God's Saving Love in Christ

Today’s lesson reflects on the good news of Jesus in a way that combines the mystery with the love story. The mystery is about how God acted to make his world right - a mystery revealed. The love story is about why God acted in such a self-sacrificial way on behalf of rebellious humans.

Our text comes from one of the most beloved books of the Bible. the Gospel of John. In providing narratives of the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus, it is rather different from Matthew, Mark, and Luke. Those three (known as the synoptic Gospels) are notable for their similarities. John’s Gospel, written later, assumes the reader knows the main points of the storyline found in the other Gospels as it provides different, additional material.

John likes to narrate Jesus’ private, one-on-one conversations, including those he had with religious leaders. Today’s text provides a picture into the conversation held with Nicodemus, a Pharisee and leader of the Jewish people.

The Pharisees were a leading party of Jewish thought and practice in the New Testament period. They advocated careful adherence to the Law of Moses and to the traditions they had developed about the law. Their aim was to build a fence around the law. That is, they taught that if people followed their traditions then they wouldn’t even come close to breaking God’s law.

Nicodemus Meets Jesus -

John 3:1–3 NRSV

Now there was a Pharisee named Nicodemus, a leader of the Jews. He came to Jesus by night and said to him, “Rabbi, we know that you are a teacher who has come from God; for no one can do these signs that you do apart from the presence of God.” Jesus answered him, “Very truly, I tell you, no one can see the kingdom of God without being born from above.”

John introduces an individual with whom Jesus will have a most significant conversation. As a Pharisee, Nicodemus takes a strict view of the boundaries of God’s people. The fact that he is a member of the Jewish ruling council means that he is part of the Sanhedrin. The high priest, who presides over the temple, appoints the 70 members of this council to assist him.

In verse 2 we see he comes to see Jesus at night in secret. Is Nicodemus afraid to be seen with the controversial Jesus? Where does Nicodemus stand presently? Nicodemus speaks highly of Jesus,. since Rabbi is a title of great respect within the Jewish church. He also affirms that Jesus’ miraculous signs demonstrate decisively that God is with him.

How should we respond when people speak well of Jesus but don’t acknowledge his full authority?

Jesus’ response takes the form of a blunt and authoritative statement of what is required to see the kingdom of God - and Nicodemus hasn’t even asked a question yet! The succinct phrase the kingdom of God serves as a summary of the promises God gave to Israel about his making the world right again. Truth, justice, mercy, life - these are the blessings of God’s kingdom, the ultimate fulfillment of his loving purpose for humanity.

As a religious teacher, Nicodemus understands that when God establishes his kingdom, his people will experience its blessings. Nicodemus further understands that belonging to God’s people means being a faithful Jew, one who was born into the nation and who honors the Law of Moses. But Jesus challenges all that. Birth into the 12 tribes of Israel does not confer automatic membership in the kingdom of God.

Nicodemus Engage Jesus -

John 3:4–8 NRSV

Nicodemus said to him, “How can anyone be born after having grown old? Can one enter a second time into the mother’s womb and be born?” Jesus answered, “Very truly, I tell you, no one can enter the kingdom of God without being born of water and Spirit. What is born of the flesh is flesh, and what is born of the Spirit is spirit.Do not be astonished that I said to you, ‘You must be born from above.’ The wind blows where it chooses, and you hear the sound of it, but you do not know where it comes from or where it goes. So it is with everyone who is born of the Spirit.”

Jesus next statement perplex Nicodemus. Understanding “born again” in a physical sense, his questions serve to protest that a second such birth is impossible. As long as Nicodemus holds to his concept of what is required to be in God’s kingdom, he will fail to understand Jesus.

In verse 5, Jesus continues to challenge the conventional understanding of membership in God’s kingdom. Now Jesus speaks of birth of water and the Spirit. In the Greek text of John’s Gospel, this phrase is constructed to show that the two items belong together, forming one idea. Taken in tandem the water and the Spirit reference the cleansing performed by God. Therefore Nicodemus can enter the kingdom of God only if God cleanses him of what he cannot cleanse himself: the guilt of his sin.

