The Teacher: Jesus Christ (3:1–21) - part 1 of 3

A MATTER OF LIFE AND DEATH

One of the main ideas in John 3 is the new birth. We also see Jesus Christ in three different roles in this chapter: the Teacher (John 3:1–21), the Bridegroom (John 3:22–30), and the Witness (John 3:31–36).

The Teacher Jesus Christ (3:1–21)

We have already talked about how John 2:23–25 and 3:1 are related. Nicodemus was first drawn to Jesus because of the miracles He performed. He wanted to know more about Jesus and the doctrines that He taught. Nicodemus was "the teacher of the Jews" (John 3:10), and he had a lot of respect for the Teacher from Galilee (Jesus).

Nicodemus was a Pharisee, which meant he followed the strictest religious rules. Some Pharisees were sincere, like Nicodemus, who sought the truth (Matt. 23). He came to Jesus at night, not because he was afraid of being seen, but most likely because he wanted to talk to the new Teacher "come from God" without being bothered. The use of the plural pronoun "we" by Nicodemus and the plural "ye" by Jesus (John 3:7) may suggest that Nicodemus was speaking for the religious leaders. He was a man of high moral character and a deep desire for religion, but he was also very spiritually blind.

Our Lord used four very different examples to teach Nicodemus the basics of salvation.

Birth (vv. 1–7). Our Lord started with something everyone could relate to: birth. The word that means "again" can also mean "from above." Everyone on earth has had a natural birth, but if they want to go to heaven, they need to have a supernatural spiritual birth from above.

Once again, we see how blind sinners are: Nicodemus, a well-educated religious leader, didn't understand what the Savior was saying! Nicodemus only thought about a physical birth when Jesus was talking about a spiritual birth. Things are still the same today. People often start talking about their family's religious background, their church membership, religious ceremonies, and so on when you ask them about being born again.

Our Lord was a patient teacher who picked up on what Nicodemus said and went on to explain the new birth. To be "born of water" means to be born physically ("enter a second time into his mother's womb"), but to be born again means to be born of the Spirit. There are two "parents" for spiritual birth, just like there are two parents for physical birth: the Spirit of God (John 3:5) and the Word of God (James 1:18; 1 Peter 1:23–25). The Holy Spirit uses the Word of God to give the sinner the life of God when they believe.

Jesus did not instruct that the new birth is attained through water baptism. Baptism in the New Testament is associated with death rather than birth, and no quantity of physical water can induce a spiritual transformation in an individual. The main point of John 3:14–21 is to believe, because faith is what saves you (Eph. 2:8–9). When you believe, the Spirit comes into your life (Acts 10:43–48; Eph. 1:13–14). The Spirit's witness is proof of your salvation (Rom. 8:9).

We are definitely obeying Christ and telling others about Him when we get baptized in water (Matt. 28:18–20; Acts 2:41). However, it should not be considered a prerequisite for salvation; otherwise, none of the Old Testament saints attained salvation, nor did the thief on the cross (Luke 23:39–43). There has always been only one way to be saved: believing in God's promise. However, the manifestation of that faith has changed over time.

The birth of a human being involves travail (John 16:21), and so does the birth from above. Our Savior had to suffer on the cross so that we could become part of God's family (Isa. 53:11). Concerned Christians must travail in prayer and witness to bring sinners to Christ (1 Cor. 4:15; Gal. 4:19).

The child inherits the traits of the parents, and similarly, the child of God inherits divine attributes. We become "partakers of the divine nature" (2 Peter 1:4). Nature dictates appetite, elucidating why the Christian possesses a desire for the things of God (1 Peter 2:2–3). He has no desire to return to the vile things of the world that once attracted him (2 Peter 2:20–22). He consumes the Word of God and attains spiritual maturity (Heb. 5:11–14).

Of course, birth means life, and spiritual birth from above means God's life. John says "life" thirty-six times in his gospel. Death is the opposite of life, and the person who has not believed in Jesus is dead. Christ does not possess God's life, eternal life, or abundant life. You don't make Christians any more than you make babies! The new birth is the only way to join God's family (John 1:11–13).

We are "born again to a lively [living] hope" (1 Peter 1:3), which means that birth has a future. A baby can't be arrested because they don't have a past. When you are reborn into God's family, He not only forgives and forgets your sins but also bestows upon you a bright future filled with a living hope.

Nicodemus must have looked shocked and confused, so the Lord said, “Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again.” (John 3:7). But Nicodemus was a Jew by birth! He was one of God's covenant people (Rom. 9:4–5)! Certainly his birth was better than that of a Gentile or a Samaritan! His life was exemplary because he was a faithful Pharisee. He could understand Jesus telling the Romans they had to be born again, but not the Jews!