“Rabbi, we know that You are a Teacher come from God…” (John 3:2)

Nicodemus had come to Jesus with a question.

We are told that he came at night (John 3:2). Perhaps he was embarrassed to be seen talking to a Galilean with no standing among Jerusalem’s ruling class. Nicodemus was, after all, a Pharisee and probably a member of the Sanhedrin, a man of reputation and learning. Jesus had not been educated in any of their Rabbinical schools, and He had just driven out of the Temple court all the merchants and money changers doing their unseemly business for the profit of the chief priests.

If Jesus’ disciples were present that night, I’m sure they would have been astonished to find a high ranking Pharisee at the door, and then even more astonished to hear what he began to say.

“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.”

Nicodemus was speaking respectfully and with humility. “Rabbi, we know…” Yes, it was plain that Jesus was from God and that He did the works of God. The miracles of healing were indeed signs for those with eyes to see, and Nicodemus confessed that he was not blind to this.

But what was he going to say next? What was the question that led him to come to Jesus that night?

Before he could go on, the Lord spoke, and, knowing what was in Nicodemus’ heart, He answered the question he had not yet asked.

“Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.”

Nicodemus was learned and devout, and he was evidently humble and sincere. He was not one of the proud and hypocritical Pharisees that the Lord was later to expose and rebuke so strongly. Perhaps it was the very sincerity of his devotion that had made him aware of his need and his lack of real assurance.

He was troubled. How could he be sure that he would see the kingdom of God? Were his good works, his diligent study and his piety enough? What more was required of him?

The Lord’s answer must have startled Nicodemus. He was a child of Abraham; he knew the Law and was striving to keep it. Did that count for nothing? Surely just some modest improvements would be sufficient to bring him peace. A new birth? How could he hope to achieve that? It was impossible. What did all this mean?

But the Lord continued and He graciously opened to Nicodemus the Scripture that he thought he knew.

“Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God.”

The promise of God to Israel for the last days was recorded in the writings of the prophets – He would wash His people from their sins and put in them a new spirit. Both Jeremiah and Ezekiel wrote of those days and of the new covenant (Jeremiah 31:31-34, Ezekiel 36:22-27).

“Are you the teacher of Israel, and do not know these things?”

The Lord was telling Nicodemus things that were totally different from all that his life had been built on. Wasn’t entrance to the kingdom something you earned by your piety and careful study of the Scriptures? A new birth, a work of God in a person’s life that was all of grace? That was something completely new to him. Was it there, in the Scripture, and he had never seen it?

But there was still more to be revealed.

“And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of Man be lifted up, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life.”

The one that Nicodemus had called a “teacher come from God” was to be “lifted up”, just as Moses had lifted up the bronze serpent in the wilderness (Numbers 21:4-9). Nicodemus would certainly have understood that to be “lifted up” meant to be crucified (John 12:32-34). The Lord was telling him that the story of the brass serpent illustrated how eternal spiritual healing was to come to those who had faith in Him.

A new birth, through faith in this Man who was to be crucified? Yes, that was the unexpected answer to the question Nicodemus hadn’t asked. There was no other way that Nicodemus could find assurance that he would enter the kingdom of God.

Does it answer a question that perhaps you also haven’t asked?

Are you sure of your soul’s standing? Have you been born again?

Do you think that you are a better person than Nicodemus? Don’t trust in your religious practices – Nicodemus had more. Don’t trust in your good works either for Nicodemus probably did more. Put all your trust in the Lord Jesus and the saving power of His death and resurrection, confessing your sin and need of Him, and you will be born again.

For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son,
that whoever believes in Him should not perish
but have everlasting life.