John 3

The John 3 passage with the conversation between Jesus and Nicodemus contains what may be the most well-known verse in all of Scripture - John 3:16.    Right after Nicodemus's greeting, Jesus directly started to talk about being "born again", demonstrating that He knew what was in his heart as stated at the end of the last chapter.   This is what Nicodemus, coming to Jesus secretly at night, needed to hear - his need for regeneration and eternal life.  To summarize the conversation would be to give the message of salvation - the barrier to seeing, hearing, and understanding the evidence and testimony is UNBELIEF; eternal life is through BELIEF or faith in Christ only; those who BELIEVE will be regenerated (born again) spiritually, will walk in the light, and have salvation and eternal life.  Amen.

It's interesting and apropo that I will have three weeks to prepare and meditate on this passage.  While it is familiar, there is much theological truth in it, which will be good to take time to ponder and understand.

8-Dec:  This really was such an important passage to study on the doctrine of Salvation.  It helps answer questions like what it means to be "born again" (regeneration, new birth, Spiritual birth and cleansing apart from the physical and sinful nature of the Flesh, something that is fully the work of God); what it means to believe (entrust, have conviction => actions follow knowing); or what it means that Jesus is the Only Begotten Son ("monogenes" => one and only or unique, same essence and nature as God, and beloved or with intimate relationship with the Father).   This passage clearly demonstrates God's LOVE.  It also shows the barriers to salvation - unbelief, sin, etc  (for Nicodemus, salvation by faith alone went against the incorrect notion he was brought up with as a Pharisee of "works")

11-Dec:  After recording the conversation between Nicodemus and Jesus, John the author calls John the Baptist back on the "witness stand" one last time in his Gospel.  Once again, we see that the person whom Jesus said that of those born of women there was no one greater is full of humility, faithfully fulfilled his calling, knew his role, and not only does not bear any jealousy over Jesus's growing ministry but even rejoices in that.  John the Baptist likened his role to the "best man" to the Bridegroom who is Jesus.  He summarized his perspective with "He must increase, but I must decrease"  Wow!  This is because John knew that Jesus was God and testified to the same truth highlighted in the conversation with Nicodemus, that whoever believes in the Son has eternal life; and those who don't has God's wrath remain on them.

We should all have the same attitude in our ministries, that Christ is to be exalted and glorified; but we are to humbly serve, rejoicing in HIM.  And we as believers are witnesses to the Truth, for those who reject the testimony are believing the lies of the Enemy.