John 3:1–21 - 1 Now there was a man of the Pharisees, named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews; 2 this man came to Jesus by night and said to Him, “Rabbi, we know that You have come from God as a teacher; for no one can do these signs that You do unless God is with him.” 3 Jesus answered and said to him, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God.” 4 Nicodemus said to Him, “How can a man be born when he is old? He cannot enter a second time into his mother’s womb and be born, can he?” 5 Jesus answered, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit he cannot enter into the kingdom of God. 6 “That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. 7 “Do not be amazed that I said to you, ‘You must be born again.’ 8 “The wind blows where it wishes and you hear the sound of it, but do not know where it comes from and where it is going; so is everyone who is born of the Spirit.” 9 Nicodemus said to Him, “How can these things be?” 10 Jesus answered and said to him, “Are you the teacher of Israel and do not understand these things? 11 “Truly, truly, I say to you, we speak of what we know and testify of what we have seen, and you do not accept our testimony. 12 “If I told you earthly things and you do not believe, how will you believe if I tell you heavenly things? 13 “No one has ascended into heaven, but He who descended from heaven: the Son of Man. 14 “As Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of Man be lifted up; 15 so that whoever believes will in Him have eternal life. 16 “For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life. 17 “For God did not send the Son into the world to judge the world, but that the world might be saved through Him. 18 “He who believes in Him is not judged; he who does not believe has been judged already, because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God. 19 “This is the judgment, that the Light has come into the world, and men loved the darkness rather than the Light, for their deeds were evil. 20 “For everyone who does evil hates the Light, and does not come to the Light for fear that his deeds will be exposed. 21 “But he who practices the truth comes to the Light, so that his deeds may be manifested as having been wrought in God.”
What does today’s passage say?
In today's passage, under cover of darkness, a Jewish religious authority named Nicodemus sought out Jesus to ask Him questions. Jesus shocked him by declaring that people need a complete spiritual transformation from above to see God's kingdom - something that baffled Nicodemus completely (vv. 1-8). Jesus used an ancient story about a bronze snake to show how His death would open the way to eternal life for those who put their faith in Him (vv. 9-15). God's deep affection for humanity moved Him to send His Son so that anyone trusting in Him could live forever rather than face destruction (vv. 16-17). People make their choice - some run from the truth while others welcome it, showing whether they have accepted or rejected God's Son (vv. 18-21).
How can I apply John 3:1-21 to my life?
In the dark of night, a religious leader named Nicodemus came to Jesus with questions about getting right with God. Like many people today, he thought his religious background and good behavior would earn God's approval. Jesus gave him news that probably shocked him - everyone needs a complete spiritual restart, a supernatural new birth that only God can give. This conversation between Jesus and Nicodemus tackles the most important question any person can ask: "How can I have eternal life?" The answer Jesus gave cuts through all human attempts to reach God and points to the simple but profound truth that eternal life comes through faith in Him. God's incredible love moved Him to send Jesus as the solution to our separation from Him. This passage speaks directly to anyone searching for real answers about eternal life. It also challenges those who already believe to examine how completely they have stepped into the light of God's truth. The choice Jesus presents is clear - we can stay in spiritual darkness or move toward His light through faith in Him. Here are some basic principles from this passage that we should apply to our lives:
1. Receive Salvation by Being Born of the Spirit Through Jesus (vv. 1-8): Jesus taught Nicodemus that physical birth cannot bring spiritual life - only being born of the Spirit can do that. God offers each person an amazing opportunity for total transformation through faith in Jesus Christ. This spiritual birth launches us into a completely new way of existing - not just a better version of our old self, but an entirely new creation. Some people spend years trying to fix their life through self-improvement or religious activities, yet these efforts cannot produce the radical change that comes only through the Spirit's work. When someone trusts in Jesus, God's Spirit moves in and begins a deep work that no human effort could ever achieve. The process might not make sense to our natural minds, but the results become clear as new desires and attitudes emerge. Picture someone who has lived their whole life in darkness suddenly seeing color for the first time - that is what happens spiritually when the Holy Spirit gives new life. Our thoughts, values, and behaviors shift as God's Spirit transforms us from the inside out. Rather than following religious rules out of duty, we discover a genuine love for God and His ways. The Spirit gives us new spiritual senses to understand God's truth and new power to live it out. This supernatural rebirth marks the start of authentic relationship with God through Jesus Christ (Ezekiel 36:26-27, 2 Corinthians 5:17, 1 Peter 1:23).
Food for thought: What specific changes have occurred in your life since putting your trust in Jesus Christ? How has being born of the Spirit affected your relationship with God compared to before you knew Jesus?
