English Devotion - Jesus and an Intellectual

Jesus and an Intellectual
John 2:23-3:15

Nicodemus was one of those impressed by Jesus’ signs (John 2:23), and a member of the ruling Sanhedrin.

He was religious , educated , influential, Yet was ernest enough to come by night.

Nicodemus came to Jesus as a representative of all men (John 2:23-25), and in a sense he represented what is highest and best in men.

Jesus replied to Nicodemus saying that unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.

This shattered the Jewish assumption that their racial identity and their old birth assured them a place in God’s Kingdom.

Jesus made it plain that a man’s first birth does not assure him of the kingdom; only being born again gives this assurance.

Moral or religious reform isn’t enough. One must be born again. For a radical conversion by the Spirit of God. We must be born of water and the Spirit.

Without the new birth of the Spirit, the flesh taints all works of righteousness. Yet, everything that a Spirit-led man does can be pleasing to God.

Nicodemus was confused. He was so set in his thinking that the new birth has already happened to him and all of faithful Israel, that he had a hard time thinking differently. Jesus had to keep explaining.

 Jesus wanted Nicodemus to know that he didn’t have to understand everything about the new birth before he experienced it.

 Jesus then made a remarkable statement, explaining that the serpent of Numbers 21:4-9 was a picture of the Messiah and His work.

 Serpents are often used as pictures of evil in the Bible (Genesis 3:1-5 and Revelation 12:9). However, in Numbers 21 was made of bronze, and bronze is a metal associated with judgment in the Bible.

A bronze serpent does speak of sin, but of sin judged.

In the same way Jesus, who knew no sin became sin for us on the cross, and our sin was judged by Him. A bronze serpent is a picture of sin judged and dealt with.

Even though Jesus bore our sins, He never became a sinner. Even His becoming sin for us was a holy, righteous, act of love. Jesus remained the Holy One throughout the entire ordeal of the cross.

He must die because He would save, and He would save because He did love.

The term Lifted up is used to describe both Jesus’ crucifixion (John 12:32) and His ascension (Acts 2:33).
Both meanings are in view, His suffering and exaltation. Jesus was lifted up in both ways.

The idea behind eternal life means much more than a long or never ending life.

Eternal life does not mean that this life goes on forever.

Jesus was focused in helping Nicodemus understand the limitations of his knowledge about the kingdom of God, unless one experiences it, they will never understand.

Help people indulge in prayer, reading and explaining of the word towards a born again experience.

Prayer:

Dear lord, Help us to lead people to the born again experience. Not just transformation but a true radical change to experience you in their lives. In Jesus name. Amen.