Nicodemus visits Jesus at Night
John 3:1-17
Jesus Teaches Nicodemus
1 Now there was a Pharisee, a man named Nicodemus who was a member of the Jewish ruling council. 2 He came to Jesus at night and said, “Rabbi, we know that you are a teacher who has come from God. For no one could perform the signs you are doing if God were not with him.”
3 Jesus replied, “Very truly I tell you, no one can see the kingdom of God unless they are born again.”
4 “How can someone be born when they are old?” Nicodemus asked. “Surely they cannot enter a second time into their mother’s womb to be born!”
5 Jesus answered, “Very truly I tell you, no one can enter the kingdom of God unless they are born of water and the Spirit. 6 Flesh gives birth to flesh, but the Spirit gives birth to spirit. 7 You should not be surprised at my saying, ‘You must be born again.’ 8 The wind blows wherever it pleases. You hear its sound, but you cannot tell where it comes from or where it is going. So it is with everyone born of the Spirit.”
9 “How can this be?” Nicodemus asked.
10 “You are Israel’s teacher,” said Jesus, “and do you not understand these things? 11 Very truly I tell you, we speak of what we know, and we testify to what we have seen, but still you people do not accept our testimony. 12 I have spoken to you of earthly things and you do not believe; how then will you believe if I speak of heavenly things? 13 No one has ever gone into heaven except the one who came from heaven—the Son of Man. 14 Just as Moses lifted up the snake in the wilderness, so the Son of Man must be lifted up, 15 that everyone who believes may have eternal life in him.”
16 For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. 17 For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.
Pondering Point
This conversation between Jesus and Nicodemus gives birth to the well-known verse of Scripture once seen in sporting arenas and other gatherings, John 3:16:
John 3:16
For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.
But another section, verses 5-6, captures our attention this week:
John 3:5-6
No one can enter the kingdom of God unless they are born of water and the Spirit. Flesh gives birth to flesh, but the Spirit gives birth to spirit.
Our initial place in the kingdom comes about by the Holy Spirit giving birth to our spirit. Living in the kingdom – which we are already doing – is also directed by the Holy Spirit. Apostle Paul calls it “keeping in step with this Spirit” and says it will keep us on the right path (Galatians 5:25). Of course, The Spirit’s ways of working are hard to pin down (compared to the blowing of the wind), but He is living right inside of us. As you will see in the Micro-Group moment to follow, sometimes the Holy Spirit uses others to help us navigate our way in God’s kingdom.
Micro-Group Moment:
Considering Apostle Paul's life as a case for participating in Micro-Groups
Acts 9:26-27
Barnabas took [Saul] and brought him to the apostles. He told them how Saul on his journey had seen the Lord and that the Lord had spoken to him, and how in Damascus he had preached fearlessly in the name of Jesus.
Pondering Point
Paul’s life story highlights the need to have people in our corner spiritually in the face of life’s battles, especially spiritual battles. We need people like Barnabas who will go to bat for us (Acts 9:26-27), people like Peter who will defend us against adversaries (2 Peter 3:15-16), and people like James (brother of Jesus) and the Apostle John who offer the hand of fellowship when others seek to dismiss or even disgrace us (Galatians 2:9). Paul wasn’t tight with all these people. But they were still blessings to each other as brothers and sisters in Christ. You won’t be able to connect deeply with everyone but anticipate that God does want you to connect deeply with a few people.
Thing to appreciate about Micro-Group/Small-Group in the life of Apostle Paul
People who lack a God-centered family life can find such that family experience in the life of the church.
Prayer
Father God, continue to bring people into my life to connect with for whom we can ‘have each other’s back’ spiritually and who can stand together in times of trouble, especially a few who can be in a micro-group that You bless collectively. In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.