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When studying the Bible, it is interesting to examine the different
personalities that interacted with Jesus. Remember that Jesus met many people during His earthly
ministry. However, there is a reason why certain individuals were selected to be recorded in the Bible.
Try to identify yourself with different people and their reactions to Jesus. Jesus always required one
thing of those He met, faith. Nicodemus came in the night, perhaps so that he would not be seen by the other members of the Sanhedrin. Perhaps he didn't want to be disturbed in his conversation with Jesus. He was curious about who Jesus was. He seemed to want to make a deal with Jesus: I'll recognize you as a Rabbi from God and you reinforce me with the truth you know. The Lord showed Nicodemus that he was not even close to understanding who Jesus was or recognizing the truth that He possessed. The words, "I tell you the truth," always indicate some misunderstanding on the part of the hearer. (See John 3:3.) Nicodemus came sincerely seeking Jesus for answers. But he came in pride seeking validation of his own belief. So he left with questions and doubts of his own understanding. (We will meet Nicodemus again in our study of John.) The term "born again" has become a stumbling block for many people today. To be born again means coming to faith in the person of Jesus Christ as seen in John 3:16. When we are born again we understand the significance of the cross and the resurrection. It is by the cross we have conviction and forgiveness of sin. It is by the resurrection we have new life and the ability to follow Jesus in obedience. Water is often used metaphorically for the word of God. (See Ephesians, 5:26, 1 Peter 1:23.) It is the Holy Spirit who, through the word of God, leads us to the truth of understanding who Jesus is and what He has done for us. When we recognize Jesus as our Lord and Savior, we are set free. We are not stripped of our personality, but rather we have a true and everlasting completion of ourselves in Christ. |