For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.
Most of Jesus' disciples were ordinary people with no status to worry about losing. A fisherman or tax collector would not forfeit much standing if he followed an unorthodox teacher. By contrast, Nicodemus had quite a reputation at stake. As a member of the Jewish Sanhedrin, he held an important ruling post. As a Pharisee, he was committed to a certain set of beliefs. And as a prominent religious teacher, he was a respected interpreter of God's law. No doubt, that is why Nicodemus first asked Jesus to meet him at night. (3:1-2)
Risking his reputation and safety by meeting with Jesus, whom his fellow Pharisees have sworn to kill, Nicodemus pursues this opportunity with some burning questions, possibly the most important questions anyone could ask: Who are you, Jesus? Have you really come from God? Responding with the image of a second birth, Jesus's words here in chapter 3 have become some of the most familiar in the Bible. In a few words, he tells Nicodemus the story of salvation: God loves the world, he gave us His son as a gift, and we can all be saved by simply placing our faith in Jesus.
John then follows this conversation with a report from John the Baptist. People are questioning the radical prophet about the new teacher across the river who is drawing all the crowds. In words that echo Jesus' own, John confirms that Jesus holds the keys to eternal life. Jesus is indeed the one John has come to herald. A great prophet still in his prime, John nonetheless bows to Jesus: "He must become greater; I must become less."
1 comment:
Nicodemus is the pinnacle example of a religious man seeking the better way: receive the gift of God and live in constant relationship through this life-changing event.
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