JOHN 3

JESUS SPEAKS WITH NICODEMUS + JOHN THE BAPTIST EXPLAINS HIS ROLE

Jesus meets with a man named Nicodemus who is a Pharisee, a religious leader who strictly follows and teaches Jewish laws and traditions. Nicodemus acknowledges that God is with Jesus, because no one could do what He has done without the presence of God.

Jesus explains to Nicodemus that to see the Kingdom of God, one must be born again. After a literal birth, there must also be a spiritual birth. Jesus compares this transformation to a rushing wind, showing how it is something felt but not seen. He says that what is born of the flesh is flesh, what is born of the spirit is spirit, pointing to the need for a new heart within the Israelite people.

In John 13:14-15, Jesus says that just as Moses lifted up the bronze serpent, the Son of Man must be lifted up, referencing both the miraculous acts of Moses and Jesus’ impending death on the cross (Numbers 21).

Jesus explains that God loves the world so much that He gave His only Son, that whoever believes in Him will not perish but have eternal life. God did not send Him to condemn the world, but to save the world and bring light to darkness.

After speaking with Nicodemus, Jesus goes with John the Baptist and His disciples to baptize more people. During this time, the disciples ask John the Baptist about the authority of Jesus, wondering why more people were following Him than John. John explains that he came to prepare the way for Jesus as an earthly messenger, but that Jesus is the one who comes from heaven and speaks God's word. John the Baptist humbly explains that Jesus must increase, and he must decrease in influence. God has given all things over to Jesus and whoever believes that He is the Son of God will inherit eternal life.

John 3:16 – For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.