked at the bronze snake, he recovered.”

This was the beginning of Jesus referencing eternal life.

John 3:16: “For God loved the world in this way: He gave His One and Only Son, so that everyone who believes in Him will not perish but have eternal life.”

Jesus said, “Nicodemus I know you hear me. I am asking you to put one thing on your heart. Believe in me. Put your eyes on me as I am lifted up.”

John 19:39–40: “Nicodemus (who had previously come to Him at night) also came, bringing a mixture of about 75 pounds of myrrh and aloes. Then they took Jesus’ body and wrapped it in linen cloths with the aromatic spices, according to the burial custom of the Jews.”

CLOSING

Now is the time to overcome your fear. His love wipes away your sins. When you receive this gift, you will have eternal life. Be encouraged.