Nicodemus

Notice that Jesus does not even mention water or baptism in the rest of his comments. He refers only to the Spirit. In fact, Jesus reminds us that we do not know where the wind comes from or where it is going. The new birth - the birth from above - is performed by the Spirit and only by the Spirit. He comes and He goes. He saves us when and where He desires.

Nicodemus is Confused. But Nicodemus still did not understand. He could not understand how a person could enter the kingdom of God without doing something. Nicodemus had been taught since he was little boy, and he himself had taught others that the only way to get into the kingdom of God was by doing things that earned God’s favor. So he was stunned by what he had heard from Jesus.

Jesus answered and said to him, “Are you the teacher of Israel and do not understand these things? Truly, truly, I say to you, we speak of what we know and testify of what we have seen, and you do not accept our testimony.” (NASB) John 3:10-11

Why was this highly educated, well respected religious leader having trouble with Jesus’ statements about being born from above? Why does anyone have trouble with accepting what you or someone else has to say about Jesus? The first part of the answer to our questions is found in the word “We.” Jesus did not say “we” only once. He said it three times. He said, “We speak, we know and testify, and we have seen.” It appears that the “we” refers to both John the Baptist and Jesus, since both had been ministering together. Both of them had spoken. Both of them knew. Both of them had testified about the good news of the kingdom of God, and both of them had had conversations with God the Father. What was Jesus’ point? It was simply that He was speaking the truth. Jesus was giving Nicodemus reasons to believe in Himself. When Christians tell others about Jesus, we need to do the same - tell them truth.

If someone asked you about Jesus, what would you tell him? If someone said that Jesus was a man, what would you say? Would you tell him that Jesus was both God and man? What would you tell someone who wanted to become a Christian? The answer I received from one Christian some years ago was, “I would tell them to attend our church.” Another person said, “I would tell them to read the Bible.” Or, “I would have him/her talk with the pastor.” While these responses are good, they are not the best answer. Now listen to Jesus’ answer to Nicodemus.

If I told you earthly things and you do not believe, how will you believe if I tell you heavenly things? No one has ascended into heaven, but He who descended from heaven: the Son of Man. (NASB) John 3:12-13