John 2:23-3:15, Miracles, Born Again, God’s Timing

23 Now when He was in Jerusalem at the Passover, during the feast, many believed in His name when they saw the signs which He did. 24 But Jesus did not commit Himself to them, because He knew all men,  25 and had no need that anyone should testify of man, for He knew what was in man (John 2:23-3:15 NKJV).

     It is interesting that Jesus performed miracles after cleansing the temple. It’s like he is now going full bore into his ministry. The miracles are not recorded but the results are. Many believed in his name. Point – the miracles are not as important as the results, bringing people to saving faith. This is a big problem with some of the current miracle workers. They are doing it to get donations. Sure, some people get saved but you have to wonder what kind of faith they have. The same applies to these that believed in Jesus. As we continue in John, we’ll find out about their faith.

     Jesus would not commit himself to them. He didn’t trust them and wasn’t about to let the crowd try to maneuver the direction of his ministry. He knew what was in them. At this point, I take this to mean that they were wanting to follow him because of miracles to get the things they wanted but didn’t have any deep desire to live godly lives or have a salvific relationship with him. They wanted a conquering Messiah See John 6:15.

     This is the setting for Nicodemus’ visit. Jesus doing miracles, people believing in him for something, and Jesus being cautious about it all.

3:1 There was a man of the Pharisees named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews. 2 This man came to Jesus 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."

     I hear a lot about how Nicodemus came at night because he was afraid of being seen talking to Jesus. Afraid of his position, his reputation and being a teacher of Israel, he was supposed to be able to root out any imposter. There is credibility to this thought. But I don’t think his only reason was out of fear of being seen, but humility. Look at all the other instances in Scripture where the Jews and Jesus butted heads. It was all in public. If he wanted to confront Jesus or test him to show that he was not the Messiah, he would have come during the day and publicly to get the accolades for doing his job.

     If he came during the day and in public, he would not have the opportunity to get answers and have a true dialog. No, coming by night was the only way he could have a good face to face with Jesus, away from the crowds. He came to learn, not confront. That’s the way we need to come to Jesus, to his word.

     Nicodemus’ confession includes all the leaders. While he personally may have believed this, it is interesting he said, “We.” Whether the rest of the council agreed with him is up for speculation, but their recognition that a miracle worker must have God with him was probably true at this time. Though they didn’t understand how God was with him and what God was going to do with him.

     The conflicts with the Jewish leaders grow as Jesus’ ministry grows. It isn’t automatically full-blown antagonism. The same the same thing happens with each of us. We are reasoning creatures and often change our opinion as we gather more information, or we become stauncher in our opinion.

3 Jesus answered and said to him, "Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God."

     Jesus immediately deflects the praise and gets to the heart of the issue. The miracles are peripheral. At the center is the kingdom of God. Believing that the miracles attest to Jesus having God with him is not enough to enter the kingdom of God.

     Born again. This is new. The Old Testament didn’t have this concept of being born again from above. While there were plenty of verses that talked about God giving us a new heart, this would have been something quite strange to Nicodemus. So he naturally talks of physical birth.

     The word for again is translated more often as “from above” than “again.” Also, from top to bottom and from the beginning. It shouldn’t surprise us that Nicodemus didn’t understand. We would not have either.

     Of course, Jesus used this word to teach. As Steve Lawson clearly teaches, Jesus is using it to explain that those who enter the kingdom of God can only do so when God works in their lives. When He causes their spirits to be born. It is the Holy Spirit who moves and regenerates those who are chosen for salvation. We have no idea who they are until they show signs of a new birth. Even then we sometimes can be fooled by imposters.[1]

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, "Most assuredly, 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.  7 Do not marvel that I said to you, 'You must be born again.'  8 The wind blows where it wishes, and you hear the sound of it, but cannot tell where it comes from and where it goes. So is everyone who is born of the Spirit."

9 Nicodemus answered and said to Him, "How can these things be?"

     Nicodemus is stuck in the physical world. Being teacher of Israel, he should have been more aware of the spiritual implications that Jesus was explaining. However, the Holy Spirit had not yet opened his mind.

     Jesus’ rebuke about not understanding these things shows that Nicodemus and, in fact, all the Jews should have been able to see this from the Old Testament. Jesus is telling him that he isn’t born again because he didn’t understand. So Jesus goes back to physical metaphor of the wind representing the Holy Spirit. He should have understood this. It was clear. The Holy Spirit works in ways we don’t know. He enlightens our eyes when and where he chooses. We can’t predict it, but we can certainly see the results. So far, Nicodemus has not shown the enlightenment that comes from the Holy Spirit.

10 Jesus answered and said to him, "Are you the teacher of Israel, and do not know these things?  11 Most assuredly, I say to you, We speak what We know and testify what We have seen, and you do not receive Our witness.  12 If I have told you earthly things and you do not believe, how will you believe if I tell you heavenly things?  13 No one has ascended to heaven but He who came down from heaven, that is, the Son of Man who is in heaven.  14 And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of Man be lifted up,  15 that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life.

     Jesus now switches from “I say to you” to “we speak.” He isn’t teaching this from his own human knowledge but from the Father and what he knows as being part of the Trinity. He is clearly telling Nicodemus that he is the Messiah, the Son of Man described in Daniel.

     He is telling Nicodemus that he must look to Jesus and believe in him if he is ever to be saved. He gives him clues about what will happen, his crucifixion without which there would not be eternal life for anyone. These words must have stuck with him as he attempted to give Jesus a fair trial in John 7:50 but was shut down by the others in the council. Then he finally comes forward in John 19:39 to help bury Jesus. It is all in God’s timing. The wind of the Holy Spirit finally blew on Nicodemus.

     Is today God’s Timing for you? Has the Holy Spirit blown on you so that you understand who Jesus is? Do you understand that you must do more than acknowledging that you believe about Jesus but must surrender to his sovereign rights over you? Do you realize that your ability to do this comes from the Holy Spirit working in you before you can make a decision to follow Jesus? Finally, if you are willing and want to surrender to Jesus, then you have been born again. If you haven’t already, then make it formal by praying for forgiveness for your sins, committing to repentance, and surrendering to Jesus as your Lord.

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