Jesus emphasizes that God alone can accomplish this transformation. Spirit contrasts with flesh as the immortal God contrasts with mortal humanity. Any status Nicodemus and we hold means nothing. To receive God’s blessing requires action by God.

What can we do to trust less in our own capabilities and more in the Holy Spirit’s?

Continuing to challenge Nicodemus’s lack of understanding, Jesus makes a comparison between God’s Spirit and the wind. Wind, Jesus says, blows as it wants, without influence of humans and without their understanding. God’s Spirit is the same: the Holy Spirit does his work regardless of approval or disapproval of religious leaders like Nicodemus.

Jesus Critiques Nicodemus -

John 3:9–16 NRSV

Nicodemus said to him, “How can these things be?” Jesus answered him, “Are you a teacher of Israel, and yet you do not understand these things? “Very truly, I tell you, we speak of what we know and testify to what we have seen; yet you do not receive our testimony. If I have told you about earthly things and you do not believe, how can you believe if I tell you about heavenly things? No one has ascended into heaven except the one who descended from heaven, the Son of Man.And just as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, so must the Son of Man be lifted up, that whoever believes in him may have eternal life. “For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him may not perish but may have eternal life.

Jesus’ reply now turns from the general to the personal. Nicodemus is a recognized authority. He believes that his position within God’s people is secure. Yet he fails to understand Jesus’ teaching. If Nicodemus takes these words to heart, he will begin to discount his high position and surrender his cherished ideas.

What should we contemplate before presuming to become teachers of the Bible?

In verse 11 Jesus gives testimony about what he knows as a witness. Jesus affirms that he and others are in such a position. Given that Nicodemus has already acknowledged the godly origin of Jesus’ teaching and miracles, will he be inconsistent in daring to reject such witness?

Jesus had been using language and comparisons that are accessible to earthbound experiences: birth, water, and wind. Yet Nicodemus does not understand. So Jesus calls on another Old Testament connection in referring to himself as the Son of Man. He asserts that because God has authorized him and sent him down from heaven, he speaks with unique knowledge and authority. The fulfillment of all God’s promises is tied to Jesus.

How can we better show our need for the knowledge and help of one “from heaven?”

Jesus makes another connection with Israel’s Scriptures. When God sent “venomous snakes” among the unfaithful Israelites in the wilderness, he instructed Moses to make a bronze snake and lift it up on a pole. Those who looked at the snake lived, their action being on of faith in God’s mercy. Jesus, the Son of Man, will also be lifted up, but on a cross. Unlike the bronze snake, Jesus is worth of worship.

Like Moses’ lifting of the bronze snake for the stricken Israelites, Jesus’ crucifixion will mean life. This will be life that is no longer plagued by the ancient serpent, the deceiver of humanity. For now, Nicodemus is challenged to set aside his own claim to authority and listen submissively to the one from Heaven.

Jesus’ discourse reaches its climax in what is probably the most famous verse of the New Testament. Having challenged Nicodemus with a new way of understanding God’s plan, Jesus now focuses on the self-giving love of God for all humanity. God loves humanity despite its unloveliness, failure, and open rebellion. The world that God loves is the world that refuses to listen to him. For God’s love to be effective, he must take the initiative - he does.

God reaches out by sending his one and only son, Jesus. This gift, like all God’s gifts, must be received by faith. To believe in the one whom God sends is to affirm (1) that God has truly sent him, (2) that God truly saves through him, and (3) that one trusts persistently in what God has done through him.

What steps can our church take to express God’s saving love to our community?

Conclusion

For Nicodemus, the story of God’s love was a mystery for two reasons: it challenged his view of his own importance, and it was still unfolding before his eyes. For us the story may be a mystery as well. Though we might not think ourselves important, we still hold stubbornly to our independence. Though we know the story’s climax, it may be so familiar to us that we find it commonplace. The one and only Son of God surrendered to death so that underserving humans would not have to. By his authority alone can people enter God’s promised kingdom, the full realization of his gracious love.

Prayer

God of love, we thank you for your unspeakable gift in Christ! We commit ourselves again to trust in him and him alone, now and forever. We pray this in his name. Amen!

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