2. The Gospel of John The Life of Jesus as recorded by John The Life of Jesus as recorded by John Nicodemus, the questioner Nicodemus, the questioner Week 5, September 3, 2014 Week 5, September 3, 2014 GeneLA@comcast.net GeneLA@comcast.net

3. John 3:1-21: “There was a man of the Pharisees named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews…” John 3:1-21: “There was a man of the Pharisees named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews…” A rich man - John 19:39 - bought a 100 pound mixture of myrrh and aloes for Jesus’ body. Not cheap. A rich man - John 19:39 - bought a 100 pound mixture of myrrh and aloes for Jesus’ body. Not cheap. A ruler - A member of the Sanhedrin. A court of 70 members - the Jewish supreme court. A ruler - A member of the Sanhedrin. A court of 70 members - the Jewish supreme court. A Pharisee - Never more than 6,000 Pharisees. Someone became a Pharisee by taking a pledge in front of 2 or 3 witnesses to spend all their lives observing every detail of the scribal law. Example… A Pharisee - Never more than 6,000 Pharisees. Someone became a Pharisee by taking a pledge in front of 2 or 3 witnesses to spend all their lives observing every detail of the scribal law. Example… The Gospel of John

4. John 3:1-21: “There was a man of the Pharisees named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews.” John 3:1-21: “There was a man of the Pharisees named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews.” The Law - Remember the Sabbath to keep it holy. Do no work on the Sabbath. The Law - Remember the Sabbath to keep it holy. Do no work on the Sabbath. Scribal Law - Mishnah - 24 chapters on the Sabbath. What is work? Scribal Law - Mishnah - 24 chapters on the Sabbath. What is work? To tie a knot is to work, but a knot has to be defined To tie a knot is to work, but a knot has to be defined “The following are the knots the making of which renders a man guilty: the knot of camel drivers and that of sailors; and one is as guilty tying them as untying them.” “The following are the knots the making of which renders a man guilty: the knot of camel drivers and that of sailors; and one is as guilty tying them as untying them.” But knots that could be done or undone with one hand were quite legal. But knots that could be done or undone with one hand were quite legal. “A woman may tie up the strings of her cap and those of her girdle and shoes or sandals.” “A woman may tie up the strings of her cap and those of her girdle and shoes or sandals.” Someone needing to let a bucket down into a well on Sabbath Someone needing to let a bucket down into a well on Sabbath No rope but use a girdle! No rope but use a girdle! The Gospel of John

5. John 3:1-21: “There was a man of the Pharisees named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews. This man came to Jesus by night…” John 3:1-21: “There was a man of the Pharisees named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews. This man came to Jesus by night…” Some say this was a sign of caution. Perhaps he was afraid of the Sanhedrin. Better to come at night than not at all! Some say this was a sign of caution. Perhaps he was afraid of the Sanhedrin. Better to come at night than not at all! Another possibility: Rabbis said the best time to study the law was at night, less likely to be disturbed. Another possibility: Rabbis said the best time to study the law was at night, less likely to be disturbed. Perhaps Nicodemus wanted good, quiet time with Jesus to talk about God. Perhaps at night he hoped to find light. Perhaps Nicodemus wanted good, quiet time with Jesus to talk about God. Perhaps at night he hoped to find light. The Gospel of John

6. John 3:1-21: “Nicodemus…said to Him, “Rabbi, we know that You are a teacher come from God; for no one can do these signs that You do unless God is with him.” John 3:1-21: “Nicodemus…said to Him, “Rabbi, we know that You are a teacher come from God; for no one can do these signs that You do unless God is with him.” Already evident that Jesus is a teacher from God. Already evident that Jesus is a teacher from God. It is difficult to miss something this obvious. It is difficult to miss something this obvious. “Jesus answered and said to him, ‘Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.’ ” “Jesus answered and said to him, ‘Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.’ ” Jesus gets right to the point. The most important thing Nicodemus needs to know - and perhaps the hardest for him to understand. Jesus gets right to the point. The most important thing Nicodemus needs to know - and perhaps the hardest for him to understand. Again - anothen - has 3 meanings. 1) From the beginning, 2) again, the second time, 3) from above, from God. Again - anothen - has 3 meanings. 1) From the beginning, 2) again, the second time, 3) from above, from God. All three of these are involved in this “born again” All three of these are involved in this “born again” The Gospel of John

