John 3
3:1-21
This chapter begins with a secret meeting between Jesus and Nicodemus. Nicodemus was a member of the Jewish ruling council, who were not very fond of Jesus and his teachings, and he was very interested in learning more about what Jesus had to say. He believed that Jesus came from God, even though the other members of the council did not. “Rabbi, we know you are a teacher who comes from God. For no one could perform the signs you are doing if God were not with him.”
Jesus acknowledges that he is indeed sent from God, and goes on to explain the concept of being born again. At first Nicodemus has a difficult time understanding what Jesus is talking about. “You are Israel’s teacher,” said Jesus, “and you do not understand these things?” I feel like Jesus makes a good point to Nicodemus here. There are so many leaders who act and teach with authority; however they do not fully understand their subject matter. Jesus explains to Nicodemus how salvation comes through Christ alone. “This is the verdict: light has come into the world, but people loved darkness instead of light because their deeds were evil. Everyone who does evil hates the light, and will not come into the light for fear that their deeds will be exposed. But whoever lives by the truth comes into the light, so that it may be seen plainly that what they have done has been done in the sight of God.”
I think this part of the chapter is so important to understand as a Christian, it really covers the basis of what it means to be saved and how to reach salvation through Christ. When Jesus explained the doctrine to Nicodemus, he used simple terms and comparisons; such as the Spirit to wind, and light vs. darkness. John 3:16 For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only so that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. Very simple, one of the first Bible verses I memorized. It is so easy to get familiar with the words that the meaning gets lost. But that verse is the compact truth of the Word: the only way to get to God is through his son.
3:22-35
The chapter concludes with a conversation between John the Baptist and one of his followers. Some of John’s followers saw Jesus baptizing believers, which was formerly John’s role. John explains that he was only starting the work which was meant for Jesus to finish. Again, he reiterates what Jesus told Nicodemus, “Whoever believes in the son has eternal life, but whoever rejects the son will not see life, for God’s wrath remains on him.”
John was such a humble man that when he saw Jesus taking over his work, he was not bothered or upset. Instead he understood that his job was to become less and Jesus to become more. He knew that the message he started to spread about a savior would be fulfilled by Jesus himself. He points out that as a Christian, the messengers do not matter, instead focus on placing trust in the One who saves.
(Written by Andi)
