Day 5

John 3

This is one of those passages that amazes me every time I read it. There is so much depth and truth to this passage it will be hard to sum up everything for you. 

vs 1-2 Nicodemus was a Pharisee, unlike most Pharisee's Nicodemus recognized that he came from God.

vs 3 a man must be born again to see the kingdom of God.

vs 4 Nicodemus asks a valid question of how can a man be born again if he is old? We can't reenter our mother's womb.

vs 5-8 The rebirth is of water and spirit. This is a spiritual rebirth that is mysterious just like the wind. 

vs 9-13 Jesus explains to Nicodemus that it is hard enough for him to believe in earthly things of course it will be harder for him to believe in heavenly things that he has never seen. Only God has seen these things.

This is where things get interesting. I love how Jesus always brings up what has happened with God's people in scripture. When we learn to do this in our lives our faith will be so much stronger.

vs 14-15  This is a reference to Numbers 21:4-9 While in the desert people were dying from venomous snake bites. God did something here to rescue them from the poison. He told Moses to make a snake and put it on a pole. All the Israelites had to do was to view the symbol and they would be rescued from certain death. This is where the symbol of modern day medicine came into play. What a story of redemption which brings us into the second half of the verse. 

The Son of Man will be lifted up to rescue us from death and an eternity away from the presence of God in hell. 

vs 16-18 One of the most recognized verses in all of scripture is verse 16. Put your faith in the one and only Son of God and you will have eternal life. Jesus was sent here to save the world. If you do not have faith in Christ you will be condemned. 

vs 19-21  Stay in the light, light= truth, darkness is where people go to hide their actions.

vs 22-36 Jesus is baptizing his disciple and people go to complain to John the Baptist about this, John however uplifts the Son of God. He tries every thing in his power to take the attention away from himself. "He becomes greater, I become less." It is all about giving Christ glory. He ends the passage with "whoever believes in the Son has eternal life."

This is a great chapter. It is all about Jesus being lifted up for the salvation of all humanity.