Nicodemus, Cautious Inquirer

GOLDEN TEXT: “Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again [margin, or, from above], he cannot see the kingdom of God.” —John 3:3

JOHN 3:1-15

NICODEMUS was a Pharisee, and one of the religious rulers in Israel. He had heard about Jesus and the miracles he performed, and was sufficiently impressed to want to learn more, and said so to Jesus when he met him. He had accepted Jesus’ works as an evidence that God was with him. Jesus replied to this earnest inquirer by explaining that in order to enter the kingdom of God he would have to be born again, or, as the margin indicates, from above.

The Scriptures speak of the kingdom from two different standpoints. Sometimes the references are to the blessings which will flow out to the people in general who will become the subjects of the kingdom. But Jesus’ reference to the kingdom of God in this instance has to do with the rulership aspect of the kingdom.

Jesus himself was to be the supreme ruler in that kingdom, and the Scriptures reveal that a small company of his faithful followers—those who are willing to suffer and to die with him—will have the privilege of ruling with him. These are referred to by Paul as “heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ.” (Rom. 8:17) It was to these that Jesus said, “Fear not, little flock; for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom.”—Luke 12:32

Being a ruler in Israel, Nicodemus naturally would be interested in the rulership aspect of the kingdom, and Jesus explained that in order to enter into this exalted position it would be necessary for him to be born again. Nicodemus did not understand what this meant, nor did Jesus endeavor to explain all the details to him.

Jesus did give an illustration of the radical change involved in being born again. He spoke of the wind and its great, but invisible power. We can see evidences of the wind’s power, but we cannot discern its origin. We cannot determine from whence it comes, or where it goes, although we can know for a surety that it has been present. “So is every one that is born of the Spirit,” Jesus said.

In other words, those born of the Spirit, and entering into the rulership phase of the kingdom, experience a change of nature from human to divine. (II Pet. 1:4) Spirit beings, by nature, are all invisible to human eyes. Jesus experienced Spirit birth in his resurrection; and while he was present with his disciples for forty days, they saw him only on a few short occasions. They did not see him in his new, spirit body. They saw him in a materialized form which he temporarily assumed for their convenience. Otherwise he was invisible. Later John wrote, “It cloth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is.”—I John 3:1,2

Nicodemus was amazed at what he heard, and inquired, “How can these things be?” Then “Jesus answered and said unto him, Art thou a master of Israel, and knowest not these things?” “If I have told you of earthly things, and ye believe not, how shall ye believe, if I tell you of heavenly things?” Much of Jesus’ ministry—particularly his miracles—was devoted to the earthly blessings which his kingdom would dispense to the subjects of his kingdom. Nicodemus was impressed by this testimony, but apparently he wanted to hear more before fully making up his mind. But Jesus implied that it would be much more difficult to believe the heavenly truths associated with being born again to become rulers in his kingdom.

Then Jesus said, “As Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of man be lifted up: that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal life.” This is a reference to Jesus’ death as man’s Redeemer from sin and death. Those who accept this wonderful provision will have life. But Jesus here does not refer to being born again. Evidently he is referring to those who will, during his kingdom, he given an opportunity to believe and receive earthly blessings of restitution.—Acts 3:19-21

QUESTIONS

Who was Nicodemus, and what prompted him to go to Jesus to ask questions of the Master?

What are two of the aspects of the kingdom of God? Which one did Jesus present to Nicodemus?

What does it mean to be born again, and how did Jesus illustrate the change this would make?

In what manner did Jesus bear witness to earthly things during his ministry?

Explain the lesson Jesus presented in his reference to Moses lifting up the serpent in the wilderness.

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