7. John 3: “Jesus answered and said to him, “Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.” John 3: “Jesus answered and said to him, “Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.” To be born again is to undergo such a radical change that it is like being born again. There is to be such an immense difference between before and after, that it is like being born again. To be born again is to undergo such a radical change that it is like being born again. There is to be such an immense difference between before and after, that it is like being born again. How different are we from those who have not been born again? How different are we from those who have not been born again? The Gospel of John

8. John 3: “…Nicodemus said to Him, “How can a man be born when he is old? Can he enter a second time into his mother’s womb and be born?” John 3: “…Nicodemus said to Him, “How can a man be born when he is old? Can he enter a second time into his mother’s womb and be born?” Many of Jesus’ listeners make a mistake by being literal when Jesus did not intend literal. Many of Jesus’ listeners make a mistake by being literal when Jesus did not intend literal. But, it may also be that Nicodemus understood that an internal change was necessary but that he felt it was about as possible as being born again. But, it may also be that Nicodemus understood that an internal change was necessary but that he felt it was about as possible as being born again. “A proselyte who embraces Judaism is like a new-born child” “A proselyte who embraces Judaism is like a new-born child” We do not know. We do not know. What we do know is that Nicodemus continued to listen, continued to learn, and that he became a disciple of Jesus. What we do know is that Nicodemus continued to listen, continued to learn, and that he became a disciple of Jesus. We should emulate Nicodemus if/when we encounter something we do not understand (yet). We should emulate Nicodemus if/when we encounter something we do not understand (yet). The Gospel of John

9. John 3: “Jesus answered, “Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God.” John 3: “Jesus answered, “Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God.” Water is the symbol of cleansing, while the Spirit is the symbol of power. Water is the symbol of cleansing, while the Spirit is the symbol of power. When Jesus takes possession of our lives, it is not just that the past is forgotten and forgiven, but the Spirit living within us enables us to become so much more than we were. When Jesus takes possession of our lives, it is not just that the past is forgotten and forgiven, but the Spirit living within us enables us to become so much more than we were. And, this happens at baptism. Only a recent change to deny this. And, this happens at baptism. Only a recent change to deny this. “We were born without our own knowledge or choice, but by our parents’ … in order that we may become the children of choice and knowledge and may obtain in the water the remission of sins formerly committed, there is pronounced over him who chooses to be born again and has repented of his sins the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit” -- Justin Martyr, 160AD “We were born without our own knowledge or choice, but by our parents’ … in order that we may become the children of choice and knowledge and may obtain in the water the remission of sins formerly committed, there is pronounced over him who chooses to be born again and has repented of his sins the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit” -- Justin Martyr, 160AD The Gospel of John

10. John 3: “Jesus answered, “Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God.” John 3: “Jesus answered, “Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God.” “I used to regard it as a difficult matter (and especially difficult because of my character at that time), that a man could be born again…I used to indulge my sins as if they were actually parts of me and native to me. But, after that, by the help of the water of the new birth, the stain of the former years has been washed away. A second birth has restored me to a new man.” Cyprian, 250 AD. “I used to regard it as a difficult matter (and especially difficult because of my character at that time), that a man could be born again…I used to indulge my sins as if they were actually parts of me and native to me. But, after that, by the help of the water of the new birth, the stain of the former years has been washed away. A second birth has restored me to a new man.” Cyprian, 250 AD. The recent attempts to define the birth of water as our physical birth and the birth of the Spirit as conversion has no basis in the text or in history. The recent attempts to define the birth of water as our physical birth and the birth of the Spirit as conversion has no basis in the text or in history. The new birth occurs when we repent of our sins and are immersed for their forgiveness. The new birth occurs when we repent of our sins and are immersed for their forgiveness. The Gospel of John

11. John 3: “That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. Do not marvel that I said to you, ‘You must be born again.’ The wind blows where it wishes, and you hear the sound of it, but cannot tell where it comes from and where it goes. So is everyone who is born of the Spirit.” John 3: “That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. Do not marvel that I said to you, ‘You must be born again.’ The wind blows where it wishes, and you hear the sound of it, but cannot tell where it comes from and where it goes. So is everyone who is born of the Spirit.” Comparison of wind and Spirit - same word in Greek Pneuma Comparison of wind and Spirit - same word in Greek Pneuma You may not be able to see the wind, where it comes from or where it goes. You may not be able to see the wind, where it comes from or where it goes. But you can see its effects. But you can see its effects. Same thing with the Spirit and those who are born again. Same thing with the Spirit and those who are born again. You see the Spirit by the affect the Spirit has upon those who have been born again. You see the Spirit by the affect the Spirit has upon those who have been born again. The Gospel of John

