My cherished friends, Pastor Frank and Darla Vargo in Alaska.

Nicodemus & 3:16

John 3:1-21 

“Now there was a man of the Pharisees, named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews; this man came to Jesus by night and said to Him, ‘Rabbi, we know that You have come from God as a teacher; for no one can do these signs that You do unless God is with him.’ Jesus answered and said to him, ‘Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God.’” 

Nicodemus, a Pharisee and member of the Sanhedrin, came to Jesus at night. Why at night? Most likely, to avoid suspicion. What would people think if the great teacher of Israel, Nicodemus, is consulting with the radical, Jesus. In verse 10, Jesus refers to him as THE teacher of Israel, indicating he was of the elite of the religious class of Pharisees.  

Nicodemus greets Jesus with respectful platitudes; “Rabbi, we know that You have come from God as a teacher; for no one can do these signs that you do unless God is with him.”  Jesus brushes off the shallow compliment and deals directly with the heart of Nicodemus.  Jesus doesn’t mess around. 

The religious state of Israel and the beliefs of the ruling class of Pharisees are in a deplorable state as Jesus arrives on the scene in the early days of His ministry on earth.  The Pharisees had built up a resistance to the words of the Prophets from the Old Testament era and had set up their own system of religion based on works, rituals and religious activity.  They had also set themselves up as superior over the common people of Israel and without a doubt, super–superior to others who were not Jewish.   

In their minds, they were the elite, (and I might add arrogant) inheritors of all of God’s blessings in the Kingdom to come. The only acceptable Messiah would be one who would exalt them as supreme in the Kingdom of God. Jesus wants to make it crystal clear that He is not the Messiah they hope for. He is the Messiah of the common people and even beyond the common people of the Jews, He is the Messiah for the lost souls of the entire WORLD.  

Jesus’ opening statement to Nicodemus, this great teacher in Israel, is meant to shock his belief system and blow His mind. Nicodemus gives his greeting and doesn’t even get a chance to ask a question. Jesus knows his heart and deals with the question that is on the mind of all Pharisees which is:  

“Are you the Messiah and will you usher in the Kingdom of God on earth and subdue the Romans and the whole world so we as the Pharisees of Israel will now have our rightful place of honor in the Kingdom of God on earth”?  

Jesus throws a curve ball and says, unless one is “born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God”. Nicodemus assumed that he had already earned a place of prominence in the Kingdom, but Jesus inserts new concepts such as “believe” “born again” and “eternal life”.  

In this context, Jesus says “For God SO loved the WORLD that He gave His only begotten Son, that WHOEVER believes in Him shall no perish, but have eternal life.” Nicodemus had assumed he’d be first to the Kingdom of God. Jesus is saying no, you’re not of the elite and you’re not first. Jesus is asserting in no uncertain terms that He is opening the Kingdom to the common people, even to non-Jews and to “whoever believes”. In other words, to the entire WORLD. This is meant to shake Nicodemus to the core! 

John 3:16 is a common verse to us with a simple understanding. Believe and receive Jesus by faith and you will have eternal life. We understand it and rejoice that this message applies to all. But to the pharisees and in this case, to Nicodemus, it BLEW HIS MIND!  

Precious Jesus, You are the Savior of the world. Your grace extends to all. May we also love, care and spread the gospel to all people without pretense or judgement. You came into this world not to judge based upon race, status, color of skin or religious background. You came to SAVE the World! Thank you that you love the world and consequently, You love me as well. Amen!