John 3:9-15
Find a place and time free of distractions for the next 7-10 minutes. Sit comfortably and breathe deeply for a few seconds before you begin. If you haven’t read the Introduction to John’s Gospel, read it here.
In the first part of the story of Nicodemus’ night-time visit to Jesus, we saw that spiritual birth is a gift initiated and given by the power of the Holy Spirit. Read John 3:9-15, the second part of the story, with this in mind.
From what he says in this passage, Nicodemus seems to understand that there is nothing he can do to bring about his own spiritual birth, but he doesn’t know what to do about it. When he first came to Jesus in the night, Nicodemus stated that he, and others, “believed” that Jesus’ power to work miracles was from God. But evidently there is more to belief than just mental and verbal affirmation.
Jesus illustrates this point by reminding this religiously educated Pharisee about a story from the Old Testament.
When poisonous snakes invaded the Israelite’s camp as a consequence of the people’s rebellion against God’s good and perfect way, the Israelites could survive only if they submitted to God’s counterintuitive instructions. God told Moses to make and raise up a bronze serpent - the symbol of rebellion and death – and those who were suffering from snake bites could look up to this symbol and be healed (Numbers 21:4-9). It didn’t make sense then that God would use a cursed symbol to provide healing, and it won’t make sense to many people when Jesus takes on the rebellion of all mankind and is “lifted up” on the cross. True belief involves letting go of our need to fully understand God’s ways. It means trusting God’s character enough to submit to God’s provision.
Stop to consider why Nicodemus, with all of his religious knowledge and power, might have a hard time submitting to Jesus and trusting him for new spiritual birth. Talk to Jesus about this for a moment.
Read John 3:9-15 again noticing Jesus’ use of plural pronouns in verse 11 and how they mirror the words God spoke at the creation of humans in Genesis 1:26-28.
Now stop to meditate on these words from the beginning of John’s Gospel: “The Word was with God and the Word was God. He existed in the beginning with God. God created everything through him, and nothing was created except through him. The Word gave life to everything that was created, and his life brought light to everyone.”
If Jesus came from heaven to walk among humans as God in the flesh, then he is our lens for seeing and understanding God. To know Jesus is to know God. And just as Jesus brought life into the world at creation, he brings new spiritual life to anyone who truly believes in him.
Are you fully convinced that Jesus is God? Discuss this with Jesus now.
Through Jesus, God provided a way for us to be freed from the curse of rebellion and death. Jesus invites us to be born into a new spiritual life – a life that is filled with meaning and purpose.
When did you recognize your inability to bring about your own spiritual birth? When did you come to believe fully in Jesus and trust him to give you new life? Spend a few moments talking to Jesus about this.
End your time by expressing your gratitude to Jesus, and if you sense that he is calling you to do something, follow through today. And consider sharing your spiritual birth story with someone in the next few days.
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The Everyday Jesus Follower’s Guide ebook can help you learn how to recognize God's voice, how to read and understand the Bible, how to develop deep spiritual friendships, and how to become the person you were meant to be. Use it alone, with a friend or in a small group.
