Nicodemus

4TH and 1
Part 7: Nicodemus

1 Now there was a Pharisee, a man named Nicodemus who was a member of the Jewish ruling council. 2 He came to Jesus at night and said, “Rabbi, we know that you are a teacher who has come from God. For no one could perform the signs you are doing if God were not with him.” 3 Jesus replied, “Very truly I tell you, no one can see the kingdom of God unless they are born again.” 4 “How can someone be born when they are old?” Nicodemus asked. “Surely they cannot enter a second time into their mother’s womb to be born!” 5 Jesus answered, “Very truly I tell you, no one can enter the kingdom of God unless they are born of water and the Spirit. 6 Flesh gives birth to flesh, but the Spirit gives birth to spirit.

1. Nicodemus is mentioned on 3 occasions in the 4th Gospel (see also 7:50-52, 19:38-42).
2. The prologue hinted at the ‘born-again’ concept (1:12-13) and it occurs elsewhere in the NT (Titus 3:5, 1 Peter 1:3, 23, 1 John 2:29, 3:9, 4:7, 5:1, 4, 18), but here it is the focus.
3. There are 3 leading interpretations of ‘water and spirit’.
a) Water is in reference to natural birth
b) Water is in reference to baptism
c) Water is in reference to Spirit
4. Jesus is suggesting that nobody (not even a Jewish leader like Nicodemus) is just naturally ‘in’ the kingdom of God.

7 You should not be surprised at my saying, ‘You must be born again.’ 8 The wind blows wherever it pleases. You hear its sound, but you cannot tell where it comes from or where it is going. So it is with everyone born of the Spirit.” 9 “How can this be?” Nicodemus asked. 10 “You are Israel’s teacher,” said Jesus, “and do you not understand these things?

1. The Hebrew word ruah and the Greek word pneuma can be translated as wind or spirit. Jesus uses this semantic range to create an analogy.
2. The wind can’t be directly observed or managed and yet we can still know it is a reality by observing its effects. Likewise, those who are born of the Spirit can’t be directly observed or managed by human institutions and yet we can still know they have truly been born again because we see what a difference it makes.
3. Nicodemus could/should have understood these things b/c the Old Testament prophesied a time when God’s people would undergo a thorough transformation (Jeremiah 31:33-34, Ezekiel 36:25-27).

11 Very truly I tell you, we speak of what we know, and we testify to what we have seen, but still you people do not accept our testimony. 12 I have spoken to you of earthly things and you do not believe; how then will you believe if I speak of heavenly things? 13 No one has ever gone into heaven except the one who came from heaven—the Son of Man. 14 Just as Moses lifted up the snake in the wilderness, so the Son of Man must be lifted up, 15 that everyone who believes may have eternal life in him.”

1. Nicodemus’ problem is not so much an inability to understand Jesus’, but an unwillingness to accept Jesus’ testimony. Our view of Jesus is of primary concern.
2. Thus far, Jesus has used analogies to speak of introductory matters of faith. If Nicodemus cannot receive this teaching, there is no point going on to deeper truths.
3. Jesus argues that no one had ever gone to heaven and come back to tell about it, but He’s from heaven to begin with!
4. Jesus uses an OT story (Numbers 21:4-9) to make the point that He 1) will be lifted up and 2) will be the source of life.