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Welcome back! While enjoying our annual timeshare vacation this year, my husband and I returned from dinner and noticed a large crowd on the beach below our condominium. From our balcony, we were in perfect position to eavesdrop (literally!) on a local church’s baptism service in the shallow water eight stories below our unit. The pastor spoke of Philip baptizing the Ethiopian eunuch in Acts 8. Then about two dozen men, women, and children professed faith in Jesus, wading into the water to be “reborn” as the sun sank toward the horizon behind our building.
We’ve visited that condo more than a dozen times over the years, never before witnessing baptism on its beach. I can’t help but believe this is no coincidence: God intentionally allowed us to view that outward symbol of being born of water as I’m studying John 3:1-21 and focusing on verses 3-5. How awesome is He to give us a sign of His love through a centuries-old ritual welcoming new brothers and sisters into God’s family!
Last Week’s Work
COMPARISONS
I’ve heard the book of John called the gospel of light, and this week in particular, the Spirit illuminated (ha!) for me the contrasts between light and darkness and other representations of good and evil here. For example: Nicodemus came to Jesusby night (v2), as in after dark. I mentioned this before, suspecting he didn’t want to be seen, but now, after reviewing contrasts, I think there’s even more to unpack in that statement!
- In response to Nicodemus’s doubt-filled statement (not question) about Jesus’s identity, the Lord speaks of being born again as a requirement to see the kingdom of God (v3). I think Jesus was trying to help Nicodemus understand why he was “in the dark” and unable to see Jesus for who He was: the only Son of God (v16) and the light God sent into a dark, evil world (v19).
- But Nicodemus, grounded in the darkness of unbelief, can only focus on the worldly or flesh-and-blood aspects of being born again (v4). To this, Jesus reveals two other births, of water and the Spirit, are required to enter God’s kingdom (v5), and uses a contrast (v6) to help Nicodemus realize they are talking about different things: flesh and Spirit.
- Yet, Nicodemus still doesn’t seem to get it (v9). At this point, Jesus states more clearly the problem: Nicodemus’s disbelief (vv11-12) keeps him in the dark, unable to understand or access the eternal life Jesus brings (v19).
The contrasts between born of flesh and born of the Spirit (v6) seem to me to connect with darkness and light respectively. Our physical birth, I think, corresponds to being born of the flesh, or the imperfect condition of our hearts we inherit as children of Adam and Eve (see our earlier study of Genesis 3). I suspect when we hear and choose to believe the good news in John 3:16, we turn from that imperfect condition to be born of water. In our hearts, we reject the darkness of earth (the world, governed by our spiritual enemies) that is perishing, and turn toward the Light (Christ). This first step of belief is what gains us eternal life (vv16-18). Then, I think, as we commit to follow Jesus in this world of darkness, we are born of the Spirit, gaining the ability to perceive the Spirit as one notices the wind (v8). I also believe the Spirit is the initiative driving those who do what is true in the light (v21).
Heads up, the above paragraph reflects my thoughts about this passage. If you aren’t sure about, or disagree with what I’ve written, take it to the Spirit and God’s Word. I will be doing the same beginning next week and I promise I will share anything He puts in my heart that corrects what I’ve concluded above.
CAUSES/MOTIVATIONS
Interestingly, I didn’t find any cause connectors in my focus verses, but eleven of them occur in the last seven verses! For example, in verses 14-15, I saw the reason the Son of Man must be lifted up: because that enables believers to have eternal life. And why do believers get this chance at eternal life? Because God so loved the world (vv15-16). Also, God’s purpose for sending His Son into the world wasn’t to condemn it, but to save it (v17). What a testimony to the awesome love our Father God has for all people, not just Christians!
CONDITIONS/METHODS
Though I noted before Nicodemus came to Jesus at night, it didn’t occur to me until I worked through some of the contrasts in this passage that, in addition to being a timeframe, night also implies a condition: darkness. And given Nicodemus had so much trouble seeing what Jesus said in this passage, it also seems to describe the condition of the Pharisee’s mind or heart— “unenlightened” to God’s kingdom (v3). After all, Nicodemus came to make a statement that implies disbelief that Jesus is the Son of God (v2).
Our Lord’s reply spells out the condition required for us to see the kingdom of God: that we be born again (v3). In the past, I‘ve wondered how that connects with Nicodemus’s opening statement. But this time, the Spirit helped me see the logic: if Jesus represents God’s kingdom on earth, and Nicodemus hasn’t been born again, it’s no wonder Nicodemus couldn’t see what He was saying!
Yet, I think there’s hope for Nicodemus. In v20, Jesus says, in part, “everyone who does wicked things … does not come to the light lest his works should be exposed.” But Nicodemus came to the Light. Even if it was dark when he came and he seemed to get more confused as Jesus kept talking, I believe Nicodemus did finally see the Light. I’m looking forward to checking that out in Step 4, too!
As I’m wrapping up my study for this week, I’m thinking the Spirit is trying to show me Jesus’s statements to Nicodemus revealed His earthly mission and how we can join and benefit from it. I can’t wait to start refining my understanding of this treasure—I hope you’ll stick with me and see how this turns out. And if you’re focusing on something different, I’m praying for the Spirit to help you see and understand what Scripture has for you here, too!
Dig-In Challenges
This week, I hope you’ll join me as I start refining my understanding of this passage:
- PRAY. Of course!
- REFINE by skimming the book of John to determine which of the following types of writing appears most often in it: instruction, law, letter, narrative, poetry, or prophecy. Then reread John 3:1-21 to see what (if any) other types are in use. Note all the types you find on your Scripture study sheet or in your journal. Recognizing writing types helps us determine whether the author intended the text to be interpreted literally or have an alternative meaning the original audience would probably have understood.
- REFINE: Next, research the book’s historical context by referencing an Introduction to the book of John. This can be found in most bound Bibles immediately before John 1, or by checking out the ESV online. Introductions are written by Bible publishers and provide historical details like who wrote the book, to whom, and when. They often also contain a summary of the book’s content. As you read the intro, note any relevant or interesting facts. Based on what you discover there, how will you interpret John 3:1-21?
- REFINE: Last, look up the meaning of a few key words and/or phrases from your study using an interlinear Bible tool. I like Biblehub.com’s Greek tool for this research. To use: Click the blue arrow to the left or right of the verse citation (“John 3:1”) to scroll to the verse containing words you want to review, then click the number in the Strong’s column that corresponds to the English word or phrase you’re researching. Note anything the Spirit highlights in the information provided.
This “refining” step is more involved than the “mining” we did earlier, but I encourage you to use these tools and dig as much as you can this week. I pray the Spirit will bless your efforts, my friend!