John 3

Tuesday,  Jan 19, 2016




Nicodemus is one of my favorite accounts.   Did you notice that he comes at night?  probably to protect his reputation with the others.  He calls Jesus "Rabbi" which means "teacher"...but not "Lord" in the sense that He has already made up his mind about who Jesus is.   So Nicodemus is a seeker.  In his day, the Holy Spirit hadn't been given freely to everyone as He is now, so Nicodemus couldn't understand the concept of being "born again".   The idea that God would cleanse our very soul from any blemish of sin, taking away all the evil consequences  that it had in mind for us...was beyond his ability.   Some days, I struggle to imagine it myself.   Why would God, all powerful creator of the universe care about someone like me?  Why not just start over?  That would seem to be easier.   There are several theories floating around out there, but I guess we won't ever know for sure until we get to heaven.   One thing we can be sure about:  Jesus loves us.




In John 3:16 it says "this is how God loved the world..."  You probably have heard it phrased "for God so loved the world.."   I recently heard a professor say that this phase isn't meant to say "God loved us so much..."  but rather  "God demonstrated His love in this manner...."  It's discussing the way He showed His love, not measuring quantity.    It's an interesting thought...worth meditating on.




Beginning in verse 22 I see that Jesus was baptizing people.   If you're reading the Kings James version you could believe that it was the disciples baptizing, and Jesus watching.  Somehow it seems strange to me that the disciples would be comfortable with that.   I would rather be baptized by the one who is greater...that is if Jesus would permit it.  When you read John 4, you discover that He had the disciples do it.   Probably to avoid anyone ever bragging that they were baptized by Jesus.


On the topic of baptism, a very significant event occurs here.  A "discussion" ensues between a disciple and one of the Jews.  It sounds to me like the devil was trying to derail the good work that was happening.   I say that, because that's often how the devil works.  He gets one person offended (generally they aren't even the one involved) and they begin grumbling and it spreads to another (generally that person has more influence) and from there it becomes a battle.   Of course, it doesn't evolve that quickly...it could take months or years.   John heads it off expertly.  His humility and insight are worth emulating.  He doesn't blink an eye at the report that others are baptizing, and his "congregation" is shrinking.   John recognizes his place in the ministry, and is comfortable with it.   They tell me it's hard to surrender the spotlight to someone else, and that once you have been in power it's difficult to let go of it.   John was the "go to" guy for a year or more, and now his ministry is beginning to wane, but he doesn't complain or try and grab attention.    No wonder Jesus says of John the Baptist "among men born of women there isn't anyone greater than John".   High praise.


One last quick thought:   in verse 36 it says that you not only have to believe in God's Son, but also obey.   Belief and obedience go hand in hand.   Without obedience (motivated by belief) we won't inherit eternal life.


PR