2. Believe in Jesus as the One Sent by God to Save Mankind (vv. 9-17): Jesus explained to Nicodemus that He came as God's solution for humanity's spiritual death problem. Most people struggle with the simple truth that God's love led Him to send Jesus to save us. Some cannot accept such a free gift, while others keep trying to add their own good works to the mix. The world tells us we must earn everything we get - promotions, respect, awards - but God operates differently. His gift of salvation through Jesus breaks all those normal patterns. Think of someone offering you a million dollars with absolutely no strings attached. Many people would search for the catch or try to pay something in return. That is exactly how humans often respond to God's offer of eternal life through Jesus. The natural mind wants to make it more complicated than it is. God watched humanity drowning in sin and sent Jesus as our rescue. Parents understand this kind of love - they would do anything to save their child from danger. God did far more than we can imagine by sending His Son to die for us. When we trust in Jesus, we stop the exhausting work of trying to prove ourselves to God. Our relationship with Him transforms from one based on fear and performance to one built on love and acceptance. Every religious system tells people to work their way to God, but Jesus tells us God already made the way to us. Faith in Jesus opens the door to a completely new kind of life - one where we live in freedom instead of fear (Romans 6:23, Ephesians 2:8-9, Titus 3:4-7).
Food for thought: What keeps people from accepting that salvation is a free gift from God through faith in Jesus? How has believing in Jesus changed your understanding of God's character?
3. Step Into the Light by Trusting in Jesus for Eternal Life (vv. 18-21): Jesus taught that people either move toward the light or stay in darkness based on their response to Him. The grip of spiritual darkness holds people back in powerful ways. On dark nights, our eyes adjust until we think we can see - but one flash of real light shows how blind we actually were. Spiritual darkness works just like that. People create their own version of truth and morality until they start believing the lies they tell themselves. God's light breaks through all that self-deception. Some run from it because the truth about their sin makes them uncomfortable. Others welcome it because they are tired of living in confusion and pain. The amazing part about stepping into God's light is what happens next. Instead of condemnation, we find freedom. Rather than judgment, we discover grace. But that first step takes real courage - the courage to admit we need Jesus to save us. A doctor cannot help patients who will not admit they are sick. In the same way, Jesus cannot save people who deny their need for Him. When we finally stop running and let His light shine on every part of our life, something beautiful happens. The very truth we feared becomes the source of our freedom. We no longer waste energy hiding our flaws or pretending to have it all together. His light exposes our sin, but it also reveals His complete forgiveness through the cross. People who walk in God's light learn to live without masks. They experience deep peace knowing that the God who sees everything still loves them completely. Living in His light transforms how we see ourselves, how we treat others, and how we face each new day (Psalms 36:9, 1 John 1:7, Ephesians 5:8-9).
Food for thought: What areas of your life do you still try to keep hidden from God's light? How has walking in God's light changed the way you deal with sin in your life?
Jesus gave Nicodemus life-changing truth that still transforms lives today. The path to eternal life runs straight through faith in Jesus Christ. No amount of religious knowledge, good deeds, or moral living can replace the supernatural new birth that happens when someone trusts in Jesus as their Savior. God made the way simple - He sent His Son to die for our sins, and everyone who believes in Him receives eternal life. This gift comes only through faith, not through human effort or religious rituals. The Holy Spirit creates new life in those who trust Jesus, changing them from the inside out. People who take this step of faith move from darkness into God's bright light of truth. Their relationship with God shifts from fear to love, from trying to earn His approval to living in His grace. The choice stands clear: stay in darkness or step into His light through faith in Jesus Christ. God extends His amazing love to everyone, offering new life to all who believe in His Son. The gift is free, but each person must choose to receive it.
Prayer
Dear Heavenly Father,
I pray that You would use this passage from John to awaken people’s eyes to their need for salvation in Jesus. I pray that You would give understanding where there is confusion, break through hardened hearts, and draw seeking souls to Yourself. I pray that You would help me clearly explain what it means to be born again by Your Spirit, not holding back the hard truths but speaking them in love. Give me wisdom to avoid religious language that could obscure the simplicity of the gospel. I pray that You would help me to help people understand that putting faith in Jesus provides the only way to spiritual rebirth and eternal life. Protect me from watering down Your truth just to avoid offense and give me courage to shine the light of Christ into the darkness of empty religion. I pray that You would make the message stick in people’s minds long after they hear it, working in their hearts to remove any barriers standing between them and Your free gift of salvation. Produce conviction over sin but also understanding and acceptance of Your grace. For those already born again, I ask You to revive the wonder of their new creation in Christ. Remind them that Your loving presence lives within all who trust in Jesus.
I pray these things in the most precious name of Jesus, Amen.
John 3:16 - “For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life.”
With His Blessings,
Pastor Corby
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