October 28, 2010
DO I REALLY GET IT?
John 3:1-15
Pam McGee
Central Truth
In the Bible we are given clear direction for the life God desires for us, but do we really get it?
Key Verse | John 3:12
"If I told you earthly things and you do not believe, how will you believe if I tell you heavenly things?" (John 3:12)
John 3:1-15
You Must Be Born Again
1 Now there was a man of the Pharisees named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews. 2 This man came to Jesus 1 3:2 Greek him by night and said to him, “Rabbi, we know that you are a teacher come from God, for no one can do these signs that you do unless God is with him.” 3 Jesus answered him, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again 2 3:3 Or from above; the Greek is purposely ambiguous and can mean both again and from above; also verse 7 he cannot see the kingdom of God.” 4 Nicodemus said to him, “How can a man be born when he is old? Can he enter a second time into his mother's womb and be born?” 5 Jesus answered, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God. 6 That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. 3 3:6 The same Greek word means both wind and spirit 7 Do not marvel that I said to you, ‘You 4 3:7 The Greek for you is plural here must be born again.’ 8 The wind 5 3:8 The same Greek word means both wind and spirit blows where it wishes, and you hear its sound, but you do not know where it comes from or where it goes. So it is with everyone who is born of the Spirit.”
9 Nicodemus said to him, “How can these things be?” 10 Jesus answered him, “Are you the teacher of Israel and yet you do not understand these things? 11 Truly, truly, I say to you, we speak of what we know, and bear witness to what we have seen, but you 6 3:11 The Greek for you is plural here; also four times in verse 12 do not receive our testimony. 12 If I have told you earthly things and you do not believe, how can you believe if I tell you heavenly things? 13 No one has ascended into heaven except he who descended from heaven, the Son of Man. 7 3:13 Some manuscripts add who is in heaven 14 And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, so must the Son of Man be lifted up, 15 that whoever believes in him may have eternal life. 8 3:15 Some interpreters hold that the quotation ends at verse 15
Footnotes
[1] 3:2 Greek him[2] 3:3 Or from above; the Greek is purposely ambiguous and can mean both again and from above; also verse 7
[3] 3:6 The same Greek word means both wind and spirit
[4] 3:7 The Greek for you is plural here
[5] 3:8 The same Greek word means both wind and spirit
[6] 3:11 The Greek for you is plural here; also four times in verse 12
[7] 3:13 Some manuscripts add who is in heaven
[8] 3:15 Some interpreters hold that the quotation ends at verse 15
Dive Deeper | John 3:1-15
Some days, I find myself a little bit like Nicodemus. As he came to Jesus, Nicodemus was confused by some of Jesus' words and asked, "How can these things be?" Jesus replied to that question with this convicting one, "If I told you earthly things and you do not believe, how will you believe if I tell you heavenly things?"
Wow! How many times could Jesus say that to me? "Pam, I have told you so many things, but you must not truly believe them, or you would be living them out! How can I share more with you?" He has told me, "For My yoke is easy and My burden is light" (Matthew 11:30), but I still strive to lift my own heavy burden of good works and people pleasing.
In Paul's letter to the Philippians, we are told not to be anxious about anything, but in prayer to present all of our requests to God (Philippians 4:6). Yet, I still worry about mostly trivial things and often forget to pray. Consequently, there are many days that I don't live with the peace that passes all understanding (Philippians 4:7). And Jesus told us that the meek are blessed because they will inherit the earth (Matthew 5:5, NIV), but I spend much of my time trying to control my days and orchestrate my future instead of humbly following His plan.
Scripture doesn't tell us if Nicodemus ever did get it, but he does show up a few times after this passage pursuing Jesus. So, hopefully, he did. I don't want to keep asking Jesus, "How can these things be?" Instead, I want to continue to follow Christ in such a way that I get what He's telling me in His Word, so that He will continue to reveal more to me with each day!
Discussion Questions
1. Are there some specific areas in your life that you know you just don't get it?
2. What is an area of your life or a passage of Scripture in which you've seen Christ give you victory and you really do get what He's wanting to teach you?
FAMILY DISCUSSION QUESTIONS
1. Jesus refers to the story of Moses and the bronze snake in this passage. Read Numbers 21:4-9 with your kids. What were the Israelites saved from when they looked at the snake on the pole?
2. How was Jesus “lifted up” like the bronze snake? Jesus said that anyone who believes in Him has eternal life. Talk about how wonderful it will be to live with Jesus in heaven forever.