12. John 3: “Nicodemus answered and said to Him, “How can these things be?” Jesus answered and said to him, “Are you the teacher of Israel, and do not know these things? Most assuredly, I say to you, We speak what We know and testify what We have seen, and you do not receive Our witness. If I have told you earthly things and you do not believe, how will you believe if I tell you heavenly things?” John 3: “Nicodemus answered and said to Him, “How can these things be?” Jesus answered and said to him, “Are you the teacher of Israel, and do not know these things? Most assuredly, I say to you, We speak what We know and testify what We have seen, and you do not receive Our witness. If I have told you earthly things and you do not believe, how will you believe if I tell you heavenly things?” Jesus said that He had tried to make things simple. How will you understand spiritual things if you don’t get this? Jesus said that He had tried to make things simple. How will you understand spiritual things if you don’t get this? Warning here for all of us: It can be fairly easy to sit and discuss Christianity from an intellectual standpoint - to discuss this principle or that one. Warning here for all of us: It can be fairly easy to sit and discuss Christianity from an intellectual standpoint - to discuss this principle or that one. But it is essential to experience Christianity - to affect our surroundings just as the wind does. But it is essential to experience Christianity - to affect our surroundings just as the wind does. Remember that radical change when born again? Remember that radical change when born again? We must walk the walk. We must walk the walk. The Gospel of John

13. John 3:13-21: “No one has ascended to heaven but He who came down from heaven, that is, the Son of Man who is in heaven.” John 3:13-21: “No one has ascended to heaven but He who came down from heaven, that is, the Son of Man who is in heaven.” In John, it can be difficult sometimes to know when Jesus quits speaking and John starts. In John, it can be difficult sometimes to know when Jesus quits speaking and John starts. It may be that Jesus’ words end in verse 12 and that this is now John. It may be that Jesus’ words end in verse 12 and that this is now John. It is as if someone had asked John about this before, “Jesus may have said all this, but how can we know it is true?” It is as if someone had asked John about this before, “Jesus may have said all this, but how can we know it is true?” John’s response is that Jesus has the right to say these things because He was in Heaven, came down from Heaven to speak words from God, and that at the time this book was written, was back in Heaven at the right hand of God. John’s response is that Jesus has the right to say these things because He was in Heaven, came down from Heaven to speak words from God, and that at the time this book was written, was back in Heaven at the right hand of God. Only Jesus could tell us truth. Only Jesus could tell us truth. The Gospel of John

14. John 3 “And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of Man be lifted up” John 3 “And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of Man be lifted up” Numbers 21:4-9: Israelites complained, wishing they had never left Egypt. God sent a plague of deadly, fiery serpents. The people repented and cried for mercy. God told Moses to make an image of a serpent and hold it up in the middle of the camp. Anyone who was bit was to look to the image and God would heal them. Numbers 21:4-9: Israelites complained, wishing they had never left Egypt. God sent a plague of deadly, fiery serpents. The people repented and cried for mercy. God told Moses to make an image of a serpent and hold it up in the middle of the camp. Anyone who was bit was to look to the image and God would heal them. By looking to Jesus, who was lifted up on the cross as well as lifted up into Heaven, God will heal us. By looking to Jesus, who was lifted up on the cross as well as lifted up into Heaven, God will heal us. “… that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life.” “… that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life.” To have eternal life should give us: To have eternal life should give us: Peace with God Peace with God Peace with others Peace with others Peace with ourselves Peace with ourselves Peace with life Peace with life The Gospel of John

15. John 3:15-17: “..that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life. For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved. John 3:15-17: “..that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life. For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved. He who believes in Him is not condemned; but he who does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God. He who believes in Him is not condemned; but he who does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God. And this is the condemnation, that the light has come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil. For everyone practicing evil hates the light and does not come to the light, lest his deeds should be exposed. But he who does the truth comes to the light, that his deeds may be clearly seen, that they have been done in God.” And this is the condemnation, that the light has come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil. For everyone practicing evil hates the light and does not come to the light, lest his deeds should be exposed. But he who does the truth comes to the light, that his deeds may be clearly seen, that they have been done in God.” Why did Jesus come to the Earth? To save the world… Why did Jesus come to the Earth? To save the world… So that whoever believes in Jesus should not perish. So that whoever believes in Jesus should not perish. To allow God to show His love for the world. To allow God to show His love for the world. See you next week! See you next week! The Gospel of John