1. The Life Of Christ Lesson Four – The Beginning Of Christ’s Ministry
Jesus’ First Disciples – John 1:35-51
Jesus’ First Miracle – John 2:1-11
Jesus Cleanses the Temple – John 2:13-25
Jesus and Nicodemus – John 3:1-21
John’s Second Testimony – John 3:22-36

2. Jesus and Nicodemus John 3:1-21
Who is Nicodemus?
A “Ruler of the Jews” – those who delivered Jesus to be crucified. Luke 23:13ff; 24:19-20
A Pharisee of the Sanhedrin Council.
What initially entitled Nicodemus to be a Jew, a ruler of the Jews, and a member of the Sanhedrin?

3. Jesus and Nicodemus John 3:1-21
Nicodemus referenced two other times in John:
John 7:45-52 – meeting of the Sanhedrin (cf. John 11:47-53). “Our law does not judge a man unless it first hears from him …”
John 19:39 – Burial of Jesus – came with Joseph of Arimathea to provide Jesus a burial fit for a king.

4. Jesus and Nicodemus John 3:1-21
What did he do?
“Came to Jesus by night.” Is the time significant?
Could it be because he didn’t want to be seen by others? A “secret” disciple? John 12:42-43; 7:13; 9:22; 19:38
There was peer pressure for the rulers not to “believe in Him” (John 7:48).

5. Jesus and Nicodemus John 3:1-21
The spiritual growth of Nicodemus …
Timid inquirer – dipping his toes in the water of being a disciple of Jesus.
Cautious defender – on the side of Jesus but not taking any risks. (2 Timothy 1:7)
Avowed believer and bold caretaker – taking a bold and definitive stance with Jesus. (Romans 1:16)

6. Jesus and Nicodemus John 3:1-21
What did he say?
“We know that you are a teacher from God, for no one can do these signs … unless God is with Him.”
Is that the same as saying “we know you’re the Messiah”?
Is that the same confession Peter made in Matthew 16:16?
Any question asked?

7. Jesus and Nicodemus John 3:1-21
How did Jesus respond?
No need for a question, Jesus knows his heart.
“Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.”
If this was “Jeopardy” and we know the answer, what might the question have been?
Possibly something similar to Luke 18:18 (Luke 18:22)
Evidently Nicodemus thought that because he was a Jew, and more than a Jew, a Pharisee of high public office, there was little left for him to do to associate himself with the coming kingdom. And though he would never have used exactly those words, Jesus saw his vanity and immediately stripped him of his reason for pride by grouping him with all the rest of mankind. What they must do, he must do also. His noble Jewish birth, though no cause for shame, was no advantage for him whatever. A new birth was required. That birth which gave him so much consolation in his
present relationship with God was not to be automatically equated with induction into the heavenly kingdom. This was a “birth from below,” i.e., an earthly and physical birth, whereas Jesus puts forth the requirement of a “birth from above,” totally distinct from his physical beginning. Commentators have often pointed out the extremely close parallel to this saying in Matthew 18:3: “Verily I say unto you, Except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven.”