He came to Jesus during the night John 3:1-21

Personal preparation

Observation, interpretation

Context: Jesus has already made many public appearances. He has chosen his first followers (1:35-51). He has changed water into wine at a wedding in Canaan. He has chased merchants out of the temple (2:1-17). From John 2:23 one can assume that Jesus has also performed other miracles. As a result, some people believed in Him (2:23) while others did not know what to think about Him. Nicodemus was probably among the latter group. And one night he sought Jesus out because he wanted to talk with Him.

2 Rabbi: respectful form of address for religious teachers

3 Jesus knows what is on Nicodemus' mind (2;25); Jesus' answer goes straight to the point. Being a Pharisee, Nicodemus was probably wondering:

* What do I have to do to please to God, to obtain a favourable judgment, to have a claim to God's eternal kingdom?

* All the talk about the "Kingdom of God". What does that mean? When will Jesus set it up? What will it be like? When will we see it?

to be born over again (= from above): double meaning

Kingdom of God: God's kingship, God's presence

4-8 Nicodemus: How? - (For an old man to start life all over again ... that's a (too) radical transformation - that's a human impossibility!)

At first Jesus doesn't answer the How? question; instead He explains what has to happen: the necessity of being born again (v. 5); re-birth is humanly impossible (v. 6); re-birth is a must (v. 7); re-birth is a work of the Spirit of God (v. 8. cf. Mark 10:27)

5 of water and of the Spirit: both expressions are images of the Holy Spirit (cf. John 7:38-39; Isaiah 44:3): purification (water) and new life (Spirit; cf. Ezekiel 36:25-27). The ritual of external purification cannot produce new life. Only the Spirit is able to give new life. Re-birth is God's work and gift.

6 There are two modes (or states) of being:

flesh: transitory, bound to our life here on Earth, ending in death

Spirit: permanent, life in communion with God, culminating in eternal life

God and new life cannot be attained by starting at the bottom and reaching upward. New life must be imparted from above, from God.

8 Wind (= Spirit): double meaning. An image of how the Spirit of God works. It is unpredictable, intangible, invisible, but we can still experience it in its effects. It is real.

So: Just as mysterious and unobtainable, but at the same time definitely discernible

9-17 Nicodemus asks How? once again. Nicodemus had started this discussion with the words we know; Jesus has now exposed his ignorance (v. 10). Nicodemus doesn't know the most important things! Jesus is the only One Who can authentically and authoritatively talk about heaven (= God's reality), because in Jesus God has come into this world. New life is not the only phenomenon which comes about solely through God's action (from above); God also takes the initiative in revealing the way of salvation: through the One Who has come into our world from above - Jesus.

The Israelite teachers needed a legitimisation for their interpretations. Jesus simply legitimises His own words by a radical claim: I am the Son of Man (= the Judge on Judgment Day; cf. Daniel 7:13) and have come from heaven. He has already seen what He is talking about. Jesus is not a teacher like the others, simply telling us how; He is the how!. How can we be born again and have new life? Jesus answers: through Me!

12 earthly things: Jesus uses analogies (everyday examples and terms) to explain spiritual things.

heavenly things: stand for God's plan of salvation, Jesus' incarnation, crucifixion and resurrection

believe: re-birth is linked with believing in Jesus (cf. v. 16).

14-16 must be lifted up: Jesus' crucifixion (cf. John 12:32-33); saving the lost from death

Jesus refers back to an event in the history of the Jewish people (Numbers 21:4-9): for the Israelites who were condemned to death, looking at the serpent was the only way to obtain mercy and receive new life. In the same way, our trust in Jesus (= believing in His death on the cross as the only means of salvation) gives us new life, a re-birth into everlasting life.

eternal life: living in communion with God; in a vital and perso­nal relationship with Jesus

For God so loved the world: cf. Romans 5:6-8

18- 21 Summary and conclusion

18 is condemmed already: we are not living in a neutral zone; we are already distant from God, God-less

19 cf. John 1:9-10; John 7:7

Verses 18-21 are set up symmetrically. Since the Son of God has come into the world, there are alternatives to be chosen and rejected. Verse 19 explains why Jesus is rejected:

18a Whoever believes

18b Whoever does not believe

19 They love darkness more than light

20 Whoever practices evil

21 Whoever does the truth

 

Group discussion

Introduction

Who was Nicodemus?

* a Pharisee: literally ‘separated'. A group of laymen coming from diffe­rent professions; strict observance of religious laws and purity regulations. Their purpose in life: to please God by observing the law: What must I do that I may enter the Kingdom of God?

* Member of the Jewish Court (Sanhedrin - the highest Jewish political and judical court)
* Jewish scholar: the most precise researching and interpreting of Jewish laws in order to observe them correctly

Questions

At night he comes to Jesus (v.1-2)

1. Why does Nicodemus go to Jesus at night? What is his intention? What does he want from Jesus? What might he expect from a discussion with Jesus?

Not simply feeling as good as new (v3-8)

2. At first glance Jesus' answer doesn't seem to have anything to do with Nicodemus' introductory comment. What unspoken questions does Jesus assume or perceive in Nicodemus' remark? How does Jesus begin to answer them?

3. Jesus uses the image of childbirth. What are the characteristics and experiences of being born?

4. In the further discussion (v. 5-13), how does Jesus describe being re-born?

We know- but how do we know? (v.9-13)

5. Nicodemus starts his discussion with Jesus with we know. But he doesn't know the answer to the decisive question of how someone can find a way to be in communion with God. How does Jesus explain the authority He has, his legitimisation, to answer this question?

Salvation- but how? (v14-21)

6. Nicodemus seems to gradually understand that something radically new has to happen - but how? (v. 9)

In verses 14-21, Jesus answers this question. He refers back to a story told in the Old Testament. (Give a short explanation of the situation that the Israelites faced in the wilderness and read together Numbers 21:4-9.)

How does this story from the Old Testament help us understand the meaning of Jesus' death on the cross?

What does Jesus mean by believe? What has the word believe meant for us so far? What does believe/trust mean in verses 14-18?

Application

1. The short story "Justice or love" illustrates the meaning of Jesus' death on the cross (see page 161).

2. How can an individual, society, the world be re-newed? This question has always been on people's minds, be they religious people, Marxists, humanists or esoterics. People everywhere have tried to change themselves, others or the existing conditions.

What would I like to change in my life or in our society? How could these changes be effected? How do I try to develop myself and change my life for the better?

3. Everyone who believes in Him may have eternal life. What would such a step towards faith look like? We are all looking for an enhanced quality of life. What quality of life is contained in the term eternal life?